German Paralympic Team Horse Nautika Passed Away

Germany

Less than one month before the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, Team Germany lost one of its team horses: Nautika. She was 18 years old.

Nautika was a German bred Lippizaner by Pluto Darina out of Primavera (by Favory Santa). She was bred by Peter von Lewandowsky.

Martina Benzinger

Nautika sold to Martina Benzinger and Jörg Jüngling in 2020 after a career as a driving horse.

With Martina in the saddle Nautika made her international CPEDI debut at Grade I level in February 2021.

In 2022 the pair had a very busy season with starts at the CPEDI's in San Giovanni in Marignano, Randbol, Waregem, Mannheim, Kronenberg and Grote Brogel. They were nominated on the German team for the 2022 World Para Dressage Championships in Herning, but right before the training camp had to withdraw due to an injury. The pair got replaced by Gianna Regenbrecht.

In 2023 they returned and went full throttle with starts in Randbol, Deauville, Mannheim, Kronenberg and Grote Brogel before heading to the 2023 European Para Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck, where they won team silver and individual silver and bronze.

In 2024 the pair competed in Ornago, Waregem, Mannheim and Deurne to qualify for the Paralympics in Versailles.

Early Passing

Unfortunately there will be no Paralympics for the 63-year old Benzinger as she tragically lost her horse this week.

At the horse's last show the horse was not in optimal form and underwent a CT-scan after which "unexpectedly serious complications arose. For several days, everything was tried to save her, but in the end it was unsuccessful," It waw posted on social media.

The pair will be replaced at the Paralympics by first reserve Isabell Nowak on Siracusa OLD, while Melanie Wienand on Lemony's Loverboy will move into first reserve spot.

Benzinger rode no less than 86 international tests with Nautika in four years time. She has a second para horse, Sir de Coeur (by San Muscadet x Montano).