Dynasty, Seven-Time European Pony Championship Participant, Passed Away

Dressage

Austria

Dynasty, a seven-time European Pony Championship participant for Great Britain and Austria, has passed away on 11 August 2024.

Dynasty was a 20-year old Rhinelander pony mare by Deinhard B out of Arts-Deitina (by Arts Dancer Boy x Derbino x Kavalier). She was bred by Hermann Arts.

Rothenberger and Te Riele

The palomino mare made her competition debut as a 3-year old under Jana Freund and in 2008 moved into training with Michele Schulmerig. She competed her extensively at regional shows.

In 2009 the mare sold to the Rothenberger family and was first ridden by Sönke Rothenberger, before she became Sanneke's ride. The pair finished fourth at the 2009 Bundeschampionate in the 5-year old division.

Antoinette te Riele

In 2010 the pony moved to The Netherlands to be ridden by the Sanneke's cousin Antoinette te Riele.

They made their international show debut at the 2010 CDI Stadl Paura, where they were third in the team test and second in the individual test with 70+ scores. They went on to ride at the CDI Saumur. Dynasty became Dutch team reserve pony for Te Riele who rode Golden Girl to gold at the 2010 European Pony Championships.

Erin Williams

In the summer of 2010, the 6-year old Dynasty sold to Great Britain as a second pony for Erin Williams, who was campaigning Danny Gold at the time.

It was in fact Clare Williams who rode Dynasty in her first British show at Eland Lodge equestrian in October 2010, but a month later Erin Williams competed her at Sheepgate for the first time.

In 2011 the duo focused on more national level pony competition, before making their international show debut at the 2011 CDI Addington, followed by CDI Compiegne. They represented Great Britain at the 2012 European Pony Championships in Fontainebleau and finished seventh in the Kur to Music finals.

In 2013 they returned to the European Pony Championships in Arezzo, where they ended up sixth in the Kur finals.

Nicola Ahorner

In October 2013 Dynasty sold to the Austrian pony rider Nicola Ahorner.

Their debut was in Stadl Paura in April 2014 and they campaigned in Roosendaal, Lipica, Brno and Ebreichsdorf that year and collected gold at the 2014 Austrian Pony Championships.

In 2015 they went to Stadl Paura, Caselle di Sommacampagne and Lipica before making their way to the 2015 European Pony Championships in Malmo, Sweden, where they placed 11th in the Kur Finals. They finished the year with their second, consecutive Austrian Pony Champion's title.

Nicola's last year on Dynasty was in 2016.

Claire Benedict

In 2017 Dynasty did not show internationally, but made a come back in 2018 under Austrian Claire Benedict, who had received the ride on the palomino from Ahorner.

Benedict took Dynasty to her fourth European Pony Championships, this time in Bishop Burton, where they were 17th in the Kur Finals.

Fanny Jöbstl

In 2019 the Swiss based Austrian Jöbstl family leased Dynasty for daughter Fanny.

Fanny and Dynasty first rode down the CDI centerline in Ornago, Italy, in March 2019, followed by starts in Wiener Neustadt, Lipica, and St. Margarethen before representing Austria at the 2019 European Pony Championships in Strzegom, where they were 33rd in the individual test. At the 2019 Austrian Pony Championships they got bronze.

Jöbstl and Dynasty were a thriving partnership and they competed at two further European Championships: in 2020 in Budapest, where they finished 17th in the Kur and in 2021 in Strzegom, where they placed sixth in the Kur. At the 2021 Austrian Pony Championships they got the gold.

Retirement

Dynasty was retired from competition sport in the autumn of 2021 and spent almost three good years in retirement. Ahorner tried to get her in foal but she didn't catch until this spring when she got in foal to Dream Date.

Unfortunately, Dynasty's life was cut short by toxic laminitis. Nicola told Eurodressage that she reacted badly to bad hay which contained dried crocus.

"We thought she’s going to make it," Ahorner explained to Eurodressage, telling that all veterinary means were exhausted to bring her back to good health. "She touched so many hearts. We were all so lucky to have had her in our lives."

Fanny Jöbstl stated, "a few months ago we picked out the stallion for your foal and now you aren’t even with us anymore. You fought so hard, but it was just too much. You were the most special pony, that meant everything to me, but you got taken way too early. After everything you did for so many people you should have gotten the chance of being retired on a big field as a mother. I am grateful that I had the chance to be by your side in your last moments and these past intense months."