Several Olympic athletes have got the Olympic rings tattooed on their body after the 2024 Olympics in Paris. They fulfilled a highlight and career dream when they rode down the centerline in Versailles and became true "Olympians". They eternalized this moment on their body with a tattoo. Abigail Lyle added this tattoo on her arm, while Maria Caetano also got the rings on her wrist.
Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet ran an intriguing story on how the newly appointed board of directors at the Danish Equestrian Federation (DRF) is not able to be the fresh, new wind they promised they would be. In a revealing article Ekstra Bladet wrote his the new president, Dan Boyter, decided to invest in the World Cup in Herning and pay Danish Derby Horse Shows (DDHS), the company behind Casper Cassøe Kruth, 67,000 euro (500K DKK) to ensure that Herning keeps its World Cup status. Ekstra Bladet suggested that this was done against the will of other board members, who have been gagged and are not allowed to speak to the press.
World Cup Herning was previously 'owned' by Dansk Varmblod, Dansk Ride Forbund, and Andreas Helgstrand, but the latter sold his 1/3 share to the two former companies when he got excluded from Danish team participation at the end of 2023. "We have decided that in order to ensure that we can have the World Cup Herning on Danish soil and thus maintain it in 2024, we have chosen to go in with a sponsorship amount that was previously borne by Helgstrand in the Global Equestrian Group," Dan Boyter told Ekstrabladet. Cassoe is the current COO of Helgstrand's Global Equestrian Group. Other board members believe the money should have been spent on the smaller, local clubs who are struggling in a recessive economy.
One week after Ekstra Bladet posted the article, Dan Boyter resigned from the board of the company 'World Cup Komplementar ApS" and "World Cup Herning P/S." The companies are behind this autumn's World Cup Qualifier in Herning. According to Ridehesten it is a tradition that the chairman of DRF sits on the board, as does a representative from Dansk Varmblod, as both associations usually help run the meeting. "Nothing should compromise my role as chairman of the DRF, says Boyter to Ridehesten.
Luxembourg young rider Kimberly-Liv Schiltz has sold her number one horse Filou to a Asia as a schoolmaster. Filou is a 15-year old Westfalian gelding by Florenciano x Furst Piccolo. Kimberly made her CDI debut on him in 2021 as a junior rider and moved to Young Riders level in 2022, showing for two more years in Le Mans and Kronenberg until April 2023. It was her last CDI, as well as her horse's.
Dutch born French junior rider Fleur Weijkamp parted ways with her international junior ride of 2024 and loaner horse, Didi Seven. To make her transition from ponies onto horses, Weijkamp started competing the 16-year old bay KWPN mare (by Florencio x Havel) internationally in May 2024 in Le Mans and also took her to Jardy. She was named reserve for the European Junior Championships, although this was not officially announced by FFE. Didi Seven has now returned to owner Monique Wilderbeek Mulder. Fleur will continue on Alexandra Dilliere's 8-year old Quinto (by Foundation x Abanos x A Lucky One).
Equestrian Canada has elected three new members of the Board of Directors: Marion Cunningham, Andrea Hayward, and Todd Walsh. All three (3) candidates are joining the EC Board for the first time. They will join the following Directors to round out the 2024-2025 EC Board: Audrey-Julie Dallaire, Kelly Gravelle, Jennifer Hodgson, Gilles Levasseur, Nathan Reeve, and Lisa Robertson.
The Hannoveraner Verband has struck a collaboration with horse dealer Ulrik Stadelhofer as global sales agent with a particular focus on Denmark. Stadelhofer is known for scouting dressage horses and he will now also offer this service on behalf of the Hannoveraner Verband and will continue to work independently.