Maxi Kira von Platen Moving On with Mantovani Horses and Five Super Stars

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F.O.C.U.S.

For German young professional Maxi Kira von Platen the future looks bright. Just days after she took the leap to independence she signed a contract with the team of Mantovani Horses. This ambitious Portuguese company immediately supplied her with five promising super stars that will keep her competitive and in the game.

The 29-year old Von Platen has been given the ride on 2024 Bundeschampion Senorita La Bonita, auction price highlights Valegra and Be A Star, as well as Lusitano stars Oporto d'Atela and Quorum de la Gesse.

Growing Up with Horses

Maxi grew up with horses at her family's dressage stable Platenhof in Wietze, Germany. She started riding as a young girl and with her mom Ute and sister Julia-Katharina hooked on dressage the magnetic pull to the sport was automatic.

In the early 2010s she competed as a junior rider and won team silver at the 2012 European Junior Riders Championships in Berne (SUI) on Flamenco Girl. The same year she won the German Junior Riders Championships. She continued competing in the youth classes mainly at national level and focused on training home-bred horses from novice level to Grand Prix.

After high school, Maxi studied Law and completed the first state exam, but in the end chose to pursue a career in riding. "I spent three exciting and rewarding years working at Helgstrand Germany with Dr. Ulf Möller, my main trainer at the time," said Maxi.

Maxi at the 2012 European Junior Championships

Her most important achievements, so far, include winning the Bundeschampionate on Happy Days di Fonte Abeti and twice riding the national 4-year old challenge at the World Young Horse Championships in Ermelo, where she placed third in 2023 on Elastic and won this year on Proud James.

Moving On with Mantovani Horses

In November Maxi decided the time was ripe for a change and left Helgstrand to became self-employed at her home yard in Wietze.

"Around the same time I began a collaboration with Thiago Mantovani under a formal contract," Maxi explained. "I am a part of his team now and the main rider for Germany. Currently, I am training five of Mantovani's horses, including three warmbloods and two Lusitanos. To support this collaboration, Norbert van Laak visits my stable once or twice a month for training sessions."

Welcoming Bundeschampion Senorita La Bonita

For Von Platen signing the contract with Mantovani entailed an instant boost in horse power. She got five fantastic horses to produce and will be given all the time needed to develop them to peak performance. The biggest super star she got is most likely the 2024 Bundeschampion Senorita La Bonita (by Sir Heinrich x Westernhagen). Thiago bought her for 550,000 euro at the 2024 Westfalian Autumn Elite Auction.

"Senorita La Bonita is truly special. She is only three years old, but her movement and presence are exceptional," Maxi gushed. "Every time she moves, she gives me goosebumps. She has an elegant, sporty conformation, a wonderful temperament, and is incredibly affectionate. She has all the qualities a rider dreams of."

Maxi is also producing Valegra (by Valverde x For Romance), who placed third at the 2024 Westfalian Elite Mare Show and sold at auction for 360,000 euro to Mantovani.

"Valegra has an outstanding rideability with a huge willingness to work," said the rider. "She is very motivated and a very positive mare."

The 2-year old Hanoverian stallion Be A Star (by Benicio x Dancer), which Mantovani also acquired at the Westfalian auction, will be started in the spring of 2025.

Familiarizing with Lusitanos

Thiago Mantovani's passion for horses was kindled by his love for the Lusitano horse. Aside from standing some of Portugal's most popular Lusitano sires, including flagship stallion Escorial, Thiago also has a big mare band and is venturing into cross-breeding Lusitanos mares with warmblood stallions.

With a big catalog of Lusitano horses, Thiago sent two of his promising FEI hopefuls to Maxi in Germany: the 6-year old Oporto d'Atela (by Escorial x Madrigal) and the 4-year old Quorum de la Gesse (by Diamante Negro do Juliana x Tejo OGC).

"Before working with Thiago, I didn’t know much about Lusitanos, but Quorum and Oporto have shown me how special these horses are," said Maxi. "Both have an incredible work ethic, are quick learners, and are very uncomplicated to handle. They brighten up the stable every day and are a pleasure to ride."

She continued, "Quorum and Oporto D’atela are intelligent, learns quickly, and approach their training with focus. Their natural talent and positive attitude make them a very promising horses for the future."

Von Platen is excited about her future with Mantovani Horses as new business partner.

"The goal is to develop each horse step by step and help them reach their full potential," she said. "What the future holds is uncertain, but I am excited about the journey."

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