European Pony Champion George Clooney B.S. Sold to Sweden

Dressage

Sweden

George Clooney B.S., the British bred European Pony Kur Champion of 2024, has been sold to Sweden.

George Clooney B.S. is a 13-year old British bred KWPN registered pony by Caesar 171 out of Santana (by Santano x Democraat x Ultrazon) . He is bred by Julie Lockey.

Sophie Taylor

George Clooney's sport career started under Sophie Taylor in 2015. Two years later they won the 2017 British Young Pony Championships in the 6-year old division.

They made their international show debut at the CDI-P Keysoe in March 2018. After competing at the CDI's in Sint-Truiden and Hagen, Taylor and George Clooney BS were selected on the British team for the 2018 European Pony Championships in Bishop Burton (GBR). The pair finished 14th in the Kur to Music finals.

Mette Dahl

In September 2018 British Olympian Fiona Bigwood acquired the grey gelding as a future ride for her eldest daughter, Mette Dahl.

A year and a half into their partnership, Dahl and George Clooney made their international show debut at the CDI Le Mans in February 2020. They went on to compete at the two CDI's at Keysoe on home turf.

In 2021 Mette campaigned her pony at the CDI Wellington Heckfield, but opted to ride her horse Florina at junior level at the 2021 European Junior Championships in Oliva Nova (ESP).

In 2022 Mette went full focus on ponies and after successfully showing George at CDI's in Lier, Keysoe, Le Mans, and Hagen they were selected on the British team for the 2022 European Pony Championships in Strzegom (POL), where they were 11th in the Kur to Music Finals.

Abigail Gray

In October 2022 George sold to Abigail Gray, who was in her first year competing ponies internationally. She gained her first experience on George's paternal half brother, Godrics Campeggio (by Caesar 171 x Apslau xx) in 2022.

Abi and George made their CDI debut in Addington in March 2023 and from there went to Le Mans. At the CDI Hickstead they scored their first win, followed by one in Wellington Heckfield. They were nominated on the British team for the European Championships in Le Mans, where they were fourth in the Kur to Music Finals.

In 2024 Gray followed the exact same path of Le Mans, Addington and Wellington, winning seven times. At the European Championships in Opglabbeek (BEL), they won the team test and claimed individual test silver and Kur gold to their tally.

Sold to Sweden

Dutch specialist pony horse dealer Laura Quint brokered the sale of George Clooney to Sweden in November.

Abi handing over George to Samantha Arnbäck

George Clooney has been acquired by Annelie Arnbäck and Anett Kristin Lilliehöök (née Olson), owners of the brand new Rosenhill Stable in Vallentuna, Sweden, where Samantha (12) and Maxine (10) Arnbäck and Amelia Lilliehöök (10) ride under the daily supervision of Anett and with trainer Linn Larsson helping out.

"We are beyond thrilled and extremely humbled," Rosenhill said about welcoming George Clooney into their barn. "George has settled in really well with the rest of the ponies and his next rider Samantha is currently taking her time to build a strong relationship with George and finding the right buttons on this true superstar."

The team has acquiring more ponies through Laura Quint in the last four months. They also welcomed Sophie van Norel's former FEI ride Speycksbosch Dickens (by Heitrak's Marvin x Aester el Nino), Robin Dicker's Hulst Isadora (by Coelenhage's Purioso x Aester El Niño) and Pauline Strunz's Bundeschampionate finalist Thurau's Giotto (by HET Golden Dream x Belissimo M).

Quint is thrilled to have sourced George as for the family. "He's the big shining jewel in the crown of my pony business," beamed Laura. "This Swedish team is seeking nothing but the absolute best, and I believe we truly delivered by matching George Clooney to them. I’m very excited for them."