
American Grand Prix rider Beatrice Marienau has been forced to pause her sport career due to serious health issues.
As she works on her recovery, her horses have found sanctuary in the capable hands of her cousin, Laura Tomlinson.
From Europe to America
The German born American Beatrice "Trixi" Marienau grew up in Bad Kreuznach and began riding at the young age of 3. As a teenager she had a successful junior and young rider jumping career in Germany coached by Sönke Sönksen before spending time in the U.K. with the Bechtolsheimers where the fire for dressage was lit by her uncle Wilfried.
She returned to Germany to get a marketing degree but then decided to throw her life around and in 1998 accepted a job working on an authentic cattle ranch in Wyoming, where she met her future husband, Michael, who hails from Evansville, Indiana.
In 2004 the couple bought a remote property, Hideaway Ranch, in Oak Creek, Colorado.
The Love for Dressage
Beatrice continued to ride but as of 2009 her love for dressage deepened under the tutelage of American dressage judge Lilo Fore. She bought schoolmaster Reve de Neige (by Rosenzauber x Volturno) and Marienau made her international Grand Prix debut in Califoria in 2011.
Her career launching horse was Stefano (by Gribaldi x Actueel) with whom she made her break through at Grand Prix level. She competed him internationally from 2013 till 2018. They finished 12th at the 2015 U.S. Grand Prix Championships.
Marienau collaborated closely with trainer and horse dealer Leida Collins-Strijk and together they lined up Beatrice's future FEI hopefuls. She acquired Quatermain, Issey, Joe H, and Maizauber amongst others.
After the retirement of Stefano her main ride became Grand Prix horse Issey. She showed him mainly nationally in Florida and after a 6-year break from international showing returned to the CDI ring in Ocala in April 2024 at Grand Prix level. For the past two years she's been working with Chris von Martels.
For the past nine years Marienau commuted between her Colorado home, Stillpoint Farm in Wellington, Florida, and The Netherlands. Her last Dutch base was Juliette Ramel's Ivy Farm.
"Journey of a Lifetime "Comes to a Halt
Marienau's equestrian "journey of a lifetime" has come to a halt as health issues have compromised the normal flow of her life.
During a high altitude visit home in Steamboat Springs, CO, her chest pain worsened and she followed her instinct and went to the E.R
"Luckily I listen to my body, because I was going through a heart attack and they send me by flight for life to the Fort Collins. At UC Health they performed a catheterization and diagnosed that the left anterior descending artery was over 90% clogged up. They put two stents in and put me on ton of medication. Some of the medication that will not allow me to continue riding."
The 54-year old Marienau has therefore given up on her horse career to focus on her health and recovery.
"I will miss dearly feeling, breathing, living horses on a daily base, but I am thankful for all these years I had and all the experiences I was allowed to make. And who knows what is in the stars for the future," she explained.
She told Eurodressage, "I am still trying to understand what happened and how lucky I was and also to figure out my now life. It was very emotional and difficult to accept this situation"
Laura Tomlinson
Beatrice is able to rely on the support of her vast network of family and friends.
Laura Tomlinson has taken over the ride on her four horses, the 12-year old KWPN bred Issey (by Johnson x Rubinstein), the 11-year old KWPN bred Joe H (by Zatchmo x Vivaldi), the 12-year old DSP bred Maizauber (by Millennium x Drakdream), and the 12-year old Hanoverian Black Wood (by Bretton Woods x Sir Donnerhall).
"If and when they feel comfortable they also may start showing them," she added. "We will see what the future will bring. The most important for me is that my beloved horses are in a safe place with loving and caring people great training and an amazing environment. I couldn’t be more thankful for the way it all turned out."
Photos © Astrid Appels
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