German U25 Rider Franziska Haase Loses De Nino

Dressage

Germany

De Nino, the internationally competed German Under 25 Grand Prix Horse, has passed away.

De Nino was an 18-year old Hanoverian gelding by Don Schufro out of Sandros Girl (by Sandro Hit x Rohdiamant). He was bred by Heinz Tiedje Jr.

Isabel Freese

Initially owned by Hans-Werner Rathjens, De Nino was first competed by German based Norwegian Isabel Bache-Freese. She debuted him in 2012 and placed 14th at the Bundeschampionate in Warendorf when the horse was four.

In 2013 they competed at the World Young Horse Championships in Verden, where they were 8th in the consolation finals. . At the 2013 Bundeschampionate they placed 6th in the preliminary round and did not compete in the finals.

Ninja Rathjens

There was a break from showing in 2014 but in 2015 he returned to the arena with the owner's daughter, Ninja Rathjens; first at M-level and in 2016 at small tour and medium tour level.

There were no shows in 2017 but in 2018 they showed at national Grand Prix level. In 2019 Ninja and De Nino made their international show debut at Under 25 level, first in Mannheim, followed by Aalborg. In 2020 they showed in Herning and in 2021 at the CDI Herzlake.

Franziska Haase

De Nino then sold as a schoolmaster for Franziska Haase.

The new dup premiered at the local show in Mildstedt in May 2022 at Prix St Georges level. They rode their first Inter II in July before moving into the Under 25 division. However they contested the 2022 German Young Riders Championships in Verden and were 27th overall.

In 2023 they rode on the Piaff Forderpreis circuit in Mannheim (which was a CDI at the same time). At the 2023 German under 25 Championships they were ninth. They continued on the Piaff circuit in 2024, showed in the U25 at the CDI Mannheim, finished 10th at the 2024 German Under 25 Championships, and placed third in the Piaff Forderpreis Finals in Donaueschingen.

Their last competition year was in 2025 with more Piaff Forderpreis showing at national level. They were 9th at the 2025 German Under 25 Championships in Balve. Their last show was in August 2025 in Pinneberg.

Sad Goodbye

Haase had to say goodbye to her career launching horse. De Nino succumbed to colic.

"Unfortunately there was nothing more we could do. I am very sad," Franziska told Eurodressage.

In a statement on social media Haase said about De Nino, "you were much more than just a sports partner, you were a really good friend, a teacher, just a buddy to love. You have opened many doors for me and for that I will forever be grateful."