The German based American dressage rider Jennifer Hoffmann will not be competing at the 2026 World Championships for young dressage horses in Verden next week. The rider injured herself in a riding accident and faces a long recovery.
Riding Accident
Right before the weekend, the 53-year old Hoffmann fell off a horse
"My horse got spooked and spun around on the concrete," Jennifer told Eurodressage. "Unfortunately he lost his balance and we both fell down. I was underneath him."
Jennifer was transported to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with several fractures to her right side, a pneumothorax to both lungs, as well as broken ribs.
"I was operated on my hip and upper leg directly as I got to the hospital and on Tuesday I will have a second operation on a spiral fracture to my lower leg," she explained.
Hoffmann added, "I’m really trying to focus on just how lucky I truly am to still be here surrounded by my amazing team mates, friends and family. It could have been way way worse. Thankful that I always ride with a helmet as if I didn’t have one I probably wouldn’t be texting you right now. The professor tells me everything is fixable and with a very good rehab program I will back at it soon enough."
Verden Dream Dashed
Jennifer is based at Hof Kasselmann in Hagen and was set to compete 7-year old Oldenburg gelding Fandiamo (by Foundation x Londonderry) for Team U.S.A. in Verden. The horse is owned by Hof Kasselmann GMBH & CO.KG, and cared for by Dayeon Lee.
Only one weekend ago, Hoffmann and Fandiamo proved form at the CDI Görlitz, where they rode the Nurnberger burgpokal qualifier for developing PSG horses.
"I’m devastated that I can’t ride Fandiamo in Verden," said Jennifer, "but his career is only beginning and the dressage world will see much more of us in the future. I’m very grateful to still be in this beautiful life."
U.S. Equestrian has no reserve combinations lined-up to replace Fandiamo. The country will have one pair competing: Laura DeCesari (Tucson, Ariz.) on VP Ice Man, a 2021 KWPN stallion (by Blue Hors Monte Carlo TC x Ziesto).
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses