What's Happening: September 2010 - Part 3

Thu, 09/30/2010 - 09:13
What's Happening in the Dressage World?

Swedish young horse rider Malin Rinné is leaving her current employer, Landgestut Neustadt/Dosse in Germany, to move back to Sweden, where she will take up a job as branch manager of an environmental analysis company. "I have a few of my own horses and I will also train a couple of riding horses  and treach as far as I have time. So it becomes a handful of horses to ride every day instead of twelve," Rinné told Tidningen Ridsport

Danish Grand Prix horse Cajo has been retired from competition at the age of 10. Under Bo Høstrup the bay licensed Danish warmblood stallion (by Camaro) was part of the Danish Grand Prix long list and competed internationally. After returning to Denmark from spring training with Anky van Grunsven and Rudolf Zeilinger, Cajo became slightly unlevel. With some medical treatment the horse recovered quickly and was competed again at the CDN Vallensbaek. "I won the Grand Prix in Vallensbæk, but I've always had a feeling that he was not quite right," Hostrup told Ridehesten.com. "Cajo was not lame, but he was not at full force." A thorough examination in the equine clinic this week showed that Cajo suffers from laminitis and it was decided to retire the horse from an active competition career. "Cajo has done so much for me," said Bo, "Now he'll go out and enjoy himself in the paddock at home and when he's ready I'll take him out in the woods."

Danish owned KWPN licensing champion Blue Hors Zack (by Rousseau) has been unable to compete in the Danish Young Horse Semi-Finals due to an injury to his right eye. The stallion jumped in the cross ties and one of the locks got loose and ricocheted into the horse's eye, blinding him. Thanks to a quick intervention of the vets at the Ansager Animal Hospital Zack's eye was saved and the chances are big that the horse will recover to full eye sight.

The notorious Carrot (of Horses Love Carrots and Bute) made a mention of Totilas' growing fame by referring to recent happenings concerning the black pearl: "Totilas (NED), deemed the sole equine worthy of featuring in the FEI photo exhibit, has already written his autobiography at the tender age of ten. And he's got not only his own website but a satirical takeoff mocking his gaits for which he's probably even contemplating a lawsuit (that's when we know he's really a superstar). Methinks he's trying to become Carrot Horse of the Year before the WEG even happens, but rest assured our incorruptible judges will keep their minds open."

German O-judge Katrina Wüst celebrated her 60th birthday in style. A lovely party was hosted in Eltville at the river Rhine and her close family and friends attended, including Elisabeth Max-Theurer. Congratulations!

Chi, the winner of the KWPN mare show in Gelderland and 3rd at the 2010 KWPN Elite Mare Show, has been sold to Cok Mudde of Magic Stables. Chi is by Uphill x Cabochon.

British international Grand Prix rider Emile Faurie Emile has introduced a "hats only" policy at his barn and is making a stand for improved rider safety. My team and I decided it was time to put our safety first and get new hats," Emile told Horse and Hound. "Even the most reliable horse can trip or spook. I don't know why, over the years, we have thought dressage was any safer than the other disciplines — dressage horses can be explosive. No excuses now. If you are riding at Heath Farm, a hat must be worn."