Where Are they Now? Ferdinand BB

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F.O.C.U.S.

The 16-year old Hanoverian gelding Ferdinand BB was Jessica von Bredow-Werndl's second iron in the fire alongside prima donna Dalera BB. Instead of succeeding in Dalera's footsteps, the ride was passed on to student and assistant rider Raphaen Netz in 2022, who became the European Under 25 Champion on him. Jessica finished the year on him with two more CDI's but since then Ferdinand has disappeared from the show scene.

Where is he now?

Ferdinand BB

The bay Hanoverian gelding is by Florencio out of La Corunia (by Lanciano x Bolero x Kew Gardens xx). He is bred by Bernhard Sieverding.

He sold as a youngster to retired Swiss dressage judge Beatrice Burchler-Keller and moved to Aubenhausen to be produced up the levels.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

Ferdinand BB was competed from the start by Jessica, who premiered him as a 4-year old in in Munich in April 2013. As a 5-year old he represented Germany at the 2014 World Young Horse Championships in Verden, where they were 9th in the finals.

A four year break from international showing followed, but nationally he was slowly produced up the levens. He did his first Prix St Georges test in 2016, his first medium tour test at the CDI Ebreichsdorf in February 2018 before moving into the Grand Prix a few months later.

He qualified for the 2018 Louisdor Cup Finals but the rider decided not to compete at the show to give her horse more time to mature. In 2019 the pair finished fifth in the Louisdor Cup Finals after winning the warm-up round.

Internationally the pair resurfaced after another three year break at the CDI Salzburg in January 2021, where they scored 69.956% in their first CDI Grand Prix test. That year the dup competed in Munich, Crozet, AAchen, and Zakrzow, winning six classes.

Jessica began 2022 showing him in Ornago and Stadl Paura but then handed over the ride.

Raphael Netz

Netz was competing at Under 25 level and with his top ride Lacoste sold to Celina Badstangen, Elastico returned to owner Akane Kuroki, and Exlusive BB (by Edward x Donnerschwee) ending his international run in May 2022, the agreement was made for Netz to try for the German team with Ferdinand BB.

He premiered the gelding at one local show in Brunnthal on 25 June 2024 before going last minute to the team qualifier at the CDI Kronberg in July 2022 and based on his double win there was selected for the team for the 2022 European Under 25 Championships in Pilisjaszfalu, where Germany won team gold and Netz claimed double individual gold on top. He scored 75.294% in the Inter II, 73.462% in the Short Grand Prix and 79.435% in the Kur.

Winning the 2022 European U25 Championships

After the Europeans, Jessica was back in the saddle and she showed him at the 2022 CDI Stuttgart for a 72.565% in the Grand Prix. One month later the horse did its final competition in Frankfurt, finishing 7th in the Grand Prix with 71.130% and fifth in the Special with 70.553%

Where Is he Now?

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl revealed this week that Ferdinand has been "retired" from high performance sport but is still being ridden and serving as a fun horse for owner Beatrice.

"He's doing super," said Jessica. "I took him along recently to an event in Stanglwirt. At home he's being lightly trained and Beatrice rides him each time she comes to visit."

Beatrice Burchler-Keller with Ferdinand in 2022

Jessica added, "for international top sport he wasn't enough and another rider was no long-term option for Beatrice."