There is much ado about this pair lately, Gonnelien Rothenberger-Gordijn and Leonardo da Vinci. With Gestion Silvano N being out of shape and possibly losing his position as fourth horse in the Dutch Olympic Dressage Team, a team place has been opened and Rothenberger is poised to grab it.
While her husband Sven Rothenberger is dealing with back problems and is occupied in his father's business, Gonnelien has taken over his breeding stallion Jonggor's Weyden (by Western Star) and shows her own Leonardo da Vinci. Although Weyden is her first choice due to his easy rideability, she believes that the elegance of Leonardo will charm crowds and judges.
Leonardo da Vinci is a 13 year old Oldenburg gelding by Landadel x Coriolan bred by H. Krushe from Ganderkesee, Germany. The horse is very temperamental and difficult to ride, but Gonnelien is finally able to push a clear,
correct test out of him. His temperament and sensibility make him a real horse to peep at. "It has taken me a year to click. Between the WEG in Rome and the 2000 CHIO Rotterdam I was able to score 70% with him but had never ridden a waterproof test," Gonnelien said. "Leo has all it takes to be the perfect horse, I just need to gain his trust."
Due to her pregnancy Gonnelien was bound to stay home, but a period of seven months enabled her to get connected with the bay star. The first results of this great combination were visible at the CDI Ebreichsdorf in Austria, where the pair scored sky high points and showed that they are ready for a trip to Sydney.
Related Links
Scores 2000 CDI Ebreichsdorf
Image copyrighted: Arnd Bronkhorst - no reproduction without permission!