The change of the season from summer to autumn has brought about several changes in the horse world and for some this seasonal change was hard on their system.
Renowned auctioneer Uwe Heckmann collapsed at the A.O.S. Auktion in August. The Oldenburg stallion committee member and member of the Oldenburg Verband board of directors suffered from low blood pressure and had to take a breather. Paul Schockemohle had to step up to the plate and auction a couple of his horses himself before Heckmann caught his breath and was able to continue the auction...
We were very saddened to hear that Vechta Auction rider Johannes Westendarp left the team. Westendarp recently completed the building of his new performance stable in Wallenhorst, Germany, and will be concentrating on his own business from now on. He's is currently standing stallions Wolkentanz II and Rosentanz (through Bockmann) at stud.
Anky van Grunsven's 20 year old Shetlander pony Bugs Bunny has passed awaydue to old age. Bugs Bunny was Bonfire's field mate and they were always grazing together outside. Bonfire will still have Shetlander Jolly Jumper as a mate.
Fortunately there is also good news from Anky's barn. Anky and Sjef recently purchased a new horse. This new acquisition is a 6-year old dark bay Russian warmblood gelding.. more news on him later.
The stallion Turbo Magic of Magic Stables is no longer available for breeding. Turbo Magic (Cabochon x Cocktail) has been put 'on hold' by the KWPN stallion committee after having received a very negative foal report. According to Magic Stables, this weird decision of the KWPN contradicts with the KWPN licensing system which is based on an in hand licensing and a stallion performance test, in which Turbo Magic scored a dressage index of 169 points (one of the highest scores in the performance test). Due to the 'on hold' status, Magic Stables has decided no longer to present Turbo up for stud. He will be focusing on a dressage career under his steady rider Edward Gal.
Remember Suzanne LaPorte, the American young rider who had the experience of a life time two years ago by being selected to train a summer with Lisa Wilcox and Ernst Hoyos at Gestut Vorwerk in Cappeln, Germany? LaPorte and her horse Wittus were in Cappeln for several months are returned to the U.S becoming the 2003 Junior Riders Champion at Devon. Well, a bee in her bonnet has made her decide to quit riding. Her brother Trae Laporte officially took over the ride on Wittus, but Suzanne is still schooling him once in a while, though no more shows or horses for her.. What a waste! Hopefully she will change her decision and we'll see her back in the saddle after this sabbatical.
We all remember the case of Dutch young rider medallist Petra van Esch who needed a couple of years to pull things together in her life. Van Esch came back and is now a serious competitor on the Dutch scene with horses Sultano and Noa-H.
Apparently it's old news already but I just heard it this week. Madeleine Winter-Schulze, known for being Isabell Werth's and Ludger Beerbaum's sponsor, haspurchased the sport rights to the former World Champion Cherie FRH. Winter-Schulze also owns Cappucino and is good friends with Karin Rehbein. Cherie will continue to be ridden by Rehbein (and not by Werth as it has been rumoured).
On the Ultimate Dressage Bulletin Board people were discussing about great dressage Bumper Stickers. I loved the following suggestions: "Forward is non-negotiable" or "If you can't collect your horse can you at least slow down a bit?"
Don't forget to go to the Belgian Dressage Weekend October 15-17, 2004. On Saturday evening there is a dressage clinic with Anky van Grunsven and Mariette Withages.
Sir Donnerhall (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall), the third highest placed young stallion at the 2003 Oldenburg Licensing in Vechta won the 30-day Stallion Performance Testin Schlickau. He achieved the highest overall results of 8.95. For dressage he got a score of 9.26, for show jumping he got an impressive 8.73.