The KWPN website reported the sad passing of Dutch Grand Prix dressage rider Els Janssen. The 50-year old Janssen lost her battle against cancer yesterday evening. Janssen was the ceo of Resim Dressage, a sales and training facility in Harskamp, The Netherlands, where Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud are based.
Els Janssen trained and competed several horses up to Grand Prix level. The first mounts which brought her success were Zazou and Casanova (by Kommandeur x Landsvrouw). Her most famous horse was probably the German bred Contango (Contender x Kronprinz xx) which sold to Iron Spring Farm in the U.S.A.
Her last competition horse was the the now 12-year old mare Nanou (by Contango x Kaiserstern xx). The pair finished 12th at the 2006 Dutch Dressage Championships in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Els Janssen continued to ride until close to her untimely passing.
Photo copyrighted: Koenraad Cappon
Related Links
Janssen and Nanou Selected for 2000 World Young Horse Championships
Contango, Indoctro and Libero H Proclaimed Preferent
Mary Alice Malone and Contango First Place USDF Grand Prix Horse - Adult Amateur