Finally an equestrian rider is responding appropriately to the human rights issues in China. German team eventing rider Heinrich Romeike has announced that if he's selected for the German Olympic eventing team, he will ride in a saddle pad in the colours of the Tibetan flag! "If I get nominated, I will represent my country in China," Romeike told the German magazine St. Georg. "But I will not shut my eyes, ears and mouth! I just can't be riding there and do sports, while they are clubbing people next door." Olympic regulations say that athletes can not express political or religious statements in their performance, but Romeike thinks that the colours of his horse's saddle pad can be insinuating enough. Thank God sensible, world-conscious people like Romeike use their barn and are not afraid to take a stand!
Former British Champion Nicky Barrett has stepped down from her role as BD Team Trainer for Young Riders and Juniors. BD Chairman Jennie Loriston-Clarke said; “Nicky has made considerable progress with many of the riders throughout the winter training sessions, and we are very grateful that such a successful and busy trainer was prepared to give so much time to the success of young British dressage riders.” In the run up to the European Championships in July the Chef d’Equipes will work with the riders home trainers, including Nicky, to ensure riders are supported in their preparations.
The Hanoverian premium stallion Rosentanz (by Rohdiamant x Sao Paulo) has a new rider. Owner Lone Boegh Henriksen is bringing the stallion home to Denmark from Germany and Grand Prix rider Michael Sogaard will continue the dressage career of the dark bay sire. Rosentanz was a premium stallion in Hannover and Herning and was the most expensive horse selling at auction the year of his licensing. Johannes Westendarp qualified Rosentanz for the 3-year old and 5-year old Bundeschampionate and has reared and trained him since he was half a year old. Johannes Westendarp will be presenting the stallion to the Danish public for the last time April 18, 2008, at the Danish Warmblood stallion show at the Vallensbæk Ridecenter. Sogaard, who will bring Rosentanz to FEI level, will take over the ride on the stallion after the show.
On April 5, 2008, The Xenophon society for the promotion of classical dressage held a clinic at the Landsgestut in Marbach, Germany. Xenophon board members taught different riders on Marbach owned stallions with an audience of 350 watching. After the clinic, 100 people participated in the open discussion held in the landgestut's guest house. The attending clinicians were: Oberst a.D. Kurd Albrecht von Ziegner,
Olympic rider Christine Stückelberger, Fritz Stahlecker, Marbach State Stud manager Dr. Astrid von Velsen-Zerweck, Elke Trümmner and Olympian Klaus Balkenhol.
Photo credit: Mrs Matthaes
The KWPN licensed stallion Jetset D (Zirkoon x Le Mexico x Amor) has been sold to Finland and is licensed for the Finnish Warmblood society. The FWB approved Jetset D for five years and he'll be standing at stud at Talli Laukat, a representative of Dutch warmblood horses in Finland.
Dutch pony team rider Maria van den Dungen has sold her third FEI pony, Hertenhof's Sunlight to Jeanine Nekeman. Maria is currently campaigning Dino P and Pan Tau B and when she heard that Jeanine's FEI pony Bongo became injured, she offered her pony Sunlight to Jeanine. Sunlight won individual bronze at the 2005 European Pony Championships with Astrid Langeberg and then became an A-team pony under Maria.
Sportswear producer Nike has designed their first equestrian boot called the Nike Ippeas. According to Nike, they added many "innovations" to the boot which include "rubber pads for the outsoles of the boots to improve stirrup traction, an adjustable titanium screw-in spur system (inspired by track spikes) that eliminates the need for additional hardware on the ankles, a full-length engineered zipper for easy on-and-off, and a a thin, high-abrasion synthetic rubber material on the medial side of the boot that delivers improved grip on the horse and saddle, which gives the rider better communication with the animal and increased stability during demanding jumps." And that's exactly what the boots are for. They look much like show jumping boots, to soft for the dressage rider.
The United States Olympic Committee and Polo Ralph Lauren came to an agreement designating Polo Ralph Lauren as an Official Outfitter of the 2008 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. Under this agreement, Polo Ralph Lauren has designed the official Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony Parade Outfits for the U.S. Teams, in addition to an assortment of village wear pieces to be provided to the U.S. Teams. Recalling the history of the Olympic Games and in keeping with the honor and tradition associated with this historic event, Polo Ralph Lauren will bring an elegant and contemporary style to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. The Opening Ceremony Parade Outfits reflect the heritage and sensibility of the 1920s and 1930s with a tailored and modern silhouette. The Closing Ceremony Parade Outfits reflect a sportier aesthetic.
“We are both thrilled and honored to join with the U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams to contribute to the most esteemed sporting event in history. As our athletes take to this world stage they are representing the best of America and we are proud to be a part of that,” said David Lauren, Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications for Polo Ralph Lauren.
The black Ducth warmblood stallion Karandasj, the KWPN licensing Champion of 1995, has been put down. The show jumping sire by Fedor x Irco Polo died in England following two colic surgeries.