Dutch Minister Gerda Verburg has announced that she will conduct an investigation into the rollkur-hyperflexion, following an official written complaint from Frank Dales, president of the Dutch Animal Welfare Society.
Dales wrote to Minister Verburg that hyperflexion is a serious case of mental abuse on the animal and follows the standpoint of the FEI veterinary committee on hyperflexion. He has asked her to forbid the rollkur as a method for training horses. Verburg has promised to investigate the issue properly. She has already contacted the Dutch Equestrian Federation to line up their findings and research on the issue. (Photo courtesy: Ridehesten.com)
It's back to school for Andreas Helgstrand. The Olympic team bronze medallist is following a horse transport course at the AMY Syd in Kolding, Denmark. The course is obligatory in Denmark and can be done in two days. "For years I've driving through Europe with horses and I always try to find the best way to ship them," Helgstrand commented. "I want my horses to be presented in top form, which means that it is also important that I provide them the right transport."
The legendary Lippizaner foundation stallion Siglavy Mantua I passed away on 18th August 2008 at the State Stud in Piber in Austria. He was 29 year olds. Under Oberbereiter Klaus Krzisch, the stallion became the icon of the Spanish Riding School. Siglavy Mantua I arrived in Vienna in 1982. He appeared in shows until his retirement at age 25 in 2005, when he did a farewell tour in the U.S.A and a final solo show at the CDIO Aachen. Until 2007, he was still shown during the morning exercises as old professor to the young assistant rider Mr Schreiner. In 2007 he went into full retirement. At the beginning of August 2008, Mantua I started having blood circulation problems and Dr. Max Dobretsberger (stud manager), Mr. Ernst Bachinger (leader of the SRS) and Mr Kzrisch decided it was in the best interest of the horse to have Mantua I put down.
Dutch former Olympic team rider Marlies van Baalen is getting married. The 28-year old daughter of Coby and Ari van Baalen is marrying to the 29-year old lawyer Titus de Vries. Titus is the son of Jan de Vries, who is founder of the management and consultancy company BMC (which sponsors Van Baalen). A blind date was set up between Marlies and Titus at the 2006 Jumping Amsterdam. "It was very noticeable that we were very distant to each other that day with everyone watching us," Marlies van Baalen reminisced, "but it was a successful match because afterwards we got acquainted with no spotlights shining on us and it worked." Titus is a lawyer by profession and has been working at Clifford Chance LLP in Amsterdam since 2003. The couple lives together at Dressage Stable Van Baalen in Brakel and Titus commutes to Amsterdam. The wedding will take place on 20th September 2008 at the Castle of Ammersoyen. Congratulations!
The Canadian international dressage rider Alexandria Wilson got married on 4th July 2008 to the German Norbert Lampe. The couple lives in Meppen, Germany. The 33-year old Alexandria grew up in Thorsby (Alberta, Canada). In 2000, she moved to Sao Paulo, Brasil, where she lived for 6 years and worked for Dr. Jorge Rocha for 3 1/2 years. In 2006 she permanently moved to Germany where she is currently training, teaching and competition youngsters and FEI horses.
Swedish pony owners are investing in top quality FEI ponies!! After Sweden won the individual bronze medal at the 2008 European Pony Championships, the Scandinavian country seems to be on a high, investing in the best quality FEI dressage ponies for the future! The 13-year old licensed German Reitpony stallion Pan Tau B (by Power Star x Black Boy) has been sold to Sweden. Under Maria van den Dungen, the gorgeous black stallion won team silver at the 2007 European Pony Championships and he twice became the Dutch Indoor Pony Champion (in 2007 and 2008). He was also the leader in the 2008 Imperial Cup Ranking coming into the finals. In 2001, Pan Tau B won the Bundeschampionate in Warendorf. Julia Aspnas, the younger sister of the Swedish individual bronze medal wining Elin Aspnas, is the new rider and owner of Pan Tau B.
The 12-year old Oldenburg premium stallion Sterntänzer (by Silvio I x Pik Bube I x Marlon xx) sold to Denmark. Sterntänzer did his stallion performance test in Neustadt/Dosse and was winner in the dressage division. He competed at the Bundeschampionate finals three times and twice finished fourth under Katrin Burger.
In her column in Holland's largest newspaper De Telegraaf, triple individual gold medallist Anky van Grunsven said that post-Olympics life is tremendously busy but that everyone morning she "wake[s] up smiling with the thought, 'haha I'm the best in the world.'"
Isabell Werth was honoured in her home town Rheinberg on August 29, 2008, after having won individual silver and team gold. Our German correspondent Barbara Schnell reported that, "It was very touching -- all the neighborhood riding clubs with their standards, the look on Isabell's father's face, and Hayley Beresford's heartfelt gratitude. "Isabell worked with me every day in Hongkong, but she couldn't coach me on the day of the Special", Hayley said. "But instead of being left alone, I was suddenly offered help from all directions, and instead of one, I had three countries cheering for me -- the Australians, the Brazilians (where Relampago comes from) and the Germans." Later in the afternoon, Nadine Capellmann and Heike Kemmer showed up as surprise guests, and the many. many autograph hunters had the time of their life.
More photos from the Werth Celebration in Rheinberg below (photos copyrighted: Barbara Schnell)