Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff's top Grand Prix mare Wahajama (by Warkant) has given birth to her first foal... on Valentine's Day. The foal is a beautiful colt by Paul Schockemohle's Furst Romancier (by Furst Heinrich x Romancier).
Horsetalk reported that the notion of whipping racehorses to improve their finish has been given a good thrashing by two Australian researchers. Whipping is horse racing's sore point and new research from two University of Sydney veterinarians indicates whipping racehorses is pointless and does not make a difference to the outcome of the race. Read the full article.
The show grounds of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby -- the Horse Park at Equestrian Estates -- are being revamped to fulfil the high standards of top level dressage competition. The International Horse Sport Palm Beach is a collaboration with long time supporters of Dressage, Walter and Maryanne McPhail, the talents of the high performance riders Lars Petersen and Ed Borresson and the management skills of Noreen O’Sullivan and John Flanagan. Check out the ground plan of what is in store at Equestrian Estates. Danish company Blue Hors wil also be sponsoring classes this season and awarding prize money to high point champions.
Chris Hickey, head rider at Hilltop Farm, has acquired a new horse in The Netherlands. Hickey obtained Witness, a Dutch warmblood by Hamlet, who has competed at Fourth level in Holland.
Tenth time's a charm?! German dressage rider Markus Gribbe has relocated himself for the tenth time in his career. According to ST. Georg magazine, Markus Gribbe is now working at Stallion Station Böckmann where he will be riding, for instance, Floriscount. Böckmann is the 10th location where Gribbe has been working at. He started his professional career at Hans Biss, then he was an auction rider in Vechta, then worked at Gestüt Wernke followed by employment at Kathmann's and Stable Meggle. Afterwards Gribbe and his family moved to England to work for Dr. Bechtolsheimer and for Tony Pidgley. He returned to Germany to become head rider at Dressage Centre Lodbergen. In August 2010 he became independent and was briefly based at Clemens von Merveldt's Gut Fuchtel.
The World Dressage Masters announced that the Swedish Axel Johnson Group will be the new presenting partner until 2014. Following a successful try-out as presenting sponsor of WDM Falsterbo in 2010, the Axel Johnson Group decided to expand their partnership to a global level. "I have been passionate about dressage all my life," said Antonia Ax:son Johnson. "Passion is the beginning of everything and is found in all my ventures. At Axel Johnson we like to believe that entrepreneurship with respect for people, planet and profit has the unique capability to change the world for the better. It is the foundation my companies are built on and the main reason we are successful. I have found the same values in the World Dressage Masters, that we will support as a presenting partner for the next 4 years."
Not so fond of riding with a helmet, aka a brain bucket, because it makes you look less stylish on a horse. No worries, Latina Raville had found the perfect couture solution for your helmet woes: Hide a Helmet hats!
The Swedish owned 6-year old licensed stallion Santiago (by Saigon x Flemmingh) is moving to Florida, U.S.A. Tidningen Ridsport reported that owner Källtorp Förvaltning AB sold Santiago.
German photographer Kiki Beelitz, who is renowned for shooting high quality photos of the mare and foal championships in north Germany, has also launced a new aspect to her already diverse website: video-implementation. Beelitz made a very special tv-program of Totilas' first public presentation. The clip is in German but there is some exclusive footage and interviews not shown before online!