The partnership between Australian former Olympic team rider Hayley Beresford and her number one Grand Prix horse Belissimo M has come to an unexpected end. Belissimo's owner, Zucht- und Sportpferde Schmidt, is dealing with financial issues and the future of his entire stud is at stake.
Upon returning from a clinic tour in Australia last week, Beresford found out about the unfortunate tidings at her yard in Germany and the loss of the ride on Belissimo.
Schmidt works as a stallion manager at Hans Elmerhaus' equestrian centre in Lippetal, Germany, where Hayley has rented a part of the farm for her own, independent business.
"It's been a shock because the Elmerhaus family were a big support and help to me," Beresford told Eurodressage.
According to Hayley, the 14-year old Westfalian stallion (by Beltain x Romadour II) was taken to an unknown location to be sold. Hayley had originally planned on competing the horse at the CDI Stadl Paura in Austria last weekend.
Stallion manager Michael Schmidt, however, denies that Belissimo will be sold. "The stallion is at the station and the business of Zucht- und Sportpferde Schmidt will continue as before," Schmidt told Eurodressage. "The sale of semen and the sale of riding horses is not affected." According to local media the owner of the stallion station, Hans Elmerhaus, has embezzled millions of euros from his other company, a pig farm, which led to a bankruptcy.
After missing out on Olympic selection last year, Hayley has not had the best start in 2013. However, having battled breast cancer twice, Hayley is not defeated by these setbacks and will now continue to focus on her second Grand Prix horse Jaybee Alabaster with whom she plans a show come back in June. Hayley has also been given the ride on Genevieve Kirk's 10-year old Oldenburg gelding First Wish (by Furst Heinrich x Welton).
"I'm riding First Wish at a few big small tour shows for Genevieve, a seriously talented Australian young rider," Hayley explained, adding that the horse's "main focus will be for her in the Young riders' tour." Hayley plans on making her debut with the black gelding at the CDI Hagen in two weeks time.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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