Anabel Balkenhol and Dablino will not be competing on the German team at the 2013 European Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark, next week. The gelding injured himself last weekend.
The German Equestrian Federation announced this afternoon that Anabel and her father and trainer Klaus Balkenhol decided to withdraw because they are unsure whether the horse will be fit on time for the Championships. Balkenhol also missed out on the 2011 European Championships due to an injured Dablino.
The reserve combination Fabienne Lutkemeier and D'Agostino will fill Balkenhol's spot on the team and join Helen Langehanenberg (Damon Hill), Kristina Sprehe (Desperados) and Isabell Werth (Don Johnson).
The 23-year old Lutkemeier was already the alternate for the German team fpr the Olympic Games. Next in line as alternate for Herning is Fabienne's aunt Nadine Capellmann with Girasol.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2013 European Dressage Championships
German Team for 2013 European Dressage Championships Announced