British FEI Dressage rider Gemma Green-Appleton is pregnant with her second child. Exactly one year ago in Janiuary 2013 Gemma became a mom to her first child, Oscar. She is married to farrier Nathan Appleton. Her Grand Prix horse Fine Time has been trained and competed by Carl Hester while Gemma was pregnant.
Luxembourg business duo Sascha Schulz and I-judge Christof Umbach have left the Luxembourg professional dressage yard Ecuries des Prés in Leudelange where they were head trainers. They have relocated to a smaller facility nearby where they will concentrate on less students and more horse sales. Their position at Ecuries des Pres has been filled by Spanish FEI rider Jaime Amian, who previously worked at Bernadette Brune's Domaine Equestre des Grands Pins in Vidauban, France.
The Oldenburg licensed stallion Furst Grandios (by Furst Heinrich x Argentinus) will be standing at stud at Mathieu Beckmann's yard in Wettringen, Germany, for 2014. The dark bay stallion is owned by Zucht and Sportpferde Schmidt, which has been in financial problems since half a year ago. Schmidt's other stallion, Belissimo M, was seized by the bank and sold to Westfalenhof recently. Furst Grandios, which has been trained and competed to PSG level by Hayley Beresford, has been standing at Beckmann's for a while and will now stay there for another breeding season.
According to Dressage News, 59-year old German O-judge Peter Holler was hospitalized in Germany with a serious sinus infection and has been forced to cancel judging assignments at the 2014 Global Dressage Festival in Florida. Holler was supposed to judge at the first CDI of the 2014 Dressage in Florida show season.
For Louise Parkes, the eloquent press officer who writes the World Cup press releases for the FEI, the turn to the New Year wasn't as great as expected. The Irish Parkes broke her leg from being kicked by a horse. We wish her a speedy recovery.
We are saddened to report the passing of German equestrian photographer Manfred Mense, who died suddenly and unexpectedly on 9 January 2014. The Harsewinkel based photographer was a regular at regional shows in the Westfalian area and photographed all the auction horses for the Westfalian society. He also authored several columns and articles in regional magazines and newspapers.
British young rider team member Olivia Oakeley has acquired a new rising star, the 5-year old KWPN gelding Eclipse (by San Remo x Krack C). The strapping bay gelding is an early 21st birthday present for Oakeley.
Zuchterforum reported that the 8-year old Bavarian licensed stallion Un Amore (by Unee x Piaster) has been sold to a dressage rider in the Hamburg based stable of Derk Wieger de Boer. Un Amore, who was third ranked in the premium ring of the South German Stallion Licensing, was trained and competed at S-level by Walter Wadenspanner.
The Trakehner licensed stallion Starway (by Star Regent xx x Elfenglanz x Herbststurm) died unexpectedly at age 25. The half blood Trakehner was competed as an eventer by Ingrid Klimke. Starway was bred at Gestut Horstein. He has two licensed sons and only 27 registered brood mares.
The 2014 VSN Trophy winner Hexagons Fusion (by Rubiquil x Krack C) has been sold to France. The 4-year old chestnut was previously owned by Leunis van Lieren in partnership with Stable Zegwaard.