American Under 25 Rider Kirsten Becker Loses Horses in Barn Fire

Fri, 01/31/2014 - 13:09
American Dressage News

American Under 25 Grand Prix rider Kirsten Becker has lost all her horses in a tragic barn fire which destroyed an entire barn building at Brookwood Equestrian Centre yesterday 30 January 2014.

Becker boarded her four horses at Brookwood Equestrian centre, including her two Grand Prix horses Ramses and Frankentraum, her young filly Diva and her first pony Moo-Llenium, a paint which she has owned for 20 years.

"We are not sure yet how it started," a bereaved Becker told Eurodressage. "There were 20 horses and none made it out."

The Athens, Georgia based Becker recently finished fourth at the 2013 U.S. Dressage Championships for Under 25 riders aboard the Dutch warmblood gelding Ramses (by Hamlet x Contango). Her second rising Grand Prix horse was Frankentraum, a Bavarian bred offspring by Frederichus x Varus, which she showed at Intermediaire I level in 2013.

The 24-year old Becker is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist and has been competing for 12 years. She won team silver, individual test silver and kur bronze at the 2009 North American Young Riders Championships.

Photo © Sue Stickle

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