Lonneke Engel has lost her lawsuit against the Bartels family. The Dutch top model and dressage rider claimed that the Bartels' team of riders brought on irreperable damage and loss of use to her horse U2. Engel decided to take away her horse from Bartels Academy in March 2014 and noticed that the horse had severe damage to the mouth and flanks from excessive use of the aids (curb/spurs).
A one-year lawsuit ensued but at the beginning of June the court cast its verdict acquitting the Bartels family of all charges as there was not enough proof that the damage was irreperable. Engel has been order to pay all legal fees (13,000 euro). However, she did win the case against U2's rider Mischa Koot who counter-sued Engel for defamation. Koot has to pay Engel 2,100 euro.
Tough luck for Dutch pony and junior riders Eveline and Rosalie Bos. Thieves broke into their stable and stole all tack of their two top level competition horses, FEI pony Valentino and Young Riders horse Equestricons Bolita. Saddles and bridles and other valuable equipment has been stolen. The Dutch duo was about to leave for the CDI Compiegne where a Dutch team obversation trial for European Championship selection took place.
German stallion station Gestut Bonhomme has a new managing director. Nils Kortekamp has resigned from his position and has been replaced by show jumping rider Richard "Pico" Hannöver.
Although Danish Lone Bang Larsen was not able to compete at the 2015 Danish Dressage Championships in Broholm, Denmark, on 12 - 14 June 2015 because her horse Fitou E is injured , the team rider turned those days into something much better. Bang Larsen and her partner of 21 years, Mads Zindorff, were supposed to get married last year when Bang Larsen would fulfil a bet that she would score 80%. Lone came close to it but has not yet achieved it. The couple only decided to get married when Fitou E injured himself last week. The couple wed in a church ceremony on Friday 12 June, followed by a tent party at their home with friends and family. They invited their friends under the guise of celebrating Lone's 40th birthday. Her family thought they were going to church for a family portrait photo in front of it and were then surprised with the wedding ceremony.
Joe Reynolds has been appointed vice chair person of Dressage Ireland. Joe's son Andrew was a successful pony rider and his daughter Judy is an Irish Grand Prix rider who is competing very successfully in Europe and is the current Irish Champion. He is even better known within Irish Motor Sport and is a Director of Royal Irish Automobile Club and Irish Motorsport Federation Ltd. He has previously competed in three FIA European Rally Championships. He also enjoys sailing and has competed in the Fastnet around Ireland race. Joe is not only a successful businessman but brings a great depth of experience to the board.
Nicola Heyser Burger has been appointed the new Dressage Director at the Swiss Equestrian Federation. The German born Heyser lives in Berne, and has trained horses from young horse level to Grand Prix as well as coached students on their way to the European Championships.
Dutch Grand Prix rider and former 2006 WEG team member Laurens van Lieren is moving barns again. After several moves, Van Lieren was last based at his father's Stable Hexagon with his fiancée Lynn Maas and their son Brent. The couple has decided to relocate to the brand new facility of the Van den Broek family in Werkendam, The Netherlands, which is closer to Maas' home. Lynn's parents regularly baby-sit and are more available to help the pair with baby duties when the riders are away to shows, whereas Laurens' father Leunis is still working full time at his own yard. Dominique Fillion has also relocated to Werkendam.
Danish national Grand Prix rider Dennis Fisker has been hired as head trainer at Agnete and Claus Kirk Thinggaard's dressage stable Julianelyst in Denmark. Fisker was based the last year at the Hjallerup riding club but will move to Kirk Thinggaard's yard as of 1 August 2015.