Swiss number one Grand Prix rider Marcela Krinke-Susmelj has announced the retirement of her number two Grand Prix horse, Smeyers Lazander, following an injury that did not recover well enough for sport.
The 15-year old Danish warmblood Blåhøj’s Lazander (by Solos Landtinus x Cat Balou). Lazander is bred by Majbrit Kraft Gobel and was bought by Krinke's long-time sponsor Irine Meyer from Jens Marcussen. He was competed by Jim Rasmussen in Denmark
In the spring of 2015 the chestnut gelding fractured his pastern bone but he never recovered well enough to bring him back to international dressage sport. Krinke's veterinarian Thomas Wagner, who is renowned for working with show jumping horses, diagnosed the horse with degenerating changes in the bones and ligaments.
"Lazander could no longer do the movements in a clean way," Krinke explained. "It was thanks to his great temperament and incredible will to work that he was able to have such achievements."
Lazander's career highlights include a 14th place at the 2014 World Cup Finals in Lyon, a second place in the kur and fourth place in the Grand Prix at the CDI Frankfurt and a victory in the Grand Prix at the 2013 CDI Wroclaw.
Krinke has now retired "Taki" to the field. He is spending his retirement in Luhmuhlen, Germany, with the 20-year old former Grand Prix horse Corinth.
Source: Pferdewoche - Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
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Photo Report: Krinke-Susmelj on Form at the 2013 CDI-W Wroclaw