Anders Dahl and Fiona Bigwood's 18-year old Afrikka has been retired from competition. Dahl and Afrikka did their last show together at the CDI Strassen in Luxembourg July 27, 2008. They placed second in the Kur to Music with 74.000%. Afrikka is joining pensioners Habana and Macho in the field at Bigwood stables.
Afrikka is a Danish bred Oldenburg gelding with no pedigree. The bay gelding was the ugly duckling turning into a beautiful swan at later age. Dahl and Afrikka were Denmark's most successful Grand Prix combination in 2007 and finished in the top ten at the 2008 World Cup Finals in 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. They placed fourth at the 2008 Danish Dressage Championships. Dahl had hoped to ride the Olympic Games as his final show, but became the reserve combination for the Danish Olympic team and decided not to fly to Hong Kong.
Afrikka is owned by Fiona Bigwood and her mother Penny since he was a 3-year old. In 1996 Fiona took the British National Elementary title with Afrikka and she brought him up the levels herself with the help of trainer Dieter Laugks. In 2002 and 2003, Fiona competed Afrikka at international Grand Prix level. Later on, Fiona's fiance Anders Dahl took over the ride and started competing him internationally as of 2006. The massive gelding has always been in great health and show remarkable fitness at his age.
"Afrikka has always given his best," Dahl commented. "Even though we still could have done season, we think it's best to retire him when he's at the top. Animal welfare is for us our main priority and we want to give him the best life now, a good retirement."
Afrikka said goodbye to the show ring by leaving the Strassen arena on the tunes of ”Time To Say Goodbye” by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. The Bigwoods are moving to England in the autumn and will give Afrikka a sweet retirement at their new farm Bourne Hill. Dahl is now especially focusing on his upcoming Grand Prix horse, the 9-year old Swedish warmblood Bukowski (by Briar).
Related Links
Anders Dahl and Afrikka Riding High at the 2007 World Cup Qualifiers
2008 Danish Olympic Dressage Team Announced
Dressage Couples: Anders Dahl and Fiona Bigwood