Becoming the Grand Champion of Aachen is something that is still missing on Totilas' List of Achievements, so owner Cees Visser and rider Edward Gal have decided to compete at the 2010 CDIO Aachen this year.
Taking place 14 - 18 July 2010, the CDIO Aachen is the biggest and most important Grand Prix dressage event of the year. Each year the grand champion's name is added on the big Wall of Fame and it includes the names of only the great dressage riders of all times.
We heard that Dr. Heuschmann resigned as vice chairman of the Xenophon society for the promotion of classical dressage training. The German press release cited irreconcilable differences between the other board members and Heuschmann. Ouch! Never good to have disturbance amongst the ranks.
American Olympian Courtney King-Dye sent a warm email to Dressagedaily's Mary Phelps to thank her for all the online support Dressagedaily.com has generated. Courtney wrote: "I want you to know that the outpouring of support from everyone means a great deal to me. I’m far from 100% right now, but the riding community has given me much strength. And let’s face it, you can’t keep a horse girl down! I’m working very hard in many types of therapies, and I want to thank my husband, Jason : not only is he the greatest husband (for me), but he also picked the best rehab facility for me. My therapists are all great (who cares if the food is awful!), and I am making progress daily. Maybe not as much as I would like, but it’s progress nonetheless! It’s amazing to me how much the brain does!" Read Courtney's full email here.
Nancy Jaffer visited Courtney at the Kessler Institute. Check out a photo of Courtney in her room as well as Jaffar's lovely article
American journalist Ken Braddick reported that Bergamon, the 16-year old Hanoverian stallion by Baryshnikov out of a Pik Konig mare, died 26 June 2010 of complications following colic surgery a week ago. Paige Peters-Windham, his trainer and farm manager at Saddlebrook Equestrian Center told Dressage News that Bergamon underwent colic surgery on Saturday, June 19, and was recovering well and doing great. "Thursday he spiked a temperature and we took every measure possible to control it even moving him into an airconditioned stall as temps here are hovering around the high 90’s (36C),” she said. “He developed pneumonia which we treated as aggressively as possible. His condition continued to deteriorate and while he fought a great fight his complications became insurmountable."
Belgian FEI rider and former European Pony Champion Delphine Meiresonne is urgently looking for a groom who can help her out two hours a day with her horses. Delphine's mother Christine, who is her usual helping hand, had an accident and cracked five ribs. Meiresonne is based in Zandhoven, Belgium, and those interested can email her.
Horse and Hound reported the passing of Richard Barrett's Grand Prix horse Alcatraz. The 19-year old gelding by El Corona out of a British bred mare suffered from uvitis (inflammation of the eye) and had the onset of cushing's disease. "It was very sad but he couldn't go out and was getting very miserable, so I decided the decision should be made sooner rather than later," Barrett told Horse and Hound.
Dutch team rider Adelinde Cornelissen is moving location. She is leaving behind her stable in Spier to relocate to Nijkerk, where she will be based at the Balkenschoten estate owned by Mr van den Berg. The owner will be building a new indoor arena for Adelinde.
Patrik Kittel announced that he will not be riding Scandic (by Solos Carex x Amiral) at the World Dressage Masters in Falsterbo next week. The Dutch branded chestnut stallion has sustained "a small Bleeding in a back leg," Kittel said. Together with Dutch owner Jan Greve, Kittel decided to withdraw Scandic from Falsterbo and ride Florett As (by Florestan) instead. "Scandic is not lame nor has any flexion reaction but we want to be sure that he will stay sound and happy for the WEG in Kentucky," Kittel explained. Patrik is eager not to miss Falsterbo, one of his favourite shows of the year. "I would even ride a wooden horse if I have to," he joked.
British grand prix rider Stephanie Croxford and her husband Simon welcomed their new baby Benjamin Lewis Croxford into the world last week on 25 June 2010. Ben, so named by his big sister, three year old Annabel, arrived 10 days early and is already settling in to the routine at home in Derbyshire. Weighing a healthy 7lb 5oz the new arrival has made his appearance in the middle of a busy competition season. The family are doing their best to resume business as usual on the dressage front with Steph and Mr President entered for Hartpury and Hickstead CDI’s coming up 14-18 July and 26 July – 1 August. Steph was schooling her five year old in sitting trot just the day before giving birth. “We’re going to rename him ‘The Inducer’” she joked “never mind a hot curry or a bumpy car ride – I got off, felt a twinge and knew something was happening!”
British FEI pony rider Erin Williams has obtained the ride over a second pony that used to be competed by Dutch Antoinette te Riele. After purchasing Te Riele's second FEI ride Danny Boy B, the 12-year old British team member will also be riding the 6-year old Dynasty (by Deinhard B) next year. Dynasty is owned by Sven Rothenberger.