Third Colic Surgery for Swedish U25 Horse Herbie Hancock Graftebjerg

Dressage

Sweden

Alva Lander's internationally competed Under 25 Grand Prix horse, Herbie Hancock Graftebjerg, underwent his third colic surgery on 23 April 2020. The 18-year old is recovering well.

Herbie Hancock Graftebjerg is a Danish warmblood gelding by Hertug x Michellino. He is bred by Ea and Arne Bjerg-Nielsen in Denmark.

Start in Denmark

Herbie started as a youngster in Denmark under Signe Karstoft Birch, who won the 2006 Danish Young Horse Championships with him.

In 2007 he was ridden by Rune Villum, who steered him to an 8th place in the consolation finals at the World Young Horse Championships in Verden.

between 2008 and 2011 the ride on Herbie was often swapped by Signe Karstoft Birch and Sidsel Mørkenborg-Riis.

From Junior to Grand Prix

Herbie Hancock sold to Lotta Lander in February 2012 and with her her daughter Alva the powerful bay went from junior level to Grand Prix together.

Alma and Herbie Hancock at the 2014 European Young
Riders Championships in Arezzo, Italy

The pair made its international show debut at junior level at the CDI-PJYR Moorsele in Belgium in May 2012.

In 2013 they moved to Young Riders level and represented Sweden at the 2014 European Young Riders Championships in Arezzo, Italy. One year later they were back on the team for the 2015 European Young Riders Championships in Vidauban, where they made it into the freestyle finals and finished 12th.

In 2016 the pair worked on the Grand Prix movements and returned to the international stage in 2017 in the Under 25 division at shows such as Aalborg, Hammaro, Falsterbo, and Gothenburg.

They represented Sweden at the 2018 European Under 25 Championships in Exloo and competed in the U15 classes through 2019. They scored silver at the 2019 Swedish Under 25 Championships and a few weeks later they did heir last international, the CDI Falsterbo in July 2019, where they won the kur to music.

Third Colic Surgery

Herbie Hancock had his third colic surgery four days ago.

"We’re all crossing our fingers for Herbie’s speedy recovery," Lander told Eurodressage. "So far he is doing really well. The surgery went excellently and he is now slowly starting to eat again increasing the amount every day."

Herbie was also operated on colic a year and a half ago as well as eight years ago.

"All three times his colon moved to the right pressing in another organ causing excruciating pain, forcing us to open him up," Alva explained.

When asked if Lander knew what triggered the colic, she replied that, "he is very sensitive for changes in both environment and food, but it’s always hard to know the exact cause."

Herbie has proven to be a fighter and seems to be on the mend.

"Luckily, he seems more energetic and happy this time around after the surgery. We are all hoping to have him back home soon," said Alva.