Danish Junior Rider Horse Litvinenko Sjælstofte Sold to the U.S.A.

Tue, 05/26/2020 - 08:20
U.S.A.
Natalie Hering and Litvinenko Sjælstofte :: Photo © Ridehesten

Danish junior rider Natalie Hering has said goodbye to her number one ride, Litvinenko Sjælstofte. The former WCYH participant has been sold to the U.S.A.

Litvinenko Sjælstofte is an 11-year old Danish bred Trakehner by Imperio our of Louissianna (by Pidroneur). He is bred by Annette Olesen and Søren Rasmussen and was named after the famous Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, who was assassinated in 2006.

The horse was originally listed as owned by Soren Rasmussen and Hering's trainer Anne Troensegaard in the FEI database, but a few weeks later that ownership was changed to Troensegaard as sole owner. 

Danish WCYH Participant

The chestnut made his show debut as a 4-year old in Denmark under Louise Teisner in 2013, but later that year Anne Troensegaard took over the ride. Troensegaard steered him to a 15th place in the 2013 Danish Young Horse Championships.

Troensegaard and Litvinenko at the 2014
World YH Championships
In 2014 the pair was selected to represent Denmark at the 2014 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden. They placed 14th in the 5-year old finals, after placing second in the consolation finals. They also grabbed the title and gold medal in the 5-year old class at the 2014 Danish Young Horse Championships.

Troensegaard competed the horse only once at a local show in Denmark in 2015. 

Junior Rider for Hering

As of 2016 student Natalie Hering took over the ride and after some national shows they made their CDI debut in Le Mans in October 2016 at junior level. They also produced winning rides at the 2016 Trakehner Championships in Hanover. 

Hering and Litvinenko competed actively in 2017 with CDI starts in Nieuw en St. Joosland, Aalborg, Uggerhelne and the Nordic Baltic Championships in Hammaro, where they won team gold. This was their last international together. 

In August 2017 the pair finished fourth at the Danish Junior Riders Championships.  While Hering and the chestnut no longer appeared at CDI's in 2018 they did compete at a few national shows throughout the year and moved up to young riders level.

In 2019 the pair competed M and Prix St Georges level throughout the year. They competed in 2019 Danish Young Riders Championships in Ringsted.

Sold to the U.S.A.

Litvinenko Sjælstofte, who is also known as Kaj, has now been sold to the U.S. amateur rider Susan Sell through Sycamore Station. Sell trains with US Pan Am medalist Lauren Sammis.

Hering and Litvinenko in 2017
“Kaj is solely for Susan to ride," Sammis explained. "I am looking forward to watching the relationship grow and coaching Susan to experience what this wonderful horse has to offer."

Hering will move on to her younger horses, including a 6-year old Hanoverian by Blue Hors Zack.

"I had the pleasure of riding Kaj in my junior/young time, but sadly there is always a time to say goodbye and now was the right time for me, because Kaj was peaking in age and education. I will now focus on my younger horses," Hering told Eurodressage.

One of her fondest memories with Litvinenko was riding him in front of the big crowd at the 2018 Trakehner Stallion Licensing in Neumunster. 

"He was a part of the big Gala Show in Neumünster in 2018, where we were invited to participate," said Hering. "I had the pleasure of riding with Hubertus Schmidt, who is the owner and rider of (Kaj's sire) Imperio, who was hounored as the Trakehner Stallion of the Year.

Photos © Ridehesten - Astrid Appels

Related Links
Andersen and Henriksen Win Gold at 2017 Danish Junior/Young Riders Championships
Helgstrand, Hansen, Rohmann, Hoffmann, Merrald Win 2017 Ecco Cup Finals
Scores: 2017 Nordic Baltic Championships
Danish Junior and Young Rider Squad for 2017 Updated
Estoril Wins 5-Year Old Consolation Final at 2014 World Young Horse Championships
Fiontina, Litvinenko Sjaelstofte, Rossetti Win 2014 Danish Young Horse Championships
Scores: 2013 Danish Young Horse Championships