Bundeschampion Felice Into American Ownership, Heemsoth Retains Ride

Dressage

U.S.A

Felice, the 2024 Bundeschampion in the 5-year old dressage horse division, has moved into American ownership, but German Greta Heemsoth will retain the ride.

Felice is a 6-year old Hanoverian mare by Furst Samarant out of Rougesse (by Riverside x Sandro Hit x Florestan). She is bred by Rene Janzen.

Greta Heemsoth

Felice is a Pape station breeding product. Dam Rougesse was bred by Ingo and initially co-owned by Ingo and Michael Klimke. After her sport career she became broodmare in the care of Pape station's eldest employer, Rene Franzen. He bred Felice.

The filly moved into ownership of Ingo Pape, though, and the dark bay mare has been trained up the levels by stable jockey Greta Heemsoth.

She was first competed as a 4-year old in 2023 and picked up speed in her show schedule in 2024. She was entered for the German team selection trials for Ermelo, but was not picked. However, by showing in Bülkau, Loxstedt and Elmlohe she easily qualified for the Bundeschampionate and in Warendorf she swept the board. Felice won the preliminary round with 8.620 and scored a whopping 9.0 in the final for the title and gold medal.

American Ownership

Felice has now move into the ownership of Americans Ken and Denise, long-time clients of the Pape family. They will keep the mare in training with Heemsoth.

"We were feeling guilty because we bought the last two Grand Prix horses that Greta was riding," Denise Steele jokingly told Eurodressage. "Our ownership is purely a sponsorship and partnership with the Pape's. It gives us a great excuse to travel more often to Europe and watch the pair compete."

The Steeles sourced Bourani and Donja KWG at Pape's yard in Hemmoor, Germany. The plan is for Felice to qualify for the World Young Horse Championships in Verden and/or the Bundeschampionate.