Insa Hansen Receives BBR Golden Badge of Merit

Dressage

Germany

The Hof Kasselmann based professional dressage rider Insa Hansen was celebrated during the 2025 Horses and Dreams competition for her achievements in dressage sport over the past 40 years.

The BBR, the German Association of Professional Riders, bestowed her with the Golden Badge of Merit.

Insa Hansen

The 58-year old Insta Hansen did her internship to become a bereiter with Jürgen Köschel in Hamburg Flottbek, starting in 1983 and graduating in 1986, after which she moved to Hof Kasselmann, where she has anchored for her entire career. She completed her Masters as "pferdewirtin" in 1993.

Her list of successes is long: over 100 Grand Prix victories and over 1000 victories and placings in dressage competitions from young horse tests to advanced level.

Her national and international show career is extensive. She represented Germany at the 2009 World Young Horse Championships in Verden with Wells Fargo, finishing 11th. She has produced countless horses up to Grand Prix level. Best known dressage horses she developed into international sport include Bluetooth, Weltclassiker, Robinvale, Sa Coeur, Rebroff, Don Perignon and Diamond's Diva.

Her last CDI start was in 2020 with Rebroff.

Golden Badge of Merit

"What is most important to the BBR, however, is the diverse professional ability to train horses in accordance with the riding licence, to be a good trainer for riders and young professional colleagues, to stand by the horses responsibly and thus set an example for the profession. Insa Hansen has followed this calling," the BBR communicated.

Well over 25 apprentices have completed their training under her responsibility. "Respect and responsibility towards the horses are on her agenda and she lives it herself and demands it from her students. Working under one employer for around 40 years and fulfilling a wide variety of tasks is worthy of honour," said BBR.

Ulrike Lautemann, vice Chairwoman of the BBR, gave the laudatory speech at the award ceremony at Horses & Dreams.

"Carolin Lux and I are delighted to honour you here today with the Golden Badge of Merit for outstanding services to the profession. You are one of us and we are proud of you! Congratulations, Insa!"