Anna Timm's Fabuleuse Surprise Soldiers Through Colic Surgery

Dressage

Germany

German international young rider Anna Leandra Timm went through some scary times as her 12-year old FEI horse Fabuleuse Surprise suffered from a colic attack and had to undergo surgery.

Fabuleuse Surprise is a 2013 born Hanoverian gelding by Floriscount out of Strawberry (by Sir Donnerhall x Prince Thatch xx). He is bred by Hans-Heinrich Brüning.

Anna Timm

The bay gelding sold to the Timm family as a youngster and Sandra Hetfeld-Timm debuted him in competition in 2017 after which Anna took over the ride. The pair has not yet competed internationally but Anna rode "Fabi" at several Rhinelander regional championships in Langenfeld over the years.

Anna's international career took flight when she was a junior rider with the now 12-year old Foxfire (by Feedback x Carabas). She rode her first international in August 2020 at the CDI Sint-Truiden and three months later she rode the 2021 CDI Aachen Indoor. Anna recently retired Foxfire from sport due to health issues.

This year she debuted Barclay (by Benicio x Furst Heinrich) at international young riders level at the 2025 CDI Tolbert. Earlier, the pair had already placed sixth in the 7-year old consolation finals at the 2024 Bundeschampionate.

Colic

With Foxfire at the 2021 German youth championships

Timm continued to train and produce Fabuleuse Surprise up the levels and last competed him in February 2025 at M**-level. Two weeks ago the gelding suffered a colic attack and had to undergo surgery at the Telgte equine clinic.

"A fortnight ago, the world turned upside down. Fabi had colic, needed an operation and also had problems with her heart," Timm explained. "We still have a long way to go and it's not yet certain whether we'll ever be able to dance in the arena again, but that doesn't matter at all. I am just infinitely grateful that you are still with me."