Endel Ots and Bohemian - the travelling reserve pair for the 2024 U.S. Olympic team - have made their long-awaited come back to the competition ring after a 1.5 year break.
is a 13-year old Westfalian gelding by Bordeaux out of Sunshine (by Samarant x Foxiland xx x Maraschino). He is bred by Heinrich Langewellpott in Germany.
Danish Medal Winning Team Horse
The liver chestnut gelding sold as a 2-year by Paul Schockemohle to Anita Lagoni in Denmark. He was first trained and competed as a 4-year old by Dennis Kjaer.
Cathrine Dufour then took over and finished 8th at the 2015 Danish Young Horse Championship. In February 2016 Bohemian was put in training with Katrine Kraglund as Cathrine focused on her first Olympics with Atterupgaards Cassidy. The horse also sold the Danish company Abildgaard Equestrian, owned by Dufour's friends and business associates, the Zinglersen family.
Kraglund rode Bohemian at the 2016 World Young Horse Championships in Ermelo, where the chestnut gave a taste of his talent and complexity. In the preliminary round they were last, then won the consolation class, and finished 8th in the finals. He returned to Dufour and he became the big successor for Cassidy. Dufour and Bohemian finished fourth at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and got a double silver at the 2021 European Championships.
Korean Intermezzo
The chestnut was intended as his Paris Olympic hopeful and Kim briefly competed him in Wellington, Florida, but then had a change of heart and business plan and Kim announced on Eurodressage that Bohemian is for sale.
Bohemian was first for sale at Hubertus Schmidt's yard but Swedish Grand Prix rider Patrik Kittel. Kittel competed Bohemian at three CDI's. On 26 October 2023 Galleria announced an auction of the three horses they have for sale, including Bohemian, but withdrew that idea the next day. The auction was cancelled and Galleria posted the asking prices on Eurodressage to ensure total transparency in the sales price of their horses.
Zen Elite
Bohemian sold to Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian in Florida and the ride was allocated to Endel Ots.
Ots and Bohemian were named U.S. Olympic team reserves and were in Versailles on the side line, ready to step in.
Sinusitis
Since the Olympics in Paris, Bohemian disappeared from the public eye. In the winter of 2024 - 2025 rumours were rife of Bohemian's deteriorating health, even his death was reported at a certain moment in February.
Humphries vehemently denied all those claims and set the record straight with Eurodressage. Bohemian "ended up developing a sinus infection, and we aggressively treated it right away, but we are going to give him some time to feel better and let him tell us what he feels up for," Heidi told Eurodressage.
Return to the Arena
The pair competed in a national Grand Prix text at the "Wellington Classic Winter Challenge" held at the Jim Brandon equestrian center in Wellington. They were the sole pair in the class, which was judged by Lisa Schmidt and Lilo Fore. They scored a total of 69.674% with 67.717% from Fore and 71.630% from Schmidt.
"This weekend was a really special one," Endel stated. "Back in the ring with Bohemian, just dusting a few cobwebs off and finding our rhythm. (...) stepping back into the arena with him felt so good - like being reunited with an old friend. (...) So thankful, so happy to be back, and excited for what's ahead."
Humphries added that "it means everything to see you (Endel) and beautiful Bo back in the arena together. Your partnership is truly special, built on trust, patience, and genuine friendship. (..) We are proud of all you've accomplished together, and excited for whatever comes next."
Photos © Astrid Appels - private
Related Links
Endel Ots: "Bohemian Doesn't Owe Us Anything"
Photo Report: Kicking into Gear for the 2024 Palm Beach Derby - Bohemian's U.S Coming Out
Heidi Humphries to Clone Bohemian
Bohemian Sold to the U.S.A.