Just like numerous of her international horses before, Monica Theodorescu’s former team horse Whisper is still going strong at old age. A Nurnberger Burgpokal winner 21 years ago and twice Olympic reserve horse, the now 28-year-old Württemberger gelding is looking great and is still enjoying his retirement together with the home-bred Westphalian mare Take It Easy (22) at the DOKR stables in Warendorf where Monica looks after them daily if her obligations as German national coach allow her.
German Under 25 dressage rider Luca Collin has briefly stepped away from the competition scene as she gave birth to a baby boy. She and her fiancé recently welcomed Matteo. Luca last competed nationally on small tour horses Vitello and Verona Diamond in May 2026. her last international start dates back to September 2025 on Bonamour. Collin owns the well known dressage yard Haus Giesking in Nottuln, Germany.
Danish international para dressage rider Line Munk Madsen had to say goodbye to her current para dressage horse, Benchmark L. The 18-year old Danish warmblood by Belissimo M x Midt-West Ibi Light, bred by Karsten Bundgaard, passed in 17 October 2026. "My beloved Benny suffered an acute bowel hernia and he had to be euthanized," Line epxlained. "My heart is shattered to pieces and I can’t comprehend that you are not here anymore." Madsen has been competing in international para sport since 2016 with Alpe d'Huez, Honnerups Beebob, Korsgaards Toledo, Loboss Donya and Tailormade Ralph Lauren. Her last CPEDI start was in April 2024. Since then she had been showing Benchmark nationally in Denmark in Norway. Madsen lives with Friedreich’s ataxia and competes at Grade I level.
James Hood has been appointed as Interim Operations Lead at Equestrian Canada. In this role, James will provide operational leadership and oversight, helping ensure continuity in EC's day-to-day operations, programs, services and key priorities while the search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO) continues. James will also serve as Equestrian Canada's Secretary General in its relationship with the FEI. This appointment provides stability in operational leadership, allowing EC to maintain its focus on supporting the equestrian community throughout this leadership transition.
(Photo © Cathy Hoogenboom)
Wellington based Australian rider Hope Beerling welcomed Thomson Beyonce to her string of horses. Secured by Thimothy and Sarah Colson, the 9-year old Hanoverian mare by Benicio x Sir Donnerhall x Prince Thatch xx was bred at Hof Bruning and owned by Raphael and Jessica Lynn Thomas. The latter trained and competed the chestnut mare from young horse level to Intermediaire I level. She debuted her in 2020 and they had their international debut in 2024 in the 7-year old tests at the CDI Wiesbaden. Jessica rode one show on her in 2026.
Heading into her final year on ponies, Belgian international FEI pony rider Leontine Lemmens has acquired a new ride for the future: the oversizedn 152 cm standing NRPS gelding Noxville van de Beekerheide (by Neptune van de Beekerheide x Conrad x Kooihuster Folkert). The liver chestnut was previously owned and ridden by breeder Karin van Beek. Lemmens has been competing internationally on 15-year old Hessian bred pony Drops (by Dance Star AT x Durello) after representing Belgium at the 2025 European Children Championships on Opperfee (by Expression x Oscar). She was 12th in the individual test. She trains with Morgan Barbançon.
German professional dressage rider Hannes Lütt is on the move again and this time has settled himself at the stable Anakenenhof in Pinneberg, Germany. The stable near Hamburg is well known for hosting high profile national dressage competitions and is also the work base for rider Alexandra Bimschas.
The 15-year old Tackmann’s Giotto (by Hesselteichs Golden Dream x Valiant Starlight) has been sold as an FEI pony schoolmaster to Swedish Olivia Grindvall. Danish pony team rider Anna Dora Munch successfully competed the palomino in Denmark. He sold after being advertised in Eurodressage Equimarket.
Spanish dressage trainer du Núria Vilà and Lucas Elías have relocated from Agusti Elias' yard in Can Alzina, Spain, to the Open Sports Club in Barcelona.