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Wednesday July 30, 2008

Euro Update: Germany and Rothenberger Win Gold at 2008 European Pony Championships

Team Germany and Sönke Rothenberger won the gold medals at the 2008 European Pony Championships in Avenches, Switzerland, July 24-27, 2008.

Nobody every doubted that Germany would not win team gold and they did it again for the 19th time in history! Sönke Rothenberger was the leading team rider winning the class aboard his father's German Reitpony stallion Deinhard B (by Dornik B). He scored 74.474 % placing first with all judges. Katharina Weychert and the delightful Dornik B, the 2007 European Pony Champion (under Louise Luttgen), finished second on 72.684 %. She was followed in the ranking by Carlotta Hassenbürger on the lovely Dulcia, the 2006 European Pony Champion (under Lydia Camp). The pair scored 72.421 %. The Netherlands claimed silver with Antoinette te Riele as leading rider. Denmark captured bronze with Nanna Skodborg Merrald as anchor.

Rothenberger and Deinhard B also swept the board in the individual finals with a winning score of 75.100%. The individual podium at the 2008 Europeans was a family affaire as Sönke's cousin Antoinette te Riele produced a peak performance to finish in a second, silver medal winning position with her 6-year old German Reitpony Golden Girl. The biggest surprise of all came from Swedish Elin Aspnas, who slotted in bronze medal position after a very daring, energetic ride on her chestnut gelding Tim.

Read the full European Pony Championship Report on Eurodressage.com

Karen Tebar and Falada M Withdraw from French Olympic Team

Karen Tebar and her Hanoverian mare Falada will not be representing France at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. Tebar decided to withdraw Falada from the team as the mare became unlevel during quarantaine in Aachen, Germany. She decided to withdraw her mare. Tebar will be replaced by Marc Boblet on Whitni Star.

"The risk is simply too great," Tebar commented. "The vet told me that the lameness could be over at the beginning of Olympic Dressage in Hong Kong, but I don't want to travel to the Games with a horse that isn't fit. A rider doesn't do that. Of course I'm very disappointed as the preparations for the Games went really well, but the welfare of my horse is always a priority."

Weihegold Wins 2008 Oldenburg Elite Mare Show in Rastede

Weihegold became the grand champion of the 2008 Oldenburg Elite Mare Show in Rastede, Germany, on Saturday July 2, 2008. Bred by Inge Bastian and owned by Christine Arns-Krogmann, this 3-year old black Don Schufro x Sandro Hit daughter moved herself into the champion's circle after a tough finals against 15 other selected mares for the Brilliantring.

"Weihegold embodies the almost ideal characteristics of a riding horse. She is incredibly beautiful and impressed us most today in walk and trot," said Oldenburg breeding director Dr. Wolfgang Schulze-Schleppinghoff.

The reserve champion was Surprise van de Heide. Manfred Rüter bred this lovely Sir Donnerhall x Munchhausen mare. The third highest ranked mare was Remember (by Depardieu x Le Martin), bred by Berthold Gerdes. Finishing fourth was Auguste Victoria, the full sister of the licensed stallion San Amour (by Sandro Hit x Plaisir d'Amour). Read More...

Related Links
Euro Update: It's All About the European Championships
2007 European Pony Championships Kick Off with Trot Up and Measurement
Euro Update: Karen Tebar Breaks Through German-Dutch Hegemony
Fabina "Miss Oldenburg 2003"