American Dressage News

Olympic Partners Reunited

Voerde, Germany - Christine Traurig and her equine partner, Etienne, have been reunited. On August 27, Traurig's sponsors, Dan and Kelly Trierweiler of Rockford Michigan, announced their purchase of the Westfalen Gelding from Traurig's trainer and mentor, Jo Hinneman, of Voerde, Germany. The Trierweilers became sponsors to Traurig back in March when they purchased the 6-year old, Rheinlander Stallion, Cordino 5, for Christine to train and ride in international competition. The Trierweilers purchased Cordino after serious attempts to purchase Etienne from Robert and Colleen Haas proved unsuccessful.

As Olympic partners, Traurig and Etienne secured the bronze medal for the United States Dressage Team last summer in Sydney. The two last appeared together at the CDS (California Dressage Society) annual symposium in late January. Etienne has been in Europe since February.

"We are ecstatic about bringing Etienne back to the United States for Christine." said Dan Trierweiler. "There's no question he's the horse of the present for her and Cordino is the horse of the future."

Dan Trierweiler is a respected businessman best known for building the Burger King name across West Michigan over the past 34 years. His wife, Kelly is an amateur dressage competitor. The couple board their horses at Timberlane Farm in Lowell, Michigan where Traurig is a regular clinician. "Etienne's future is secure." said Kelly Trierweiler. "Dan and I have committed to being his final owners regardless of his competition status. He will be in Christine's care until he retires and then he'll come to our farm in Michigan. Dan and I are looking forward to spoiling him rotten."

Etienne will begin immediate training with Hinneman and Traurig in Voerde where she currently keeps Cordino 5.

According to Traurig, "This is a wonderful ending to a dramatic story……I can't thank Dan, Kelly and Jo enough. Etienne and I belong together."

Source: Dog and Pony Communications