European Dressage News

Ernst Bachinger's Honeymoon Passed Away

March 14, 2006

Austrian equestrian journal Steckenpferd reported that Ernst Bachinger's international dressage horse Honeymoon passed away this morning. The liver chestnut was found dead in his stable. He reached the glorious age of 29.

Honeymoon was a Swedish warmblood gelding born in 1978. He was discovered by Thomas Zindel at Alan Gaihede's stable in Germany in 1985 and reared by Susanne Kleindienst-Passweg. Zindel backed the gelding and competed him up to the highest level of dressage.

In 1987, Honeymoon went to Ernst Bachinger, who became multiple Austrian Dressage Champion with him. They also regularly won the Vienna Dressage Derby. Aboard Honeymoon Bachinger, who is currently an international dressage judge, became famous for riding a pas-de-deux with wife Eva, for instance in Rococo-costumes to Vivaldi's Four Seasons music at the Vianne Fest der Pferde.

Photo courtesy: A. Jarc/steckenpferd

Related Link
Fena: History of Austrian Dressage Champions