German Dressage News

Title Defender Katharina Winkelhues Absent at 2004 European Pony Championships

July 30, 2004

Though the battle at the 2004 European Pony Championships is promising to be tough, it will, unfortunately, be a little less exciting than other years. Double, consecutive European Pony Champion and title defender Katharina Winkelhues was unable to travel to Jaszkowo, Poland, for the 2004 Championships. Her top dressage pony, the licensed breeding stallion Dressmann, is lame.

"We got back from the final pony team training session for the European Championships and on Monday Dressmann was lame," Katharina's mother, Gabi Winkelhues, explained. "He has been treated by the vet and is now being hand walked, but we had to withdraw him from the show." German Pony team alternate Kirsten Sieber, who lives in Dortmund, is filling up Winkelhues' empty spot with her pony Velica.

It is sad for Katharina Winkelhues to miss her third Europeans as she was in a strong position to produce a hattrick, winning her third individual gold medal aboard Dressmann. "Katharina quickly proclaimed solidarity with Dressmann," Gabi joked, "since Monday she's been lying in bed with influenza and a high fever. It never rains but it pours."

Text and photo copyrighted Astrid Appels

Related Links
Photo Shoot at the CDI-P Duisburg
Winkelhues and Dressmann, 2003 European Pony Champions
Winkelhues and Dressmann, 2002 European Pony Champions