What's Happening in the Dressage World

March 2004

Austrian dressage rider Jasmin Sanche fell off a three-year old horse and had to be brought to the emergency room because of multiple injuries. Sanche, who was an Swiss Olympic team member and used to compete Plaisir d'Amour, was diagnosed with a concussion and bruises on her shoulder.

Marlies van Baalen has a new sponsor: Driving School Blom. Renus Blom has already sponsored show jumping stable Hoeve de Grient, and the 2003 and 2004 Blom KNHS Cup show circuit. Blom decided to add some dressage to his sponsorship programme and will be financially supporting Marlies van Baalen on Idocus. Therefore, Idocus will be competing as Blom's Idocus in the future.

Udo Lange has accepted the position of trainer of the Brazilian Dressage Team. His contract will run until the 2007 Pan American Games, which are to be held in Brazil. The only Brazilian dressage rider currently being in the picture (remotely) is Dr. Jorge de la Roche.

On March 14, 2004, Arjen Teeuwissen competed Gestion Goliath again at a small regional show in Maren Kessel, the Netherlands. Bert Rutten decided to insert a Grand Prix class into the show's programme, in which only Teeuwissen and his trainer Anky van Grunsven were allowed to enter. The Grand Prix class worked as an observation class in the decision for Teeuwissen's further participation at the CDI 's Hertogenbosch and as a status check for the Dutch A-team/Olympic selection trials. Anky won the class on Salinero with 75%, Teeuwissen scored 70.52%.

Sidelines reported an opportunity of a lifetime. To support the fundraising efforts for the U.S. Dressage Team going to the Athens Olympics, Debbie MacDonald has offered a wonderful package that will be auctioned off in June: one month training with Debbie in Sun Valley, Idaho, which includes a stall for your horse and a condo for you!

Colombian Dr. Cesar Parra received an exclusive invitation to compete at the CDIO Aachen this summer. To help prepare for the Olympics, Cesar will travel this summer to Europe to train with Hubertus Schmidt. "It is important to prepare in Europe under the types of conditions we will face in Athens. It is a different atmosphere when you warm up alongside the best riders in the world."

Martina Hannover-Sternberg's horse Rescue Me H has found a new soul to rescue: Nicki Patrick. British young rider Nicki Patrick purchased the grey Oldenburg gelding (by Rubinstein) from Hannover and is currently competing him in the Sunshine Tour in Spain.

Million Dollar Mare Poetin will be bred to the KWPN stallion Jazz (by Cocktail) through embryotransplantation. Owner Peter van der Zwan already told the press that the mare would be bred next year to several stallions, including their own Troy. At the stallion show in Wamel, it was announced that Jazz would be added to the line up of stallion choices.

Fellow photographer Charles Mann has a religious dog. His golden retriever Buddy has converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Fellow Mormon congregation member Buddy can be seen on the official website of the church

Images copyrighted: Dirk Caremans

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