DRESSPROD

Dutch rider Lotje Schoots has just lost one of the most significant horses of her career: Equitop Torricelli LS. The son of Florestan I and Pion passed away on September 7 at the age of 26. Torricelli entered her life when he was just two years old and she was fourteen; he accompanied her during her time riding for the van Silfhout stables, and the bay gelding enabled her to compete in the 2006 World Championships for six-year-olds, where they finished eighth. They became Dut

Diamond Hit, who competed up to Grand Prix level with the British rider Emma Hindle, has died. Bred by Gabriele Harder-Brune and born in 1997, Diamond Hit was by Don Schufro out of the famous mare Loretta, who also produced Sandro Hit and Royal Hit. Diamond Hit quickly established himself among the best young horses of his generation. In 2001, he was the German and Oldenburg vice-champion for four-year-old stallions under Miriam Henschke. In 2002, he confirmed his potential b

Springbank II VH, the stallion with whom German rider Yara Reichert competes at Grand Prix level, has sustained a serious injury annonced today Equi Pages. Bred in 2014 at Västra Hoby Stuteri in Sweden, Springbank II VH quickly established himself as one of the most notable young stallions of his generation. A son of Skovens Rafael and out of a De Niro mare, the powerful chestnut was approved in Denmark in 2017. Ridden by Severo Jurado López, Springbank II VH made his debut a

Sixth in the team competition in Aachen and Crozet last year, Swedish dressage has no shortage of up-and-coming talent. To join the B-team in question, riders must demonstrate a minimum score of 68% in the Grand Prix at the national level and two scores of 67% in the Grand Prix at CDI level, with at least one of the latter achieved within the last 12 months. The following have now been added: Martin Ågevall Mads Hendeliowitz Ebba von Essen Mattias Jansson Mia Runnesson Bergqv

After rapidly rising through the ranks on the international stage, winnings medals at the European Youth Championships, Anna Teibel Raben has opened a new chapter in her career. The young Danish rider is joining the team at Château de Fontaine in Normandy, where she will continue her riding career. At the age of 20, Anna Teibel Raben made her international debut with Sparaday. In 2024, the pair notably contributed to Denmark’s silver medal at the European Junior Championships

Alongside the "Grande Semaine de Dressage"—held for the first time last week in Le Mans—Boulerie Jump and Philippe Rossi’s team also hosted the France Dressage Finals for the fourth time, offering a prime venue and a renowned organizational setup for the rising talents of tomorrow. Back from the Sarthe region, Caroline Rioche—who has been at the helm of France Dressage for a decade—offers an enthusiastic assessment this year, full of hope for the future. "This year, we had 19

A key figure in the world of judging—both in Germany and internationally—Bavarian Uwe Mechlem passed away on September 14 at the age of 91; notably, he officiated at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Born on June 26, 1935, in Mittenwald, Uwe Mechlem discovered horses through his father, Franz, a transport entrepreneur. A versatile rider, he competed in both dressage—up to the Grand Prix level—and show jumping. In the early 1960s, he qualified as a judge and g

On Saturday at Somerford Park, Charlotte Dujardin won the Grand Prix, which served as the British Championship event; partnered with Brave Heart II, the British rider scored 75.044%, finishing ahead of Gareth Hughes and Mowgli-Olympia MC (second with 70.457%) and Fiona Bigwood and Donna Bella (third with 70%)—a victory holding special significance for the rider, now a mother of two. Returning to the National Championships, Charlotte Dujardin was not there merely to sightsee.

Grandioso has passed away at the age of 27. The Pura Raza Española competed alongside Daniel Martín Dockx at the highest level, notably participating in two Olympic Games: London in 2012 and Rio in 2016. Born in 1999, this son of Adelante was sold to the United States at the age of four. Initially trained by American rider Courtney King-Dye, he moved to Spain following her serious accident in 2010. In 2011, Grandioso and his rider won the Spanish Grand Prix championship befor

After reaching the pinnacle of the dressage world with TSF Dalera BB, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is continuing her career with a new mare. At Aubenhausen, the German champion can now count on Happy Days di Fonteabeti, a daughter of Valverde who has already achieved success in young horse competitions. Born in Italy in 2018, Happy Days di Fonteabeti first made a name for herself in her home country. Ridden by Nelson Ramos Aleluia, the mare notably won the Italian Young Horse Ch

After more than four years of exclusion, Russian and Belarusian dressage are set to return to the international stage. The International Equestrian Federation has officially decided to lift the measures implemented in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, measures that had been in effect since March 6, 2022. Starting October 5, Russian and Belarusian riders, horses, and officials will once again be able to compete under their national colors, no longer required to adopt the "I

Never short of horses capable of successfully carrying its colors, Germany saw four high-potential horses—Life Time FRH, Be Sure FRH, Veuve Clicquot FRH, and Back For Good—begin or continue their journey toward the Grand Prix in this afternoon's class. This afternoon, Isabell Werth fielded Back For Good in the Inter II—a qualifier for the Louis d'Or circuit final—at a national show in Pinneberg, near Hamburg; this marked the bay horse's debut at this level. Bred by Uwe Ogonow

With 16 nations expected for four days of competition, dressage returns this week to the arenas of the Pôle International du Cheval in Deauville, marking the resumption of the international season following the World Championships in Aachen. Just like last year, a British pair claimed victory in the Grand Prix today: following Thomas Goode’s win in 2025, this time it was Lewis Carrier and his horse, Diego V. The 18-year-old KWPN (by Spielberg) was a unanimous hit with the jud

He had not appeared in competition since the 2025 World Cup Final in Basel, where he finished second; after a year and a half away from the arena, DSP Quantaz returned to action today at a national show in Germany with Isabell Werth. Amidst the likes of Wendy de Fontaine, Viva Gold, and V Power, one might almost have overlooked the Quaterback gelding, the horse that carried Isabell Werth to medals at the European Championships in Riesenbeck and the World Championships in Hern

A major chapter is coming to a close at Hof Kasselmann. German dressage riders Frederic Wandres and Lars Ligus are preparing to strike out on their own. Starting in January 2027, the duo will set up their own training and sales operation at the Gut Einhaus estate in Herzlake, Lower Saxony.. After years of successful collaboration in Hagen under the guidance of Ullrich Kasselmann and trainer Insa Hansen, the two professionals are taking a step they describe as a natural evolut

A little over a year after footage circulated widely on social media showing Australian rider Heath Ryan whipping one of his former mounts 42 times in 30 seconds, and following an investigation it conducted, the FEI has handed Heath Ryan an 18-month suspension. At 68, Heath Ryan is a well-known figure in equestrian sports, having competed in the World Equestrian Games in 1990 and 2002, the 2008 Olympic Games, and the 2009 World Cup Final; yet, despite this impressive track re

German rider Annabel Frenzen had to say goodbye to Cristobal, one of the most important horses of her career. Bred by Klaus Kudlinski, this son of Coriander began his competitive career between 2004 and 2008 with Alexandra Klein before joining Annabel Frenzen who had previously won the team gold medal at the European Pony Championships in Saumur in 2006. With this bay horse, she became the German Young Rider vice-champion, returned to the international stage at that level of

The Dutch Olympic Horse Foundation (Stichting Nederlands Olympiade Paard) has welcomed two new horses into its N.O.P.T. program, which aims to identify and secure horses with potential for major international competitions. Olivia-Grace and Hexagon’s Nachtwacht earned their certification following a selection day held on June 10. The goal is to identify successors to the horses currently in the program. Twelve horse-and-rider combinations were presented; two particularly impre

Renowned Dutch stallion breeder Hans Jansen has died. Wynton, Bretton Woods, Chagall, Four Legends, and Gaudi—these are the stallions bred by Hans Jansen and his wife; a remarkable breeding success for a man who has now passed away at the age of 85. After working as an orthodontist in Apeldoorn, Hans Jansen devoted himself entirely to breeding dressage horses. Together with his wife, Grietje, he frequently traveled to deepen their breeding knowledge; their passion for dressag

Hannu Haakon, the Trakehner licensing vice-Champion, has been sold by his owners, Lars and Nicole Derlin, to Andreas Helgstrand. Bred in Germany at Gestüt Gut Staffelde, this son of Scaglietti and Millenium went through his studbook's auction sales in 2023. Licensed last November in Neumünste, where he was named Reserve Champion, Hannu Haakon competed in a few classes for three-year-olds this year with Cecilie Hedegaard, notably earning a score of 10 for both his walk and can