Markus Gribbe left the Bechtolsheimer’s Gloucestershire yard on 12 March, where he has been stable rider and trainer for the past four years.
Markus taught Laura Bechtolsheimer throughout young riders through to her senior team debut, national championship title, World Equestrian Games appearance and World Cup B final win.
“I’ll always be very grateful for what Markus has taught me,” said Laura. “I had a very good four years training with him. I guess he’s just decided it was time to part ways, but I wish him the best of luck in whatever he does next.”
The Bechtolsheimers are not looking for a permanent stable rider or trainer to fill Markus’s shoes.
“My dad will help me and Ferdi [Eilberg, team trainer] is going to make more visits. We’ll see if we can get someone to come over from Germany on a more regular basis, too,” said Laura. “I’ll be by myself doing a lot more of the riding — it’s the next step in my career. I finish university in May so it will be a lot easier then for me to do more.”