Latest from Horse & Hound in Helen-langehanenberg

‘Tell your foals about our adventures’: gold medal-winning horse retires to stud

Becky Murray — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 12:08:32 +0000

German dressage rider Helen Langehanenberg has announced the retirement of her European team gold medal-winning partner Annabelle 110.

Helen said after almost 10 years together, “a wonderful chapter ends”, and “Mausi” will now return to her breeder and owner Günther Fielmann to become a broodmare at his Schierensee estate.

Mausi, by Conteur and out of a Linaro 3 mare, is currently 13th in the FEI dressage world rankings, and bows out from competition aged 15.

Helen said the Fielmann family wants Annabelle to have some foals and it was the right time.

“Of course I’m happy that she’s going into breeding in top shape. But letting go is not that easy,” she said.

Helen took on the ride of Mausi in 2013, and the pair made their grand prix debut in 2018. Their first international win was the CDI3* grand prix special at Vilhelmsborg, Denmark, in 2020, where they scored 75.66%.

Helen has previously said Mausi was not always straightforward or easy, and described her as “sensitive”, but said she “liked her from the start”.

The pair continued to go from strength to strength and in January 2021 scored a then personal best +81% in the Salzburg World Cup qualifier, where they were third in the freestyle behind Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD, and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB. That year the World Cup final was cancelled owing to the European EHV-1 outbreak.

Helen and Mausi were travelling reserves at the Tokyo Olympics, and six weeks later were part of the German gold medal-winning team at the 2021 European Championships in Hagen, Germany. In November that year they won the freestyle at the Madrid World Cup qualifier on 80.50%, and at the World Cup final in April 2022 they were sixth in the grand prix and freestyle classes.

In December the pair scored another personal best, 82.14%, at the London International Horse Show. Their final international competition was last month in Göteborg, Sweden, where they were fourth in the grand prix, and scored 80.54% for fourth in the freestyle.

“I’ve been able to train her since the end of her fifth year and have been able to celebrate great successes with this dancing fairy – team gold, victories in the World Cup freestyle, sixth in the World Cup final and then we were reserves at the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” she said.

“But it’s not just the sporting successes. Above all, it is the common path. It’s the mutual learning from each other. I will miss that so much. Thank you very much, dear Fielmann family, for the long and very trusting cooperation.

“And thank you, dear Mausi. Have a good time and tell your hopefully many foals about our adventures together… I will miss you very, very much”.

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Owner Emma Blundell shares exciting update about Mount St John Freestyle

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Six horses, five nationals tickets, three regional titles – why this rider is one to watch in 2023

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Gareth Hughes pilots upcoming star into competitive position in grand prix special at Europeans

Polly Bryan — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 18:29:52 +0000

Gareth Hughes was the first British rider into the arena to ride the grand prix special at the European Dressage Championships. He and his own and Judy Firmston Williams’ 11-year-old Sandro Hit son Sintano Van Hof Olympia scored 73.72%, enough to put them third at that stage. There were plenty of highlights in their test, including the pirouettes and tempi changes, as well as some very smart trotwork.

“To be honest I thought it was going to get a few more marks,” said Gareth, who was grateful for Sintano to have had his chance to perform at his first championship having been travelling reserve for the Tokyo Olympics.

“He felt very different in there today, in some ways more with me, but he was more tired so he didn’t have the electricity about him that he did in the grand prix, which made the grand prix harder to ride. It was a nicer ride as in it felt quite confident and easy, but he’s a very rangy, slow-moving horse on his own, so maybe that’s why I didn’t quite pick up the marks because he lacks that snap. But he’s never been in this situation before.”

Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg had taken the lead ahead of Gareth’s test riding the lovely 13-year-old Conteur mare Annabelle to a score of 75.23%. They had two expensive mistakes that kept their marks lower in the grand prix – though still won team gold as part of the German side – but here they were on great form, showing super piaffe-passage work and a gorgeous extended canter.

“It was really my goal to do it without mistakes,” said Helen. “I’m so pleased today; she felt amazing. The feeling was great: she was relaxed, she was with me, she was listening, but willing and really focused and concentrated and I’m so proud of her.”

Carl Hester will ride Charlotte Dujardin, Sandra Biddlecombe, Lady Anne Evans and his own En Vogue at 8.10pm (7.10pm BST). Charlotte Dujardin and Renai Hart, Carl Hester and her own Gio, third-place finishers in the grand prix yesterday, will go at 10pm (9pm BST), while Lottie Fry and her own and Van Olst Horses’ Everdale are the penultimate combination into the arena tonight at the European Dressage Championships, at 10.20pm (9.20pm BST).

You may also be interested in…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Who could win individual medals at the European Dressage Championships – and when do the Brits ride?

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Carl Hester: Medal-hunting on familiar turf

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Medals, delight, pride and sensational performances: today’s key stories from the European Dressage Championships

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

H&H’s Hagen Europeans horse of the day: Nine-year-old Marshall-Bell – ‘I was so proud of him’

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Gold medal favourites: Germany’s Olympic dressage team announced for Tokyo

Polly Bryan — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 11:10:26 +0000

The German Olympic dressage team for Tokyo Olympic Games has been announced, and will head to Japan as favourites for the team gold medal.

German team trainer Monica Theodorescu and the German Olympic Equestrian Committee have now officially selected the following riders and horses:

Isabell Werth and Bella Rose 2 (first reserve: Weihegold OLD; second reserve: Quantaz)
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera
Dorothee Schneider and Showtime FRH (reserve: Faustus)

The travelling reserve will be Helen Langehanenberg with Annabelle 110.

Frederic Wandres (Duke Of Britain FRH) and Benjamin Werndl (Daily Mirror 9) have also been named as non-travelling reserves.

The selected team is the same trio that won the gold medal at the 2019 European Championships in emphatic style, with Isabell Werth once again riding her world and European champion Bella Rose, now aged 17.

Germany will also arrive in Tokyo as defending Olympic champions, having won the team gold medal in Rio, but only one combination from the 2016 German Olympic dressage team will compete in this year’s Games – Dorothee Schneider and the 2019 individual silver medallist Showtime FRH.

Isabell, Dorothee and Jessica filled all three top spots in every test at the final German selection trial, which took place at the Kronberg CDI this weekend. In the grand prix special, the test that will decide the team medals in Tokyo, Isabell and Bella Rose triumphed with a score of 85.59%, followed by Jessica and Dalera on 84.76% and Dorothee and Showtime in third on 82.57%.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

H&H dressage editor’s blog: ‘Will we see Valegro’s world records broken this year?’

Meet the vegan dressage rider with Tokyo Olympics ambitions

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Carl Hester: ‘Olympic medals are not set in stone’ H&H Plus

Earlier in June, Jessica prevailed over her teammates at the German national dressage championships, riding Dalera to 84.88% to finish just under 1% ahead of Isabell and Bella Rose in the grand prix special, and posting 93% to win the freestyle.

The British Olympic dressage team is due to be announced this week, following the release of the nine nominated entries earlier this month.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Remember the name: Ellie McCarthy — ‘I had to choose between dressage and polo’

Polly Bryan — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 16:24:46 +0000

Over this festive season, we are shining a light on up-and-coming talent across the equestrian disciplines. These are riders you really need to keep an eye out for during the 2021 season...

Meet Ellie McCarthy, the young dressage rider setting herself up for a successful grand prix career with an exciting string of horses and new yard to match

Ellie McCarthy was always destined for a career in horses, but she could just have easily ended up a professional polo player as a dressage rider. Her father, Spencer, is playing patron of the highly successful Emlor polo team, and Ellie grew up playing Pony Club polo.

“I did BYRDS [British Young Riders Dressage Scheme] when I was very young, but then I fell out of love with competing and played polo for a few years instead. When I was 15 my dad asked me to choose either dressage or polo, and I opted for dressage,” says Ellie, 24, who made her international debut at juniors just two years later riding Casual.

In 2016, Ellie took on the ride on Donna Summer, previously produced and competed to grand prix and on British young rider teams with Olivia Oakeley, eventually buying him in 2018.

“It was with Donna Summer that I learned to really, really love dressage again,” says Ellie. “He was such an amazing schoolmaster; with him I could really focus on myself rather than just what the horse was doing.”

Ellie and Donna Summer were selected to represent Britain at the 2017 young rider European Championships, where they finished 15th individually, in the same year that she took the plunge and moved out to Germany to spend two years training with Helen Langehanenberg.

“It was really amazing to see how they do things out in Germany, where dressage is more of a way of life to people than it is in this country,” said Ellie. “I didn’t really want to come back, but I also wanted to build a business for myself. I set up at home when I got back, with five stables and a small arena. But we have since bought a property down the road – it was actually the riding school where I first learned to ride – and have been rebuilding it. I’ll have two barns, an indoor and outdoor arena, and I plan to start a livery yard alongside my dressage business. I’m most excited to have a full size arena – it’s physically impossible to ride a test in my small arena at home.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

At the top of Ellie’s string nowadays is Sir Lancelot M, her ride at the 2020 under-25 European Championships. The striking grey Lordanos stallion’s career has been punctured by injury, but Ellie hopes to bring him back into work this winter and has high hopes for him. Sharing the limelight is her latest ride, the stunning Londontime son GB Londero Von Worrenberg, who arrived with her in May this year having been found by her current trainer, Charlotte Dujardin, and shipped from Germany for Ellie to try during the pandemic. Needless to say, he never went back.

“Charlotte and I have been training Londy together – he was tricky in the beginning and is very strong and sensitive. I have to sit really quietly as he gets upset easily by things and is very hot to the leg, but he always tries hard,” says Ellie, who got her competitive partnership with 11-year-old Londy off to a super start this month with double inter II victory at Keysoe High Profile show.

“He is still green at the level, but he felt incredible at Keysoe.”

Her plan for 2021 is to bring both horses out at under-25 grand prix, as well as venturing into the world of seniors.

Would you like to read Horse & Hound’s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free

Isabell Werth clinches third consecutive World Cup title in Gothenburg

Polly Bryan — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 19:49:41 +0000

Germany’s Isabell Werth once again proved unbeatable as she completed a phenomenal hat-trick of back-to-back World Cup titles — all on the same horse.

She and her superstar mare, the 14-year-old Weihegold OLD scored 88.82% to secure victory in Gothenburg, Sweden, ahead of the USA’s Laura Graves — runner-up for the third year running — and fellow German rider Helen Langehanenberg.

With this title, Isabell has matched Dutch rider Anky van Grunsven’s record of three consecutive titles aboard the same horse, and this is 49-year-old Isabell’s fifth World Cup win in total — fittingly having claimed her first one here in Gothenburg 27 years ago.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Despite a blip in their one-tempi changes, Isabell and the Don Schufro daughter dazzled the judges with some spectacular piaffe, passage and pirouettes.

“Weihe was fantastic today and she really deserves this — it was a nearly perfect ride, except I made a mistake myself,” Isabell said. “The piaffe and passage just couldn’t be better I don’t think.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

Isabell Werth wins World Cup grand prix in bid for third straight title

(Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

High jinks at the horse inspection as the World Cup final gets underway

(Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

John Whitaker injured in Gothenburg fall

‘I didn't even think it was a bad fall for me,’ John told Horse & Hound

In a repeat of the 2017 and 2018 result, the USA’s Laura Graves was snapping at Isabell’s heels all the way, but was unable to surpass her, finishing second with her 17-year-old gelding Verdades, on 87.18%.

“I was thrilled with how he went from the very second he went in; he was rideable and focused,” Laura said. “It’s so great to hear the crowd clapping along at end — you feel they are enjoying it as much as you are.”

At her first World Cup final since finishing second in 2014, Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg finished on the podium, having posted a personal best of 86.57% with her powerful stallion Damsey FRH — one of five 17-year-old horses in this final.

Denmark’s Daniel Bachmann Andersen gave his test everything he had to finish fourth on 85.47% with the partially blind stallion Blue Hors Zack, while Kasey Perry-Glass slotted into fifth for the USA with Goerklintgaards Dublet. Ireland’s Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K improved their grand prix score from yesterday by a huge 10%. They finished 11th with 79.35% in a class where the top 10 competitors all posted over 80%.

Don’t miss the 11 April issue of Horse & Hound for full coverage from the World Cup finals in Gothenburg.

Germany raises eyebrows with team selection for World Equestrian Games

Polly Bryan — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 15:54:11 +0000

Gold medal favourites Germany have announced their team for September’s World Equestrian Games.

The four combinations set to defend Germany’s world title from 2014 are:

Isabell Werth – Bella Rose 2, with Weihegold and Emmilio 107 as direct reserves
Sönke Rothenberger – Cosmo 59
Dorothee Schneider — Sammy Davis Jr
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl – TSF Dalera BB, with Zaire E as a direct reserve

Helen Langehanenberg and Damsey FRH are named as reserves.

World number one Isabell Werth will be hoping to add to her existing collection of 30 championships golds. But she has not been selected on her triple European gold medallist and double World Cup champion Weihegold OLD, but instead on Bella Rose 2 (pictured above), the 14-year-old mare Isabell had made clear was her personal preference for WEG.

The Belissimo daughter returned to competition this year after almost four years out due to injury, and is so far unbeaten on her comeback, although her grand prix scores this year are not as high as those achieved by Weihegold. Isabell has Weihegold and Emmilio 107 as reserve horses.

Sönke Rothenberger — who won double individual silver behind Isabell at last year’s Europeans — is named with his top horse, Cosmo. The pair were crowned German champions earlier this year, but were ruled out of Aachen in July when the 11-year-old Van Gogh gelding contracted an infection. They returned to form at Donaueschingen CDI4* however, beating Isabell to win the grand prix special with 84.36%.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

France refuses to send any dressage riders to World Equestrian Games

French dressage riders have expressed their disappointment at their federation’s decision

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Olympic champions spearhead British dressage team for World Equestrian Games

'With the team’s vast experience of preparing for the big occasion, confidence in the camp is high’

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Major medal contender ruled out of the World Equestrian Games

Denmark’s team medal chances for WEG have suffered a major blow with the loss of a top rider

Dorothee also rides her European gold medallist, the 12-year-old San Remo gelding Sammy Davis Jr, with whom she is currently ranked fifth in the world.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl completes the quartet with the 11-year-old Easy Time mare TSF Delera BB. The pair are in their first year of grand prix together, but performed very well in Aachen, finishing fourth in the grand prix with 76.8%. Jessica’s more experienced ride, the 14-year-old mare Zaire-E, ranked considerably higher than Delera, will be a direct reserve horse for Jessica.

Helen Langehanenberg was the talk of Aachen as she made her comeback just three weeks after giving birth to her second child. There, she and the 16-year-old stallion Damsey FRH scored more than 77% to finish third in the grand prix, and 79% to take second in the special behind Isabell. The pair have been chosen to be team reserve.

For a full preview of the Games, don‘t miss next week’s edition of H&H magazine, out 30 August.

All change in the dressage as Germany outstrip the USA to win Aachen Nations Cup

Polly Bryan — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 15:56:17 +0000

In a complete reversal of fortune from Thursday’s grand prix, a super performance from Isabell Werth in the special secured Germany the Nations Cup victory, while a below par test from grand prix winner Laura Graves meant overnight leaders the USA had to settle for second.

On Thursday, Isabell posted an uncharacteristically low score of 72.51% with the 12-year-old Ehrenpreis gelding Emilio, who showed several serious moments of resistance in his grand prix. Today, however, the pair were back to their usual selves, pulling out a score of 79.13%, which remained at the top of the leaderboard.

“I was really surprised with what happened on Thursday, but today it was back to the old Emilio,” said Isabell, who was also celebrating her birthday. “It was a really nice test, although I wasn’t expecting to stay in front until the end of the competition with the others coming behind me.”

Indeed, her teammates were on super form too, with Helen Langehanenberg within a whisker of the top spot with 79.02% on Damsey FRH. Both Dorothee Schneider (Sammy Davis Jr) and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (TSF Delera BB) posted plus-76% and elevating Germany to the top of the Nations Cup podium.

The USA finished second, five marks behind Germany, with Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet their top performers, scoring 78.79% for a fantastic test to slot into third.

The imposing Verdades gave Laura Graves a tricky time; the 16-year-old gelding was hot from the moment he entered the arena, and took a strong dislike to the camera on the side of the arena, with major spooks in the extended trot down that long side, and again in the canter. But even with the blips the pair scored 74.09%.

Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy led Denmark to third, with their 77.48% test leaving them fourth individually after Cassidy broke to canter in the third extended trot.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

German medal contender out of World Equestrian Games

The individual bronze medal winner from Rio has been withdrawn from WEG team contention.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

US trumping Germany on home soil in Aachen Nations Cup

The USA have the edge over home team Germany at the halfway stage of the Aachen Nations Cup

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

British medal prospect withdraws from WEG team selection

The multi-medalled rider has withdrawn from the WEG team shortlist.

Both Emile Faurie and Lara Butler performed well for Britain to finish 13^th and 14^th respectively, and qualify to ride the freestyle tomorrow morning.

Emile and the De Niro stallion Delatio continued their successful comeback to competition after lameness to post 73.66% in just their second special together.

Lara was delighted with Rubin Al Asad’s performance; she had the 16-year-old by Rubin Royal on song to post a shade under 73%, their best performance in a special this year.

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

US trumping Germany on home soil in Aachen Nations Cup

Polly Bryan — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 17:12:37 +0000

The USA’s Laura Graves made her World Equestrian Games (WEG) medal intentions clear on day one of the Nations Cup dressage at CHIO Aachen, with an 80.6% grand prix win aboard Verdades.

At their first show since finishing second in April’s World Cup final in Paris, Laura and “Diddy” pulled out a punchy, powerful test. Their score sheet was full of eights; the 16-year-old gelding by Florett AS does not really have a weakness, and looks set to challenge for gold in Tryon this September.

“We’re using this as a stepping stone for Tryon,” Laura said. “When you get a horse to this point they know the job and it becomes about those half-point marks. We took small details away from Paris to work on, and I’m so pleased with him today.”

Laura’s marks boosted the USA to the top of the Nations Cup team leaderboard at the halfway stage, with Germany sitting in an unfamiliar second after Isabell Werth posted an uncharacteristic drop score of 72.52%. Her 12-year-old Emilio 107 was not onside, with several moments of resistance causing their score to plummet.

Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour took second with Atterupgaards Cassidy, her double individual bronze medallist at the 2017 European Championships. Despite a costly spook going into their second passage, the pair posted 78.49% to put Denmark in third at this stage.

“I don’t really know what happened — the spook cost us marks, but today was the first time going in there that Cassidy really coped with the atmosphere,” said Cathrine.

Just four weeks after giving birth to her second daughter, Helen Langehanenberg was the best of the home team, scoring 77.03% to stand third with the 16-year-old stallion Damsey FRH.

Emile Faurie (GBR) & Delatio - Preis der Familie Tesch - Grand Prix CDIO - Dressage - CHIO Aachen 2018 - Aachen, Germany - 19 July 2018 (Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

Britain’s two individual riders both gave good accounts of themselves. Emile Faurie finished 13^th with the 14-yar-old De Niro son Delatio (above), and their 73.12% would have been higher had it not been for a mistake in the otherwise lovely one-time changes.

The eye-catching black stallion had not competed since February due to injury.

“We could have given him another couple of months off but we decided to come here as he’s qualified for WEG,” Emile told H&H. “I’m thrilled with him today. He just needs a bit more oomph; towards the end he was feeling the heat a bit.”

Continues below…

WEG dressage individual: Laura Graves chats to H&H [VIDEO]

H&H caught up with US rider Laura Graves, who has made a meteoric rise through the ranks after riding her

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Tales from Rio: ‘I used to be a hairdresser — I’ve done our team trainer’s hair’

Meet Laura Graves, the best-placed US dressage rider after the grand prix — her skills from a former life have

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Horse who was once so scared he ‘nearly went to heaven’ wins World Cup qualifier

The 11-year-old earned 'something of a reputation' in his younger days for his erratic, frightened behaviour

Lara Butler was delighted with her mistake-free test on Rubin Al Asad, at the pair’s Aachen CHIO debut. The 16-year-old Rubin Royal gelding produced his best performance of 2018 so far, earning 72.64%.

“He was super – apparently he just needs a really big occasion!” laughed Lara. “His twos felt super, his passage felt really good — he is probably going the best he ever has at the moment.”

All the riders go forward to the next stage of the competition, the grand prix special on Saturday morning.

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

Germans lead grand prix at the halfway stage at European Dressage Championships

Polly Bryan — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 20:11:56 +0000

German riders occupy the top two spots after the first day of grand prix competition at the European Dressage Championships in Gothenburg.

Helen Langehanenberg sits at the top of leaderboard with the 15-year-old stallion Damsey FRH (Dressage Royal x Ritual), scoring 74.98% to establish a commanding lead early on.

Her teammate Dorothee Schneider lies second overnight with the 11-year-old Sammy Davis Jr (San Remo x Wenckstern), on 74.54%.

Britain’s Emile Faurie produced an excellent test for 72.28% with the relatively inexperienced Lollipop 126, originally his reserve horse until his first-choice ride, Weekend Fun, was withdrawn. The 13-year-old Lord Sinclair son was bouncy and mistake-free; the pair sit sixth at this stage.

“I was chuffed to bits. Lollipop’s never been to a major event before — he did Aachen this year but it’s not quite the same as here,” said Emile, referring to Gothenburg’s huge and atmospheric Ullevi stadium that is home to the dressage championship.

“He’s such a dude, and to come to a championship as a reserve horse and do a mistake-free test with the pressure on is very cool.

“He had plenty of preparation in the run-up, working alongside Weekend Fun. He felt amazing working in so I felt confident when I went in.”

Elimination for blood

There was drama when Swiss rider Charlotte Lenherr was eliminated after the judge at C, Evi Eisenhartdt of Germany, detected blood in the mouth of Darko Of De Niro ZS CH. Evi stopped Charlotte’s test midway through and put her hand into the 13-year-old stallion’s mouth, revealing blood (pictured below).

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Continued below…

More from the Europeans…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

British team horse out of European Dressage Championships

The British dressage team are down to three members for the European Championships in Gothenburg

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Reserve called up for Europeans after ‘slight injury’ to British dressage team horse

There is a change to the British team for the European Dressage Championships

The grand prix continues tomorrow for the team medals. Britain are down to three members following the withdrawal of Gareth Hughes and Don Carissimo due to injury sustained by the 12-year-old gelding since arriving in Gothenburg.

Spencer Wilton will be first in the arena for Britain tomorrow with his own and Jen Goodman’s 13-year-old Supernova II, riding at 16.12 BST. He will be followed by Carl Hester on his own and Jan de la Mare’s Nip Tuck at 20.08 BST.

Don’t miss the 31 August issue of Horse & Hound, with full reports, analysis and expert commentary from the dressage, para dressage and showjumping European Championships in Gothenburg.

Olympic dressage star ready to take teenager to grand prix

Rachael Turner — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 10:25:24 +0000

Teenage rider Jil-Marielle Becks will be making her grand prix debut with dressage star Damon Hill this winter.

The stallion was on the German silver medal-winning team at London 2012 with Helen Langehanenberg. The pair also won team and individual medals at the World Equestrian Games in 2014.

Helen, who stood as world number two behind Charlotte Dujardin, lost the ride on Damon Hill in November last year. He remained at the yard of his owner, Chris Beck.

Chris’ lawyer said an agreement for Helen to stay under contract until the 2016 Olympics could not be reached.

Jil, Chris’ daughter, took on the ride and presented the horse in public for the first time in a demonstration on 15 March at Equitana, a high profile German show.

The 18-year-old went on to produce top scores with the Westphalian at their first few shows earlier this year. However, Damon Hill sustained an injury that stopped the pair competing.

“I am glad that he is fit again and we can focus on the next task,” said Jil.

Jil and Damon Hill made a winning international debut earlier this year as last-minute entrants to the Horses And Dreams show in Hagen, Germany (22-26 April).

They won the one-star prix st georges (PSG) class with 79.21%. The five individual judge’s marks ranged from 77.23% to 81.71%, with both the highest and lowest scores from the two German judges.

The new partnership’s score in Hagen easily exceeded the 64% target to qualify for potential nomination for the young rider European Championships.

Helen and Damon Hill’s career highlights

• 2012: team silver London Olympics

• 2013: team gold and two individual silvers European championships

• 2013 team gold FEI world cup final

• 2014: team gold and two individual silvers World Equestrian Games

Dressage shock as Helen Langehanenberg loses ride on Damon Hill NRW

Amy Mathieson — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:50:34 +0000

The competition career of Germany’s top dressage duo Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW has come to an end.

The popular pair were part of the silver medal-winning German Olympic team and took team gold and two individual silvers at this summer’s FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games (pictured top).

Although Helen — who is currently world number two behind Charlotte Dujardin — has lost the ride, the stallion will remain with his owner Christian Beck and will not be sold.

Now 14 years old, Damon Hill left Helen’s Munster stables over a month ago, but it wasn’t until two days ago (Monday 10 November), that it was confirmed the partnership was over.

Helen’s contract to ride the grand prix star finished on 31 October. Christian Becks said the stallion will now remain in his ownership and will stand at stud.

Earlier this year (September) Mr Becks’ lawyer said that despite rumours, the horse was no longer for sale and that there were ongoing discussions to extend the partnership with Helen.

But a statement from lawyer Andreas Kleefisch this week said an agreement for Helen to stay under contract until the 2016 Olympics could not be reached.

“The successful collaboration between Helen Langehanenberg and their successful horse Damon Hill is over. Negotiations on an extension finally failed, the ideas about the conditions were too far apart,” read the statement.

Damon Hill: dressage star

Damon Hill (Donnerhall x Rubinstein) started off his career with Ingrid Klimke — Helen’s former trainer — who trained him to grand prix level.

In 2005 Ingrid broke her shoulder, so Helen, then 23, competed Damon Hill at the World Young Horse Championships. The pair won the five-year-old section.

A year later he won the six-year-old championship with Ingrid. In 2010 the ride transfered to Helen, after it was reported an agreement couldn’t be reached between the owners and Ingrid regarding his breeding and competition schedule.

The duo have become very popular and the news will be a huge disappointment to dressage fans. They were one of the few partnerships to challenge Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro and we were one of the few to beat the British pair when they had a dip in form at Aachen in July 2014.

“Every time you think with him that things are already perfect, he gets better again,” Helen said of him after winning the World Cup final in 2013.

Helen and Damon Hill’s career highlights

2012: team silver London Olympics
2013: team gold and two individual silvers European championships
2013 team gold FEI world cup final
2014: team gold and two individual silvers World Equestrian Games

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Helen Langehanenberg wins Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage final

The German rider produced a personal best with Damon Hill to claim the title from former World Cup champion Adelinde

WEG dressage: Charlotte Dujardin wins grand prix freestyle

Alice Collins — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 17:42:56 +0000

Today Charlotte Dujardin became the first ever dressage rider to concurrently hold double Olympic, European and World titles. She put in a sensational performance on Carl Hester and Roly Luard’s Valegro at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy and was rewarded with 92.161%.

Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg replicated her silver medal from the special with Damon Hill, scoring 88.286%.

The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen was “happy happy happy” to fight back into the medals after being fourth in the special. She and Parzival claimed bronze with 85.714% and relegated Kristina Sprehe to fourth.

Charlotte’s entry to the stadium was greeted by the roar of 20,000 spectators. Her test was set to music from the film How to Train your Dragon and it suits Valegro down to the ground.

He never missed a beat, pulling off difficult moves, including medium trot into piaffe pirouettes.

“After London I didn’t think things could get any better, then there were two golds at the Europeans last year,” said the 29-year-old. “Any medal is an achievement so to come away with team silver and two golds; I couldn’t have asked any more.

“I just go out there and have fun and not think about the pressure, because if you do it takes over. But riding a horse like Valegro gives you so much confidence.”

Charlotte is the triple world record holder at grand prix and this test was 1.8% off the freestyle record she set at Olympia in 2013.

Britain’s Michael Eilberg rode a sizzling test on Half Moon Delphi for just under 80%. They finished in eighth – a huge leap up from their 25th place in the grand prix which saw them scrape into the special.

Carl Hester and Nip Tuck finished 12th with a freestyle personal best of over 76%; a fantastic result for this massive horse, who is a relative newcomer to grand prix.

Dressage at WEG is now over but the eventing competition is in full swing, with tomorrow being cross-country day.

The showjumping starts on Tuesday, 2 September.

Grand prix freestyle results

GOLD Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro GBR 92.161%

SILVER Helen Langehanenberg on Damon Hill FRH GER 88.286%

BRONZE Adelinde Cornelissen on Jerich Parzival NOP NED 85.714%

4. Kristina Sprehe on Desperados FRH GER 83.125%

5. Laura Graves on Verdades USA 82.036%

6. Victoria Max Theurer on Augustin OLD AUT 81.036%

7. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén on Don Auriello SWE 80.375%

8. Michael Eilberg on Half Moon Delphi GBR 79.696%

9. Anna Kasprzak on Donnperignon DEN 78.929%

10. Steffen Peters on Legolas 92 USA 77.321%

—

12. Carl Hester on Nip Tuck GBR 76.589%

Strong German dressage team revealed for World Equestrian Games

Amy Mathieson — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:15:30 +0000

Germany is sending a highly competitive dressage team to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy next month.

After their dual wins at Aachen last week (17-20 July), Totilas and Matthias Rath (pictured top) spearhead the team.

The pair won the Nations Cup grand prix and the grand prix special, in a shock defeat of Olympic gold medal winners Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro.

Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW, Kristina Sprehe and Desperados FRH and Isabell Werth and Bella Rose (reserve horse Don Johnson) complete the team.

Reserves are Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Unee BB) and Dorothee Schneider with Forward Looking.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the run-up to, and during, WEG on Horseandhound.co.uk

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro face strong competition for world title [H&H VIP]

Sophia Heath — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 08:00:07 +0000

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro have gone from strength to strength since taking gold in London, breaking the world record for freestyle and grand prix as well as becoming European champions last year and taking the World Cup title in Lyon. However, with Totilas, Damon Hill and Jerich Parzival winning on the continent, Charlotte cannot afford to become complacent.

The top combinations meet at Aachen this weekend where it should become clearer how hard Charlotte will have to fight to take her first world title.

Totilas back to his best?

The 2010 triple world gold medallist Totilas made a winning return to competition this spring after a two-year absence due to injuries and rider illness. In their third show last month (27 June) the stallion and Matthias Alexander Rath earned a personal best score of 85.18% in the grand prix at Perl CDI. This was the stallion’s highest ever grand prix mark under any rider.

“It all went very, very well,” Matthias said. “Now we are preparing for Aachen and then we’ll know where we stand.”

Totilas shot to stardom under his former Dutch rider Edward Gal and was the previous world record holder for all three international grand prix classes before he was sold to Paul Schockemöhle at the end of 2010. There was widespread criticism of the ride being removed from Edward, but Totilas’ recent comeback has started to silence critics.

British Olympic rider Richard Davison believes that the decision to train with Anky van Grunsven’s husband Sjef Janssen after 2012 appears to have helped the partnership.

“Perhaps one reason it took them time to click with Totilas is that they didn’t find out enough about how the horse was previously trained and ridden,” Richard said. “Moving to train with Sjef is logical as Edward Gal worked in that system and achieved world record scores with him. Judging by how Totilas is now moving and performing, it seems to be paying off.”

Always the bridesmaid?

The current world number two combination Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill are also still snapping at Charlotte’s heels. The stallion was excused from the first selection trials for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) at the German Championships in Balve (15-18 May) due to breeding duties.

Helen and Damon Hill, who won last year’s World Cup, finished 4.84% behind Charlotte at this year’s final. However, there were several small errors that knocked down their mark.

“It will be interesting to see Damon Hill in Aachen as he starts to get strong again as the summer goes on,” said Olympic team gold medallist Carl Hester.

“At the World Cup in April he looked tired, but last summer at the Europeans he was only 1% behind Valegro. He was on fire.”

After missing out on a medal at the London Olympics by 0.03%, Helen will be determined not to be the bridesmaid again.

The rest of the pack

The combination closest to spoiling Charlotte’s golden party in London — Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival — have also been on winning form after a nine-month break.

The 17-year-old gelding suffered from an irregular heartbeat last June but scored 77.86% to win the grand prix at Arnhem CDI (7 June), and then went on to post the biggest score of the day — 81.48% — at the Nations Cup in Rotterdam two weeks later (19 June).

“I’m very happy,” Adelinde said afterwards. “For the past few months I’ve been trying to change our technique, and it takes time. But I feel it’s coming together at last and we are on our way.”

Carl watched Parzival’s test in Arnhem but believes the horse’s age might limit his potential.

“Certain things did look better,” Carl said. “But with a horse of that age it is hard to get maximum performance across three tests.”

Five-times Olympic gold medallist Isabell Werth has also had a successful spring and has the choice of two rides in Aachen — Bella Rose and Don Johnson.

The 10-year-old Bella Rose is a rising star and scored more than 80% in both the grand prix and the special in Perl.

But despite more horses having crept over the 80% barrier this year Charlotte and Valegro still remain at the top of the pile.

“There is a pack in which there are some very, very strong horses but I don’t think they can close the gap,” said Richard. “I’m putting my money on Valegro.

“However, he is only a horse and as we all know in any sporting environment, anything can happen.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (17 July, 2014)

Dujardin and Langehanenberg set for Aachen head-to-head

Ellie Hughes — Thu, 22 May 2014 11:51:43 +0000

Charlotte Dujardin (Valegro) and Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg (Damon Hill NRW) will meet again at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen (11-20 July).

This will be a first visit to the venue for the British Olympic, European and World Cup Champions, whose new freestyle routine unveiled at last month’s World Cup final in Lyon earned them 92.179% – just 1.796% shy of their own world record.

Germany’s current number one combination of Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill finished second to the British pair in France.

“It is a good job that we have just increased the capacity of the stadium by erecting a new stand,” joked show director, Frank Kemperman.

And there could even be a three-way tussle if the wonderhorse Totilas, who competes today (22 May) for the first time in two years, is entered.

Tickets are still available for the grand prix, which takes place on 17 July, although the grand prix special (19 July) and the grand prix freestyle (20 July) have almost sold out.

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro nail new freestyle to become World Cup champions

Pippa Roome — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 15:50:06 +0000

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro won the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final this afternoon in Lyon.

Not only was it Charlotte’s 1st World Cup final, she was also riding her new freestyle for the first time, to music from the animated film How to Train Your Dragon. But the British pair never faltered to score 92.179%. They finished nearly 5% of their nearest rivals.

“The music’s so great — I literally felt like we danced our way round,” said Charlotte. “I was so emotional at the end, he gives me so much and that’s all you can ask.”

Charlotte’s new routine had a higher degree of difficulty than her previous one, including a piaffe pirouette at the end with a change of direction. Although her score was 1.796% below her world record this time, that might change in the future.

Her mentor Carl Hester said: “I think that routine could become a new world record — it’s more difficult than the one with which she set the record and he didn’t make a mistake.”

Charlotte agreed: “The more confident I get with the music, hopefully it can only get better. I love that music and love riding to it.”

The order of the top 3 was unchanged from yesterday’s grand prix. Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW, winners of the title last year for Germany, settled for 2nd this time on 87.339%.

“I’m not disappointed — I love Damie and for me he’s the best,” she said. “It’s a pity we had a couple of mistakes, but they wouldn’t have changed the result.”

The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover notched up 83.696% in 3rd, with the horse looking more relaxed than yesterday.

Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven was the other rider to break the 80% barrier, scoring 80.946% on Don Auriello to take 4th.

Full report of the FEI World Cup finals in H&H this week, out Thursday, 24 April.

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro break their own grand prix record at World Cup final

Pippa Roome — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 17:08:42 +0000

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro smashed through their own grand prix record score this afternoon at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Lyon.

The British Olympic and European champions scored 87.129%, 1.187% more than their previous record of 85.942%, which they set at the European Championships in Herning last summer.

“He’s just getting stronger and stronger,” said Charlotte. “Every year you think that’s his maximum, there is no more, but every year it seems to be there is a bit more and a bit more.

“Obviously I’ve got such a great partnership with him, he gives me so much confidence that I can ride for that ultimate that I need.”

Charlotte had one tiny break of rhythm in her second piaffe, but that was the only wobble in her rock solid test.

She said: “It’s quite a big arena and when I rode him on the first day he was very, very hot, and I was a bit concerned he might be on edge, but when he comes down that centreline he knows his job.”

Defending World Cup title holder Helen Langehanenberg of Germany took 2nd on 83.343%. She gave her chestnut stallion Damon Hill NRW a big hug as she finished her excellent test.

“He loves to go to shows and the more people there are the happier he is,” she said. “Today we did a fluent test with lots of expression, but harmony as well.”

Helen admitted her early final halt was deliberate: “He was a bit excited and really wanted to passage, and I felt more and more energy and didn’t know which direction that could go in, so I decided to stop now!”

The Netherlands’ Edward Gal collected 3rd place with Glock’s Undercover, scoring 79.957%. His test was slightly marred by tension, which showed particularly in a lack of immobility in the first halt and a shortening of the canter before the one-time changes.

“He was really excited in the warm-up and, although he was better in the test, I couldn’t ride it as I hoped to ride it,” he said. “Hopefully he’s better tomorrow.”

Today’s results do not actually count towards the result of this World Cup final, but are used to determine the starting order for tomorrow’s freestyle. The freestyle winner is crowned the World Cup champion.

Charlotte will be debuting a new freestyle in the class, having ridden the patriotic routine devised for London 2012 for the final time when winning the World Cup qualifier at Olympia in December.

“I love my new music and the floorplan is quite cool — there’s an interesting bit at the end so hopefully I can pull it off,” she said. “For the first time I did it at home and Carl [Hester, her mentor] didn’t scream at me, so hopefully I can do the same tomorrow. I’m very excited to be doing it.”

Charlotte and Valegro in pictures

Full report of the FEI World Cup finals in this week’s H&H, out Thursday, 24 April.

World Cup final website for starting orders, results and more

Britain wins bronze at dressage Europeans: Valegro sets new world record

Alice Collins — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 14:33:51 +0000

Britain has won team bronze at the European Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark with Charlotte Dujardin setting a new world record on Valegro of 85.942%.

In an exceptionally close finish, the German team recaptured their title with an average team score of 78.217%. The Netherlands’ average score was 77.989%, with defending champions Britain just a whisker behind on 77.846%.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Carl Hester was the first British rider in action today at just after 8am. He made mistakes in the 2-time changes on Uthopia and the first 2 piaffes lost rhythm and power.

His 75.334% was well below his best on the 12-year-old Metall stallion, but a decent team score none the less.

All eyes turned to Charlotte Dujardin as she entered the arena, last of the 4 British riders to go.

She produced a fault-free round on the enchanting Valegro to break her own world record of 84.447% (achieved at Olympia in December) and posted an unassailable 85.942%.

But when Adelinde Cornelissen scored 80.851%, she sneaked her Netherlands team past Britain.

The only person who could push Britain down to bronze was Helen Langehanenberg. She and Damon Hill smashed their international personal best to score 84.377% and secure gold for the German team.

The Netherlands was relegated to silver and Britain had to settle for bronze.

The top 5 teams all posted 3 scores over 70%.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

What next?

The grand prix acts as the qualifier for tomorrow’s special, with the top 30 going forward. Carl, Charlotte and Michael Eilberg have all qualified.

Although the slate is wiped clean in terms of scores, Charlotte Dujardin’s win today will fill her with confidence ahead of the first set of individual medals tomorrow.

For up-to-date news, comment and pictures follow us on Twitter @horseandhound and for a full report from the competition, see H&H magazine, out 29 August.

Helen Langehanenberg wins Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage final

Alice Collins — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:30:30 +0000

German rider Helen Langehanenberg pulled out a personal best performance in the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden to win the 2013 Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage final.

She and the Donnerhall stallion Damon Hill scored 88.286% to lift the trophy and topple twice reigning champion Adelinde Cornelissen from the top of the podium.

“He gave me a great feeling again,” said Helen. “Every time you think with him that things are already perfect, he gets better again.”

The pair will now aim for the German championships in Balve as a stepping stone to August’s European Championships in Denmark.

Last to go, Adelinde couldn’t better Helen’s score, but her 86.214% was good enough for second place aboard Parzival with the Dutch pair’s new freestyle.

Adelinde’s compatriot Edward Gal was third (84.446%) on Glock’s Undercover — a horse he has coaxed huge scores from that just a year ago would not have looked possible.

For full World Cup final reports from both the dressage and showjumping in Gothenburg, see Thursday’s Horse & Hound magazine.