Baby bliss for Danish Grand Prix rider Rikke Svane. She and her partner, architect Kristian Knorr, are expecting twins due at the end of October-begin November 2023. The 49-year old Svane made her career aboard the Trakehner stallion Finckenstein, whom she competed internationally from 2012 till 2018. Their last CDI together was the culmination of her dressage career so far, representing Denmark at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon. Svane is currently producing the 5-year old Trakehner Urknall (by Finckenstein) to FEI level. She is also a mom to Rebecca, Jessica and Oliver.
Danish professional dressage rider Victoria Vallentin and her partner, Jesper Bisgaard, are relocating their business on 1 August 2023 from Nissumgaard to a renovated riding center Stald Grønvang in Brædstrup, Denmark. Bisgaard, who worked at Katrinlund and Helgstrand before, is currently employed as a young horse handler at Blue Hors stud but will join his own company with Victory full time as of September.
Jannik Bode has stepped down as director of training at the German Riding School, which is part of the Warendorf state stud. After only three months on the job, he will be stepping down from his role on 31 July 2023. Bode succeeded Hannes Müller in May 2023. Dr. Felix Austermann, the director of the state stud and German riding school, "respects this decision." A clear reason for his premature departure was not given. On his own Facebook page Bode wrote, "Back in the Game! as of August I'm available again for lessons, training, movement training and clinics." As a side job Bode has also modelled for a gay fashion brand, called Twinkx.
A group of 100 to 150 people gathered near John Byrialsen's yard in Skals, Denmark, to protest against the animal abuse and neglect taking place at his properties on Saturday 15 July 2023. Participating in the demonstration was professional show jumper and former national trainer for ponies and children, Lars Trier Kjøller. "I am afraid that a case like this will damage equestrian sport. I am a rider, I make a living from it, and so I think that if I support them, at least they know that we are some riders distances themselves from these practises," he told Ridehesten.
A week after the demonstration the animal abuse and neglect case at Viegaard stud has finally reached the highest levels of Danish governance. The Danish People's Party has asked two ministers questions about the case and with great probability, the Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard will be called in consultation. He has four weeks to reply on the matter.
And those who still think sport has nothing to do with politics: Take note of the ever increasing control and dictatorship in China. On 29 June 2023, the Hong Kong equestrian federation announced its official name change! "By a Special Resolution in the General Meeting of the Members held on 22 May 2023, it was approved that the Federation’s name be changed from “Hong Kong Equestrian Federation” to “The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China”. The change has subsequently been approved by the Hong Kong Companies Registry." Just like they prefer Taiwan to be named Chinese Taipei ;)