DressageDaily: Euro Update: Fiona Bigwood Back to Business after Baby Break

Wednesday November 15, 2006

Euro Update: Fiona Bigwood Back to Business after Baby Break

British Grand Prix team member Fiona Bigwood is back to business after a baby break that sidelined her for more than nine months. With her British team horse Mr G de Lully and her second Grand Prix horse Nector van het Carelshof she will be competing in the World Cup qualifiers this winter in order to obtain a berth in the 2007 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, USA, April 18-21, 2007.

Bigwood and her partner Anders Dahl, a member of the Danish WEG team, became the proud parents of baby girl Mette Clare Dahl on July 22, 2006. Motherhood has changed Bigwood’s perspective on life. “I love being a mother. It has changed me a lot because horses meant everything to me before, but now she is the most important thing in my life. She is just amazing,” Bigwood said.

Fiona decided not to wait too long to re-enter the show ring and she returned to the international scene with much style. She made her come back at the CDI-W Kaposvar in Hungary in the beginning of October and one week later competed at the World Cup Qualifier in Aarhus, Denmark. In the Special tour, Fiona scored 68.6 % and 69.8% with Mr G, placing second twice. Aboard Nector, she scored 67.1% in the Grand Prix and a fantastic 72.30% in the Kur to Music.

Not only is it great for Bigwood to be back in business, but her come back with the world class Belgian warmblood gelding Nector van het Carelshof (by Randel Z) is exhilarating. The now 16-year old bay gelding who was very successful under Ingrid Klimke is back in sport and in great condition. “It was not easy getting the ride back off Anders after he has ridden Nector for a year. He is such a lovely horse who is always light and great to ride. He has so much natural ability and is so young at heart. He loves shows, and often has too much energy because he’s always wanting to do it. ” Bigwood explained. Fiona hopes to ride Nector at the 2007 World Cup Finals and had special music made for them. “I had this music done two years ago and never got to ride it. This has been my goal with him, to ride this kur. The music is light and fun which fits him perfectly.” (Read More)

CDI Oldenburg: Hilberath and Zeilinger Win

At the small CDI Oldenburg in Germany, Rudolf Zeilinger and Jonny Hilberath were the big tour winners. On his birthday, Zeilinger won the Grand Prix with Festival, scoring 69.58%. Jonny Hilberath and the Japanese owned Fariano won the Special with 70.40%. (View scores)

2006 Danish Young Horse Championships

The 2006 Danish Young Horse Dressage Championships took place this weekend at the national equestrian centre in Vilhelmsborg, Denmark. The winners were the 4-year old Herbie Hancock (by Hertug), the 5-year old Donna Silver (by Don Schufro) and the 6-year old Angrib Firfod (by Gribaldi. (View Scores)

CDI Vienna: Plonzke Wins Kur to Music

At the international show jumping competition in Vienna, Austria, three CDI dressage classes were being hosted. Nina Stadlinger won the Grand Prix, Lone Jorgensen the Grand Prix Special and German Anka Plonzke claimed victory in the Kur to Music with Solero TSF. (View Scores)

Richard Löwenherz Sold to Friederike Hahn

The rising 10-year old licensed stallion Richard Löwenherz has been sold to the Hahn family. Daughter Friederike Hahn is making the move from FEI dressage ponies to Junior/Young rider level and Richard Löwenherz will be her new equine partner. The chestnut Oldenburg stallion Richard Löwenherz is by Rubinstein out of Kunigunde (by Intervall x Parabol) and was previously owned by Gestut Tannenhof. Anja Plönzke competed the chestnut at the Bundeschampionate and later moved him on to small tour level. They were successful in the 2004 Nurnberger Burgpokal Finals in which they finished fourth and the pair competed at the CDIO Aachen (Read More).

BMC Pasternak Put Down

Coby van Baalen's Grand Prix horse BMC Pasternak has been humanely put down on Monday 13th November 2006. The Dutch warmblood gelding by Gribaldi x Cocktail x Zonneglans contracted a curious virus in the spring of 2006 which almost killed him. The black gelding, however, did recover but became ataxic. During a final examination at the University Equine Clinic of Ghent (Belgium) it became obvious that Pasternak's ataxia would be a risk for his own health and well being and that even a retired life in the field would be too dangerous for the horse. It was in Pasternak's best interest to put him down.

Coby van Baalen bred, green broke, trained and competed Pasternak herself. The in 1997 born Pasternak made his debut at Grand Prix level in the winter season of 2005-2006. He achieved top scores at small tour level in in his first Grand Prix tests but the curious virus ended Pasternak's show career. (Read More)

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