The chestnut mare Argentinia (by Acorado x Frappant) was the price highlight of the 117th Elite auction in Verden, Germany, October 14, 2007. American bank executive Perry Thomas, long time sponsor of US team rider Debbie McDonald, purchased the mare for 400,000 euro. Argentinia is bred by Stefan Aust from Arnstorf, Germany, and will more to River Grove Farm in Sun Valley, Idaho, USA.

Ten horses in total sold over 100,000 euro at this auction. The second most expensive horse was Cristobal Colon, a Conteur x Wolkentanz II x Alabaster offspring. The black gelding sold for 230,000 euro to a Westfalian buyer. Rodrigo, the bronze medallist in the 3-year old division at this year's Bundeschampionate, sold for 200,000 to Westfalia. This chestnut gelding is by Riverside x Hohenstein x Davignon.

Three horses sold for 110,000 euro. The dark bay gelding Summersby (by Sandro Hit x Davignon x Argentan) sold to Australia. The chestnut gelding Wisconti (by Wolkenstein II x Calypso II x Graphit) sold to Luxembourg, while the liver chestnut gelding Stuart Litte (by Shakespeare in Love x De Niro x Warkant) sold to the U.S.A. A French buyer paid 100,000 euro for the black mare Wakensho (by Wolkentanz I x Hohenstein x Ordensglanz).

CHIO Aachen Quarantine Site in the run-up to 2008 Olympic Games

Via Aachen to China: For more than 300 horses, the traditional CHIO grounds in Aachen’s Soers will be the quarantine site in the run-up of the Olympic Games 2008. The Olympic Games in Beijing will start on August 8 and end on August 24, 2008. The Olympic Equestrian Events will be carried out in Hong Kong. In addition to the jumping, dressage and eventing horses, also the horses of the Paralympics participants will be accommodated in Aachen, Germany.

Subsequent to the CHIO Aachen 2008 (July 1-6), the horses will be quartered in the stables of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV). “The quarantine gives the guarantee that the horses are absolutely healthy prior to their journey”, says Dr. Johannes Hörmeyer, the official veterinarian for the City of Aachen who is in charge. Relevant for the quarantine are the provisions of the country of entry, which is China in the case of the Olympic Games 2008.

Martin Atock is responsible for the horses’ transportation to China. The General Manager of “Peden-Bloodstock”, one of the world’s most renowned horse shipping agents, is very satisfied with the situation in the Soers: “The conditions in Aachen are ideal. The grounds are completely fenced, we only have to add a few more fences. Furthermore, the journey to the airport in Amsterdam is very short.” From the Dutch metropolis, the horses will be flown out to China.

Jan Brink Got Married

Jan Brink and Catharina Svensson got married on October 6, 2007. Swedish Bishop Christina Odenberg joined the couple in wedlock at the Trollenas castle in Eslov, Sweden. 130 guests were invited to the wedding. The 46-year old Brink first met Svensson two years ago and last New Year's eve Brink proposed to her on skiing holiday in Verbier, Switzerland. The couple will go on honeymoon to Ireland where they will stay at a castle.

"We fit well together. We have the same philosophy on life and we think alike, even though there is an age difference," Brink told the newspaper Norra Skane. "I want to start a family and Catharina and I both want children." (Read More and see a wedding photo)

More Euro News at www.eurodressage.com

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Debbie McDonald Appearing in The Today Show Today
2008 Olympic Equestrian Events Moved to Hong Kong
Jan Brink's First Clinic in America Hosted by Arredando Dressage