Christa Larmoyeur s Ovation Passed Away Wed, 01/20/2021 - 19:55
The Netherlands
Christa Larmoyeur s career making Grand Prix horse, Ovation, has passed away on 16 January 2021. He would have turned 25 in spring.
Ovation was a Dutch warmblood by Cabochon out of Gerona (by Apollonios xx x Porter). He was bred by G. Pelgrum.
During his sport career the gelding was owned by Christa s ex-husband Jacques Laarakkers and J Smits and as of 2010 by Laarakkers and stallion owner GW van Norel.
Knocking at the Door for Team Selection
Christa Larmoyeur began riding Ovation in 2004 and trained him to Grand Prix level. Ovation became a horse that was constantly knocking at the door for Dutch team selection, but never made it. They were Dutch A-squad listed and short listed for the 2012 Dutch Olympic team. Their highest ranking on the FEI World Dressage Ranking was 29th.
Sun, 01/03/2021 - 13:53
Switzerland
2021 will be a year of Olympic opportunity for Swiss team rider Birgit Wientzek-Pläge, as well as other Swiss Grand Prix riders, with an individual slot up for grabs for the delayed 2021 Olympics.
Championship Rider
A year ago, Wientzek-Pläge secured an individual starting place for Switzerland at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Her excellent results achieved aboard Theodora Livanos Oldenburg gelding Robinvale (by Rubinero x Wittinger) ranked her high enough on the FEI World Dressage Ranking to obtain a berth in Tokyo.
Birgit is an experienced Championship rider, first representing Switzerland at the 2003 European Dressage Championships in Hickstead on Sappalot (by Silvano N).