There's no such thing as a white horse...

Interview with Ernst Bachinger, former Director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.

"What do you do if you see a brown spot on the white coat of one of the stallions right before a presentation?"
"Well, they wouldn't have any spots before a show, at least not without any of the grooms getting in trouble. But generally, you can rub a piece of coal on the spot and then brush it off. If that doesn't work, then pull out that piece of coal again - and he'll be (dapple) gray for the day."

Photo from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lippizaner_DSC02443.JPG

Summertime is showtime

 Some more photos, this time from Nienhagen, where I went with my trainers some time ago.

The horse that attracted the most attention was the Hanovarian Lissaro van de Helle, a stallion after Lissabon - Matcho AA. This horse won the German Bundeschampionat three times (!) in succession and was the vice-world champion of the 5-year-olds in Verden in 2010. After having spent 2011 in Edward Gal's stable, he is now standing stud in Celle. 

Wolfhard Witte checking if all four feet are parallel.

 Lissaro v.d. Helle and another Celle-stallion, Edward (Embassy - Fabriano) with his rider Hans-Peter Klaus.

 First place went to Lissaro v.d. Helle, ssecond to Edward....

...and in fifth place trainer J and Wernher. Before I bought Donna, I also tried out Wernher, but decided against him. Which looks like a bad decision now, all things considering... then again, Donna is still my favorite!