Semmieke Rothenberger's flannel goes into breeding

Trained in the Netherlands by Veronique Roerink, Apache’s daughter Flanell has accompanied Semmieke Rothenberger since 2020. In 2021, the pair competed in their first competitions, dominated the Piaff-Förderpreis and were nominated for the European Championships straight away, where they won gold in the team and freestyle and silver in the individual competition. They won the Piaff-Förderpreis final and ventured into senior sport the following season. They were even allowed to compete at the CHIO Aachen. However, the pair’s last competition was over a year ago.

Semmieke Rothenberger announced today that Flanell will not be returning to the sport. Instead, she is to have foals. She says:

“Flanell taught me to dream bigger than I ever dared, carrying me through my first Grand Prix. No horse has ever given me so much ease in my work and at the same time challenged me so much as a person. She has given me sleepless nights, but also the greatest feelings of happiness. She has shaped me, tested me, made me grow and reminded me every day how special she is.”

Rothenberger thanks her mare, but also Jonny Hilberath, the national coach who passed away far too early last spring and who she says was one of the most influential people on her journey with “Nelly”. “Your influence and your words will forever be part of our history,” says Rothenberger.

And it’s not over yet. Nelly can now form a girl gang with Geisha, Daisy & Co. on the pastures of Gut Erlenhof.