Dressage Olympian Emma Hindle has bought the horse she believes will help Britain secure team gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
She found Brisbane, a 10-year-old Swedish-bred gelding, in Switzerland, and he is now settling in at her Brookhouse Stud in Germany.
Two months ago, Emma told Horse & Hound: “Laura Bechtolsheimer has an incredible chance for an individual medal at London 2012, but she can’t get the team gold on her own.
“For Britain to achieve that we need two horses on the squad that are among the top 10 in the world.”
Emma tried to secure the ride on world number one Totilas, but when the horse was sold to Germany and Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff bought the sports rights for stepson Matthias Rath, Emma continued her search for a new megastar.
This morning she called H&H with the news that she has found that horse: “He was scoring 70% at grand prix as an eight-year-old with his previous rider,” she said.
“He’s outstanding. He’s very strong minded and a proper horse both in terms of his build and his temperament.
“He moves beautifully, his pirouettes are incredible — he has no weaknesses. He looks a bit like Wally, even [Emma’s European team medallist Wie Weltmeyer].”
Emma will take her time with the horse in preparation for London.
“Maybe he will be ready for the Europeans this year, but first we have to build a partnership,” she told H&H.
“I also have Lancet back in full work and on top form, so we’ll see.”
Pic courtesy of Brookhouse Stud. H&H advises all riders to wear hats while mounted.
