OLYMPIC champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl has taken over the reins of Times Kismet, the rising dressage star previously competed by Charlotte Dujardin, while Dujardin’s World and European championship-winning mount Imhotep has been sold to Austria.
Dujardin is currently suspended from the sport by the FEI pending the outcome of an investigation/disciplinary proceedings following the emergence of an old video, released in July, which shows the three-time Olympian whipping a horse from the ground during a lesson.
Germany’s two-time Olympic champion von Bredow-Werndl announced the nine-year-old mare Times Kismet has been secured by her owners.
“It is with great excitement and gratitude that we welcome Times Kismet. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have such a wonderful horse in our care. We want to thank our partners and Kismet’s breeder Peter Belshaw for collaborating with us,” von Bredow-Werndl said.
“It has already been a joy the past few days getting to know Times Kismet. She has an incredible character, that proves what great training and care she has had from Charlotte and Carl.”
Meanwhile, Dujardin’s medal-winning ride from the 2022 World Championships (team silver) and 2023 European Championships (team gold, double individual bronze), Imhotep, has been sold to Austria and will be seen under the saddle of Diana Porsche.
The Dutch-bred gelding is an 11-year-old by Everdale. Porsche told Eurodressage that she got in contact with Carl Hester and Dujardin before Paris looking for another horse. “They mentioned that Imhotep could be a great fit for me, but they wanted to keep him until the Olympics for Charlotte.
“It was very important for them to choose where he would go, ensuring he has a good rider and can continue living the life he’s used to by going out to the fields every day. It was a great honour for me to try him, and from the moment I sat on him, we clicked right away. I’m really proud to be able to grow with a horse like Imhotep,” she told Eurodressage, adding that she will stay in close contact with the pair.
Carl Hester, Dujardin’s trainer and partner in a number of horses, confirmed that the sale of Imhotep was always on the cards after the Olympics.
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