The Belgian-bred mare, Nikka vd Bisschop( (breeder: Tom de Craene), will now be ridden by 25-year-old French rider Nina Mallevaey. Last year, the mare, owned by the Rein family, competed in the Olympic Games in Paris with Canadian rider Erynn Ballard.
Ballard took over the reins of the mare in April 2024. The duo impressed with victories, including in the CSI5* 1.60m Major League Show Jumping Grand Prix in Vancouver, Canada. During the Spruce Meadows Summer Competition in June, the pair also achieved second place in the CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix.
Previously, Beth Underhill (CAN) was in the saddle of the mare. Together with Underhill, the daughter of Emerald van 't Ruytershof secured the silver team medal at the 2023 Pan American Games.
Mallevaey is no stranger to the mare. When the mare was eight years old, the French rider had already ridden her. The plan is to give the new combination time to develop and bond, starting with a few national competitions.
