Today in the 2022 Annual Review: the month of February! A month with several sporting and personal highlights, but also one in which Europe saw the conflict between Russia and Ukraine spiral out of control ...
The month of February started with happy news; the organization of The Dutch Masters had found a way to allow the international event to go ahead despite the Corona regulations in force. Also, Maikel Van der Vleuten announced that top stallion Verdi TN would officially bid farewell to the sport during this prestigious competition.
This month, Ben Maher's Olympic champion Explosion W was honored Horse of the Year at the Dutch KWPN Stallion Selections, and Eric Lamaze was appointed as the new Chef d'Equipe of the Canadian team, succeeding Mark Laskin. Furthermore, the German Olympic rider Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann gave birth to a beautiful son, and British showjumping rider Amanda Derbyshire retired her 14-year-old mare Luibanta BH.
Stephan Conter kicked off the year with full heart, and came up with two interesting pieces of news in the field of international sports. His Knokke Hippique would bring the Nations Cup back to Belgium, he started the build of a new stadium for the Brussels Stephex Masters, and was organizing a new show in Marbella.
In addition to several high notes during February, the growing conflict between Russia and Ukraine provided a more somber side note. From the FEI came reaction to the invasion of Ukraine by the Russians, as they responded by canceling all their planned events in Russia and Belarus until further notice. Also EEF president Theo Ploegmakers expressed his support for the equestrian community in Ukraine.
More sad news with the passing of legendary Selle Français stallion Diamant de Semilly at the age of 30, and Bois Margot lost the 27-year-old Olympic breeding stallion Canturo.
Source: Equnews
