By Jean Llewellyn (from WBFSH interview with Silke’s husband, Thorsten)
Photography: © FEI/Benjamin Clark
There is a poignancy to the spectacular achievements of Silke Drukenmüller, celebrated once again as Breeder of the Year for Trakehner mare TSF Dalera at the end of the 2023/24 season. Silke sadly passed away at the age of 45 in 2023, but her legacy lives on.
Silke’s husband, Thorsten, sat down with the WBFSH to remember his wife and her great breeding success.
Q How did it feel to be married to and stand behind such a successful breeder?
I have to say I’ve never had anything to do with horses. I came into it through Silke and I must say, she opened the door door to another world for me. It was just lovely to see the dedication with which she did it. When I think about the countless hours or days she spent watching videos to prepare herself for the coming coverings, and all the topics surrounding it, it was unfathomable. And that was something incredibly special.
From my point of view, I think she had a certain insight nto it all. She just had an eye for what would go well together, and she could picture how it would turn out. What kind of horses would come from her breeding and for me, for someone who doesn’t understand anything about it, it’s comparable to a chess player that knows not only the next move, but the following one, and the one after that. And one could say that it all worked out. The successes speak for themselves, and that is really beautiful. She really broadened my horizon.
Q Did you travel with Silke to the arious competitions Dalera was competing in?
Whenever it was possible I went along, with very few exceptions. Back then, in the USA, I went with her to Tryon [to the World Equestrian Games]. It was very important to me to be there. I have to admit, even though I did not understand much, it was a wonderful time. We planned the year accordingly – filled the dates of the important competitions into the calendar. And then we drove to Aachen, to Hagen, to Balve... From competition to competition as much as it was possible... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
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