By Jean Llewellyn (press release)
Photography: WBFSH
A few weeks ago the WBFSH celebrated the Breeders of the Year 2024 during the Jumping International de Bordeaux on February 8. This occasion facilitated interviews that delved deeper into these breeders’ achievements.
The WBFSH interviewed Thorsten Druckenmuller, Romain Rotty and Volker Göttsche-Götze posing several questions to gain insight into the incredible breeders behind those champions.
During video interviews (which have been transcribed in this article), they discussed their passion for horses, their breeding backgrounds and philosophies, the bloodlines and methodology employed in selecting the crosses, as well as further information regarding the celebrated champions and their reactions to receiving such an award.
So, let’s reminisce one last time the great achievements of these champions and learn whether they have some useful advice for today’s breeders.
Silke Fass-Druckenmüller† and Thorsten Druckenmüllert
The late Silke Druckenmüller won the award for the fourth time – a unique achievement. Her husband Thorsten Druckenmüller received the award on her behalf, saying that he is grateful and proud of Silke’s achievement.
“It is an overwhelming feeling in every respect to be a breeder standing in the middle of the arena, where the best riders of the best horses usually receive their awards. Thank you Longines, and WBFSH, for this magnificent recognition. And thank you to Brigitte Boss, the statue is the icing on the cake of a wonderful evening.”
Silke’s 17-year-old Trakehner mare TSF Dalera (by Easy Game out of the mare Dark Magic, by Handryk) has been a standout in dressage at the highest international levels under the saddle of German rider Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. Their journey together began in 2016, quickly ascending to the top echelons of the sport and keeping the number 1 spot in the FEI Dressage rankings for years. The milestones they reached together include the World Equestrian Games and European Championship titles, as well as both team and individual gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics. They concluded their incredible journey together by successfully defending their titles at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, securing once again both team and individual gold medals.
In August 2024, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl announced Dalera’s retirement from competition. The mare will remain with her at her home based in Aubenhausen, where she “will be spoiled until her last breath”, says Jessica, as “she deserves only one thing, and that is the very best”. To honour Dalera’s contribution to the sport, and ease her into retirement, the couple made two special appearances, at the Trakehner Verband’s annual Hengstmarkt in November 2024, and at the FEI Dressage World Cup of Basel in January 2025, where they received a standing ovation from the public.
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