In World of Showjumping’s series ‘That Special Bond’ we talk with some of the top names of the sport, to discuss the horses that have shaped their careers, fulfilled their dreams – and sometimes even broke their hearts.

Next out is German rider Hans-Dieter Dreher, and not totally surprising: It is a black stallion that stole his heart. 

“My favourite is Embassy – and has always been. I really hope he will come back properly, he has been out now for about a year due to an injury. And I hope he still will have a year or two in the sport. I got him in 2011 as a 10-year-old, and by now he is 17 but he is in really good shape and is always happy to work. I just love everything about him, he is fantastic to ride and he is in a good mood every day. He is also very easy to handle for being a stallion. Embassy is a real fighter, just like me,” Hansi laughs. 

“Berlinda is my best horse at the moment, and also my money maker. She has done amazing things so far, even though she doesn’t have so much experience. Berlinda is from Slovakia where she jumped 1,45m classes, and she was really well educated when I got her. I have only had her since May last year, but we clicked straight away. She is also an absolute favourite, and is just after Embassy in my heart. She is a bit similar to Embassy too: Very easy, sensitive to handle and she is just very sweet to ride.”

“I was a bit unlucky with Magnus Romeo and Colore. Both of them got injured at the age of 14, and I would really have liked to continue to ride both of them for another two or three years.

Magnus Romeo got problems with his joints. He did come back to the show grounds, but he never really got back jumping as he did before and we couldn’t make it back to the top sport. Colore pulled his tendon apart in St. Moritz; he is now on the field and is not lame anymore but he can’t work.

Both Magnus and Colore are now just breeding, and enjoying life.”