Germany’s Gerrit Nieberg has announced the sale of his top horse Ben 431 (Sylvain x Quincy Jones, bred by Christa Mikulski). With the now 13-year-old gelding, Nieberg won the CSIO5* Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen in 2022 – considered one of the most prestigious Grand Prix classes in the world – as well as the CSI5* Longines Grand Prix of Hamburg in 2023. The two also competed at the 2022 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Leipzig (GER) and were a part of the German squad at last year’s FEI Jumping European Championships in Milan (ITA). 

“As 2023 came to an end, I sadly have to announce the sale of my top horse Ben,” Nieberg wrote on his official Instagram account. “First of all I want to thank Hendrik Snoek and my dad for saving him as long as possible for me. He is a horse with a personality and character I will never forget, such as all the memories we made the past years. He took me to all the shows I‘ve always been dreaming about and definitely formed my career. Just to name a few of our highlights: Winner of the Rolex GP of Aachen 2022 and placed 9th in the GP 2023 & 2021, winner of the 5*GP of Hamburg 2023, 5th in the CP International GP of Spruce Meadows 2022, 2nd in the 5* GP & 4th in the World Cup of Basel 2023. He was my partner at my first World Cup Final and European Championships & had countless other top placings at 5* level. Also a big thank you to my top grooms who took the very best care of him! We will miss his face in the stable every day! I wish the new rider @gooseydavis all the best and I’m sure they have a big future ahead!”

Lucy Davis, announced as Ben’s new rider, was part of the US teams that won bronze at the World Equestrian Games back in 2014 as well as silver at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 – riding Barron (For Pleasure x Nabab de Reve).