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Blogs - Verena Sonstenes-Mahin

October 25, 2011

A Rollercoaster Ride Of Highs And Lows At The Pan American Games

By: Verena Sonstenes-Mahin

It was the day of the Prix St. Georges, and, for some lucky few, a chance for a team medal.

You could cut the tension with a knife as we piled into a cab to head to the show grounds. Today was the day we’d been training for during the past year. We’d envisioned this moment, obsessed about 8-meter circles, stressed angles in the shoulder-ins...

This was the biggest and the final CDI of the year. The moment was what we made it.

October 16, 2011

Inspiration On Day 4 In Mexico

By: Verena Sonstenes-Mahin

It’s been truly amazing to watch these diverse and talented riders and horses. I am so proud of Frankie and Ursula. They made it here through a lot of hard work, dedication, support, luck and determination.

It goes to show, once again, that anything is possible when you set a goal, and you push through the ups and downs, gracefully keeping stride through the disappointment, frustrations and heartache.

October 16, 2011

Dressage In The Rain In Mexico

By: Verena Sonstenes-Mahin

Day 2 in Guadalajara brought heavy rains due to a hurricane in Puerto Vallarta.

We arrived at the stables early to be able to train during open hours. Each country gets an allotted time where they have an arena to themselves. Ours was in the afternoon, but we wanted the early hours for the best footing.

October 14, 2011

The Beginning Of A Mexican Adventure

By: Verena Sonstenes-Mahin

It’s amazing the twists and turns you make in your life and how fate plays its role in creating chance meetings that turn into life-changing experiences.

I am a dressage trainer born in Germany and trained in Holland. I am currently based in Somis, Calif., where I train and compete for VS Dressage.

I’ve had the great pleasure of training both Franchesca Liauw and Ursula Lange, both riders for the Puerto Rican team, which is how I got here, and where my story begins.

Comments

SBrentnall
1 year 31 weeks ago

Can't wait to hear more

Sounds like quite an adventure! Have you seen the arenas yet? How's the footing and the stabling?
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