‘We are so grateful’: double Olympic champion welcomes first foal
Dressage superstar TSF Dalera BB, the multiple gold medal-winning ride of Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, has welcomed her first foal.
Jessica said the 19-year-old mare gave birth to “this magical little creature” – named Dolce Vita BB – at 1.40am on 9 March. The filly is by Vitalis.
“The BB in the name stands for Dalera’s owner Beatrice Bürchler-Keller,” said Jessica, adding that Beatrice was on her way to visit at the time.
“We are all so grateful, fulfilled, but also very tired.”
Jessica has been sharing videos of the mare and foal enjoying their time in the field and said the new arrival has been “keeping Dalera on her toes”.
Trakehner mare Dalera (Easy Game x Handryk) enjoyed a phenomenal career with Jessica von Bredow-Werndl; they won two team and two individual Olympic golds, two team and four individual European golds, team gold at the 2018 World Equestrian Games and two World Cup Final titles.
At the Paris Games in 2024 they successfully defended their Olympic title won in Tokyo, scoring +90% in the freestyle. They arrived in Paris as world number ones and reigning European champions, on an unbeaten streak of 35 international victories.
During a Paris press conference Jessica told media Dalera would soon retire, and the formal announcement was made on 27 August 2024. She retired sound, happy and at the top of her game aged 17.
“This journey has been something so special to me and fortunately it is not over yet. We can keep Dalera here in Aubenhausen until her last breath and I am already looking forward to many more wonderful years with her,” said Jessica at the time.
“Dalera has been so much more to me than just my sport partner over the last few years. I’ve never experienced anything before like connecting with a horse on such a soul level that we didn’t need words, which don’t even exist. We just understood each other and I always knew what she needed – and she always knew everything. She just understood me and still understands me today, and that is the beauty of it.”
Jessica revealed on 11 May last year, Mother’s Day in Germany, that Dalera was in foal – stating that she was sure Dalera would be a “wonderful mummy”.
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