VSönke Rothenberger does not want to talk about the end of his career. “I didn’t say anything about that,” emphasizes the 27-year-old dressage rider. Cosmo, the 15-year-old gelding, who was the focus of the conversation about the Wiesbaden Whitsun tournament, is doing well. Every day in training, the couple have fun together. However, there are no concrete plans for the brown movement artist to return to the arena.
The Bad Homburger doesn’t want to destroy the captivating image that many have of the four-legged friend. Only when he feels that Cosmo can call up “110 percent” of his performance capacity should he piaffe and pass in front of the judges again. Rothenberger does not rule out a start at the beginning of June in the Biebricher Schlosspark or a few days later at the German Championships in Balve, where the first national selection for the World Championships in August in Herning (Denmark). But that’s not likely.
Mon – Fri at 4 p.m.; Sat – Sun at 6 p.m
SIGN IN
Cosmo was only nine years old when he shone at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and made his contribution to the German team winning gold. Within just three years, the explosive talent had risen from medium level dressage to the top of the world under his rider, who was also experienced in championships at the time. In the three following years, the youngest couple in Brazil was involved in the team titles at the World Cup and the two European Championships and also secured two continental individual silvers in 2017. “We don’t have to prove anything anymore,” emphasizes the son of Sven and Gonnelien Rothenberger, who themselves have won victories and medals at this highest international level.
It’s been three years since Cosmo’s last major performance and he hasn’t been shown on stage since. According to national coach Monica Theodorescu, the candidate was “not fit enough” for the 2021 Olympic qualification; before that there were several health problems. According to Rothenberger, a lawsuit worth millions is still pending, which the family is bringing against a clinic in Dülmen. In January 2018, incorrect treatment is said to have resulted in kidney problems. A year later, the defending champions had to miss the German championships due to colic, but recommended themselves for a European Championship nomination.
A fire with devastating consequences
Problems became apparent in Rotterdam. The year had started terribly back then. At the end of February, a technical defect caused a fire at the family-owned Erlenhof stud farm, destroying the stable. One of Rothenberger’s two young hopes died; the other, Luna, was injured so badly that she can no longer put on the saddle and can enjoy her early retirement.
In the intensive search for new talents that could fill “the giant hole”, Rothenberger found Fendi, with which the tall rider won the international tour of five-year-olds in Wiesbaden in 2019 and in Hagen in April the final ticket for the Louisdor Prize in December secured in Frankfurt. Cosmo’s next-door neighbor has what it takes to follow in his footsteps. The Dane reacts much more coolly and calmly to his surroundings than the sensitive role model. “But it’s a long way to get there,” emphasizes Rothenberger.
Rothenberger is bringing another youngster with him to Wiesbaden, where, after two recent cancellations, international tests in the Olympic disciplines of jumping, dressage and eventing are to be held again this time at Pentecost. Foxi Brown bought the family at auction a year and a half ago; the then almost four-year-old gelding “remained well below an unrealistic price”, Rothenberger explains the opportunity.
So far, the beginner has only gone to one tournament, in Wiesbaden he is supposed to show the youngest “how he can cope with the scenery”. The bustle is difficult to practice. “We rehearse different situations and make the training varied.” That has to be enough as preparation.
When it comes to the decisions in the big tour, in which Isabell Werth, Dorothee Schneider and Hubertus Schmidt from the Olympic squad have confirmed, Rothenberger, who is currently not selected, only has the role of spectator. At home, after graduating in management and business administration, he works diligently at his own junior academy. He wants to acquire 20 colts every year in order to have good horses in the stable over the long term.
The goal is to counteract the Danish purchasing power that currently dominates the market. “We are still lucky in Germany that the breeders are here,” explains Rothenberger. You have to approach them earlier in order to secure their talents. Otherwise, the dressage nation, which has dominated for decades, risks losing its supremacy. The ambitious young entrepreneur does not just want to watch, but prefers to push new careers himself.
