Charlotte Heering trying Badinda Altena at Helgstrand Dressage (captured from videoclip) - private photo.
The powerful top mare former ridden and educated by French Pierre Volla is new partner for Danish Grand Prix rider Charlotte Heering.
Badinda Altena is a 13 year old KWPN mare by Tolando / Goodtimes. Pierre Volla bought the mare as 4 year old. As 6 year old they were participating at WCYH in Verden, and as 9 year old they made their Aachen debut and since then been part of the French team, and were also at the French team at the Olympics in Rio.
The disappointment last summer where the French national federation choose not to sent any combinations to WEG in Tryon was of course obvious, and right after Pierre Volla was also searching for sponsor support for keeping his mare, which unfortunately did not succeeded.
Last weekend the mare arrived at Helgstrands stables, and when Andreas saw the mare he called Charlotte Heering immediately. She flew in Tuesday and tried out Badinda, and it was pure love from first ride. Charlotte is of course very excited about her future with Badinda and tells: “She is like a Ferrari, she is very sensitive and has been ridden by the same rider all her life, and it will of course take a bit time before I find all the correct bottons. For the next weeks she will stay at Helgstrands, as I’ve already planned both competitions with my top horse Bufranco, and right after I will leave for vacation, so no need she will come to my place before I’m back again. Can’t wait to get to know her”, says Charlotte Heering.
