The eventing season in Strzegom, Poland, began in mid-April with a double success for the German riders. And right at the top of the prize-giving ceremony stood a horse that was chosen as Holsteiner of the Month in May. In the four-star feature class, Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo took the top spot, thereby proving themselves in fine form for their planned appearance at the five-star competition in Badminton (GBR).

Timmo by Timolino xx-Carlos DZ was born in 2010 in Gråsten, Denmark, where he was bred by Ole Lehmann. His competition career began under Peter T. Flarup (DEN) before the grey from Holsteiner line 6042 entered Nicolai Aldinger's stable at the age of nine. However, horse and rider had known each other for a while already, as Aldinger and Timmo's former rider are good friends. When the Dane got injured, he called his friend and said: "I have a horse that is special. I've already found riders for my other ones, but I don't have one for Timmo." That is how the Holsteiner came to Nicolai Aldinger in the Lüneburg Heath. After three months, Flarup had recovered from his spinal injury and came to pick Timmo up. "If you ever want to sell him, let me know," Nico Aldinger told his friend as a parting remark. It took two years before the two crossed paths again at a competition, but then everything happened very quickly and Jutta and Michael Spethmann bought Timmo for Aldinger. Later, Nicolai Aldinger's parents purchased another 50 percent, securing Timmo for their son in the long term. And now Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo have been part of the championship squad for quite some time.

Photo: Stefan Lafrentz