Dressage-News

Oct. 21, 2021

Fiontini, the triple world young horse champion, has been bought by Anna Buffini of the United States.

Anna, 27, of San Diego, California bought the 11-year-old mare (Fassbinder/Romanov) that was a contender for the Danish Olympic team with Andreas Helgstrand. The horse was owned by Danish Stud EVO and Helgstrand Dressage.

Fionini had most recently been ridden by Sweden’s Patrik Kittel at whose German stable, Anna tried out the horse. Patrik competed Fiontini at the CDIO5* Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany last month, where Anna also competed on the Dutta Corp. American team with FRH Davinia la Douce.

“I look forward to getting her home to the U.S. and getting to know her better,” said Anna who trains with Günter Seidel, whose three Olympics for the United States each earned him team bronze medals.

“If I feel like we are ready, it is my plan to make our debut in Wellington next year.” That would be at the Global Dressage Festival throughout the winter which this year will be the American center of qualifications for the U.S. team for the world championships in Herning, Denmark.

Anna was successful on Sundayboy, including team gold at the 2014 North American Young Rider Championships. She bought Davinia la Douce from Germany’s Anabel Balkenhol a year ago and competed at Wellington’s Global circuit last winter then at the Nations Cups in Rotterdam in July and Aachen in September.

Fiontini was ridden by Severo Jurado Lopez for Helgstrand to win the World Young Horse Championships at the ages of five, six and seven from 2015 through 2017.

Andreas took over the ride a year ago, but turned over the mare to Patrik Kittel this summer when he had to focus on his growing equestrian business that most recently included acquisition of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington.

“It only took me a few seconds to fall in love with her when I rode her the first time,” Anna said. “She is a very special horse, but also incredibly sweet. She has a big heart, which is something that means a lot to me when I look for a horse.”

“On the one hand, I am incredibly sad that she is now leaving the stable, because I am really happy about her,” said Patrik who scored 83.410% at the Aachen Freestyle.

“She is a world-class horse and when I think about our experience in Aachen and watch our ride, I get goosebumps even now. On the other hand, I’m also aware that it is part of the game.

“The new owner is really lucky to get such a good horse and I have no doubt that they are the perfect match. I will enjoy the last days with Fiontini and of course I wish them the best of luck in the future, where I look forward to following them on their path to success.”

Andreas said: “Fiontini has made headlines no matter what she has participated in. It is rare that we have horses of that caliber in our stable, because she is so unique. Therefore, it is also with a bit of sadness that we are now saying goodbye to her, but I am sure she will have a great future with Anna. She deserves a rider who takes her all the way, and Anna can do that with the help of her skilled trainer, Günter Seidel. Fiontini has been a fantastic ambassador for Helgstrand’s high level of horses, and she has truly written herself into Helgstrand’s history.”

Fiontini was to have been ridden by Patrik at the World Cup in Herning, Denmark this week but has been pulled from the lineup.

“Personally, I am very impressed with what Andreas and his team have built,” Anna said. “Therefore, it also seemed natural for me to contact Helgstrand when looking for a new horse. It has been a really good experience throughout and with such a large selection of horses, the probability of finding the right match also increases. And that means a lot to me.”