Silke Rembacz

The Horse for the Future - Der Euro

Highlife Farms' Joan Sims has made some daring moves since entering the wonderful world of Dressage. Sims has purchased several top quality Oldenburg horses from the Vechta sales, from broodmares to foals. But it was her purchase of Der Euro from the 2002 Vechta Oldenburg auction, held in Germany, which raised many an eyebrow.

Outbidding top German competitors, the 4-year- old gelding by Don Schufro, a Donnerhall son, Der Euro became an American owned horse.

He stayed in Europe in training with Johannes Westendarp and went on to win the 2002 Bundeschampionate for 4-year olds. He remained in training in Germany until Sims brought him to America in 2004, for Silke Rembacz to train and compete.

Rembacz is taking her time, getting to know the huge 17h+ chestnut gelding before hitting the horse shows. Working carefully with Kathy Connelly on his development, it is Silke's current goal to aim for the Pan American Games.

“Der Euro has proven himself in the competition arena. He is very big and powerful and just needs some downtime to be trained to the upper levels,” commented Rembacz. “He is an incredible horse. He is extremely sensitive mentally as well as physically, so when you add a little more push, it feels like so much more! This is a horse that deserves a chance to become who he really is.”