Ann Kathrin Ehlen, the rising star of the German dressage scene, pets her powerful brown
stallion, Peron, thus rewarding him for a well done lesson. Out of the corner of the
big indoor arena you can hear the low voiced commands of her trainer Rudolf Zeilinger.
„Just a bit more!“ and from the sudden change in Peron's poise you can tell that
she immediately reacted to the command. „You only need to tell her once“,
Zeilinger said, „that’s her strong point“. Rudolf Zeilinger and Ann Kathrin
have grown into a very strong team. This close relationship also existed with her former
trainer, Birgit Wellhausen-Henschke.
Rudolf and Ann-Kathrin met when her father was looking for his promising chestnut mare,
Winniza. „In my opinion Rudolf Zeilinger was the best for this job“, he told us.
After the deal was made, Rudolf Zeilinger moved to the „Ostehof“ Ehlen
(Ehlen Stables) with 18 horses in December, 1996.
For Ann Kathrin her new stall-mate was a fortunate change. For one year she was allowed to
ride Zeilingers' Grand Prix horses every morning, practicing the piaffe, passages and
flying changes without having competition stress. Her most lucky day was in May, 1997 when
the then 13 year old Trakehner stallion, Peron, American star of the Olympic games
at Atlanta in 1996 with Michelle Gibson, came to the „Ostehof“ (Ehlen
Stables). The Webster family - his American owners - put him in here for one season for
upgrading his dressage capabilities being trained by Rudolf Zeilinger. During the training
they found that the combination of Ann-Kathrin and Peron seemed far better than the
combination of Zeilinger and Peron because of Zeilinger’s size.
At the moment they are negotiating with the Webster family for another two years lease of
Peron.
Sports, without doubt, are a major part in the life of 21 year old Ann Kathrin Ehlen. But
she also likes to meet friends in the evening and go to the cinema, reading books or
playing cards. Of course she takes care of her boyfriend Jörn. „I’m lucky that
he is very busy himself so he always appreciates that I also don't have too much spare
time“, she says.
Insiders from the dressage scene had already known the slim blond rider for some years.
During her time as a pony rider, she collected national and international trophys like
other kids did with posters of popstars. In 1991 and 1992 she and her chestnut gelding,
‘Bronco’, were members of the German Young Rider team that won the gold medal at
the European Championships in Wierden (Netherlands) and Stockholm (Sweden). This was most
remarkable because only two years before she took part in her first low-level competition.
Her most succesful year was 1994 when she won all the competitions she entered: regional,
national and then the European Masters for Young Riders where she won first place with the
team and in the individual test. But her target was ‘the big sport’ so she had
to seperate from her succesful mare. „Vivi was not capable of piaffe and passage, but
it made no sense to leave her in the stall“, she resumed. So the mare was sold but
Ann Katrin still keeps in contact with the new owners.
Being succesful hasn't made her arrogant -- she still does all the stable chores by
herself. Her working day starts very early in the morning. When the family gathers around
the breakfast table, she already had ridden her first horse. She normally rides seven
horses a day - young remounts as well as Grand Prix horses. Only on Mondays and Tuesdays
she resigns from her hobby and studies law at Hamburg University. [Ann Katrin is following
in the footsteps of other dressage notables who combined dressage and legal careers:
Dr. Reiner Klimke and Isabell Werth] Her mother is quite sure that
she’ll manage both: studies and riding. „She can work very concentrated and
isn’t a bit nervous when she has to do tests or qualifications“.
If Peron stays at the village of Niederochtenhausen, fans of dressage will frequently have
the chance to check the progress of this upcoming pair.
Barbara Kaßler / ReiterRevue
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