Lars Kersten’s horses back to American owner
A fruitful two-year collaboration between Lars Kersten and American SHL Farms has come to an end after CHIO Aachen. This means horses ridden for SHL farms like Lars Kersten Owa Emmerton Inside Big Beauty Z (s.Big Star Jr KZ), will continue their career under another rider or riders.
It was not easy to find someone to jump Emmerton more than Lars Kersten did, because there were many riders in front of him and Emmerton never performed as well as he did under the young Limburger’s saddle. In 2019, Kent Farrington rode the then 10-year-old Silvio I descendant, but a year later the owner changed riders and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli became the new jockey. Apparently it wasn’t a good match either, as the same year SHL Farms again decided that Steve Guerdat was a better rider for the horse, who then competed at 1.60m, albeit narrowly winning. In 2021 the carousel happily continued and Rene Dittmer, Darragh Kenny and Kevin Jochems were allowed to try it. Emmerton only started to get good results with Jochems, then Lars Kersten took over the reigns in 2022 and with him continued to achieve great results at the highest level.
The answer is Lars Kersten
“After Aachen I spoke with the owners and we came to the conclusion that it is better not to extend the cooperation. For now it’s a step backwards because you’re not replacing a horse like Emmerton. Luckily I have to dominate (by Giroco Blue VDL) finished sixth in the Rolex Grand Prix in Den Bosch, and I have some talented horses from different owners in my stable, so I’m certainly not out.
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