I just read an article in Michigan Living about the Triewellers (sp) and their purchase of a 6 year old german horse for Ms. Traurig. It does not mention whether they purchased Etienne or not but I think I read somewhere else they did. Does anybody know more on this partnership and or what are your feelings on the reunion…that is if there is one? 
I read in several publications that the Haas also said, after the backbiting and such, that the horse was in no way to be sold to Christine or anyone buying the horse for her. Guess the buyers got around it.
I read the letter also and it confirmed what I had heard, that the Haas family had upheld their committments to Christine.
There are two sides to every story, and obviously these two sides differ greatly in their stories. But the bottom line is she got a wonderful horse and enormous financial support for four years, not much to complain about it in my book. I can understand her feelings about potentially losing the horse, but at least she had the opportunity to have him at all. Wish I could have something so terrible happen to me! 
Perhaps they got around it, because it didn’t look like anyone else was going to touch the horse as far as a sale?
JMHO as I know nothing.
You and me, both, onthebit! Course, I wouldn’t mind being able to ride like her either!! 
BTW, WELCOME TO THE BB!!!
Would like to revive this post. This story obviously has two sides to it. The Haas’ have a letter in last weeks Chronicle that is very interesting…to say the least.
I feel for both sides.
I am not sure people appreciate all that was done for Christine financially as far as the purchase and campaigning of this horse.
I’ll say no more…for now.
Thanks for the welcome Duffy!
I agree, wish I could ride like Christine. Don’t think the USET will be tapping me to clinch their Olympic medal for them in Athens
I just read an article in Michigan Living about the Triewellers (sp) and their purchase of a 6 year old german horse for Ms. Traurig. It does not mention whether they purchased Etienne or not but I think I read somewhere else they did. Does anybody know more on this partnership and or what are your feelings on the reunion…that is if there is one?
Situp - I don’t get the Chronicle, so could you quote any interesting points in the letter?
I think that the support the Haas family showed to Christine and the whole dressage community was amazing. I do not know what kind of agreements they had, what was said behind closed doors. The story that the sponsorship was to last until the Olympics seems credible & fair, and it’s unfortunate that things got messy.
Any kind of sponsorship is great and should not be taken lightly. Sponsorship like what the Haas family provided seems pretty rare, and I only hope that other sponsors don’t shy away because of any of this.
It will be exciting to see how Christine and Etienne do in the competition arena again. How generous of her new sponsors!
Christine rode our stallion, Ragtime, at the 100 day test last fall. She was a delight, quite personable and certainly beautiful to watch as she rode the young stallions to their best (at that time).
The Haas family is indeed also as pleasant, personable and equally committed to the horse industry. A great supporter of the upper level riders, including but not limited to their daughter.
There in lies the problem. For whatever personal reason, they chose to support Christine and fullfill their committment to her and the horse. Christine chose to take the opportunity and give it her best. The rest is simply history and circumstances, albiet some unpleasant.
The real loser is the competitive horse industry at the upper levels. The Haas family and Christine are both very visible and active and this situation (forget for a minute that there are two sides) is soooooooo unpleasant it could very easily make other financial backers think twice before they put such large amounts of their money behind a horse for a trainer.
We don’t need to lose sponsors and financial backers of big dollar horses for the sake of all this. There will be other horses, hopefully as nice as that one, but will there be other backers with the $$$ who will be willing to take the risk of ending up in the same boat??? No matter how nice the horse,it takes alot of $$$$$$$$$$$$ to get anywhere, especially to the top.
Christine will continue to ride this horse now, and others, as her riding career continues along…BUT the Haas family will never put that much money on the line for that much agravation again…nor will their friends.
As much as we want the very best for Christine, hopefully this situation will not leave such a sour taste in the mouths of people with the $$ and interest to back Olympic hopefuls that they are no longer willing to spend it.
Hopefully this situation has not cost one future Olympic or International rider their dream opportunity. Hopefully we have beat this thing to the end and we can let it rest in peace…
Yes she was reunited with Etienne. I think I read it in the Chronicle’s commentary or something like that off this site. Look in the archives, I think it would be in there. I don’t know much about the whole story, I’m more of a hunter/jumper person, but I know she cared a lot for that horse and I guess it’s good that they are back together.
“Attitude reflects leadership, captain.” ~Julius, Remember the Titans
The Chronicle letters are available online here.
It is very sad that the Haas family has felt burned by this.
It is true. I have it from a very reliable source. They did purchase Etienne for Christine. He is still in Europe, but I believe is scheduled to return to the States in January.
I also understand the fact the purchase was for Christine was kept under wraps even from the Haas’.
What a wonderful turn around for a truly great pair. They were like magic to watch. I saw them at the qualifier in Indio years ago. The wind was blowing like a son of a gun, letters toppling over, tents flapping, and there was Christine with that regal smile and elegant position, and Etienne just shining.
Even got to give him a pat in his grooming stall. Now that is one VERY large horse.
Congrats to Christine.
“The older I get, the better I used to be, but who the heck cares!”
I thought the Haas letter rang true…
I typed in Etienne in the advanced search…did read what I found…I guess I can’t figure out why the Haas’ were against the partnership even if they were trying to sell Etienne. I hope it all works out…a good rider/horse team that’s hard to replace.
Duffy, I thought so too. I’m glad the Haases sent the letter. It gives the whole ‘incident’ perspective.
Apparently after the olympics there was some bad blood that developed from he said / she said finger pointing etc etc etc.
The usual high level big money hirt feelings frustrations.
Unfortunate all around for everyone. Depending if you are one one side or the other it was rather devisive and ultimately someone looks bad.
The fact remains. The horse is with THE rider that made it go best. I know who was riding him in Europe shows personally and the horse did not go as well for him as with Christine.
I hope we get to see them together here soon. Ihope in the long run a happy result for all.
I felt that something would be published from the Haas’ point of view eventually. Good for the Haas’ to make their side known, puts to rest many rumors and innuendos. I feel badly for both parties and hope that there is nothing but success for the Haas in the jumper discipline and dressage for Christine.
It is my understanding that the Haas had made it clear that Etienne would be for sale immediately following the Olympics and that their sponsorship (which seemed very generous from an outsider’s point of view) would end. Apparently Christine could not raise the money to meet Etienne’s hefty price tag and wanted the Haas to give her more time. They said no b/c they felt they had given plenty of advance warning that the sponsorhip ended after Sydney, Christine was distressed over the situation and made comments about the Haas that it didn’t sound like they deserved (probably just emotional comments) and the whole situation became very bitter.
Of course this is all hearsay and who knows what really happened, but it did seem the Haas were spoken about harshly after being so mean as to buy an Olympic prospect and support it through the entire process while making it clear well in advance that their patronage ended after Sydney 2000.
Anyone know if this is at all close to the real story?
I was really happy to read the Haas side.
Not that I knew it before they wrote it, but it really made things more understandable.
Thank you to them for writing it, and thank you to the COTH for printing it.
