Passage Magazine August 2014 | Page 7

Rafalca Retires What Stallion Do You Think Would Be Best for Rafalca? Let us know on our Facebook page: f.com/exclusivelydressage She was a political punch line in the last presidential election, she is an Olympic veteran, she is Rafalca. The breathtakingly beautiful bay Oldenburg mare is being retired from competition. According to rider Jan Ebling, a ceremony of sorts should be expected later this year. Rafalca is owned by three ladies, who refer to themselves as the "Three Amigos". The trio includes 2012 Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's wife Ann Romney, Beth Meyer, and Amy Ebling. Amy Ebling is wife to Rafalca's rider, Jan Ebling. would try breeding her after her competition career was over. For breeding, Rafalca has stellar bloodlines, Argentinius x Rubinstein, that would cross well on a large number of top dressage stallions. Enjoy the video below of Jan Ebling and Rafalca at the 69th Annual Del Mar National Horse Show. Jan and Amy Ebling have their training base in Southern California and Jan has been Rafalca's rider in the international arena since 2007. The Ebling's facility, The Acres, is where they met Mrs. Romney. Mrs. Romney took to riding and dressage as therapy for her MS, which she credits her marked improvement to Jan's help. The question on everyone's mind is, what's next for Rafalca? Since she is being retired sound and in good health, it is widely assumed that she will be bred. In an interview in 2012, Mrs. Romney mentioned that they Passage Magazine 7