American Grand Prix rider Cynthia Makishima has decided to retire her Hanoverian gelding, Dambacu NL, from competition sport. Dambacu NL, bred by Frauke Niemann-Laue, started his career in Germany and was later ridden by Finnish Olympian Emma Kanerva, with whom he had success at international Grand Prix level.
In 2021, Dambacu NL was scouted by Thomas Walker as a Grand Prix schoolmaster for Cynthia Makishima. The pair made their show debut in November 2021, progressing to Grand Prix level in May 2022. They earned their USDF Gold Medal and competed in the Grand Prix freestyle at the USDF Region 7 dressage Championships in 2023, continuing to compete in freestyle riding in 2024.
Cynthia Makishima has decided to retire Dambacu NL, who has been a valuable partner in her dressage career. She expressed gratitude for the experiences he provided and described him as a horse with tremendous work ethics and enthusiasm for performing. Dambacu NL will enjoy retirement in the Gilroy area, south of San Francisco, where he will have a peaceful life in a pasture with Makishima’s retired mare Chanel.
