With submissions from Elke Hollenbach, Sandra Ammonn, Lindsay Paulsen, and Bruce Mandeville.
Updated 20/12/21
In the cool early hour of November 24, 2021, Larissa – one of Canada’s greatest eventing horses – passed away peacefully with loved ones her by her side. The 32-year-old registered American Trakehner mare, owned and bred by Franz and Elke Hollenbach, was an incredible Canadian equine athlete.
The Hollenbachs arrived in Canada from Munich, Germany in 1980. Matriarch Elke was born in Prussia, home to the Trakehner breed, and as a family wanted to begin breeding the beautiful warmbloods in Canada. So, in 1981, they purchased a Trakehner mare in foal that would go on to become the foundation of their breeding program at Long Lane Farm in Puslinch, Ontario. That first foal was Larissa’s sire, Target. A beautiful liver chestnut, she was born out of dam Lagune VII by Hemmingway on February 20, 1989.
Those who knew Larissa in her younger years would not have called her an obvious Olympic candidate due to her unusual conformation and physical quirks, which included club foot and scoliosis. “Earlier in her career, I don’t think people had any belief that she was going to do well,” said Bruce Mandeville, her long-time partner in eventing. “But consistently with training and careful management, Larissa’s striking movement on the flat and athleticism over fences began to emerge.”
Her success began early at the age of five with wins in the Preliminary level, before being paired up with Mandeville. The pair competed through the Intermediate levels for several years and then at age 10, she represented Canada at the 1999 Pan American Games. She finished ninth, and the only member of the Canadian squad to complete the event. She made her Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games – placing 22nd overall and as one of only three pairs with a clean jumping round. That same year, Larissa was named “Mare of the Year” by the United States Combined Training Association (now United States Eventing Association).
Larissa with Mandeville at the reins, continued her dominance at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, with a clear cross-country round and at the 2003 Badminton Horse Trials in England, where she successfully jumped the Vicarage V, one of the most iconic and intimidating cross-country obstacles in the world. “I remember just coming down to that, thinking this is going to be amazing, and it was. She jumped it easily, right on, and I did a fist pump after the fence because it was so nice!” said Mandeville.
From World Championships to the Olympics, everyone who was familiar with the mare—including FEI officials—moved well aside when she entered the 10-minute box at international events. “She went at her pace and nobody touched her,” says longtime groom Sarah Howells. “You found your corner and you warned anyone around you who didn’t know to stay away,” she explained with a laugh. It was this determined mindset that made the leggy Trakehner a challenging personality and also an unstoppable force on some of the world’s most challenging courses.
She continued her dominance and captured a silver medal as part of the team event in the 2003 Santo Domingo Pan American Games before competing in her second Olympic Games with Mandeville in 2004 in Athens, Greece, finishing 12th in the team event.
Nicknamed The Iron Lady for her fiery grit and always being sound and ready to go, Larissa retired at the age of 16 with 54 stars in her FEI passport when 3-star was the highest level. “Larissa was so special,” said Mandeville, “she had such a memorable career. Not just doing well, but consistently well year after year after year.” After finishing as one of the most successful mares in Canadian eventing history, she continued to live her life of retirement at Long Lane Farm.
The accomplished mare remained in the care of the Hollenbachs until 2020 when due to their age, Long Lane needed to be sold. Their daughter, Elke Jr. who had taken over the duties of the farm, sought out a new home for Larissa and her partnered mare Helena. At the age of 31 and so special to them, she entrusted the search to long-time friend and veterinarian Dr. Robert Yantho who had known Larissa since birth.
Dr. Yantho reached out to breeder, trainer and friend Sandra Ammonn at Sanmar Friesians in Elmira, Ontario to see if she had room for two mares at her farm. Ammonn didn’t hesitate and after meeting with the family, they began making plans for the horses’ move.
Knowing her personality, it was agreed that if Larissa loaded easily on the trailer, Sanmar would be her new home. When Ammonn arrived on site, it was pretty clear that Larissa remained the ultimate professional, and without hesitation, walked straight onto the trailer. Hollenbach followed and ensured the two mares got settled in at the barn. The day Larissa left the farm was a very difficult one for the entire Hollenbach family, as it was like a piece of their heart had moved on.
Ammonn completely understood, as in the year and half she had Larissa, she fell in love with her. “She was so grand, beautiful; always seemed to be on a mission, loved to be bathed, brushed and pampered,” the horsewoman explained. Even in her old age, she also continued to have her bold spirit and a quest to perform.
On one evening Ammon recalled, Larissa and her ‘partner in crime’ Helena got loose and cantered all around the jumping ring. “She went through the dyke, up and down the bank, and over a few small fences that were set.” Said Ammonn. “I was in awe and also freaking out because she was 31 doing that of her own free will!”
Ammonn was amazed when she learned of Larissa’s long history of accomplishments and what she had done competing for Canada. “I imagined her jumping wild obstacles, stadium jumps and doing dressage. She fascinated me every single day she was with me,” she said.
The amazing Trakehner touched many lives throughout her three decades. “Larissa’s life impacted anyone who met her and made everyone, including myself, better horse people,” Mandeville reflected. “She really was one of a kind.” The Iron Lady will be sadly missed by all who loved her and the entire Canadian equestrian community. Her strength, beauty, tenacity, and legacy in life and eventing, lives on.
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