Sonnenberg Farm, LLC
The Team
Michele Bondy, Resident Trainer & Competitor
Dan & Gina Ruediger, Owners
Michele has been riding her entire life and has been part of our team for Since 2013. Michele focuses her energy and enthusiasm on starting, training and developing our young horses to have a correct and confident foundation. Michele has won many awards and honors including many ODS State Championships, USDF Regional Championships, Reserve Championships and Top Fives. In 2018, Michele competed Hannah Anda S, keur, (UB40 x Houston) in the Markel/USEF National Championships for Young Horses and in 2019, won her first national championship aboard Sonnenberg's Kain, in the four year old Markel/USEF Young Horse Championships in Chicago.
Dan & Gina have both been competing horses since their youth. After meeting one another in college, getting married and starting their family and careers, their goal was to develop a farm and follow their passion - to breed, raise and train top dressage horses for the highest level of the sport. Sonnenberg Farm was developed to accomplish this goal and since 2003, they have been living and working on their farm, along with the help of their children, Mason and Daria and their valued team. Gina and Dan are both active dressage competitors and direct their breeding program to consistently produce not only North American KWPN Keuring Champions, but also USEF and USDF Champions all the way to Grand Prix.
It takes a TEAM to create a special competition horse. It starts with the consideration of crossing a stallion with a proven mare, bringing out the best qualities of each. It's followed by a healthy foaling and upbringing in an environment where a young horse can flourish. Then, a thoughtful and careful start to their riding career with a trainer that builds confidence in them. It's everything: the mare, the breeding cross, the facilities, the start, the trainer, the groom, the handler, the owners and the sponsors. It truly takes a TEAM to be successful.
Vai Bruntink, Trainer & Competitor (Based in Holland)
Vai and her partner Sjak Laarakkers oversee the care, training and development of our horses in Holland. Vai has competed many of our horses for years and is a top rider for young horses as well as FEI and Grand Prix. Vai actively competes in CDI's with her stallions, Ebony and Cum Laude and the famous International mare Darabel. Vai is also developing many talented young horses to FEI which include many championships in the Subli Cup, Pavo Cup and has comepted multiple times in the World Breeding Federation Championships for Young Horses.
Our Valued Sponsors:
