“Ella” is a daughter of Ehrentanz I, by the late Ehrentusch, sire of countless approved sons and champion offspring including Christine Traurig’s wonderful Olympic partner Etienne. Lauren imported her from her breeders in February, 2006, and proceeded to dominate the Training Level and Materiale divisions, with scores through 77%.

As a 6-year-old, Ella continued her winning ways with a nearly-undefeated Second Level season, culminating in a win in the Open division of the USDF Regional Championships, as well as high placings in the year-end standings.

Ella took her 7-year-old year off to train and made her FEI debut at 8, winning Prix St. Georges classes with scores through 74%, and making huge waves at Fourth Level with several 70%+ scores. At 9, Ella made Grand Prix debut with a run at the 2010 Brentina Cup National Championships. She qualified after an undefeated season only to fall ill before the championships, but she recovered to win the BLM Championships at Intermediare II.

Lauren and Ella began their CDI Grand Prix career together in 2015, and accumulated honors at Dressage at Devon, CDI Saugerties, several Wellington CDIs and an invitation to the World Cup Test Event, CDI 4* Omaha, as well as several top placings at the USDF Finals.

Their long and distinguished career finished together in 2017, with Ella moving on to her next home as a professor to a talented young rider. Ella passed in 2023. You can read Lauren’s blog obituary here.