Slovenia has quickly become home to two Bridl horses whose results show the impact of smart placements and well-matched partnerships. Both Mandela and Liarada S have stepped into their new chapters with immediate success, building momentum for their riders and setting a strong tone for the future.
Mandela van ’t Vianahof was sold in February 2025 to the talented young rider Gaia Pilher. Mandela brought with him a depth of experience and reliability that could guide a junior through progressive levels. That reliability has been on full display this season. He jumped clear all weekend at a key national show, winning the one-thirty on Sunday with ease. At the Junior National Championships, Mandela delivered two flawless rounds to help the Konjeniški Klub Karlo team secure a silver medal, before adding another fast clear in the individual championship to finish second. For Gaia, these results are more than wins: they are confidence builders that prove she has a partner who can help her climb through the sport with security and speed.
Just a few months earlier, another Bridl horse had already begun making her mark in Slovenia. Liarada S, the 2011 Diarado mare with a record under international names such as William Whitaker, Niels Bruynseels, and Oleksandr Prodan, was sold in November 2024. With that kind of background, expectations were high, and she has not disappointed. In the span of less than a year she has become recognized as one of the leading junior horses in the country. Her blend of scope, consistency, and adaptability has made her not just a competitive force but also a cornerstone for her rider’s development.
Together, Mandela and Liarada S embody two sides of what Bridl aims to achieve. One is the reliable professor, a horse who gives a young rider the chance to learn at speed while staying competitive. The other is the proven performer, a mare with international mileage who raises the level of a junior program instantly. Both horses are proving that in Slovenia, with the right horse and the right rider, results follow quickly.