Biography

It will be a first Badminton for Lithuanian rider Aistis Vitkauskas (50) who is based in  Viborg in Northern Denmark. In 2022 with Badminton entry Commander VG Aistis completed Pau 5* (18^th) and Luhmuhlen 5*(13^th). The pair also competed at the 2022 World Championships and in 2021 was 25^th in the European Championships in Avanches.

Aistis rode in his first European championship at Blenheim in 2005 (Hojagergards Candis), then again in 2009 and 2011 (AK’s Galloper). He also competed AK’s Galloper at Burghley 2010 and 2012 although the pair did not complete.

Aistis, a busy professional rider, also competes in FEI showjumping and has competed in World young horse championships in both eventing and showjumping.

Aistis is married to Helene a competitive dressage rider and the couple has two children, a 15-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter. Outside of horses he enjoys fly-fishing.

Commander VG owned by M&B Kloeve Mogensen of the Volstrpgaard Stud and rider is a Danish-bred (DWB registered) 12-year-old gelding. Bred by his owner he is by the leading Holstein Danish-based sire Come Back II (sire of many successful dressage horses and jumpers) out of a mare by Abantos. He came to Aistis as a difficult five-year-old.