Benko resumes her equestrian activities again.
Hitting the Equestrian Circuit Again: Nathalie Benko and the Shuffle in Trainers
Nathalie Benko has returned to the competitive equestrian scene, participating at a tournament in Elixhausen, Salzburg, riding the grey horse Cayo 8. The tournament runs from Friday to Sunday. Meanwhile, her husband René Benko remains detained in Vienna.
A change in trainers has been quietly happening behind the scenes. The horses are currently being trained by Karl Wechselberger, a former Italian Nations Cup rider, in Sterzing, South Tyrol. Wechselberger, known for his renowned "W Stables" in Sterzing, recently took over as the new trainer following the departure of Rob Raskin.
The horses were previously trained in Igls, Tirol, but have now moved to Wechselberger's facility in South Tyrol. Nathalie Benko continues to make daily trips in her Lamborghini SUV to Sterzing for training.
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Rumors suggest that the change in trainers was prompted by René Benko's imprisonment since January 2025. Nathalie and the children were forced to vacate the Benko Villa in Innsbruck-Igls. The vacant, 5,500-square-meter property is now considering a hotel operation or sale. Training horses in South Tyrol reportedly offers a more practical solution than in Austria.
In other news, suspicion of money laundering has been raised concerning Nathalie Benko. Allegations arise from the attempted opening of trust accounts for Nathalie at two Raiffeisen banks in Tyrol. Several payments from various purchase agreements were set to be processed through the accounts. However, it should be noted that René and Nathalie Benko are presumed innocent at this time.
Some horse industry insiders have observed an unusual aspect of Nathalie's grey horse. They note that grey horses are typically born black and only turn white towards the end of their lives.
Note: As of my last knowledge update in December 2023, I could find no widely documented public information about a horse trainer named Karl Wechselberger being connected with Nathalie Benko or any verified reports of the above-named individual being involved in sexual abuse allegations in Italy. If you have a specific article, source, or context, I can assist with fact-checking or further research.
Despite the ongoing legal issues, Nathalie Benko's horses have undergone a change in trainers, now being overseen by Karl Wechselberger in Sterzing, South Tyrol. This move, which follows the departure of Rob Raskin, is rumored to be a strategic decision, offering a more feasible training environment than in Austria.
The sudden shift in trainers and the subsequent moves of the horses could potentially indicate a significant change in Nathalie Benko's equestrian career, given the challenges she faces with her husband's imprisonment and the ongoing rumors of potential financial misconduct.
