12.25. Happy Birthday, Kostolany
December 10th marked a special day in the life of one of the breed's greatest stallions: Kostolany (by Enrico Caruso *Ps*E* out of Kapstadt by Falke) turned 23 and everybody at the Langels home celebrated! Kostolany has shaped the breed in many ways, and has had tremendous success as one of the leading dressage producer worldwide. Three of his offspring have hit the Top Ten of the WBFSH ranking last year - at the same time!! Through many approved sons, but especially Tolstoi and EH Gribaldi, this famous black champion stallion from Neumünster in 1987 is a pillar of the breed today.
Kostolany is also known as a sire of very good jumpers and eventers, and continues to cross very well with mares from a variety of backgrounds and conformational type. His fertlity is still excellent, and so we hope that Kostolany can look forward to more good offspring. Happy Birthday Kostolany, and cudos to your breeders and owners at Hämeleschenburg for keeping you so fit and shining!
12.10. In Memoriam: Terry Williams
It is with great sadness that we learned of the most recent passing of Terry Williams, who -together with his wife Sue- ran Williamsburg Farm in Middelburg, NY. Terry and Sue were the people behind the legendary show jumper Abdullah, yet they also were so much more ... Terry was a founding member of the American Trakehner Association, and has served on the board, as a volunteer, and a valued member of the ATA's inspection committee for over 30 years. His love and understanding of the Trakehner breed was exceptional, and his accomplishments, together Sue, in backing the team of Homefeld and Abdullah, has done the worldwide breed a tremendous service. Terry Williams will be missed by many people; our heartfelt condolences go to Sue and the Williams family. We will miss you, Terry!
12.2. Sommerlade final auction - all horses sold!
After the auction is over, we're happy to bring you the news that all horses at Sommerlade have been sold. This is a tremendous achievement of the team involved, especially since not one of the animals had to be sold to an uncertain future. The place was packed at saturday's auction, and probably half of the horses left the farm right that night, with the rest following over the course of the next week.
Several clients of Trakehners International have bought horses at Sommerlade over the past months, including at this auction, and we will be presenting s short introduction to these new mares coming to the US in the next days. Hopefully this is gping to be the end of news from Sommerlade, all horses are in good homes, and a chapter is closed. Our best wishes to the horses and new owners, and the family of Mr. Müller.
11.17. Stuttgart Master: Miss Meller TSF
First horse to go, and no other had a chance: 11year old Miss Meller TSF, a black mare by Amatcho - Matador, and her rider Michael Jung, won the Indoor Cross Country Derby at the German Masters in Stuttgart, a CDI show currently under way. A field of 22 riders tackled the intermediate cross country speed derby that is an annual highlight of the indoor season and was enthusiastically cheered on by over 8000 visitors that day. Michael Jung is the first rider ever to win the even twice.
For an exciting video of the entire winning round, check this link. Thank you German Masters!
11.15. Mecklenburg approval champion is part Trakehner
At last weekend's warmblood approval in Mecklenburg, one of the biggest East German breeds, a part Trakehner became champion. The liver chestnut by Quando Quando was out of the Trakehner mare Goldkind II by Black Magic Boy - Lamarc - Kondor out of the East German Grenzmaid family and will now move in as a State Stud stallion Celle (Hanover)!! A video of the new champion is available at the link below. Congratulations to the breeder, ZG Frank in Schwartow, and good luck Hanover with this highly interesting outcross alternative!
9.29. A future in America
We are thrilled to announce the sale of one of Germany's most successful Trakehner mares to America: State and Verband Premium mare In Zukunft (by Buddenbrock out of SPS,PS+ESt Insterfee VII by Kennedy) has been acquired by Sunsprite Sporthorses, Pamela Duffy, in Southern California and will travel to her new home later this fall. Fittingly named "In Future", In Zukunft was champion of her inspection (59 points, highest scoring Trakehner mare in Germany in 2003), champion of her MPT, Ic prize winner at the National Mare Championat in Neumünster, and more importantly, is an accomplished performance horse with a career at 3rd level dressage and placings in literally every young horse class availble in Europe - including driving!
In Zukunft was bred by East Prussian Hans-Joachim Scharffetter and expertly trained and shown by her last owners, Inge and Frank Weisskirchen of Team Schmelting in Borken, Germany. This outstanding horse is a full sister to the champion mares In Farbe and In Vita (who also represented the Trakehner breed at the 2007 Bundeschampionat) and the two approved stallions In Petto and In Flagranti (champion in NMS in 2003, twice placed at the Bundeschampionat in 2006 and 2007).
A full write up including photos and short video clips will soon be available on the Sunsprite website, which we will publish here on TI. For now, we're just happy to have been of help, certainly to the benefit of Trakehners in America since In Zukunft will resume her dressage career once in California and acclimated to the new, sunny life!
Congratulations to all involved, and here is to a hopefully long and successful career in America!
9.12. Young Event Horse Champinships, USA
On September 12, at the American Eventing Championships at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Chicago, the top young event horses from around the country competed for the national championships in two divisions, for four-year-olds and five-year-olds. A total of 26 horses appeared, having qualified over the last year by top scores at one or more of the 20 YEH venues nationwide. This program is a talent search, designed to identify youngsters with potential to go to three and four-star level and succeed. A panel of four top national and international judges scored them in dressage, jumping, conformation, and gallop, all measured to specifically look for that tiny portion of horses able to go all the way.
The 2007 Five-Year-Old Champion Young Event Horse is the gelding Hanno, by Windfall *Pg* - EH Caprimond, bred by Tim and Cheryl Holekamp, owned by Jean Kopperud, and ridden by Darren Chiacchia. Hanno scored 81.73% to top the field of fifteen, coincidentally becoming the first horse in USEA history to win a YEH Championship twice, last year being the best four-year-old at the Finals at Morven Park. Hanno has been campaigned at preliminary level this season, placing several times, winning for the first time just a week ago at Genessee Valley Horse Trials, and is entered at that level in the regular AEC competition to begin Sept 14.
The Four-year-old 2007 national champion young eventhorse (83.01%) is also a purebred Trakehner, Dibelius by EH Michelangelo - EH Bartholdy mare, bred by the Nüssel family of Germany and owned and ridden by Darren Chiacchia, who purchased by him at the 2005 NMS auction as a not-approved stallion candidate through TI. Thank you Tim Holekamp for the update, and congratulations!
Other Trakehners that will appear at the AEC Finals include Donaulicht, Incantare, Stiletto and Windfall. TI will report back with results after the weekend, so stay tuned!
9.6. Bundeschampionat in Germany
At the end, two Trakehner reserve champions stand out after the 2007 Bundeschampionat is over: in the group of 6yr old eventers, the bay stallion Raumalpha (by EH Friedensfürst - Mont du Chantal AA) placed 2nd with Elmar Lesch, and in the group of 3yr old riding horses (stallions), the 2006 premium stallion Zauberfürst (by Interconti - EH Caprimond) placed 2nd with Friederike Schulz-Wallner from the Bavarian State Stud in Schwaiganger.
Also, the reserve champion in the class of the 5yr old eventers was the Baden-Württemberg bred part Trakehner Gin Tonic, whose sire Grafenstolz TSF won this championship as a 6yr old. Gin Tonic, like his sire, was ridden by Michael Jung!
The first day of competition kicked off with the classes for 5yr old dressage horses. Meraldik (EH Münchhausen x Caramel xx) placed 10th with 80%, and another Münchhausen son, the Hanoverian Moncassado (dam by Weltmeyer) finished round 1 with 74%.
The Trakehner mare Zenith (by EH Monteverdi x Saint Cloud) left an excellent impression with her light, obedient and athletic appearance, which got her remarks from the spectators, but not the judges (71%). She will appear in tomorrow's second round. Also in this division, the approved Kasimir (Ivernel x EH Charly Chaplin), with 74%.
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The 2007 Bundeschampionat, the German National Championships for Young Horses, are less than a month away and in all disciplines, Trakehners have qualified. Here is a list of all purebred Trakehners, we know that a lot more Trakehner blood will be represented in Hanover, Oldenburg and other German breeds.
3yr old mares & geldings:
Bona Fides by Cadeau – Kennedy
Breeder: Hippo Stables, P.J. Smeets, Netherlands
Owner: Nadine-Vanessa Rüdel, Felde, Germany
Rrider: Nadine Rüdiger
3yr old stallions:
Zauberfürst by Interconti – Caprimond
Breeder: Dr. Elke Söchtig, Elmarshausen, Germany
Owner: Beate Heise, Seeon, Germany
Rirder: Friederike Schulz-Wallner
Krokant by Lauries Crusador xx – Hohenstein
Breeder: Friederike Holst, Schenefeld, Germany
Owner: Burkhard Wahler, Klosterhof Medingen, Germany
Rider: Sabrina Ertner
Ballzauber by Axis – Itaxerxes
Breeder: Vera Feist, Etgert, Germany
Owner: Darren Chiacchia, USA
Rider: Ellen Anger
4yr old mares & geldings:
Karena by Freudenfest – Exclusiv
Breeder & Owner: Gestüt Hämelschenburg/Langels GbR, Emmerthal, Germany
Rider: Daniela Schunko
4yr old stallions:
Imperio by Connery – Balfour xx
Breeder: Hartmut Keunecke, Strasburg
Owner: Bavarian State Stud Schwaiganger
Rider: Friederike Schulz-Wallner
Canzler by Amatcho – Consul
Breeder: Renate Hagen, Garbsen, Germany
Owner: Team Waldfried GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany
Rider: Viktoria Eulner
Herzensdieb by Tambour – Tivano
Breeder: Hessische Hausstiftung, Panker, Germany
Owners: Leatherdale Farms, D.u.L. Leatherdale, Long Lake/USA
Rider: Manuel Bammel
5yr old dressage horses:
Kasimir by Ivernel-Charly Chaplin
Breeder: Gestüt Tasdorf, Tasdorf, Germany
Owner: Dr. Elke Söchtig, Elmarshausen
Rider: Katja Camp
Le Rouge by Pret à Porter – Tycoon
Breeder: Geert Brenninkmeyer, Hamburg
Owner: BG Wahler & Böckmann, Klosterhof Medingen
Rider: Nicole Kochskämper
Mayong by Linné – Antares
Breeder: Peter Verhorst, Kleve, Germany
Owner: Wilhelm Lange, Rosengarten
Rider: Katja Camp
Zenith by Monteverdi – Saint Cloud
Breeder: Roswitha Florenz, Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany
Owner: Jens Thorsen, Gestüt Pallerhof, Luxemburg
Rider: Kristine Möller
6yr old dressage horses:
In Flagranti by Buddenbrock - Kennedy
Breeder: Hans-Joachim Scharffetter, Schwanewede
Owner: Bavarian State Stud, Schwaiganger & Anja Bertelmann-Seeger/CDN
Rider: Friederike Schulz-Wallner
5yr old event horses:
Blaircastle by Lauries Crusador xx – Marduc
Breeder & Owner: Jürgen Heinbach, Kreuztal, Germany
Rider: Jutta Briel
Grisander by Wilawander xx – Ordensglanz
Breeder & Owner: Dr. Marliese Dobberthien, Diesdorf
Rider: Philine Dobberthien
Vincent 118 v. Grafenstolz – Almox Prints J
Breeder & Owner: Dr. Rüdiger Keudel, Lindenfels
Rider: Michael Jung
Herzgold by Gipsy King – Radom
Breeder: Hessische Hausstiftung, Panker
Owner: Joachim Haack, Rogerfelde
Rider: Mia Liedtke
Tollkühn by Lafayette – Alkalde xx
Breeder: Trakehner Gestüt Lindenhof am Berg, Gielert
Owner: Andreas Schmitt, Wolfstein
Rider: Carolas Cordes
Don Juan M by Manrico – Consul
Breeder: Sybille Michalski, Borstel,
Owner: Andreas Michalski, Borstel
Rider: Beeke Kaack
Karlos Santana by Vivus – Consul
Breeder: Elisabeth Rinn, Alveslohe
Owner: Andreas Michalski, Borstel
Rider: Beeke Kaack
Hippo’s Know How by Schenkendorf – Arogno
Breeder & Owner: C.D. van de Ree, Ellerau
Rider: Lothar Voigt
6yr old event horses:
Noble Dancer by Nerv – Unoaprile xx
Breeder: Otto Nebelung, Stöckey
Owner: Juliane Adner, Dresden
Rider: Juliane Adner
Athos by Mytens xx – Bajar ShA
Breeder & Owner: Eckhard Bromberg, Handewitt
Rider: Peter Thomsen
Altinus by Waitaki – Nerv
Breeder: Susan Petzold, Lengenfeld
Owner: Gunter Schöniger, Lengenfeld
Rider: Antje Schöniger
Raumalpha by Friedensfürst – Mont Du Chantal AA
Breeder & Owner: Hubertus Schmidtlein, Heidekaten
Rider: Elmar Lesch
5yr old driving horses:
Hercules by Induc-Consul
Breeder: Sören Nissen, Skals/DK
Owner: Horst Tessner, Gestüt Volkmarst
Driver: Falko Mäkelburg
Prinz Charles by Charly Chaplin-Jupiters Chief AA
Breeder & Owner: Heinrich Bielmann, Burgdorf
Driver: Wilhelm Rottwinkel
8.17. German Dressage Championships
At the recent German National Dressage Championships for Juniors and Young Riders, held in Steinfeld (August 9th-12th), one Trakehner stallion clearly stood in the spotlight: Klosterhof Medingen's elite stallion Hohenstein sired 4 Hanoverian competitors, three of which were out of Weltmeyer dams. Louisa Lüttgen and Habitus placed 4th overall (after two qualifying rounds and the finals) in the Junior Riders classes. And the Gold medal in the Young Riders division was won by Christin Schütte on the Hanoverian Hohenstein-son Hohenstaufen, whose dam is by Langata Express xx. The Bronze medal in this division was won by Theresa Wahler and the Trakehner elite stallion Latimer (by Saint Cloud), while another Trakehner, the former approved Donaukönig (now a veteran top performance horse under the name of Dernier Cri; by Königspark xx) also competed in the Young Riders division with Sina-Christin Joesten.
Quite an overwhelming success for the breed, and the dominant influence of Hohenstein in Hanover in particular!
8.17. Trakehners do it all!
We always point out the versatility of our breed, and usually mean dressage, show jumping, eventing and driving. Well, add vaulting to the list!! The best international horse at the WEG in Aachen in 2006 was the Trakehner gelding Pitucelli (by EH Hohenstein). He only started his career as a vaulting horse in 2006. And most recently, he and his human partner Sissi Jarz from Austria, won the individual Gold medal European Championships in Kavosvár/Hungary! Congratulations!
8.16. Latest USDF statistics are out
According to the August 2007 edition of the USDF Connection (p.46-52) and data collected from 2001-2006 and from over 15,000 horses who competed in USEF/USDF-licensed dressage shows in 2006, Hilda Gurney and Mary Contakos of Keenridge Farm in Moorpark, California have taken top honors again this year, as they did last year in breeding USDF's Horse of The Year (HOY) winners. Hilda and Mary have had 11 HOY placings with 5 horses with an average score of 69.717% and a range of scores of 62.806-75% at Training through PSG and at I-II Levels. Another Trakehner breeder, Jean Brinkman of Valhalla Farms in Wellington, Florida takes the 5th position with 6 HOY placings with 4 horses with an average score of 67.254% and a range of 64.146-71.783% at 1st, 2nd, I-I & I-II levels. Jean, Hilda and Mary have been placing regurarly in the Top 10 positions. In 2006, Hilda and Mary also won the inaugural Breeder of The Year award.
The Trakehner breed placed 5th in Breed Representation in HOY placings (2001-2006) (behind Dutch Warmblood, Hanoverian, Oldenburg and Danish Warmblood) with 51 HOY placings with an average score of 68.988%, ranging from 63.171-75% with 33% placing at National Levels & 67% at FEI Levels. In the All-Breeds Registery Representation in HOY Placings (2006), The American Trakehner Association placed 6th with 336 horses competing, 9 HOY placings & an average score of 69.253%
For the first time in recent history, two of the Top 10 Horses with multiple HOY placings (2001-2006) were American-bred and one is a 3/4-Trakehner grey gelding, Luminence (by Leonidas *Pg* out of Willa by Werther-Condus *E*) with 5 HOY placings with an average score of 71.130% at Training, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and PSG.
Most of the Top Ranking Stallions having sired the HOY winners are based in Europe. However, Hilda Gurney's and Mary Contakos' homebred Grand Prix Trakehner Stallion Leonidas *Pg* (by Condus *E* out of Libella V *E* by Siegbert) is the only living American sire in the Top 10 (at 5th place, behind Weltmeyer, Rubinstein I, Rohdiamant and Werther), with 12 HOY placings and 4 HOY offsprings with an average score of 71.043%. The other Trakehner sire, although deceased and German-bred at 21st place, is Enrico Caruso *Ps*E* (by Mahagoni out of Elchniederung by Amagun) with 7 HOY placings and 3 HOY offsprings with an average score of 68.117%.
Most dam sires of the HOY winners seem to be deceased but amongst them you will find the Trakehner stallion Erzsand *E* (by Flugsand out of Ezsra by Herbstwind) with 6 HOY placings and an average score of 69.707%.
Trakehners have come a long way since WWII and their influence on other breeds and performance horses is being recognized more and more as more breeders use them wisely and responsibly.
Thank you Karim for this most interesting and encouraging summary!
8.15. Sports results worldwide
Here we are again with a synopsis of Trakehner sport results from around the globe. In the US, it was the week of the young horses, with the Lemonade Daze I & II Dressage Show in Texas seeing quite a Trakehner turnout. Kim Hunter's 3yr old gelding Herzmond by Tzigane out of Hennie *M* by EH Münchhausen TSF) placed 7th with 66.4% in his very first show after approximately 90 days under saddle (Training Level, Test 4). He was the Trakehner High Score of the weekend. Kim's premium mare Schöne Symphonie by Polarpunkt - EH Tenor was back in the ring after 3 years of maternal duties and finished First Level, Test 4 with 62.4% (2nd place). A day later, Kim's part Trakehner Romulus by EH Gribaldi placed 4th (Training Level, Test 4) with 64.4%. All horses were ridden by Kendra Menzies.
At the same show, the Trakehners of Cassel Rock Trakehners, Kari & John Cassel, were shown. Cassidy by Happy Hour - Dance Classic xx placed 3rd at Training Level, Test 4 with a score of 60.8%. Tira by Leonidas *Pg* - Pregelstrand *Ps* and 16 year old Junior Christy Leonhardt placed 3rd at Training Level 1 Jr (59.56%) and 5th at Training Level, Test 2 Jr (58.26%). And the Cassel's mare Nicole by Butow *E* - Morgenglanz, ridden by Junior Rider Danielle Weldon, scooped the First Level Junior classes. The pair placed 1st at First Level 1 Jr and First Level 2 Jr with scores of 58.33% and 60.28% respectively. On the second day of this show, they also placed 1st with 53.0% at First Level I.
Meanwhile, the ATA approved stallion Happy Hour placed at third level and debuted at 4th at Dressage At Heavenly Waters in Bel Air, MD. The black son of Induc - Erzsand was ridden by Judy Newcomb and scored 63.02% for a 2nd place at third level. Happy Hour is also the sire of the Cassel's young dressage gelding Kosmisch (dam by Memelruf), who won his Second Level test at the ADS Country Classic II in Perryville, AR in April.
At the higher levels, we can report that at Dessage at Sport Horse International in Somis, CA, 11yr old Laguna by Leonidas *Pg* - Chrysos (WES) by Condus *E* placed 2nd at Intermediaire I with an impressive final score of 71.4%. She was ridden by Katie Stoy. A very special story was reported by Timothy Holekamp about his wife Cheryl and her amazing home-bred Hera *Pg* (By Garibaldi - Matador). Since the motto of this pair seems to be "we can do it at home any time", the Newspring Farm bred, owned and trained Grand Prix mare now debuted at Grand Prix Freestyle with a --- yes, homemade ---- music score andc choreography! The result? A whopping 74.25% at their very first outing! Tim comments "Cheryl is just thrilled that she and Hera have found something they can do to entertain dressagefolk and encourage all Trakehner riders not to worry about professional choreography when planning a freestyle routine, as it was not needed in this case. The facts speak for themselves, and Trakehner horses show their worth at all levels of performance!" How right you are!
Meanwhile in Europe, the only 9yr old Trakehner stallion Kaiserkult TSF by EH Vand Deyk - Gajus and Dorothee Schneider keep up the breathtaking speed on the way to the top: first outing at Grand Prix, and nothing else but the winning ribbon for Kaiserkult TSF!! Other big winners at M, S and FEI levels in Germany in dressage include Sea Cloud (by EH Hohenstein), Olivia TSF (by EH Angard), the approved Hoftänzer (res champ NMS 2002; by EH Gribaldi), the approved Showtime (by Polarpunkt, full brother to the above mentioned Schöne Symphonie), and Saint Syr (by Buddenbrock).
8.8. Trakehner influence in Verden auction
The upcoming Hanoverian Elite Auction for foals and mares features over 350 horses in two days! More than usual, Trakehner blood can be found in many shades in this exceptional collection of horses and we present to you a report with photos and videos, courtesy of the Hanoverian Verband Website. Please go to the new TI index page and select "Breeding News" from the menu.
8.8. FEI World Championships of Young Dressage Horses in Verden, Germany
At the most recent FEI World Championships of Young Dressage Horses in Verden, Germany, a good number of competitors were influence by Trakehner blood. The breed was also represented by the delightful Zenith by EH Monteverdi TSF- Saint Cloud, who was entered for Denmark. In 2006, Zenith placed highly at the international Bundesturnier of the Trakehner breed in Hanover and was selected to represent the Verband at the Bundeschampionat. In Verden, Zenith placed 11th in the qualifying round, making it into the finals on direct way with a score of 7.84.
In the 6yr old division, the gelding Handsome (a 3/4 Trakehner by Hertug - Schwedengruss) and Holger Sörensen of Denmark finished 3rd in the consolidation finals with a score of 7.96. In fact, no less than 5 horses nominated for the World Championships were sired by Hertug!
For the Netherlands, the KWPN stallion United by Krack C - EH Partout/Trak. and Hans-Peter Minderhout finished 2nd with a total score of 8.62 in the qualifying round.
7.16. Two for Frankfurt
Carola Koppelmann managed to qualify two horses for the prestigious Nürnberg Burgpokal, the inofficial German Championships for upcoming Grand Prix horses in the country. Both of her horses are Trakehners!!
First, Carola qualified the chestnut gelding Hinnerk TSF (by Buddenbrock - EH Ravel), who is owned by German Team Trainer Holger Schmetzer. Then, last weekend, Carola also took the black stallion Insterburg TSF (by EH Hohenstein - Giorgio Armani) to victory. Insterburg TSF is owned by Claudia Post-Schultzke. Congratulations to Carola for this outstanding achievement, and good luck for the finals in Frankfurt in December of 2007!!
7.6. More Schiffon news
News reached us that Schiffon, Lea Ann Hansen's black FEI dressage stallion by EH Anduc - Mago xx, was recently present to, and approved by the Oldenburg Verband in North America. Congratulations Lea Ann and Schiffon, and good luck with infusing more excellent Trakehner blood in the Oldenburg breed!
Besides that success, Lea Ann also won her very first PSG show with Schiffon with a 65.75% at the Potomac Valley Dressage Association Ride for Life Benefit Show June 29th - July 1st 2007. Congratulations!
7.5. No stopping for Kaspare
Great news from Canada and the Demandt family: their 7yr old Trakehner gelding Kaspare by EH Charly Chaplin (breeder W. Gerken, Uslar, Germany), who is now in training with Esther Mortimer (Guatemala), recently won the Inter I Freestyle at the CDI Blainville (in the National class). The pair scored a great 70.95%. Kaspare is now shown under his performance name "Key West" and Esther's plans include CDI level Inter I and PSG shows for the youngster this year. We are just thrilled to see how well Kaspare is doing (TI was instrumental in his NMS auction sale to Claudia and Ruth Demandt!). And we're even happier to know that a talented and committed rider like Esther is having such success with a young Trakehner! Congratulations to Team Kaspare!
6.28. Competition results from Europe
There is much to celebrate! Trakehners of all age groups have left quite an impression at a variety of shows in Europe, and here is your weekly summary:
In his first season at S levels in Germany, the 2002 NMS Reserve Champion Hoftänzer (by EH Gribaldi - Guter Planet, a full brother to 2001 Reserve Champion Hofrat) placed 4th in the Inter I at the show in Bargstedt. He managed to be in front of the popular and highly successful Hanoverian champion stallion Don Frederico (by Donnerhall out of a daughter of the Trakehner EH Consul).
At the big show in Wolfsburg, the "Wolfsburg Klassiker", three Trakehner dominated the fields. Polarzauber G by EH Charly Chaplin - EH Tenor, an approved stallion, won the Inter I after he already placed 2nd at Prix St Georg level with his rider Nicole Kochskämper. In the Inter I, Nicole Klatt-Cissee and her Sea Cloud placed 2nd, thus turning this class into a Trakehner double victory! Sea Cloud is a EH Hohenstein son out of a Habicht mother. Meanwhile, the recently approved Showtime by Polarpunkt - EH Tenor, a full brother to Twin Gates Farm's German Verband premium mare Schöne Symphonie, and his Canadian rider Leonie Bramall placed 3rd right behind Polarzauber in the Prix St Georg test. Leonie also placed 5th with the Westfalian stallion Auric's Märchenprinz, a grey approved son of EH Münchhausen TSF.
In the show jumper divisions, Fabian Lipsky and the chestnut approved Bel Espace Go placed 4th at M/A (Level 6). With the Sans Souci-son Sibby-Lox, he finished 3rd in the same division.
An interesting "triple crown" was won by Sina-Christin Joesten at the CDI Neubeeren - Young Neighbours Meeting 2007. With her 17yr old former approved stallion (now gelded) Dernier Cri by Königspark xx - Habicht, she placed 3rd in the three international S dressage tests against tough competition. If you're interested in the unique story of Dernier Cri, whose days began in the Holstenhallen in Neumünster as "Donaukönig", we encourage you to read our Neumünster Chronology (to be found at the top of the TI page in the menu!).
At the show in Fröndenberg, Eva Zieglwalner and her EH Caprimond son Acardi placed 4th in the Prix St Georg, and at the Ichenheim Classics, Julia Poppe and her Xion by EH Michelangelo placed 5th in the Inter I freestyle.
At the big show in Hohenahr-Altenkrichen, several Trakehners did well. The youngster Dorkas, recently approved in NMS and only 3 years old, by K2 - EH Partout, won the riding horse class with Viktoria Eulner with a most convincing 81%. Cheops by Guter Planet and Dominique-Nadine Anthes won the dressage test at S level for young riders and juniors, a qualification class for the "German Youngster Cup". At PSG level, the pair placed 2nd.
Barbara Rossbach and her home-bred and trained Avanti (by EH Partout) and Aventin (by EH Caprimond) placed at S level (7th and 4th place respectively).
For the show jumpers, the approved Eloquent (by Saint Cloud - Seeadler) impressed with a victory at Level 8 under Guido Fass in Bergisch-Gladbach. At the show in Bornheim-Widdig, the stallion placed 4th in the S level Speed Derby.
And since Trakehners are the truly versatile breed, the eventers have great news as well. At the CCI** Luhmühlen, Ingrid Klimke and her National champion Seacookie by Helikon xx placed 7th (51 entries) after their exceptional win at the Marbach CIC*** only three weeks ago. In the same division, Melanie Einsiedl and Boo Bandit by Houston placed 8th.
A huge success is the recent qualification of Hinnerk TSF (by Buddenbrock - EH Ravel) for the Nünrberg Burgpokal, this inofficial German Championship for young Grand Prix dressage horses. Under Carola Koppelmann, the chestnut gelding, who is owned by German National Team coach Holger Schmetzer, stood on front of a highly competitive group of horses at the qualification in Lingen. Carola is also the rider of the approved Insterburg TSF (by EH HOhenstein - Giorgio Armani), who is the more likely candidate for this prestigious event, but had a mistake in his canter pirouette leading to his finish on 3rd position. Only winners of these qualifications can go on to compete at the Burgpokal finals in Frankfurt in December. However, we are pretty sure that we will soon report success for Insterburg TSF as well. What a team of horses with this incredibly talented rider!
At the show in Weiden, Dorothee Schneider and Kasparov by EH Consul placed 2nd at PSG level, and with the approved Ursprung TSF by Cornus, Dorothee finished 5th in the same division. At Inter I level, Kasparov finsihed 2nd, Ursprung TSF finished 4th. And in the Grand Prix, Hans-Jörg Kaltenböck and Finalist M by Santiago placed 4th, while finishing 2nd in the GP Special.
At the Milter Reitertage Show, Anke Willing and her gelding Freund Franz by EH Louidor placed 4th at S level, and Christine Scheer and her Karon by Cacir AA - EH Arogno followed on 5th place.
A truly amazing talent is the chestnut Altenbach TSF by Sans Souci, who was Germany's second most successful 7 year old show jumper in 2006 (all breeds!!). The gelding just now started his new season after a much deserved break over the winter, and in Lamprechtshausen, placed 2nd with Philipp Schober in both the S*and S** divisions. In Horka, the pair woon the S* and placed 2nd again at S** level. The highlight was then the famous show at Nörten-Hardenberg during the weekend of June 23-24th: in the extremely competitive field of the Youngster Trophy, the pair finsihed 7th in the qualification round and left the show as reserve champion in the finals!
Another incredible achievement was celebrated by the Camps family last weekend: their EH Mackensen son Rondo Classico won the 50th S dressage show of his career! Shortly after, he also won the PSG at the dressage show in Kaarst-Dückershof with 70.83%.
From the international dressage circuits news reached us that the young premium stallion Kaiser Wilhelm TSF (by EH Lehndorffs - Mahagoni) and his rider Anke Ter Beek won the Grand Prix and the GP freestyle at the CDI Drammen in Norway. The Danish bred approved Trakehner Ladroneur by Schwadroneur and Annegrete Törnblad (the former rider of sire Schwadroneur) won the Inter II at the same show and placed 3rd in both Grand Prix and the freestyle. What a Trakehner Fest!
At the CDI-W Brno in the Czech Republic, Irina Lys and her wonderful Problesk by Bek xx, who left such a strong impression at the World Cup FInals in Las Begas this spring, won the Grand Prix and finished 2nd in the freestyle. And Shannon TSF by Kostolany and his Hungarian rider Robert Acs placed 7th in the Grand Prix and followed Irina and Problesk in the freestyle at 3rd place.
6.6. A new *Pg* mare: Hera
The ATA's highest honor a Trakehner horse in North America can earn in competition is the Performance Gold designation. So far, only three ATA mares carry this prestigious title: the two-times Olympian Larissa *Pg* in eventing, the famous Margo *Pg* in show jumping, and Hilda Gurney's home bred Grand Prix dressage mare Lavinia *Pg*.
And now, the ATA's second Grand Prix mare joins the ranks: Newspring Farm's lovely Hera *Pg* by Garibaldi - Matador and her life-long trainer and rider Cheryl Holekamp won this merit award after 5 Grand Prix scores over 60% at five different shows under five different judges! The pair won on the big Florida circuits and also earned their USDF Gold Medal together. Hera, who is a Newspring Farm homebred mare, has accompanied Cheryl from lower level eventing all the way to hard-eaned success in dressage, and her story is truly special. We encourage you to read that special story at the following link!
Congratulations, Cheryl and Tim, and best of luck with Hera in the future!!
5.21. Competition results for the week
Here we are again, summarizing pretty significant Trakehner sport results for the past week from around the world. Despite general consenus it is pretty obvious that Trakehner horses have a firm stand in the world of performance and we're happy to bring you this week's synopsis!
Currently under way in Slovenia is the CDI-W Lipica, where French Dominique D'Esmeand her Schwadroneur son Roi de Coeur placed second in today's Inter II (65.9%). Roi de Coeur is a full brother to the Trakehner stallion Hertug (Danish Stallion of the Year), who is competing at FEI levels himself. Even more importantly, Hertug is the predominant sire of Danish warmbloods selected to represent Denmark at the FEI Young Dressage Horse World Championships in Verden this summer.
In the US, ATA approved Tzigane by Graditz *E* finished his first jumper show as a mount for junior rider Christina Schrant, and while the two get to know each other, the pair did very well and impressed with secure and fast rounds.
At the Lamplight Dressage Festival II, Kristin Allen and her gelding Tannehauser by Enrico Caruso *Ps*E* placed 2nd in the FEI Prix St Georg classe with 67% and won the Inter I with 66%!
In Hungary at the CDI Mariakalnok, Belarus rider Iryna Lis and her lovely bay Russian bred Trakehner Problesk by Bek xx, who just finished in the ribbons at the FEI World Cup in Las Vegas, placed 2nd in the Grand Prix (68.71%) and won the Freestyle (73.5%) with a very comfortable cushion to second placed Zsofia Dallos and Druppy (68.5%). Problesk is now 17 years old and seems to be getting better the older he turns.
At the CDI Orviedo in Spain, the brilliant part Trakehner Bernstein Las Marismas by EH Banditentraum/Trak. and his rider Yvonne Losos de Muñiz (Dom. Republic) placed third at Prix St Georg and Inter I levels and won the Inter I Freestyle (70.95%).
All the while in Germany, at the big CDI in Wiesbaden, Carola Koppelmann and her "other" Trakehner, Hinnerk TSF by Buddenbrock, placed 7th in a warmup at S level and finished 11th in the first Qualifier for the Nürnberg Burgpokal for this pair. Hinnerk TSF is a full brother to the newly approved Hulian (in training with Dorothee Schneider) and the 2006 NMS auction highlight Harley. At the same show, Kaiserkult TSF by EH Van Deyk and Dorothee Schneider placed 6th at PSG level (66.05%) and 4th at Inter I (68.1%). Solero TSF by EH Hyllos and Anja Plöntzke placed 6th in the Grand Prix Freestyle with 69%.
At the CIC** Bielefeld, one of Germany's oldest and most regarded eventing show grounds, Sundance Kid by Langata Express xx and Friederike Topphoff-Knaup placed 5th. In the second division of the CIC*, Karambeau M by Windfall *Pg* and Kai-Steffen Maier finished 10th, while Larogno by Elitär and Annette Schroers placed 2nd in the Open Preliminary division.
5.14. Marbach CIC*** in Trakehner hands
The CIC*** in Marbach/Germany, was an event ruled by Trakehners! Ingrid Klimke and her 8yr old Seacookie TSF by Helikon xx won the event (49.3), the first for the horse, and by winning also took home the trophy for the German Professional Championships. Seacookie TSF also is a former Bundeschampion in eventing, and is now being aimed at the European Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro/Italy, later this fall. Third place in the same event was won by Birkhof's Grafenstolz TSF by Polarion and Micheal Jung (50.6), and another Trakehner was in the filed of placed horses: the approved El Greco TSF by Fontainbleau and Alexa Bendtfeld finished 13th overall (69.7).
5.7. Dressage reults from Europe
The past weekend has some significant Trakehner dressage results we'd like to share with you. At the CDI Saumur in France, former champion stallion King Arthur TSF (by Buddenbrock) anbd Petra Wilm placed 4th in the Prix St Georg (67.65%). In the same field, Dutch Leida Collins Strijk and the Kostolany-son Polansky, a KWPN approved black stallion, placed 10th (66%). King Arthur furthermore placed second at Inter I level (67%). In the CDIO Grand Prix, French Dominique d'Esme and her Trakehner gelding Roi de Coeur (by Schwadroneur, a full brother to Hertug) placed 10th with 65,79% and were a member of the winning French Team. In the CDI Grand Prix, former champion stallion EH Münchhausen TSF (by EH Hohenstein) and Andrea Landy Silling placed 4th with 67%.
In the meantime, at the Mannheimer Miamarktturnier in Germany, Anja Plöntze and her two EH Hyllos sons Solero TSF and Lamborghini left a very strong impression in the Grand Prix. Solero placed 2nd twice (68%), while Lamboghini took home a 5th and a 7th place during his first GP season, with average scores around 64%. The same event also hosted classes for handicapped riders, and in Grade II, Stephanie Vollstedt and her Kostolany - Mozart *E* son Ventulany placed 3rd.
At the Lübbecker Reitertage in Germany, it was a final and most impressive comeback for former champion K2 (by Stradivari). The stallion and his new rider Falk Rosenbauer placed 2nd in the Prix St Georg class and won at Inter I level!
Other Trakehners that won or placed in the S classes and Grand Prix included Tantris TSF 8by EH Arogno), a former non-approved stallion from the Neumünster auction, and Sotheby's by EH Tuareg.
In Bad Salzuflen during the dressage special days, Carola Koppelmann and her Hinnerk TSF (by Buddenbrock) placed 3rd at Inter I level. Also successful and from the younger rider group is Karina Zimmermann and her mare Olivis TSF (by EH Angard), who placed in the prestigious Piaff Förderpreis, the German orginal of the USDF's Brentina Cup. In the qualifier, the pair placed 3rd. In the finals, they placed 6th.
5.3. Del Mar, CA Dressage Show
There was quite some Trakehner blood to be found at the Del Mar Dressage Show this past weekend in Del Mar, California. Hild Gurney and her part Trakehner Luminence by Leonidas *Pg* placed second in the Inter I class (66.5%) and won two Prix St Georg tests with 70.25% and 69%. They also placed 2nd in a Inter I Freestyle class (65.75%). Luminence's dam is the Hanoverian mare Wilda by Werther, but her dam is again by the Trakehner Condus, so that Luminence carries predominantly Trakehner bloodlines.
Whit Watkins and her mare Marin *M* placed several times at 4th level with as high as 70.25%. Marin *M* is an ATA model mare by Leonidas *Pg* out of Maja by Abdullah *Pg*E*. Whit also showed her Miciah by Leonidas *Pg* out of Meriah *Pb* by Erzsand *E* at fourth level and took home several placings and the blue ribbon in one class winning with 69.23%.
In the Junior/Young Rider/Adult Amateur classes, Cynthia Collins finished on two second and one third place at Prix St Georg, Inter I and a FEI Fresstyle at Inter I levels on her mare Larissa by Induc out of Leto by Condus *E*. Her average score was 64%.
More Trakehner blood was represented by Kaitlyn Hennessy (JR/YR) on Venturo by Leonidas *Pg* out of Venrica by Enrico Caruso, Linda Wudl (Adult Amateur) on Lilac by Chrysos (Westfalian) out of Libella V*E* by Siegbert and Lehua Custer (Open) on Winter Snow by Winter Prinz (Hanoverian) out of Lavinia *Pg* by Condus-Siegbert.
Congratulations to all involved and keep up the good work!!
4.28. More dressage news
Summarizing the past week in dressage from a Trakehner perspective, we are happy to tell you that Belarus rider Irina Lys and her 17 year old veteran Problesk by Bek xx did a really outstanding job at the World Cup finals in Las Vegas, putting in a great freestyle (68.8%) that was in fact commented on favorably by many people and let them finish on a most rewarding 8th place overall.
EH Gribaldi on the other hand didn't have much left in him during the final rounds and finished 11th, which is way below the expectations placed in him. As rider Edward Gal noted before the show, this was the first time the stallion was on a trip that long and in fact, on a plane. Maybe this has taken more of a toll than anticipated....good luck to him and his rider for the upcoming European season!
In the meantime, another Trakehner stallion debuted at Grand Prix! Premium stallion Kaiser Wilhlem (by EH Lehndorffs x Mahagoni), who is owned by York Stutteri in Denmark and ridden by Dutch Anke ter Beek, placed 8th with 68.25% at the "Horses & Dreams" CDI show in Hagen, Germany. The same test was won by British Laura Bechtoldsheimer and her Danish gelding Mistral Hojris, a grand son of the Trakehner elite stallion Michelangelo.
4.20. Newly approved stallions
At a special approval date on April 19th, the German commission approved two young Trakehner stallions and accepted one TB stallion for the breed.
The approved Trakehners are:
Holme Park Legend by Holme Park Krug out of Holme Park Liaison by EH Hohenstein - EH Herzruf (born 2003). The dam was an elite auction filly in Neumünster in 2000. Legend, who was bred by Holme Park Stud in England, is the first Trakehner ever to be bred in UK and approved in Germany. He passed an excellent 30 day test (best Trakehner) in Schlieckau prior to his approval with scores of 8.57 for his jumping, 7.75 for his dressage and an overall index of 8.06. Holme Park Legend is owned by Holme Grove Stud, Northill, UK.
Hessencharme by Hibiskus out of Hoheit von der Heide by Preussenprinz - EH Mackensen (born 2004). The stallion was already presented in Neumünster last year, but was not approved. He too, finished his 30 day test now (overall score 7.58) and is now approved for the Trakehner breed. Hessencharme was bred by Manfred Rüter and is owned by Ulrike Buurmann of Gestüt Burg Greifenstein in Germany.
4.11. Schiffon's latest success
We are especially happy to announce the excellent news regarding the black approved stallion Schiffon (by EH Anduc - Mago xx). As reported, Lea Ann Hansen of Glamorgan Dressage acquired the proven perfomer through TI from former owner Mr. Kasch of Hof Heitholm in Germany in the summer of 2006. Lea Ann wasted no time and took her stallion to the March Magic Dressage Show in Williamston, NC, where they entered three Level 4 classes, returning with a blue ribbon each time! Their scores ranged from 61.8%-65.5% and Lea Ann commented that she feels there is room for a lot more. This was the "getting to know each other" show, and the outcome could not have been more pleasing for all involved. Lea Ann and Schiffon received one of the two required scores to qualify for the USDF Regional Championships, and also qualified for Devon. Congratulations Lea Ann!
4.9. Dressage reults from the weekend
The Easter weekend was a good one for Trakehner dressage horses worldwide. In Germany, the EH Hohenstein-son Insterburg TSF and Carola Koppellmann placed 4th in the international Prix St. Georg (67%) and Inter II (68.58%) at the CDI Dortmund. The black Trakehner premium stallion from the spring approvals in Leverkusen in 2002 is owned by Claudia Post-Schultzke. Dortmund was also the place of a small comeback for Shannon TSF by Kostolany and his Hungarian rider Robert Acs, who competed in the GP and GP Freestyle.
Meanwhile, Anja Plöntzke rode the grey Trakehner stallion Lamborgini (by EH Hyllos) to success in Stadl Paura/Austria. The pair placed 6th in the Grand Prix qualifiying for the freestyle (66.29%) and placed 3rd in the GP Freestyle with 69.8%.
This Easter Holiday weekend at Dressage in Santa Barbara at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, Leonidas' offspring got a chance to prove their rideability, competition skills & their sire's consistency in passing on the desired & needed traits in a sporthorse:
In North America at Dressage in Santa Barbara at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, Hilda Gurney showed her grey gelding Luminence (by Leonidas *Pg* out of the Hanoverian mare Willa by Werther-Condus *E*) and scored 70.1% at Prix St George level and 70.85% at I-1 Freestyle.
3.30. In Memoriam: His Highness
It is with shock and sadness that we learned of the untimley passing of the Hanoverian stallion His Highness today. Why do we care to report about a Hanoverian? His Highness was by the Trakehner elite stallion Hohenstein, but even more importantly, owned by fellow Trakehner enthusiasts Louise and Douglas Leatherdale from the United States, who also own the Trakehner champion Herzensdieb.
His Highness was the champion of his approval in Verden, and also the champion of the approvals in Herning, Denmark. He won many dressage classes in his young life, qualified and participated at the Bundeschampionat twice, and sired 10 approved sons out of his very first crop. He was famous for his price tag (515.000€ at approval), his appearence, his owners and his stallion station (Gestüt Meyer in Dorum, Germany). He was one of the biggst stars in German breeding at an age where every normal horse enjoys an easy childhood. His Highness had to meet more expactations at his young age than most horses and their owners ever have to their entire life. Most young, expensive, shining stallions these days get trashed on internet forums and discussion boards quickly, mostly by people that never met the horse in question, but all have an opinion to share. Not an easy feat for a stallion that covered many mares and was in the spotlight from day one. Therefore it was almost refreshing to see how careful His Highness was developed as a riding horse. He was not pushed over the limit (a fact quickly followed by voiced concern about his "movement potential" etc). In fact, he appeared to be one of the happier, more relaxed young dressage horses and did his first M level test at age 6. For your average German superstar that's almost 1.5 years too late...
His Highness, whose training was overseen by Klaus Balkenhol, promised to become a Grand Prix competitor able to leave an impact.
His untimely passing leaves a rememberance of his beauty and a longing for "what might have been". Our sincere condolences to the Leatherdale and Meyer families for losing "Heini", their best friend. His influence in breeding will be felt for years to come, hopefully he will also set an example for other owners that indeed, there is a way to develop a young horse besides pushing it over the limit at age 4! Godspeed, His Highness!
3.27. FEI World Cup Las Vegas, NV, USA
Two purebred Trakehners have so far been able to qualify for the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas. Edward Gal and his top horse EH Gribaldi, the approved stallion by Kostolany - Ibikus are listed in the West European League, as is Danish Andreas Heldstrand with the Danish warmblood mare Matine, a daughter of the Trakehner Silvermoon.
Another purebred listed is the winner of the Central European League, the bay gelding Problesk by Bek xx - Oreol - Topki ox, who is owned and ridden by Belarussia rider Iryina Lis.
We will keep our readers posted as the finals in Las Vegas approach and who knows, maybe more Trakehner influence will surface! Good luck to all contestants!
3.26. In Memoriam: Key West
A tragic accident ended the life of the approved Trakehner stallion Key West way too early. The impressive grey stallion by Stradivari out of PS Kateja by Inschallah AA - Mahagoni, who was bred by Ingeborg Wöhrl in Germany and was owned by Klosterhof Medingen, had been leased to the French stud of Dr. Dirk Längle. From preliminary reports, the stallion got out of his paddock and back into the barn and was playing with his sire Stradivari through the stall door when he ran into a metal pole sticking out and slashed his throat, bleeding to death.
This is a major blow for the Trakehner breed, since Key West was not only an accomplished performance horse, but also sired several exceptional daughters, and good performance horses. His pedigree was one of the few with a significant amount of outside blood in it, carrying a great deal of excellent, proven Angloarabian blood through his dam sire Inschallah AA and his sire's sire Upan la Jarthe AA, a half brother to the famous Matcho AA. Key West's full brother K2 now remains the only active Trakehner stallion with Inschallah AA blood up close, and is heading for a S level career in dressage in 2007 after he was the champion in Neumünster in 2001.
Our condolences to Dr. Längle and Klosterhof Medingen!
3.19. ZSAA approvals a Trakehner affair
Another important inspection event in Trakehner hands! At the approvals of the ZSAA (Breeding Association for Sport Horses of Arabian descend) in Germany, several stallions with Trakehner background were approved and accepted into the ZSAA Stallion Book I.
The unofficial champion stallion of the show was the purebred Trakehner Invincible Sir by Best Before Midnight out of Insterurmel a.d. Eis by Padron's Mahogany ox - Akitos xx - Boris, who was bred by Dr. Eva Baunack of Delmenhorst in North Germany. Invincible Sir was an elite auction foal in Neumünster, but did not return there as a stallion candidate, but rather went for Arabian approval first. Contrary to the US, where Arabians sadly do not have the best of reputations anymore, the ZSAA is a big organization in Germany and routinely approves high quality stallions.
Also in the part bred class, the two Trakehner stallions Fabulous Dooley (by Abdullah - EH Tenor - Polifax) and Fantome d'Abdullah (by Abdullah - Akademos xx - EH Tenor) were approved. Both stallion were bred by the Baunack family and are highly proven performance horses. Fabulous Dooley is an international show jumper and was awarded a perfect "10" for his free jumping performance in Aslfeld at the approvals, while Fantome d'Abdullah is at the beginning of his career, with a qualification for the Bundeschampionat in show jumping and S level success under his belt so far.
More Trakehner blood appeared in the approved Almox Son by the Olympian show jumper Almox Prints out of the Hanoverian mare Harmonie by Hill Hawk xx - Askan.
And another part bred was approved, again a Trakehner, the stallion Kaiserglanz by Donaukaiser out of Halika ox by Ibn Halima ox - Salah ox.
3.17. Danish Warmblood approvals
More Trakehner influence in Denmark: just recently, the Danish approvals in Herningen took place and not only was Trakehner blood evident in the background, but the Trakehner stallion Hertug was named "Danish Warmblood Stallion of the Year".
Hertug, whose career began with Blue Hors Stud, is sired by Schwadroneur, one of the most popular and successful Trakehner stallions ever used in Danish breeding. Hertug's dam is Hellas by Donauwind, and his dam line traces back to the Angloarabian mare Hertha AA. Hertug is the only horse to this day winning the Danish National Riding Horse Championships three times in a row - as a four, a five and a six year old! Hertug is now a succesful FEI dressage horse after his sale by Blue Hors to Erik Vestergaard from Risskov, Denmark. Despite the fact that Hertug no longer stands at stud, he has left a big mark on the breed as a sire of dressage horses. his successful offspring include Hoergaard Hustler (ridden by Andreas Helgstrand) and Tredlegards Shantiana. Four of Hertug's offspring were on the Danish long list for the 2006 World Young Horse Championships and Shantiana placed fourth in the finals at the World Championships in Verden in 2006. Hertug follows the Part Trakehner Michellino by EH Michelangelo, the Danish Stallion of the Year in 2006!
Hertug is a full brother to the French top Grand Prix horse Roi de Coeur/Dominique d'Esme, who participated at the 2006 World Equestrian games for France.
During the stallion show and approvals, more dominant Trakehner blood was present. The best 4 year old stallion was Blue Hors and Paul Schockemöhle-owned Hotline by the Trakehner Hofrat. The same is true for the 2005 Trakehner champion Herzensdieb by Tambour. He was accompanied in Denmark by his owners, Douglas and Louise Leatherdale, who made the trip to Denmark to cheer on their youngster!
Another son of EH Münchhausen, Münster, was also approved.
In the group of the three year old stallion, the full Trakehner Prinz K3 by K2 - EH Hohenstein, who was approved in Neumünster in 2006 and sold at auction to Denmark, was presented. In this group of young stallions, the inspectors determine, which stallions will be permitted to take part in the 10-day testing that follows immediately after the approval. Only those stallions that successfully complete this task, which includes a short test under a test rider, are given permission to cover mares, after which they will be expected to complete a 35 day test in the fall of 2007 to decide their further career as breeding stallion. More Trakehner blood in this group came from NOH's Duke, a De Noir - EH Friedensfürst son, and Duendecillo by Blue Hors Don Romantic - Midt West Ibi Light, a son of the great Ibikus!
3.12. Red Hills CIC***-W
Only two weeks after his season opener with a win at advanced, Windfall *Pg* by Habicht and his rider Darren Chiacchia entered the World Cup Qualifier at the Red Hills CIC*** in Talahassee, FL. The pair, as usual, won their dressage (43.1) and were also leading the field after a gorgeous cross country round on saturday. The lead over Phillip Dutton and Tru Luck was slim for the final stadium round, and we just got the news that at the two pulled two rail, sending them to third place and only within sight of the brand new BMW for the winner!
Still, a marvellous event for the now 15 year old stallionn and his partner. Congratulations to Team Windfall, especially the owners Timothy and Cheryl Holekamp of New Spring Farm.
3.5. Dressage results from the weekend
In the Netherlands, the Zwolle Stallion Show finished with the Grand Champion title for EH Gribaldi (by Kostolany) and Edward Gal. The pair won the Grand Prix and the Freestyle with over 70% and left Jazz (KWPN by Cocktail) and Relevant (Oldenburg by Rubinstein I) on the following places.
EH Münchhausen TSF and his new rider Andrea Landy-Silling won the small finals in the FEI Grand Prix Tour.
The EH Gribaldi grand son Ucelli and Hans Peter Minderhoud won the opening class for the 5yr old horses, while IPS United, a grand son of EH Partout won both the opening and finals of the 6yr old tour. Additionally, Ubaldi by EH Gribaldi - Balzflug/Trak. placed 3rd in the opening class and 6th in the finals.
In Spain, at the IX Circuito Del Sol Doma 2007, the KWPN-approved stallion Polansky (by Kostolany) and his Dutch rider Leida Collins-Strijk placed 2nd at Prix St Georg level. In the young rider's tour, the Trakehner gelding Krokant (by Honeur) and his young rider Lara de la Camara (Spain) placed 3rd. In the Young Horse FEI divisions, the KWPN-branded mare Volta (by EH Monteverdi TSF) placed third, followed by the Hanoverian Connery-son Chapeau Claque on place 9.
And finally, at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby in Florida, the German bred and approved Trakehner stallion Halbgott by EH Partout placed at Prix St Georg with his rider Marco Bernal (Mexico), and additionally, placed 4th at the FEI Inter I tour with 65.9%.
3.4. Kavalier is winning again
Who out there remembers the steel gray gelding Kavalier, a former Neumünster stallion candidate by Amatcho - Erzsand, owned and ridden by Jene Cleveland? The pair successfully represented the United States at the FEI World Championships in Verden/Germany when Kavalier was a youngster. And the youngster has come up the ranks!
After a quieter 2006 season, the USDF has kept Kavalier and Jane on their Developing List, and 2007 started with a bang! As a big show in Atalnta in early March, the pair received 74% at Prix St Georg and 69% at Inter I, winning both classes. our photo here shows them in Atlanta.
And the weekend of March 31st and April 1st proved to be just as successful. Kavalier and Jane competed at the High Performance Qualifier in Orlando,FL, placing 2nd in the PSG (69%) and winning the INter I class (67%). Kavalier was also named reserve champion of the Heidelburg Cup competition there.
2007 has a number of high profile shows coming up for the two, and we will report more on them when news become available. Certainly this is one of the top up and coming dressage pairs in the country and we wish them all the best of luck!
2.22. Windfall is back!
Another winter break is over. Windfall *Pg*, approved stallion by Habicht - Madruzzo xx showed for the first time yesterday, Feb 20th, an won an Advanced Division at Rocking Horse in Florida with 27.5 points under Darren Chiacchia. And Darren was his own competition at this event, since he won another Advanced division aboard his Better I do It, with an overall score of 41.1 points.
2.17. US sports results from last weekend
After his much deserved winter break, the ATA approved Tzigane (by Graditz *E* - Condus *E*) was entered in the Lake St. Louis Hunter/Jumper IV, which takes place right now. He finished his "warm-up", a Level 5 course, with a 4th place and today, placed 3rd at the $5,000 Level 5 Jumper Classic with his rider Helmut Schrant.
In Florida, it was yet again a successful weekend for the Trakehners of New Spring Farm and Independence Farm. At the Ocala Horse Park, New Spring Farm's mare Ravenna (by Windfall *Pg* - Amethyst) won her division at Open Novice with her rider Christin Stoop. Ravenna is 5 years old and won on her dressage score of 26 points. Christin Stoop also rode New Spring Farm's 4 year old Asterion (by Windfall *Pg* - Amethyst), who placed 5th at Open Novice with a final score of 37.5 points. The trio was concluded by Freudentag, who is also 4 yars old and by Windfall *Pg* - Amethyst. Ridden by Erin Spohr, the pair placed 6th on their dressage score of 33.5 at Open Novice. May we conclude that the cross of Windfall *Pg* and the CCI*** eventer Amethyst seems to work rather well?? Another good impression was left by Hopi, a 5 year old mare by Apache *Pg* - Matador, who had an "ok" dressage with 41 points, but did not make another mistake in her run and finished on 13th place at Open Novice (again with Christin Stoop).
In the meantime, Darren Chiacchia won the Open Intermediate division on board of Ahlerich (by Always Run Lucky xx - Händel), who finished on a final score of 43.1 points. At Open Preliminary, Darren competed his young Dynamik II (by Bardolino - EH Itaxerxes), for whom this was the first outing at this level. Dynamik II is the USEA's leading 5 year old Training level horse from 2006 and despite one hick-up during cross country, finished this very tough course. Quite a feat for a not even 6 year old!
Also at Open Preliminary, and even a year younger than Dynamik II, was Hanno (by Windfall *Pg* - EH Caprimond), who competed under Darren and did equally well finishing this course.
The Open Training B division was then won by Darren and his 5 year old chestnut Fantastik (by Connery - Elan xx), who is a former Neumünster auction horse and won his event on his impressive dressage score of 24.5 points. In Open Training C, Darren placed 3rd on Ferrari GS, a 7 year old stallion by Heinzelmann *Pg* - Troy, who is approved for the Canadian Sport Horse Association and is new to the sport of eventing. The pair scored 31.5 points.
At Open Novice, Darren competed his gelding Dibelius (by EH Michelangelo - EH Bartholdy), who like Fantastik and Dynamik, is a former Neumünster stallion candidate. Dibelius is 4 years old and finished 15th (46.5 points), one place ahead of Christin Stoop and Helena GS (by Heling).
There is no arguing, which breed clearly leaves a mark on the sport, especially considering that many of these horses are just at the beginning of their careers and were produced by "parents" that successfully competed at the upper levels as well (Apache, Heinzelmann, Amethyst, EH Caprimond, Windfall *Pg*). Trakehner Rising!!!
And while we're at it, we would like to thank the owners, breeders and riders involved here, for their years of continued support of this breed. Without them, there would be little to report on! Good luck in the future!!
2.6. Trakehner success at approvals
More good news for the breed: Karolinger I, Klosterhof Medingen's top auction seller (by EH Latimer) was most recently approved for the Hanoverian breed. He will now continue his dressage career, which was started by Meike Lühning, and will now be presented and further trained by Peter Koch, who is already successful with other Trakehner dressage horses like Avoni and Konradi.
And at the most recent South German Warmblood approvals, more Trakehner offspring was successful. All Southern states hold one approval in late January in Germany, including Bavaria, Hessia, Baden-Württemberg, Thurinia and Rhineland-Palatinat, plus stallions branded Hanoverian, Holsteiner, KWPN, Oldenburg and Westfalen owned by stations in the South. And the reserve champion was a part Trakehner: a chestnut son of the 2002 approval champion Elfengeist (by Polarpunkt) out of the Oldenburg mare Ayline by Figaro x Aktuell (A Trakehner A-line descendant from Hanover). More Trakehner blood could be found in the premium son of Cavallieri xx, who was out of a Baden-Württemberg branded mare by Auftritt (again the A line founded by the Trakehner Abglanz) - Tassio. Tassilo was a full Trakehner by Lateran.
In addition, two sons of the Hanoverian champion stallion His Highness (by EH Hohenstein) were presented and approved and received premium titles.
Another approved stallion came out of a pure bred Trakehner dam line. The youngster by Fürst Piccolo - Donnerhall has the mare Die kleine Hexe as 2nd grand dam. She is by Königspark xx out of Donauhexe by Habicht!
1.30. CDI Elmshorn, Germany
At the CDI Elmshorn in Germany (Jan 26th-28th 2007), a number of Trakehner dressage horses did very well.
All started out with the CDI-JYR, ann international young rider competition, which saw Christin Schütte and her Hanoverian stallion Hohenstaufen (by EH Hohenstein/Trak) placed 4th with 68% at Prix St Georg level. The pair placed 7th (68.75%) in the freestyle. In the same division, Sina-Christin Joesten and her older Dernier Cri ( former approved stallion Donaukönig by Königspark xx - Habicht) placed 7th with 67.42%.
At the same show, the Young Horse Championships (a CDN at PSG level) had 14 startes qualified for the first round, three of which were Trakehners! In the finals, Petra Wilm and her former champion stallion King Arthur TSF (by Buddenbrock - EH Consul) placed 2nd, only beaten by Alexandra Bimschas and her Hanoverian Wolke Sieben. Petra Wilm is the president of the German Trakehner Verband. Peter Koch and Avoni, a black mare by EH Caprimond - EH Marduc, placed 6th in the finals.
1.30. Top rider acquires Trakehner prospect
As we recently learned from our friend Tom Reed, a very interesting sale happened at his Irish-based Morningside Stud in County Clare: Irish world class dressage rider Judy Reynolds bought Morningside Stud's top dressage prospect Baryshnikov M2S by Best Before Midnight out of the M-level successful Inspiration M2S by EH Banditentraum-Wie Ibikus. Readers of TI might remember Judy and her Russian Trakehner gelding Russian Rathbawn Valet (by Egoist-Hockey), who competed at the WEG in Aachen in 2006 literally only days after Judy had to undergo emergency surgery! Baryshnikov M2S, who is only a weanling at this point, impressed Judy so much that she acquired this lovely Trakehner youngster for her future. She is quoted saying "Baryshnikov M2S inherited from his dam a trot with amazing cadence and a superior walk, and Tom tells me that his excellent canter was inherited from his sire, Best Before Midnight. I am looking forward to working with these two Irish-bred horses and envisage they will become top-level dressage horses in years to come."
And Baryshnikov M2S doesn't travel alone: he is accompanied by the filly Bodessa M2S by Tom's own young stallion Ulysses M2S, who is of Dutch heritage, but also here, Trakehner roots aren't that far away .... the Trakehner Marco Polo, an acclaimed sire in Holland and from the same family as EH Monteverdi TSF and EH Michelangelo sits in the background of this filly's excellent pedigree.
We congratulate Morningside Stud for this huge success and wish Judy all the best for the future with these two promising youngsters!
1.17. Trakehner stallion news
The new breeding season has started and worldwide, several Trakehner stallions and approved TBs and Arabs have changed locations or have sadly left the stage. Trakehners International compiles the most recent news for your convenience!
USA:
Very sadly, the ATA's accomplished Grand Prix dressage stallion Kreshendo *Ps* died at the end of 2006. His breeder, rider and owner, Suzette Bernhold of Maple Park, IL, had to put him down after he strangulated parts of his small intestine on Wednesday, December 27, 2006. Kreshendo *Ps* was by Meistersinger *Ps* out of Karisma by Isolan. On a more positive note, the list of active ATA stallions has reached quite an impressive size and a few "new faces" should make you interested enough to check out this helpful listing on the ATA website. Beginning this season, David Beattie stands his excellent German premium stallion Blitz und Donner (by EH Lehndorffs out of the full sister of Buddenbrock) at his Wisconsin farm in Watertown. He joins Marcato by Sapros x Kosmonaut ox. Back in business is also the chestnut Hilife by Martini *Pg*E* out of Henna by Hilarius, who was approved in 2001. Hilife stands for his breeder Lincoln Case in Covington, LA. The newly approved Pavarotti by Enrico Caruso *Ps*E* out of Pepper by Donaufürst *Pg*E* has his first season as a full approved ATA breeding stallion and stands at stud for Mary Jensen of Temecula, CA. And finally, the ATA welcomes the latest addition of the stallion line-up with the German import Schiffon by EH Anduc - Margo xx, who has a performance record at PSG levels from Europe and will stand at stud for Lea Ann Hansen in Virginia.
Another novelty is the recent German Trakehner Verband approval for Special Memories *Pg*, by Abdullah *Pg*E* out of Kluwall xx, who joins Hilda Gurney's Grand Prix dressage stallion Leonidas *Pg* by Condus *E* as one of the very few Trakehner Verband approved, American-bred stallions. TI's partner, Trakehner Sires International, and Special Memories' breeder and owner Dorothy Rowland had overwhelming response from European breeders, many of them not from the Trakehner world. We would like to see this as encouragement for American stallion owners to turn out their horses in competition and thus, get the attention and interest the horses deserve. There is indeed a market after all!
The stallions EH Van Deyk, Kaiserkult TSF, Grafenstolz TSF and Brioni will be available for the first time in North America through frozen semen. Please contact our partners at Trakehner Sires International for more information.
Germany:
Interesting news reach us from Germany. Gestüt Webelsgrund, so far home of EH Michelangelo, Checkpoint, United Kingdom, In Petto and Oliver Twist now also stands the US-bred and 30 day tested bay Lord Luciano by Enrico Caruso *Ps*E* - Unkenruf, who is owned by Debra Tylor. And one more new face will appear at Webelsgrund this season: Polarion is back in business! The internationally successful Grand Prix dressage stallion by EH Van Deyk, who is owned by Dr. Bechtolsheimer of UK, is the sire of the highly acclaimed Bundes- and FEI World Champion Grafenstolz TSF and is back in the breeding business for the first time since several years. A spectacular addition in Germany! Key West, son of Stradivari and the full brother to the champion K2, will remain in France for another season. The grey stallion is owned by Klosterhof Medingen and leased to Dr. Längle in France. Payano, the impressive two-times Finish National Champion in dressage, now stands at stud for the first time. The EH Herzruf son, who was approved based on his sport success, is out of the same dam as the Olympic eventer Peppermint III. Also new at stud are two stallions from the 2004 approvals: Impetus by Vivus-Feingeist, who finished his 70 day test as the spectacular champion and left a super impression at the Gala Show in Neumünster in 2006; and Ippon by Buddenbrock - Guter Planet, who also finished his performance requirements and is now standing at stud in the Netherlands. For both stallions, this is their debut in breeding. A new TB stallion was also approved: Betel xx by Revlon Boy xx, a paternal half brother to the excellent Stravinsky xx. Betel xx is 17 years old and is stationed in East Germany at Redefin Stud, but is available via fresh semen through Gestüt Webelsgrund. Betel xx is an internationally successful show jumper!
Unfortunately, a few stallions also died in 2006......one of the biggest losses is certainly the early death of the impressive grey Enim Pascha by Zauberklang *E* - Condus *E*, who was successful in dressage at S level and only bred a handful of Trakehner mares. out of his 5 registered daughters with the Trakehner Verband, 4 have a State Premikum title! And Kronjuwel, the black Matador-son, died at the old age of 26. Kronjuwel was a Pan Am Games Medal winner for Canada, stood at stud in North America and many years ago, returned to Germany for a performance and breeding career. He spent his last years at the Ripke Stud in Hameln and was owned by Dr. Reinhard Baumhögger of Dortmund, who was quoted saying "Kronjuwel was an exceptional horse and we owe him many fond memories."
Finckenstein by EH Latimer - Kennedy, black stallion approved in Wickrath in 2005, is now standing at stud for the first time and is a new addition at Gerard Geling's stallion station in Hohenschmarck. Gestüt Tasdorf's latest addition is Elfenstein by EH Hohenstein - Waldvogt, one of the premium stallions from Neumünster 2006, while Heops, the Russian jumper, has left Tasdorf and now stands at stud for the Oldenburg station Böckmann in Lastrup. Klosterhof Medingen has the first approved Lauries Crusador xx-son at stud now: Krokant, premium stallion in 2006, is their latest addition. It is with much joy that we noticed the return of the outstanding EH Partout-son Goodwood to breeding duties. He will stand at Hof Kupczak in Langenhagen. The black Alter Fritz has left Gestüt Hämelschenburg for one season and is leased to Gestüt Ganschow in East Germany, which also took over Sir Chamberlain by Sir Shostakovich xx as a lease from Vogelsangshof in the Rhineland.. The Eicke stud in Einbeck is the new home of the black Hibiskus-son Stresemann, who was approved in Neumünster last fall. One of the breed's best sport horse producers, the now 24 year old Parforce by Habicht, will stand at stud for the first time via AI this season and found a temporary home at Gestüt Equiset in Delmenhorst beginning March 15th 2007. A new Trakehner has also joined the ranks of the Westfalian state stud: Donaugold by Distelzar, the Reserve Champion of 2006, is now standing for Johann Hinnemann in Voerde, and leased to Warendorf. The impressive chestnut was just recently fully approved for Westfalen and the Rhineland. Darren Chiacchia's newest acquisition, the top jumper Ballzauber by Axis - EH Itaxerxes, whom he bought during the 2006 NMS auction, remains in Germany for one breeding season and joined the Gorlo Team in Melle, which already proved to be a top turf for Blitz und Donner. Hulian, one of the best promising dressage talents of the 2006 approval, found a new home with Dorothee Schneider. His French owners placed the chestnut Connery-son with one of Germany's best riders and we have no doubt that we will hear mnnore of this pair in the near future. Fred and Claudia Rötschke, who successfully breed eventers in Rhineland-Palatinate, now also own the exciting grey Herzglanz by Schiffon - EH Tivano, one of the best all-rounders of the last approved. The two newly approved stallions Dorkas (by K2 - EH Partout) and Chardonne (by Stravinsky xx - Tolstoi) joined the rank for the State Stud in Hessia, but are owned by Gestüt Waldfried in Frankfurt, where they will continue to be trained for a fututre in dressage. A new State Stud addition is also the premium stallion Zauberfürst by Interconti - EH Caprimond, who is owned by Beate Heise, but was leased to the Bavarian State Stud in Schwaiganger. Beate Heise also recently bought the black Spirding by Katamaran xx for her farm in Bavaria.Gestüt Inselhof in East Germany offers Der Dürer TSF, the first approved son of Waitaki in the breed and one of the most promising young show jumpers in Germany. Gestüt Kempke Hof, also in East Germany, and the former home of the Trakehner Oxford, now stands the approved TB stallion Cavallieri xx by Gajus xx, who came from New Zealand and already stood at stud in Switzerland and Marbach. Domhardt by EH Lehndorffs - EH Consul, is new at Gestüt Terra Nova in East Germany.
Rest of Europe:
In Denmark, the newly approved premium stallion Okavango by Hibiskus - EH Sixtus was added to the line-up. He stands at stud for Sören and Helen Nissen in Skals. Pernambuco by Ibikus is new in France, while the impressive grey Contis by Interconi - EH Michelangelo from NMS 2006 is now in Great Britain at stud for Victoria von Wachter. The 2002 champion Elfengeist by Polarpunkt was leased to Austria and the FEI dressage stallion Zenit by Zauberklang *E* is now available for the first time, via frozen semen.
