The sire
Axis, who was approved in Neumünster in 2001, has had tremendous success with his first foal crop (born in 2003). Out of it, he produced the 2005 jumping wonder Hirtentanz, who just continues the paternal line with "best jumper" awards from Neumünster. Both EH Sixtus as well as Axis had won this before. Axis, despite his excellent jumping abilities, which were alsoo documented in his impressive 70 day test scores, is currently in training with the Finish National dressage champion, Terhi Stegars, for a dressage career. His first appearances in that department were impressive, and during the 2006 Handorf Stallion Show, he demonstrated his capabilities in a lovely advanced level freestyle. Axis' dressage talent, apart from the fact that his sire EH Sixtus is not a pure jumper himself, is primarily secured in his dam, who combines two prolific dressage stallions: the elite stallion Angard, who was a FEI dressage performer himself and has sire such, and the older Herzbube by Gunnar, who, among amyn others, is the sire of the world's best dressage stallion in 1994, EH Heuriger (e.g. winner of the Hamburg Dressage Derby; Team Silver and inidivual 5th at the 1994 Le Hague World Equestrian Games).
The dam
Ballgeflüster's sire, the celebrated champion stallion and FEI level dressage competitor EH Itaxerxes, was most likely Tenor's best son the breed. The radiant chestnut with his signature chrome was one of only two Trakehner stallions to bring the impeccable TB stallion Cardinal xx into the breed (the other being the late EH Banditentraum). Like no other TB, Cardinal xx produced exceptional movement almost dominantly and had significant influence in Hanvover in the 70s and 80s. In fact, one could say he was the early Lauries Crusador xx. Itaxerxes had the movement, the aura, and the conformation of a true champion and seldomly before or after was the crowd in Neumünster that certain of a winner. His sire Tenor, who stood at Gestüt Webelsgrund for the most part of his career, left approved sons, well regarded daughters and competition horses at the highest levels, predominantly in dressage, but also in eventing. His dam ES Tilsit III (by Herzbube) was probably one of the best mares that the breed had after WWII. Besides Tenor, she also produced his full brother EH Tivano (S dressage) and the half brother EH Tuareg (S dressage, sire of Grand Prix winners). Her daughter Tänzerin, carrying all titles a mare can get, is dam of the approved stallions Tambour, Thalys and Travell, as well as the premium mare Tanzstunde. This high quality dressage blood is combined with Marlon in the pedigree depicted above, the only full brother of the great Mahagoni. Unfortunately, Marlon always stood in the shadow of his famous brother, undeservedly so, since his offspring convinced as great brood mares and riding horses alike. The third dam Bella Viktoria is a half sister to the S-level show jumper Intermezzo.
