The 2006 Trakehner stallion show in Münster-Handorf
What a show it was!!! TI is happy and proud to publish the following report by Anja Wölber of Germany (translated and commented by TI), alongside spectactular photos shot by Jutta Bauernschmitt, who not only took these incredible pictures, but who has an endless database of Trakehner-related photos of the same quality. Please make sure to check out her site, and use her as future reference for your searches of Trakehner photos. Jutta is a successful Trakehner breeder in Germany and we are very happy to announce our partnership with this fine photografer!
Sadly, the horrific weather conditions in Bavaria prevented a number of stallions from attending the show in Handorf, but better safe at home than on the road. Apart from that, most of the candidates showed up and a total of 41 stallions were shown before a completely packed Handorf Auction Hall, much to the delight of the organizing team around Dr. Becker of the Westfalen branch of the Trakehner Verband in Germany.
The show was opened by Hofrat, the 2000 Reserve Champion in Neumünster. This dark bay by EH Gribaldi-Guter Planet was ridden by Dr. Frederic Bünger and can clearly be named as one of the top highlights. his breathtaking scope, balance and rhythm came hand in hand with maximum shoulder freedom, suspension and impulsion from his back end, which was perfectly transported over his swinging back. The stallion has recently been all over the news after his Hanoverian son Hotline became not only champion at the Hanoverian approvals in Verden, but also left the auction as the most expensive 2year old colt ever: Paul Schockemöhle and the Danish blue Hors Stud paid 800.000 Euro for this brilliant youngster, who only last week impressed during his first public appearance (under saddle) at Schockemöhle's stallion show. The press and public noted that they had never seen a barely 3 year old with such elasticity, one step like the other, balanance and pretty much umatched cool temper ever. Superlatives seem not enough for this dark stallion, and hofrat demonstrated in Handorf, where Hotline got his talent from.
No less impressive was the under saddle performance of the Trakehner approval champion of 2005, Herzensdieb by Tambour-EH Tivano. The bay stallion, who left the Holstenhallen was the most expensive colt at 275.000 Euro and was sold to Douglas and Louise Leatherdale, who already own the former Hanoverian approval champion His Highness (by EH Hohenstein/Trak-Donnerhall) and also operate Leatherdale Farms in the US. Douglas Leatherdale is also the president of the American Hanoverian Society. Herzensdieb has matured nicely and demonstrated an amazing uphill canter in combination with a top class walk, big shoulder freedom and just the right mix of temperament and sensitivity. Ridden by Susanne Meyer, the bay is stationed at the Hanoverian breeding stallion of Jens Meyer in Dorum and will be trained by Klaus Balkenhol. Congratulations again to the Leatherdales, and good luck with this "diamond in the rough" in the future.
As usual, the performance of Grafenstolz TSF was a demonstration of highest rideability and outstanding work ethics. The bay stallion of the South German Birkhof Stud, who won not only the Bundechampionat in eventing in 2004, but also the FEI World Championships for young eventers in Lion d'Angers/France that same year, was bred by the famous Heinen Stud and is a son of the Grand Prix dressage stallioon Polarion out of a Camelot dam. He was shown in a nice dressage presentation, only to finish his appearance by several jumps over a table decorated with champagne glasses (which actually were full!). Like no other, Grafenstolz TSF demonstrates Trakehner performance abilities and versatility.
The younger Karolinger I by EH Latimer-EH Hohenstein came from Klosterhof Medingen and appeared very nervous and distracted, not his usual self. The most impressive black stallion was the top seller at the last Klosterhof Elite Auction in the fall of 2005 (250.000 Euro), and is now owned by Hamburg-based Böckmann Dressage Stables.
Next in line was Axis by EH Sixtus-EH Angard. The black stallion was approved in Neumünster and won the "Best Jumper Prize" there, finished an impressive 70 day test in Germany and headed for his new home, Bluewood Stud, in Great Britain. Most recently, the amazing black stallion returned to Germany, only to start a upper level dressage career at Gestüt Hohenschmark now. Ridden by Finish dressage champion Terhi Stegars, the stallion showed brilliant trot mechanics in combination with excellent rideability. He was accompanied by his son Hirtentanz (dam by Kostolany), who won the best jumper prize in Neumünster in 2005 was said to be the most amazing young colt Neumünster had seen to this day. Only the future will tell, but in Handorf, Hirtentanz clearly left the masses speachless by his sheer power and scope. Lacking the great front arm techniques he had in Neumünster, he nevertheless impressed big time.
The next group of stallions was composed of the 2001 Neumünster champion K2 by Stradivari-Inschallah AA and Hoftänzer by EH Gribaldi-Guter Planet, the reserve champion of 2001 and full brother to Hofrat. While K2 has progressed into 4th level work and showed talent for piaffe, a lack in that stallion's training fundamentals can't be overseen. From his very early days on he was ridden in an extreme, unnaturaly high neck frame and that clearly took its toll, since the stallion has problems to swing over his back. Hoiftänzer had seen better performances as well. While he is a very refined, leggy stallion of unsurpassed elegance, he was shaking his head almost constantly and remained free of any elasticity over his back throughout the performance, which by many was felt as the worst of the day and no promotion for the stallion, who obviously has far better quality. After all, in 2005, he placed and won at 3rd and 4th level in reggular competitions in Germany.
The 2001 champions were followed by Pricolino, the Ic premium stallion in Neumünster in 2004. The bay Schwadroneur-EH Sokrates son was presented under saddle and was accompanied by his first foal of the season, a 6 week old filly out of the State Premium mare Ebenbild by Saint Tropez. The foal had inherited the great type of both parents and appeared very elegant and with good hind end movement. Pricolino appeared as a very rideable stallion with excellent manners, but was lacking impulsion and knee action. He is pictured here following his filly.
Foal by Pricolino-Saint Tropez
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Sambatänzer (by EH Münchhausen-Zinaad xx), Shavalou (by Freudenfest-Exclusiv) and Linne (by EH Herzruf-Hyalit) came in next and especially the first young stallion, who is out of a full TB mare, impressed with good overall riding horse features and is testimony to the fact that Münchhausen obviously does best with TB backgrounds in mares. Shavalou, the first approved premium stallion by Hämelschenburg's former champion Freudenfest, has matured into a very elegant, leggy stallion of excellent type.
The next part of the program was a favorite: the now 21 year old Biotop (by Blesk-Hockey) was presented in hand and as always, impressed everybody deeply. The old gentleman is not missing a spark in his appearance and has movement, scope, elasticity and impulsion that most younger, more "modern" stallions can only dream of. We will let our pictures speak for themselves! Biotop was accompanied by his first born foal ever, the bay stallion Monte Castello (dam by Falke), who is not approved (yet), but pursuing a very successful upper level dressage career in the Netherlands. Hopefully, this brilliant stallion will be approved for the Trakehner breed later during his performance career.
A few younger stallions were presented next. Oliver Twist (EH Monteverdi TSF-EH Sixtus) and In Petto (Buddenbrock-Kennedy), owned by the Heinen Stud in Issum and now standing at stud in Webelsgrund for the first time, were ridden as young horses should be ridden, forward-downward and without the popular pressure and fake collection seen too often. While Oliver Twist impressed with his 10+ canter, In Petto demonstrated nicely that he is maturing well and ready to kick off his performance career as a dressage horse. Sadly, his full brother In Flagranti, the 2003 champion in Neumünster, was unable to attaned due to the heavy winter weather that had South Germany in its grip for weeks.
Another son of Buddenbrock impressed next: Epernay, out of a EH Consul dam, is a State Stud stallion in Hessia (Dillenburg) and was shown in a dressage freestyle. We picked the follwing photo, which so impressivley demonstrates, what we generally wantr to see when we talk of "active hind ends". Epernay was praised for his impeccable impulsion and active haunches, which carried him well through all three gaits!
Insterburg TSF (by EH Hohenstein-Giorgio Armani) was shown in a double bridle for the first time, indicating that the excellent black stallion is further heading up into the upper levels of dressage. The modern stallion had won bronze medals at botht he 2005 FEI World CHampionships for Young Dressage Horses as well as the Bundeschampionat. Superbly ridden by Carola Koppelmann, the typey Insterburg is now also offered via AI for the first time (only live cover so far) so that it can be expected that his popularity will increase.
The next showcase was something very special in that it hosted two TB stallions that were simply turned lose and shown at liberty (one at a time!). Zöllner xx (by Dashing Blade xx-Acatenango xx) and Esteban xx (by Prince Mab xx-Tumble Wind xx) enjoyed their freedom and especially Esteban xx, who has his first appearenace at a Trakehner stallion show, impressed the crowds with his picture perfect riding horse features and incredible movement. Also from the section of "special blood" came the Arabain stallion Sheik Mandu ox (by El Aszud ox-Ferment ox), who was approved at the Trakehner Spring Approvals in Leverkusen in 2004. The black stallion, who has an impressive dressage show record, was shown in hand and turned out to be a very interesting source of alternative blood. He stands a solid 16.1h, and has modern dressage horse movement.
Esteban xx |
Sheik Mandu ox |
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Next in line was the all time favorite Handryk, who currently goes through a "second spring", as breed director Lars Gehrmann put it. The most impressive, substantial grey by EH Van Deyk-Fabian now stands bvia shipped semen for the first time during his breeding career and the Verband hopes that more breeders will acknowledge the impeccable production record this stallion has, with offspring competing at international Grand Prix dressage as well as CCI eventing.
Also in hand, the two chestnut stallions Farinelli (by Tolstoi-Amadeus) and Chardonnay (by EH Rockefeller-Mahon) showed greatest elasticity and impulsion with swinging backs. Both stallions have performance records that include S level wins in Germany. Farinelli was the 1996 champion stallion in Germany, while Chardonnay won a silver medal at the Bundeschampionat and actually was Germany's most successful 7 year old stallion in the mid 90s with respect to upper level performance income comparing all warmblood breeds in Germany. His son Alter Fritz has made a name for himself as a top movement producer. Chardonnay had vanished from the breeding scene for several years and the fact that he is "back in business" is great news for the stallion line of EH Consul-EH Rockefeller.
The next showcase was reserved for young chestnut stallions, and the 2004 champion Le Rouge (by Pret a Porter-Tycoon) as well as the US-owned 2004 "best jumper" and premium stallion Blitz und Donner (by EH Lehndorffs-EH Sixtus), who is owned by ATA member David Beattie, put on a lovely dressage performance. It was very interesting to note the different approaches the two riders took. While Maike Lühning on Le Rouge pushed the youngster to his limits in typical style of stallion shows in Germany, Blitz und Donner was probably happy to have one of the world's best riders in his sadde: Ingrid Klimke. Quite a contrary program for the two stallions! Blitz und Donner was also accompanied by a 2 week old colt and the crowd agreed that this foal was exceptional!
Le Rouge |
Blitz und Donner |
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Kapriolan F (by Exclusiv-Enrico Caruso) came next and showed a gripping Grand Prix Freestyle with his young rider Eva Zigelwalner. The bay stallion was the major contributor to Eva's FN Gold medal that she was given during a lovely ceremony at the show. The FN Gold medal can only be earned by 10 or more wins at S-level in one of the three major disciplines.
Show jumpers made up the next round of presentations, and the action started with Kasparow (by EH Sixtus-Kostolany), who displayed his excellent calm temperament in combination with exceptional talent over jumps. It is interesting to note that the stallion also competes at upper level dressage shows in his home country the Netherlands. Kasparow's approved son Titulus, the best jumper of his approval in 2003, just recently left Germany for Canada and his new home with owners Patricia and Serge Barsalou. Equally impressive was the pinto Camaro (by Le Duc-Elvis), who is an approved stallion in Germany and qualified twice for the Bundeschampionat in Eventing. Both stallions showed excellent bascule and suppleness with round backs and push from behind to satisfy any modern show jumper breeders.
Other stallions showcased as jumpers included Bel Espace Go (by EH Maizauber-Rittersporn), the Anglo Arabian Benedict N AA (by Bouquet AA-Hill Anwar AA) and the Russian Heops (by Herson-Pawitsch), whose recent comet-like rise to stardome is due to the fact that no other Trakehner today jumps with that kind of international caliber right now. Heops covered over 50 mares in his first season in Germany and hopefully we will see good jumpers out of that effort to revitalize the jumper branch within the Trakehner breed.
The two barely 3 year old stallions Union Jack (by EH Louidor-EH Bartholdy) and Easy Game (by EH Gribaldi-Schwadroneur) came in next and were shown in a lovely young horse demo with sufficient basic training and apparently well thought-out presentations, because both stallions were able to shine with their natural rideability and basic gaits. Both had been approved in Neumünster in 2005.
Back in the dressage ring, the two highly successful stallions Ursprung (by Cornus-Istanbul) and Lions-Club (by Ferrum-Matador) came in together and it was an easy steal of attention for the tall liver chestnut Lions-Club. Successful at Grand Prix, the charming outcross stallion not only offers the last available Ibikus bloo through the sire line, but also only recently entered the breeding world, and it would be nice to see him getting more attention. Ursprung, on the other hand, is a rock solid performer, but lacks a bit of the spark in his movement that the highly supple Lions-Club easily masters.
The two former Gestüt Wiesenhof owned stallions Maserati (by EH Partout-EH Benz) and Guzzi (by EH Herzzauber-Atlas I) came all the way from Belgium, where they now stand at stud. Maserati, who was one of the clear highlights from this show in 2005, again impressed with the typical lofty, elastic and very active "Partout"-movement and was shown in a very nice freestyle performance. With them was the flashy Polarzauber G (by EH Charly Chaplin-EH Tenor), the most exciting stallion ridden by Nicole Kochskämper who despite his young age has a string of impeccable dressage results to back up his performance-loaded pedigree. Polarzauber G is a crowd favorite, no matter where he appears, and hopefully he will help to bring this excellent performance line back into the breeding world.
The last of the "young bunch" was the highly acclaimed Canzler from Neumünster 2005. The first approved son of Amatcho out of an EH Consul dam is probably one of the most noteworthy, athletic stallions from that crop. Rather plain in his type, he impressed everybody with exceptional gaits, balance, rhythm and very apparent rideability. It will be most interesting to see what his career will turn into.
The final showcase was called "The three emperors", hinting at the German word for emperor, Kaiser. Danish stationed Kaiser Wilhelm (by EH Lehndorffs-Mahagoni), and the full brothers and superstars of the Bundeschampionat, Kaiserdom TSF and Kaiserkult TSF (both by EH Van Deyk-Gajus) entered the ring and were superbly ridden in a freestyle that had everybody on their feet. Three excpetional stallions, three outstanding dressage horses, and yet all three with different features. Kaiser Wilhelm is probably the most classic Trakehner of the three, with modern movement, elasticity and exceptional rideability and mental focus. Kaiserdom, the younger of the two full brothers, is probably the more compact, uphill mover of the two, while Kaiserkult has maximum shoulder freedom in his trot work and already won several S-level classes in Germany as a 7 year old in 2005, which ultimately lead to his approval.
Kaiser Wilhelm |
Kaiserkult TSF |
Kaiserdom TSF |
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We can only conclude that yet again that the Trakehner breed is not only on a highh quality level already, but the recent success stories from Oldenburg and Hanover document that the breed has finally come to the point where the genes of modern stallions and good mare lines are in exceptional demand in other breeds.
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