The 2007 Trakehner stallion show in Münster-Handorf - Part I -

Another year, and another great stallion show have gone by...if we can take all what he heard from Germany for full, then the 2007 Handorf Stallion Show was the best ever. The quality of the riding was exceptional, and in contrast to recent years, more and more good riders apparently make a "show" out of presenting young horses as what they are: young horses. We're thrilled to hear that!

This year's report, again, profits from the stunning photo work that Peter Richterich and Jutta Bauernschmitt so kindly share with us (and you!). What would we do without you guys? Thank you!! As of today (Feb 13th), we're proud to bring you the full photo story. Of some stallions we received so many good photos that we linked individual photoalbums for these horses. Just follow the text and you'll find them!! Please make sure you consider our photographer's hard work when you look for unique pictures of your favorite Trakehner or TB!

The show was opened by Kostolany by Enrico Caruso *Ps*E* - Falke and his breeder and owner Otto Langels. They came into the arena in the traditional East Prussian uniform. 2007 marks the year of Trakehnen's 275 year anniversary. And what better opening can there be than one of the breed's most prolific stallions, sire of exceptional horses, and Otto Langels, who has been a "Trakehner" for over 50 years. His famous stud farm, today run by his daughter Beate at Hämelschenburg in Lower Saxony is a true bastion of Trakehner breeding and success in performance. By the way, Otto langels and Kostolany together stand for 99 years of wisdom and achievements!!

As usual, it is interesting to watch these stallions mature from year to year. Without a doubt, the expectations for the former approval champions are the highest, and this year was no exception. From Kostolany all the way to 2006 and the champion Songline, the parade included some very pleaseant surprises ... for example the excellent performance of K2 (by Stradivari - Inschallah AA). The impressive black, who was champion in NMS in 2001, always had a hard life at the Oldenburg station where he is at home. He did not profit from the "modern ways" of riding young horses in Grand Prix frames. Despite that, he managed to bring the breed several highly inspected mares and the two approved sons Prinz K3 and Dorkas in 2006. In Handorf, he was ridden by his new "captain on board", Falk Rosenbauer, a German professional with a Grand Prix career. Beginning this year, K2 will be stationed at Gestüt Gröhnwohldhof, where the monumentally successful Donnerhall was at home. And the change is a good one, as far as we can tell. K2 had never been seen better under saddle than in Handorf this year, and since he already has M-level success, we are pretty sure he'll debut at S this season. But see for yourself:

Another former champion stallion is the chestnut In Flagranti (by Buddenbrock - Kennedy), who was champion in 2003. The impressive stallion is owned by the Bavarian State Stud in Schwaiganger together with Günther Bertelmann, and has a most successful dressage career so far. He was a finalist and much admired competitor at the 2006 Bundeschampionat of the 5 year old dressage horse and is superbly ridden by Fredericke Schulz-Wallner, a rider that always has a smile in her face. In Flagranti Photo Gallery

Of course, the two most recent champions were presented as well: Herzensdieb (by Tambour - EH Tivano), the champion in 2005 who was bred by Gestüt Panker and is owned by Louise and Douglas Leatherdale, and Songline (by Summertime - Exclusiv), the champion in 2006, who was bred by Gestüt Hämeschenburg and is owned by Canadian Gustav Schickedanz. Both stallion also have in common that they were sold at auction for the top knock down prices of their years (and the breed's history at that!). Obviously, the pressure couldn't be much bigger, but both were presented very well. Herzensdieb already passed an outstanding 70 day test and is waiting for his first foals to hit the ground. He is also progressing nicely in his dressage training. Songline impressed once more with his cool temper and great balance in his movement. Herzensdieb Photo Gallery

Only oone year older than Herzensdieb is the 2004 champion Le Rouge (by Pret a Porter - Tycoon), a stallion who stands out with a more "unusual" pedigree and his stunning deep chestnut color. Le Rouge qualified for the Bundeschampionat twice, by winning the National Trakehner Riding Horse Championships as a 3 and 4 year old. This year, he was ridden by his owner and the head of Klosterhof Medingen, Burkhard Wahler. The rider here clearly asked too much of the young stallion, but nevertheless, he is a horse for the top of the sport and has been able to impress deeply with his first foal crop. Le Rouge Photo Gallery

Of course, there is also the 2000 champion stallion, King Arthur TSF (by Buddenbrock - EH Consul). He truely has little left to prove. The stallion was ridden by his owner, Petra Wilm, who is also the president of the German Trakehner Verband. We think it is a sign for the future that our president is not only the only woman in that kind of job in Germany, but also by far the only one who looks excellent riding a Grand Prix freestyle....way to go! King Arthur TSF had a most exceptional 2006 show season, with high placings and wins at FEI shows all the way to Inter I. Bear in mind, he is only 9 years old! And another praise to the farm and owner, since he was never extensively shown all over the place, but only hand-picked competition was actually pursued. Despite the fact that King Arthur TSF is very far along in his training, he never left the impression of being tired or not enjoying his job.

And what is a stallion show without the two Wiesenhof stars EH Monteverdi TSF (by EH Partout - Matador) and EH Münchhausen TSF (by EH Hohenstein - Königsstein)? Since Fie Skarsoe left Gestüt Wiesenhof in Krefeld in late 2006, a new rider took over and presented Münchhausen this time. Andrea Landy-Sillig did a great job and many voiced that finally Münchhausen had a noteworthy active hind end again and showed more impulsion. Hopefully, this will propel his Grand Prix career, it has become rather quite around him. Monteverdi was ridden by Valerie Hüttner, the manager of the farm and daughter of the owner. And with these two, we end our story of former champions ...

EH Monteverdi TSF	EH Münchhausen TSF

... only to continue with the reserve champions. And again, there were interesting developments to observe. There was Hofrat (by EH Gribalidi - Guter Planet), who was second behind King Arthur TSF in 2000. The stallion has matured into a most impressive, yet still very elegant dressage horse with FEI successes in his book and still this most amazing front arm and movement over his back he already showed as a green youngster in Neumünster. He is one of the few horses that we have oberserved that had a really tough start under saddle with a lot of pushing and force, and finally, as a mature horse, found its natural suppleness again. No wonder he became popular in Hanover as well. The story is old but we tell it nevertheless: Hofrat is the sire of Hanover's 2005 champion stallion Hotline, who sold for a recod 800,000 Euros to Blue Hors stud and Paul Schockemöhle. Hofrat Photo Gallery

Another "second" placed stallion is Donaugold (by Distelzar - EH Sokrates), who won many fans at the 2006 approval and who could just as easily have been the champion with his obvious dual talent and great attittide. Donaugold was bred by Mrs. Wahler at Klosterhof Medingen and sold at auction to Great Britain and the Pigdley famiy, only to remain in Germany with one of the country's very few "Reitmeister" (grand riding master), Johann Hinnemann. He is now approved in various warmblood books and will thankfully receive training with a long term goal: to turn him into an international competitor.

Also a reserve, and in many books a true champion, is Imperio (by Connery - Balfour xx), a modern Trakehner with elegance, nobility, exceptional movement and the kind of pedigree that the breed really needs these days. the bay was ridden by Frederike Schultze-Wallner and like In Flagranti, obviously enjoyed hos rounds with this excellent rider. He impressed with his exceptional canter mechanics and the balance and rhythm in his movement. Imperio won several riding horse classes in competition in 2006 and also passed an outstanding 30 day test. He is owned in partnership by the Bavarian State Stud and Hubertus Poll of Gestüt Hörem. Imperio was bred by the Keunicke family.

And then of course, there are those that never receive a premium, or are not even approved at all as 2 year olds. Years later, and with careful training and showing, it seems a diamond in the rough was passed by. And then we can celebrate horses like the full brothers Kaiserdom TSF and Kaiserkult TSF (both by EH Van Deyk - Gajus), who just plain amaze everybody who loves to see a good horse move. Congratulations to all involved for a couple of brothers that have helped very much to spread the word of good Trakehner dressage horses! Kaiserdom & Kaiserkult Photo Gallery

Insterburg TSF (by EH Hohenstein-Giorgio Armani) was another real highlight with his excellent rider Carola Koppelmann. the stallion has grown into a serious FEI competitor and will most likely debut at Inter I this year. Carola Koppelmann has truly come a long way with this black beauty and impressed time and again with her very sensitive way of training young horses to the top. Insterburg Photo Gallery

As far as jumpers were concerned, there were two that left quite a big impression. The Polish guest Czar (by Lwow - Aragonit) and David Beattie's young premium Hirtentanz (by Axis - Kostolany), who had everybody dreaming when he was proclaimed as the best jumper in 2005 (many think, the best ever seen in NMS, but that is open for debate!). Naturally, one wonders what this looks like under saddle...and here he was, barely 4 years old, and doing a superb job under saddle! Czar on the other hand is a proven performer in Poland, has seen championships as a jumper and not only jumped like a dream, but reportedly also moved with exceptional impulsion, suspension and elasticity. Hopefully he will be made available at stud in Germany.

Hirtentanz	Czar

From scanning reports on German web sites and in discussion forums, and from what we have been told by our connections so far, there was clearly one big highlight of this show: Ballzauber (by Axis - EH Itaxerxes). A barely 3yr old who was approved in NMS in 2006, and happened to be sold to Darren Chiacchia, who was not able to attend the show, but whose mailbox was flooded today with questions and request to please keep the horse in Germany...apparently, Ballzauber did what only very few saw in him in NMS, he impressed with exceptional willingness and didn't take one wrong step. Wonderfully prepared by the Gorlo Stud, who also stand him for Darren in Germany, his trot and canter reportedly mark him at the level of a true Bundeschampionat competitor. Naturally, we were thrilled to hear that. And obviously this is great news for ATA mare owners as well, since both Ballzauber and Hirtentanz will make an appearance in the US in 2008. Ballzauber Photo Gallery

Obviously, the sire of the two highlights wasn't far away. Axis (by EH Sixtus - EH Angard), who is owned by British Bluewood Stud and stationed at Gestüt Hohenschmarck is usually ridden by the Finish Grand Prix rider Terhi Stegars. Sadly, Terhi was ill and very spontaniously replaced by Eva Zieglwalner, usually the head rider of Kapriolan and Patmos. She only had a few minuates to get used to the new stallion, and did a wonderful job with him, showing him in an advanced freestyle.