The Trakehner in Driving
The history of the Trakehner as a driving horse is long and spans centuries. There is actually the myth - or should we say legend - that King Friedrich was so impressed by the speed of Trakehner carriage horses back in the 18th century, cutting his travel time considerably, that led to his support for the main stud in Trakehnen. If that is true is hard to say, but it is a fact that Trakehners have always made for very elegant, enduring, and strong driving horses. The German Bundeschampionat for the Driving Horse usually has a few Trakehners competing and names like Henrietta, Kolumbia, Hallodri, Emma Peel, Jongleur K or Graziela TSF stand for usually higher "blood" horses with outstanding results in fron of the wagon. And since a few years, it is British Karen Bassett that actually equips her four in hand team only with Trakehner horses. On the next page of this feature, you can find a more detailed description of Karren Bassett, her history, and her horses.
Trakehners International will honor the success of driving horses, even though they usually don't stand in the spotlight. We are working hard to get a picture gallery together, and we will be proud to say that this is the only place on the web that sheds some light of the Trakehner horses that perform in a sport that asks tremendously much from its competitors. We would also like to thank Dr. Axel Zogbaum of Melle in Germany for his support and photography, and as always, owe to Mrs. Frese and the Trakehner Verband Archives!
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Graziela TSF by Seclusive xx out of Gassandra by EH Tenor. Her career began at the Bundeschampionat and the eager and strong mare is currently the breed's most successful driving horse. Bred by the Heinen family, owned and sponsored by the Ruprecht family and driven by Ulla Günther, this bay mare has wowed the crowds all over Europe and not only made the Team for the World Championships in 2004, but also won respectable placings at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in England and showed off her talent at the Gala Nights in Neumünster.
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Emma Peel by EH Consul out of Etüde by Mahagoni. This full sister to the FEI dressage stallion Enchantee had her debut at the Bundeschampionat and prior to that, was an auction hightlight as a 2 year old in Neumünster. Today, this premium mare is a brood mare at Gestüt Volkmarst, where driving has always had a lot of support and fans. From a breeding perspective, it is interesting to note that a full sister to Emma Peel, Ekaterina, produced the approved FEI dressage stallion Epernay. Athleticism seems to run in the family.
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ES Arabica by EH Marduc out of Arlette III by Etong. Arabica is a Verband elite mare, due to several reasons. She was a very successful S-level driving horse in Germany, as was her dam Arlette III before her and her son Arc de Triomphe was approved and sired advanced level show jumpers. Arabica moved the North America as part of her retirement plan, and lived at Jean Brinkmann's Valhalla Farm in Florida for many years. She produced more foals for Valhalla Farm, and at least one daughter remains active in the breed. |
Other Trakehners that have won at S-level in Germany over the past years include: Estephan by EH Michelangelo x SPS Elbe IV by EH Anduc, Henrietta EH Bartholdy x Herzige II by Windesi xx, Kolumbia by EH Bartholdy x Korvara by Flaneur, Helena EH Anduc x Heraklia by Thor (Helena is a full sister to the ATA approved Grand Prix stallion Hailo *Pg*E*), Helia by EH Anduc x My Fanny Girl by Condus, Hollodri by EH Caprimond x Hortensie II by Hemmingway, Jongleur K by EH Bartholdy x ES Jenny III by Gunnar, and Ludwig by EH Marduc x Lissa by Maharadscha.
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