12.15. Nürnberg Burgpokal, Germany
The highlight of the year for all 7-9 year old pre-Grand Prix horses is clearly the Nürnberg Burgpokal, which is a special test for this age group and was designed by the late Dr. Reiner Klimke himself. The show starts out by a series of tough qualifications, and only individual winners can make the finals. Obviously, for a breed as small as the Trakehner, it is always a highlight to have a horse win a qualification. This year's top contestant, the bay approved Kaiserkult TSF by EH Van Deyk-Gajus, won TWO qualifications and ended up as the reserve champion in Frankfurt, with a score of 73.350% under his constant trainer and rider, Dorothee Schneider. He was only beaten by the grey Hanoverian Comic Hilltop and his charming rider Carola Koppelmann ..... yes, you know the name of course. Carola is also the rider of the Trakehner Insterburg TSF, who barely missed the finals placing second in his qualification. And also, King Arthur TSF, the 2000 champion stallion from Neumünster, showed and placed (but never won) in the qualification rounds this summer. The fact that three Trakehners were able to end up that high in a field of the best young dressage horses in the country is a fact to celebrate .... the breed is clearly on the right way in that sport!
Kaiserkult TSF and Dorothee Schneider then went on to win the so-called "Siegerpreis", the last round of the top three riders. And not only was this a huge success for our small breed, but also a success for classical training and riding. The three top horses were ridden by younger German professionals, all female, who set examples with their elegant style, non-pushy attitude and relaxation in their work. Third placed Helen Langehanenberg and her black mare Responsible were no exception to this!
12.14. Spotlight on Schiffon
After several requests, Trakehners International has put the story of Schiffon's recent sale back on the site. Please refer to the link below!
12.11. In Memoriam: Le Duc
We are saddened to report another major loss for the Trakehner breed in 2006. The FEI dressage stallion Le Duc by EH Anduc out of Marbach's exceptional Liga by Pregel died suddenly after a colic attack due to a twisted intestine after rolling in his stall in Hampton, Great Britain. Le Duc, who was originally stationed at Gestüt Webelsgrund, had been sold to Margaret Allen and Jules Cranfield of Exton Stud in 2005 and even after a break from his competition career in Germany, returned to the top of the game in Great Britain and Prix St Georg and other FEI shows in 2006. In fact, he ended up in the top of the National Rankings in Great Britain.
Le Duc was one of EH Anduc's last sons in the breed and impressed especially with his exceptional daughters, which often inherited his extravagant movement, lightness, sensitivity and great jump. Le Duc's only approved son so far is the accompished CCI eventer Camaro, who stands at stud in Germany. His daughters, many of them with premium titles and under saddle performance records, call many European countries and the United States their home. Le Duc's loss is tragic, and so sudden and unexpected that it hits his owners and rider especially hard. We send our condolences to England, and we hope that among the 16 foals that are expected to hit the ground next spring, many are of the quality of their famous sire!
12.1. Special Memories *Pg* now Verband approved!
We are thrilled to report that the ATA's top show jumper Special Memories *Pg* by Abdullah *Pg*E* out of Kluwall xx by Cornwell xx has most recently been fully approved by the German Trakehner Verband.
Special Memories is the son of two famous parents. Abdullah was a member of the Gold Tram at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and was only beaten for the individual Gold medal by the TB mare Touch of Class xx. The dam of Touch of Class xx, Kluwall xx, was later bred to Abdullah and the resulting foal was fittingly named Special Memories.
This grey stallion has one of the most outstanding performance records within the ATA. He was the winner of numerous awards, among them the prestigious Palmenblüte Award. He won and placed at international Grand Prixs in show jumping, in one of only two active ATA stallions with a 100 day test, and has already produced offspring competing at Grand Prix level in show jumping. Special Memories also had a brief eventing career with the top rider Phillip Dutton, winning open preliminary. Special Memories is the only Trakehner stallion worldwide who is approved with the Selle Francais Studbook, one of the world's leading jumper breeds.
Credit for this "approval" success goes to owner and breeder, Dorothy Rowland and her daughter Jackie Vaughn, as well as our partner organization Trakehner Sires International, who will sell semen all over Europe. After only a brief promotion campaign, requests already came in from France, Holland, Germany and Ireland, so this is hopefully good news for all ATA breeders and horse owners in what good performance blood can accomplish overseas!
11.22. Rubinesque sold
The ATA and ISR/Oldenburg approved, 100 day tested Trakehner stallion Rubinesque by Rubin out of Viv's Exclusive xx by Grey's Exclusive xx was recently sold to Peggy Judy of Caduceus Farms in Colorado, and semen will be available again. Rubinesque is one of the ATA's most versatile stallions with performance success at Level 5 show jumpers and Prix St. Georg dressage, which earned him the ATA's *Pb* designation. He only needs to more scores at PSG for the *Ps* title. Immediate plans for Rubinesque include shows in Florida during the winter and a first try at Grand Prix next season.
We hope that ATA breeders will take note of this excellent stallion, who also offers a good dose of TB infusion and has a few foal crops on the ground that already produced in hand champions.
11.20. 70 day test results from Germany
Another 70 day test has finished, this time at the only private testing station in the country, at the Bescht Stables in Schlickau. The list of stallions here was the most exquisite in the country this year, with the "battle of the champions" between the 2005 Hanoverian champion Hotline (by Hofrat/Trak) and the 2005 Trakehner champion Herzensdieb (by Tambour) facing each other for the first time. The list also included the reserve champion Fürst Grandios and many other "names". A total of 33 stallions participated. Here are all "Trakehner" results:
Herzensdieb finished 2nd overall, which is a super achievement. Hotline won the test. Herzensdieb scored very well and high in both dressage and show jumping (dressage index: 133.56; jumping index: 111.90; overall: 127.78). He placed 2nd in dressage and a super 11th in jumping, quite an achievement considering the armada of Holsteiner jumpers he was up against!
Second best Trakehner was the approved Lossow by Suchard, a full brother to the premium stallion Lesson, who is an accomplished show jumper in Great Britain. Lossow scored 105.81 in dressage, 100.14 in jumping and 103.97 overall.
Then the premium stallion Shavalou (by Freudenfest) came in 3rd (Trakehner group) with 105.89 in dressage, 85.00 in jumping and 95.37 overall. Shavalou is the maternal half brother to the 2006 champion stallion Songline.
The last Trakehner to stay above the official approval score of 90 points minimum was premium Blitz & Donner by EH Lehndorffs, who scored 97.86 in dressage, 91.85 in jumping and 94.45 overall. Blitz & Donner is owned by ATA member David Beattie of Watertown, WI, and is scheduled to arrive in the US later this year for the 2007 breeding season.
Hotline's scores: dressage 149.28; jumping 110.43 and 137.34 overall.
When comparing test scores, please keep in mind that scores between stations and especially from year to year cannot be compared. They are individually calucalted based on the group of stallions in each single test station.
11.22. Our final NMS report is online!
Finally, we're proud to present the web's most detailed photo report of the approvals, auctions and Gala in Neumünster 2006. This also includes exceptional video clips of the premium stallions and riding horses! Please go to the TI index and chose the Neumünster section for this report and others.
11.15. The ATA Convention in Ohio
Our ATA meeting report with all results from the mare show and stallion inspections, along with great photos of the stallion candidates (thanks to Heather Buttrum!) is now online. Please go to the TI index and chose the Breeding News section for this report and others.
11.8. Fie Skarsoe leaves Gestüt Wiesenhof
Eurodressage.com reports that Fie Skarsoe, Gestüt Wiesenhof's head trainer and rider for the past years, is leaving the stud farm and begins a new job at Paul Kaiser's private stable in Luxembourg. Fie was the rider that established the two Wiesenhof star sires EH Monteverdi TSF and EH Münchhausen TSF in the international Grand Prix dressage circuits and was a Danish Team member with Münchhausen at the 2005 European Dressage Championships in Hagen, as well as the CHIO in Aachen. Fie quit her job November 1st, but left Wiesenhof in good tersm with the owner and manager, Valeri Hüttner. German Grand Prix rider Andrea Landy replaces Fie Skarsoe at the farm in Krefeld, so that the careers of the two stallions will hopefully continue.
11.8. Tracy Winter and Martailo
Tracey Winter and her 13-year old Trakehner gelding, Martailo (by Hailo *Pg*E* - Martini *Pg*E*), won top honors at the recent GAIG/USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships when they were awarded the tri-colored neck ribbon for the Grand Prix Championship. This coveted win would be an exceptional victory for any dressage competitor, but for this pair the victory was the culmination of a dream that spanned more than a decade.
Winter acquired Martailo as a weanling and has trained the gelding herself over the past 13 years. Before she was even able to ride him, he succumbed to founder and was almost lost as a riding horse. With perseverance, Winter nursed the gelding to health and began training him to ride. In 2000, the pair secured their first USDF Region 3 victory, taking the Res. Championship in First Level. That began their exciting trek through the levels, using the annual GAIG/USDF Region 3 Championships as a mirror of their climb up the training scale. In 2001, Winter and Martailo won the USDF Region 3 Championship at Second Level. In 2002, the pair won the USDF Region 3 Championship at Third Level, That same year they finished Res. Grand Champion to Carol Lavell at Fourth Level. Their climb continued and in 2003, they won the USDF Region 3 Championship at Intermediaire-I and the Res. Championship in the Prix St. Georges. In 2005, they won the USDF Region 3 Championship at Intermediaire-II. And then this past October, Winter and Martailo topped their best and won the USDF Region 3 Championship at Grand Prix.
Their ride through the levels is a rare journey and Winter’s story is not only one of victory, but of hard work and dedication. Martailo had another bout of founder just as the pair began Second level work, but Winter never gave up and again beat the odds to bring back Martailo as a champion.
Winter, who trains at her Tranquillity Dressage in South Florida, said, “The Grand Prix win was so exciting. We would have been happy just to be in top half of the pack considering the competition.” But the pair was destined to be on the top that day and sporting the GAIG/USDF Grand Prix Championship Cooler and Jacket they strode back to the barn and left a wake of inspiration in their trail.
10.30. 320,000 Euro for Songline!
A day after the auction, we finally find the time to let you know that is was quite the amazing event. The record price of 320.000 Euro was paid for Songline, the new Trakehner champion stallion by Summertime - Exclusiv, who was bred by Gestüt Hämeleschenburg and sold to Gustav Schickedanz, Canada. Songline will be stationede at stud at Gestüt Hörem in Germany.
The reserve champion, the athletic chestnut Donaugold by Distelzar - EH Sokrates, sold for 100.000 Euro to the Pigdley family of Great Britain, and will remain in Germany for training with Johann Hinnemann, one of the country's top dressage riders.
Our full NMS story will be online shortly, travel plans pending.
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The approvals are over and here are the results after saturday (champion and reserve champion still pending):
1 - Krokant by Lauries Crusador xx - EH Hohenstein (premium)
3 - Chardonne by Stravinsky xx - Tolstoi
4 - Iacocca by Pret a Porter - Local Suitor xx
6 - Ballzauber by Axis - EH Itaxerxes
17 - Hulian by Connery - EH Ravel
19 - Donaugold by Distelzar - EH Sokrates (premium)
29 - Lugani by Guzzi - EH Napoleon Quatre
32 - Stresemann by Hibiskus - EH Charly Chaplin
34 - Okavango by Hibiskus - EH Sixtus (premium)
37 - Elfenstein by EH Hohnstein - Waldvogt (premium)
40 - Contis by Interconti - EH Michelangelo
41 - Zauberfürst by Interconti - EH Caprimond (premium)
45 - Elfado by Kostolany - Roncalli xx
46 - Prinz K3 by K2 - EH Hohenstein
48 - Dorkas by K2 - EH Partout
52 - Herzglanz by Schiffon - EH Tivano
55 - Maxwell by Solero - EH Caprimond
59 - Songline by Summertime - Exclusiv (premium)
The overall quality of the crop was outstanding, especially the free jumping was of exceptional quality ion several colts. Our highlights in that respect were clearly Döblin by Bardonlino - Altan II (a 3/4 brother to Darren Chiacchia's Dynamikk II), who was preliminarily not approved and invited back; Lowlander by Enim Pascha - Sir Chamberlain and Maxwell (see above). However, it is hard to say who will be champion this morning. The one big superstar is missing from this crop.
We are very pleased that of the 5 Anglo colts, three are approved, and would not be surprised at all if the Lauries Crusador xx son stood high in the top today. In fact, we hope so. The stallion is brilliant.
The selection of the National Champion mare was a bit of a disappointment. Clearly, type and beauty won over movement and athleticism this year. The new champion mare is Zaubermelodie III by Tambour - EH Caprimond, who was a beautiful dark bay mare, but not a very supple mover. Second place and reserve champion is the Anglo Trakehner mare Incar's Tochter by King Arthur TSF - Frontal xx. Third place was won by Kreta II by Ivernel - EH Charly Chaplin. The 4th spot was held by the outstanding black In Vita by Buddenbrock - Kennedy, a full sister to In Petto and In Flagranti, who didn't have the greatest type, but whose movement, impulsion and suppleness was unsurpassed in this field.
The mare auction saturday afternoon was a huge success for the Verband. The average price set in at 19.200 Euro. Top mare was the 2 year old Gute Nacht by Buddenbrock - EH Ravel, who was sold for 65.000 Euro to Gestüt Wiesenhof in Krefeld. The second most expensive mare was Corne by Buddenbrock out of the Grand Prix dressage mare Corna, who was sold for 55.000 Euro. The foal auction, too, was a huge success. The average price was 8.428 Euro, mostly due to two exceptional stallion candidates, but also because the averge foal was sold for decent money. Top seller was the dark bay colt Iskander by Le Rouge, who was sold for 25.000 Euro to the Hamburg-based Fontana Syndikat. The second most expensive foals was Immens by Lauries Crusador xx, who was sold for 20.000 Euro to Denmark.
We will report later on champion stallion, and the stallion and riding horse auctions!!
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NMS started yesterday! We're excited to report from here, the weather was actually a real treat with indian summer feeling. The hard surface performance, as usual, showed correctness (or the lack of such) and some interesting horses. We can conclude so far that the lot of full brothers, maybe with the exception of Münchhausen II, are the better movers than the full brothers, especially with respect to hind end movement. On the other hand, they definitely lack the presence and stallion type the other brothers have. A rather interesting development. The Anglo colts are of very high quality, and outcross stallions like Lowlander or Augosto and the crop of K2 sons really impressed us so far.
The quality of the riding horses is exceptional and the best we have seen here, ever. Top horses include Harley, Eichenblüte, Symphonie, Haribo and the young and green Radetzky, who promises to be a top dressage horse for the future.
And again, in the mare collection.....who to pick? The outstanding Corne? Or maybe the lovely, refined Lilly Marleen?? Or, from the 2 year olds, Elektra or Gute Nacht? the quality is again, mind boggling, and the auction promises to be a highlight tomorrow.
We'll be back later tonight with more news of the day, and some videos to share!!!
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Your TI reporter leaves for Germany this coming weekend, and we wanted to announce a few things you can expect from your Trakehner news source over the days in Neumünster.
First of all, we are thrilled to tell you that 2006 marks the year of the first LIVE STREAM available on the net, straight from the Holstenhallen! Thanks to our new partnership with the Trakehner Verband, we will bring you the action right into your living room (time difference pending!). The auctions on saturday and sunday will be available via the stream, so watch out later this week for updates and directions on how to use it.
Then, now fully equipped with digital camera and video, we plan to utilize the press center better and will hopefully have a good stable internet connection for some very fresh news. And on monday, Oct 30th, you will be able to see the videos of the approved stallions, the new champion, and some other highlights thanks to Thorsten Kunst of trakehneronline.de right here on Trakehners International. Announcements will be posted in the news section.
Come join us for some of the fun, even if you can't be there. And be sure to follow our reporting marathon that continues straight with the ATA meeting in Ohio!
10.7. Young Event Horse Championships
These days, the Young Event Horse Championships, the final of a series of competitions this year, take place at Morven Park in Virginia. And we are thrilled to report that the 4 year old division was a major sweep for Trakehners!
Champion in this class is Hanno, bay gelding by Windfall *Pg* x EH Caprimond, bred by Newspring Farm, Timothy & Cheryl Holekamp, Columbia, MO and ridden by Darren Chiacchia. Hanno, who results from a test breeding of Windfall during his quarantine shortly after his arrival to the US, won with a total score of 88.35 points. And before you begin to wonder .... as opposed to eventing, here it is the high score in points that leads to a win. The young event horses are judged on dressage, conformation, gallop and jumping under USEA guidelines. Second place in this same division was won by the chestnut gelding Fantastik by Connery x Elan xx, who was bred by Dagmar Pötters of Germany and bought by Darren at the Neumünster stallion auction in 2004. Fantastik finished on a score of 83.56 points, also ridden by Darren Chiacchia.
In the 5 year old division, Darren showed his newest addition, Dynamik II. The bay stallion by Bardolino x Atlan II was bred by Gestüt Ganschow in Germany and is the leading 5 year old eventer in the US right now. Here at the finals, he finished 5th with 80.26 points.
Stay tuned to more Morven Park news after the weekend. Windfall *Pg* is competing after his outstanding 5th place at the World Cup in Sweden two weeks ago and word is out that "he is playing the proud papa, handing out equine cigars and talking about a "Chip off the old Block", according to Timothy Holekamp, who interviewed the Habicht son exclusively for Trakehners International!
10.3. In Memoriam: Diane Rushing
It is with great sadness and shock that we learned of the death of Diane Rushing today. Diane and her husband Jim are the owners of the ATA approved international Grand Prix show jumper Horalas *Pg*, the best Trakehner show jumper in North America. Diane, who had been battling a tough disease for some time, passed away quietly in her Northern Californian home yesterday, October 2nd, and leaves behind her husband and her young son.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Diane a few years ago, when she, her son and Jim were so nice to invite me to dinner in San Franscico. We had been in touch via the internet for some time, but it was meeting them that made them truly special to me. Both enthusiastic horse people, it was Diane who really captured my attention with her great sense of humor, her obvious love for her home country, Lithuania, and her admiration and detailed knowledge about the world of riding and promoting show jumpers at the top levels. It is hard to accept that this enthusiastic, kind person is no more. I am glad I had the chance to get to know her a little bit, and our thoughts are with Jim and his young son in this hard time now.
Both Kim and I have made great friends, and will continue to support Jim and Horalas on their way to the top. Please keep the Rushings in your thoughts and prayers. Without knowing it, the ATA community has lost a truly great person, one of the quieter nature, but with a deep love and respect for horses.
10.1. Dressage at Devon
The biggest dressage and breed show in the United States is under way in Devon, PA, and a Trakehner stallion left a big impression not in a Trakehner breed class, but the open, all breed classes. Baron Verdi, ATA approved by EH Monteverdi TSF out of Pr+StPrSt Baroness by EH Anduc-Etong won both his in hand class as well as his under saddle presentation for the "Mature Stallion Championships Breed Show" in Devon (72.9%). Owned by Timothy and Cheryl Holekamp of Newspring Farm in Columbia, MO, the stallion was presented by rider James Koford, and swept away competition like the Diamont Hit son Donatus, or the famous 10 year old Hanoverian and Oldenburg approved EH Hohenstein son Harvard, leaving him at the top of a 15 stallion strong field.
He finished as the Reserve Grand Champion of all stallions shown, beaten by the Oldenburg Dream of Love son Dream Along. The irony is that Dream of Love won with his higher scores from his in hand presentations and was NOT presented under saddle at all! Baron Verdi will later show in the 5 year old FEI classes at Devon.
Devon was a good turf for Young Rider Laura Noyes and her bay gelding Syncro (by Enrico Caruso *Pg*E* out of Sonset *E* by Habicht), who has been Laura's mount since first level. The tow placed 2nd in the FEI Young Rider Individual Test (65%) and won the Freestyle (70.3%) at Prix St Georg levels. Congratulations to this outstanding achievement!!
Another young Trakehner dressage rider was thrown into the big classes. Lauren Sprieser and her 15 year old bay gelding Bellinger (by EH Maizauber x Habicht) showed at the CDI qualifier for the Grand Prix Special.
And more Trakehner blood appared in form of the Danish gelding Succes with rider Melissa Taylor. The pair won the CDI Grand Prix qualifier as well as the CDI Grand Prix Special. Succes is another son of the grey Trakehner Silvermoon (by Kostolany x Mahagoni), who sent his stunning daughter Matine to the WEG in Aachen this summer to win two individual medals and the heart of the crowd.
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In the 5 year old FEI division, ATA approved Baron Verdi placed second in a class of 13 with a final score of 79.6% !!! Congratulations to breeder Werner Kindt in Mettlach, Germany, rider James Koford, and the owners Timothy and Cheryl Holekamp of Newspring Farm in Columbia, MO.
In the same division, Kosmisch by Happy Hour - Memelruf, who was bred and is owned by Cassel Rock Trakehners in Arkansas, and is ridden by Kendra Menzies, finished 11th (59.4%). Later today (Friday), Kosmisch showed again and did very well, earning a 2nd place in his class with a score of 73.8. Congratulations to all owners, riders and breeders!
9.25. ATA Mare Inspection in Pauma Valley, CA
The ATA Mare Inspection in Pauma Valley was a big success for breeders and owners. The ATA has two new Model Mares and a group of outstanding Arabian and part bred TB mares were inspected and entered into the PSB. Trakehners International would like to thank Gretchen Lasater for her hard work to make this a great event, and we were thrilled to see overall great improvement in the presented mare base. Please go to the TI index and chose the Breeding News section for this report and others.
9.25. Windfall 5th at the World Cup
At the FEI Eventing World Cup held in Malmö, Sweden, this weekend, the Habicht-son Windfall *Pg* finished with a good 5th place under rider Darren Chiacchia. Windfall started on a 44.1 point dressage and mastered the course, which owner Timothy Holekamp described as the "toughest three star course" he ever saw, beautifully. Indeed, only 24 out of 38 pairs finished this course! Windfall moved up to 3rd place after he came in with the 6th best time of the day, but had two rails down during stadium. He finished on a total score of 60.1 points. The World Cup was won by Nicolas Touzaint (FRA), who made a spectacular comeback with his amazing Athens mount, grey gelding Galan de Sauvagere. Second place went to France as well. Jean-Lou Bigot (FRA), riding Derby de Longueval, was the only competitor of the field of 38 to achieve the optimum cross-country time of 7min 5sec and the only one to finish on his dressage score (48.5). Third place was won by Germany's Andreas Dibowski on FRH Little Lemon, a Hanoverian gelding by Lemon xx. He also jumped clear to rise a place, finishing on a score of 53.6.
Congratulations to Team Windfall!
9.20. Donovan comes to the US
Good news for Oldenburg breeders in the US: the 2005 Bundeschampion Donovan by Diamond Hit out of the Trakehner mare Boheme by EH Consul x EH Anduc is now coming to the US to be with his rider Dr. Cesar Perra. Donovan, who most recently won the ReserveChampion title at the Bundeschampionat of the 5 year old dressage horse with Carola Koppelmann, is a premium stallion in Oldenburg and will most likely have a noticeable impact both on the breeding world as well as the dressage world in North America.
Donovan was bred by Dr. Ursula Mittermayer, who is a featured breeder at TI right now (check the menu above for "Features" and then "Breeder".
9.20. Two brothers leave a mark
News reached us from Canada and the former NMS auction horses Kaspare (by EH Charly Chaplin x EH Arogno) and Klouseau (sam breeding). Both were sold to Canadians Claudia and Ruth Demand through the NMS auction and after a few years of well-planned training, the work finally pays off. Kaspare, who was trained for some time by Canadian Grand Prix rider Jon Costin, is now under the saddle of Esther Mortimer from Hamilton, Ontario. She rode him to an exciting 78% score at the 6 year old FEI test during the Ontario Dressage Championships at Saddlewood in Bethany. Kaspare appears to follow in the footsteps of his big brother, the stallion Konradi, who is a frequent Inter I winner with Germany's Peter Koch. Their full sister Karissima was the National Champion mare in Neumünster is the dam of the approved premium stallion Kasimir. In the meantime, Klouseau, who was purchased in Neumünster as a non approved stallion, is now owned by Whitney Harris and campaigned as one of the best 5 year old FEI prospects in Canada, with appearances at selected shows (e.g. the CDI Blainville), where judges gave the pair strong 8s across the board for gaits. TI is proud to have been of help during the auctions and sales of these two outstanding horses and we are sure we'll have a lot more news to report in the next months and years.
9.20. Great result at 70 day test
The top three stallions at the 70 day test in Marbach-Gomadingen were Trakehners!! Herzog (by Tambour x Inkognito) won with an overall index of 124.39 (dressage 116.73, jumping 136.57 (champion!)), followed by Kasimir (by Ivernal x EH Charly Chaplin) with overall 120.62 (dressage 129.47 (champion), jumping 94.52). Third in row was Lowelas (by Hockey x Inster Graditz), who had a 5% reduction due to his age, and still managed an overall score of 115.45 (dressage 114.64, jumping 112.63 (res champion)).
Congratulations to all breeders, owners and riders. This is excellent news, especially considering the outstanding results in the jumping division these stallions achieved!
9.18. Weekend competition results from Europe
Here is another one of TI's weekend summaries to wrap up the Trakehner sport successes for a week.
DRESSAGE:
The former NMS stallion candidate Cheops (by Guter Planet x EH Ravel) appeared at the CDNJY/CSNJY/CDISNJY in Babenhausen with his rider Dominique Anthes. In the freestyle at S-level for Juniors and Young Riders, the pair won a great 3rd place in the finals. In the same division and placed 10th were Maximilan Stechele and his Noir du Equogym (by Santiago x Arthus).
Meanwhile, the approved Kaiser Wilhelm (by EH Lehndorffs x Mahagoni) was entered in his first Grand Prix ... and placed 3rd at the CDN Hillerød with his rider Anke ter Beek. He scored 67.2% at his debut, which is quite remarkable. The German bred stallion is owned by Danish York Stutteri, and presents his first son in Neumünster this year.
At the State Championships in Schleswig-Holstein/Hamburg, Sina Christian Joesten and her Dernier Cri (by Königspark xx x Habicht) won the champion title in the Young Rider division! Dernier Cri, who is 17 years old, started his career as an approved stallion in Neumünster, but didn't do too well in his 100 day test, which lead to him being gelded after only one season at stud. Probably a bad decision, as it turned out later. The liver chestnut not only sired several successful sport horses, but was a PSI auction highlight in the 90s and has had a most amazing career as the "schoolmaster" mount for Sina Christian Joesten with multiple wins at PSG and above.
And another State Champion title was won by a "Trakehner" person last weekend: Verband president Petra Wilm and her Polish part-Trakehner Rosenstruass won the State Championships in Holstein. And of course, King Arthur TSF (by Buddenbrock x EH Consul) was shown as well. The former champion stallion won one Prix St Georg and placed second in another, which left him with the Reserve Champion title in the Small Tour division of the show.
SHOW JUMPING:
Altenbach TSF (by Sans Souci x Inster Graditz), who is only 7 years old, once again impressed with his unlimited potential. The chestnut gelding was entered in his first S**-show in Rothenburg after winning several Youngster Cups against the Crème de la Crème of German show jumping names, and finished 8th in the first round (S*) and 4th in the second round (S**). You can see Altenbach TSF pictured on your right.
And another approved stallion is leaving a mark as a top show jumper: Eloquent (by St Cloud x Seeadler) and rider Sebastian Otten won another S-level class at the Speed Derby in Bonn.
EVENTING:
A truly remarkable "family reunion" happened in Bavaria. Four grandkids and four great-grand kids of the exceptional elite mare Wundermädel xx (by Madruzzo xx) met for a weekend of eventing. Talk about a sport that runs in the family...
Würfelzucker by Sir Shostakovich xx is out of the former "Trakehner of the Year" Windspiel (by Hyalit out of Wundermädel xx). Windspiel won a bronze medal at the German Eventing Championships and has multiple placings at CCI*** level. Also present were Wildblüte by EH Benz out of Wildrose VIII by EH Tenor - Wundermädel xx, Wolkenflitzer by Adlerschild xx out of West Virginia by Sascha out of Wundermädel xx, a full sister to the mare Wie Immer, who won a CIC* that same weekend in Hungaria, and Wetterhexe by Intervall xx out of West Virginia.
A Parforce-son of Wetterhexe as well as three Bavarian-branded Wundermädel xx-descendants complemented this amazing string of horses that all originate with the dark bay TB mare Wundermädel xx. To top it all off, her son Windfall *Pg* is on his way to Sweden for the 2006 World Cup in Eventing the following weekend.
And more news from Grafenstolz TSF! And again, about a victory ... the bay Polarion-son won the CIC** in Varsseveld / NL on a final score of 47.5 points.
9.15. Showplace Fall Classic
At this week's Showplace Fall Classic at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL, the ATA approved Trakehner stallion Tzigane (by Graditz *E* out of Tekoa by Condus) once more put in beautiful rounds. In the Modified Jumpers on wednesday, he placed 3rd and 1st, and followed this with a 5th place on thursday. He was named Modified Jumper Champion of the show in these 1.30m circuits, this being his first full division in an A-show. One should keep in mind that this horse is jumping his very first season, since he only started his new career at the beginning of this year. Tzigane, who was bred by Legacy Trakehner Stud in Milton, VT, is owned by Twin Gates Farm in Bartonville, TX, and is ridden by Helmut Schrant.
9.14. Spotlight on Platinum vom Rappenhof *Pb*
The approved black stallion Platinum vom Rappenhof *Pb*, who is one of four full brothers approved by the ATA (by Carino *E* out of Palma Nigra *E* by Habicht), bred and owned by Connie Kempter of Rappenhof Trakehner Stud in QC, Canada, has put in a great season as a hunter.
Platinum, who is ridden by Alain Kieffer, finished the 2006 season on the 'A' circuit with exceptional results. He won the Combined Working Hunter Divison (3'6" - 4') Championships at the Bromont International CSI and at Quebec City. Since he also won the Beaulieu Summer Classic in June of 2006, Platinum is coming closer to earning his Performance Silver designation, which at this time, is only held by five other approved stallions in North America. Congratulations to Connie Kempter and her team at Rappenhof, and Alain Kieffer for this great success and continued top performance in 2006!
9.11. the USDF/Markel Young Horse Championships
The Markel Young Horse Riding Championship Saturday is over, and as with the young horse Bundeschampionat, we have mixed feelings about these results – the competition brought lots of highs and lows for our Trakehners.
The high point was that both 4 yr. old Trakehners who were named as alternates, Fivestar (Justiz – E.H. Caprimond) and Last Call (Martini *Pg*E* - Lolos) were called upon to compete when 2 finalists were excused for lameness during Friday’s optional “warmup” finals. Only Last Call competed Friday, finishing 10th with a 6.93 and a good score of 7.3 for submissiveness. In Saturday’s finals, both horses competed and finished well, Fivestar under Lara Wharton finished 11th with a 7.24 and Last Call finished 14th with a 7.1.
In the 5 yr. old Division, Friday’s first round was a rough start for the two TK qualifiers: Kosmisch (Happy Hour – Memelruf), ridden by Kendra Menzes, and the approved Baron Verdi (E.H. Monteverdi TSF – E.H. Anduc), ridden by Jim Koford. Whether the atmosphere or lack of familiarity with a new rider, the combination proved too much for Baron Verdi, who was eliminated for jumping out of the ring, but did finish his test. Kosmisch and his rider, while well-acquainted with one another, may also have suffered from the atmosphere as he received uncharacteristically low scores for submissiveness, and his overall score of 6.42 left him in 19th place.
While both horses moved on to the ‘consolation finals’ on Saturday where the top 2 finishers could qualify for the big round on Sunday, this was not a realistic opportunity for either horse. As Baron Verdi was allowed to compete, but Hors Concours, it was by definition not an option for him, and with Friday’s test counting 40% towards qualifying scores for Sunday’s finals, for Kosmisch it was almost impossible to do so. Kosmisch did not improve his overall placing on Saturday and though he slightly improved his score from Friday, the 6.432 nevertheless left him in 19th place. The bright spot in Saturday’s consolation round was Baron Verdi. Although he could not receive an official score, he and Jim Kofford performed a spectacular test and received an ‘unofficial’ score from the judges of 8.22 – which would have won the consolation round and earned them berth in Sunday’s final.
9.11. Bundeschampinat 2006
The 2006 Bundeschampionat is over, and while we do have a few more explanations now regarding the missing champion stallion (Herzensdieb is currently stationed in Schlieckau for his 70 day test, which his owners ruled to be more important, and we applaud that decision!), this year's outing was not one of the great ones for the breed. Granted, we were VERY spoiled after 2004 and 2005 ...
Only two Trakehners placed in the finals: In Flagranti in the dressage divisions (81%, for a final 6th place) and Nice Connection in the eventing divisions. A nice ending to a troublesome start also came for the show jumper Maurice TSF, who was placed with a solid 78% in the small finals in his division.
The reserve champion in the 5 year old dressage horse division was the part Trakehner Donovan (Oldenburger by Diamond Hit out of Boheme by EH Consul), and the Hanoverian champion His Highness by EH Hohenstein finished 6th in his finals.
See here as things developed ....
Here is the complete list of Trakehners qualified for the Bundeschampionat, Germany's most prestigious young horse event, to be held in Warendorf in September. The Bundeschampionat is where young talents are spotted and some of them will end up at the very top of their game later in life. It is the biggest talent show in the world, and definitely worth a visit, especially to "extend ones horizon" for other warmblood breeds and their accomplishments. The list below also shows impressively where the Trakehner horse excels most: eventing. No other breed in Germany sends so many horses to this championship, and no other breed has had that kind of success over the years. Former Trakehner Bundeschampions that went on to international careers include Tümmler, Windfall *Pg*, Altefeld's Rob Roy, Kunta Kinte TSF and Birkhof's Grafenstolz TSF. But see for yourself...
3 year old mares and gelding:
Eichenblüte by Ravel-Louidor (this mare will be an auction horse in NMS!)
Oskar by King Arthur-Ivernel (this gelding will also be sold in NMS!)
3 year old stallions:
Herzensdieb by Tambour-Tivano
Higgins by Induc-Arthus
4 year old mares and geldings:
Evviva by Kaiser Wilhelm-Schwadroneur
Zenith by Monteverdi-Saint Cloud
4 year old stallions:
Le Rouge by Pret à Porter-Tycoon (his full brother is a stallion candidate in NMS)
Mayong by Linné-Antares
Birkhof's Meraldik by Münchhausen-Caramel xx (he is branded Baden-Württemberg and will start for that Verband, but is 100% Trakehner)
5 year old dressage horses:
In Flagranti by Buddenbrock-Kennedy
Karolinger I by Latimer-Hohenstein
6 year old dressage horses:
Solisten Traum by Banditentraum-Kostolany
5 year old show jumper:
Der Dürer by Waitaki-Trafaret
6 year old show jumpers:
Maurice by Abisko-Giorgio Armani
5 year old event horses:
Morning Star Go by Friedensfürst-Vivus
Altinus by Waitaki-Nerv
Athos by Mytens xx-Bajar Sh.A.
Brioni by Friedensfürst-Bagdad ox
Dreamer v. d. Heide by Latimer-Partout
Noble Dancer by Nerv-Unoaprille xx
Contrieu by Michelangelo-Memelruf
Fanta by Exclusiv-Falkner
Kaitika M by Waitaki-Machandel
Sunny Girl by Houston-Beneagles xx
Tukan by Maserati-Tycoon
Durin by Benedict N AA-Inster Graditz
Raumalpha by Friedensfürst-Mont du Cantal AA
6 year old event horses:
Banner by Caprimond-Kassius
Hanka by Bulrush xx-Seigneur
Karat B by Sixtus-Anduc
Nice Connection by Preußenprinz-Michelangelo
Santa Lucia by Luigi xx-Kassius
Söderhof’s Lanfranco by Bulrush xx-Karon
Tarim W by Tambour-Caanitz
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Wednesday marked the first day of competition in Warendorf and the show kicked off with the 5 year old dressage horse tests. The Trakehners In Flagranti and Karolinger were qualified, but only In Flagranti was entered. And he did exceptionally well! Now in 4th place, he scored 84% with Friedericke Schulz-Wallner. On third place is the Oldenburg stallion Donovan by Diamont Hit out of the Trakehner mare Boheme by EH Consul-EH Anduc with Carola Koppelmann (86%). Donovan was last year's 4 year old Bundeschampion and was bred by Dr. Ursula Mittermayer, whom TI dedicated a portrait here on our site! Check out "FEATURES" - "BREEDERS" to read her extraordinary story! On the last place in the ribbons was another half-Trakehner, the Oldenburg branded Fritzchen by EH Friedensfürst with Jenny Kitzing (79%).
In the 5 year old show jumper division, the only Trakehner in the field of over 100 jumpers, Der Dürer TSF by Waitaki, finished his first round with 69% and was behind expectations. He has more rounds to go, so we will hope for more news later on.
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After another day of competition is over, more Trakehner results come in. Let's start with the high profile group of the 4 year old stallions, which should have been represented by Le Rouge and Mayong, but both didn't compete. It is rather disappointing that no Trakehner showed up in this class.
Since Solistentraum didn't show up either, the only Trakehner who actually holds up the flag in dressage is former champion In Flagranti, and he did so well that he qualified right for the finals. We will keep you posted!
The eventing section was kicked off today, and here are the first results for Trakehner participants in the 5 year old division:
Raumalpha (Friedensfürst x Mont du Chatal AA) placed 3rd with 87% and qualified right for the finals. All other listed Trakehners here have to run the "small finals" to qualify for the big round on the weekend (the top 5 places from the small finals move on to the finals):
Sunny Girl (Houston/Beneagles xx) 80%
Dreamer v.d.Heide (Latimer/Partout) 78%
Kaitika M (Waitaki/Machandel) 77%
Morning Star Go (Friedensfürst/Vivus) 71%
Altinus (Waitaki/Nerv) 70%
Tukan (Maserati/Tycoon) 69%
Athos (Mytens xx/Bajar) 67%
Fanta (Exklusiv/Falkner) 47%
In the 6 year old divisions, the following horses appeared:
Nice Connection (Preußenprinz-Michelangelo) had 86%, which is 6th place right now. 9th place was won by Hanka (Bulrush xx-Seigneur) (83%).
Söderhof's Lanfranco (Bulrush xx-Karon) 78%
Karat B (Karat B by Sixtus-Anduc) 72%
Banner (Caprimond-Kassius) 68%
Tarim W (Tambour-Caanitz) 67%
Santinus (a Hessia branded gelding) by Star Regent xx-Marduc (Trak.) placed 3rd with 88%.
Most of the eventers will run a second qualification round, so everything is open for the weekend!
In the 6 year old dressage horse division, the former Hanoverian champion His Highness by Hohenstein placed 3rd with 88%.
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The Bundeschampionat Friday is over, and as more results come in, we can't help it but just feel very disappointed in the young horses classes. Despite that fact that your two TI hosts don't really believe in pushing 3 and 4 year old horses over the top, the complete lack of the Trakehner stars in these classes - notably the non-appearance of champion Herzensdieb - is a big blow.
In the dressage horse classes, it was once again the brilliant In Flagranti by Buddenbrock who not only held up Trakehner colors, but again, placed high and ahead of a top notch field of horses. In the second qualifier round, the big chestnut stallion scored an impressive 86% and finished 6th. Big hopes for the finals!
A nice group of 3+4 year old riding horses, in the mares & geldings division, showed lovely Trakehners, and according to our "ears on the scene", it is virtually impossible for no-name breeders and owners to get a fair foot on the ground. That didn't change the fact that Evviva (by Schwadroneur), Eichenblüte (by EH Ravel) and Zenith (by EH Monteverdi TSF) did very well and left a strong impression with places 9 (76%), 7 (82%) and 15 (73%), respectively.
And one last word on our behalf. We might sound a bit disappointed. However, we should keep in mind that the Trakehner breed had two exceptional years in a row. In 2004, three Trakehners were Bundeschampions, which made the Verband the most successful of them all! And in 2005, another champion was accounted for. Things can't always be the same...
9.5. 70 day test results from Germany
The following stallions have passed the 70 day test at Schlieckau in Germany last weekend:
- - Impetus by Vivus - Feingeist
- - Sachsenwald by Handryk - Inkognito
- - Rheinklang by EH Gribaldi - EH Partout
- - Ippon by Buddenbrock - Siegbert
- - Sambatänzer by EH Münchhausen - Zinaad xx
Impetus, who was approved in Neumünster in 2004, was the overall champion and the winner of the dressage index, while he was also 2nd in the jumping index.
9.1. In Memoriam: Kitfox
It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of ATA stallion Kitfox last night.
Bred by Jürgen von Gierke, he was the last son of the great Pan Am bronze medalist, Amiego *E* to stand in North America, and was a maternal half-brother to 2000 NMS Champion, King Arthur TSF. As a 5 and 6 yr. old, his performance career began in eventing, finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in every event and in 1997, Kitfox was ATA Training HOY Reserve Champion. Although he had inherited his sire's ability to jump, his true calling was dressage where after switching disciplines at 7, he was successfully competing at Intermediare I in only 3 years.
He leaves behind several ATA registered offspring, but no approved sons. There is no frozen Kitfox semen and no 2007 foals pending, putting much pressure on his 4 yr. old son, Local Hero (out of Lulabelle by Graditz *E*), a 2006 ATA stallion prospect being presented this November in Ohio. We extend our deepest sympathies to John Krenger, Eberhard Biesenthal and the others at Sanctuary Farm who cared for this gentle giant throughout his life.
8.29. Grand day out for Independence Farm
Darren Chiacchia loaded a truck with horses to run at Richland Park Horse Trials in Michigan last weekend, and returned with some impressive results for his pack. Fit as ever, Windfall *Pg* won his Advanced run easily, and stunned once more with a 24 point dressage, 9 points ahead of the next horse!! Darren took is slow and safe and won on a solid 41.1 points. In the same division, he placed Gaspar II 5th (55.6) and Better I do it 7th (59.3). Southbound finished 5th (50.3) in the Open Intermediate section, and while both his two young hopefuls Dynamik II (Trakehner by Bardolino) and Fantastik (Trakehner by Connery) had a run out during their xc, they ended up winning and placing in the Young EVent Horse class held at Richland Park. Dynamik II won his 5 year old class (which is judged along the principles of the Bundeschampionat, based on dressage, show jumping, conformation and suitability). Fantastik placed 2nd in the 4 year old division, and was followed closely by Hanno on 3rd position, a black Windfall son in training with Darren.
And an old face was seen too. Herzprinz, Andrina Calder's super Young Rider mount who took her to advanced, was ridden by Rebecca Mecke in the Training Rider-B division, and finished 6th (67.5).
8.1. Two Trakehners at the Young horse Championships
Great news for the Trakehner breed in North America! Two 5 year old Trakehners have qualified for the 2006 USEF National Young Dressage Horse Championships that will be held in Lexington, KY, September 8th-10th. Kosmisch, a 5 year old gelding by Happy Hour out of Korinna by Memelruf, was bred and is owned by John and Cari Cassel of Cassel Rock Trakehners in Arkansas. His qualifying score is 8.14, and the dark bay gelding is ridden by Kendra Menzies. The second horse qualified is the ATA approved stallion Baron Verdi (by EH Monteverdi TSF out of SPS Baroness by EH Anduc), who was bred by Werner Kindt of Mettlach, Germany, when his dam was bought in partnership by Timothy and Cheryl Holekamp of Newspring Farm in Columbia, MO, and Teto Trakehners in Germany, where Baron Verdi was born and raised. The stallion qualified with a score of 8.08. Two alternatives for the 4 year old divisions have been named as well: Last Call (by Martini *Pg*E* - Lolos) and Fivestar (by Justiz *Ps* - E.H. Caprimond). Good luck to all competitors, and make sure to check back on TI for final results!!
7.20. Trakehners at the World Equestrian Games 2006
The two biggest hopefuls for this year, Windfall *Pg* and EH Münchhausen TSF, didn't make it. While Windfall is aiming at the World Cup in Sweden in late September, Münchhausen's season has been a tough one and didn't yield the results everybody was expecting after his debut in the Danish National Team for the European Championships in 2005. Very sadly, Sweden’s Just Mickey (by EH Michelangelo) died suddenly after a colic attack this spring, and Solero RBS has to recover from an injury and while his comeback was very impressive with Grand Prix scores in the mid 70s, it was too late for even dreaming of a team slot.
One team of Trakehners, however, left no doubt about its participation: Karen Bassett's four black Trakehners in her in-hand driving team won every single qualification held in her native England, and was even spared the last one since they had already taken home the National Champion title this year. TI is currently trying to confirm names and breeding of the horses in this exceptional team! Please make sure to stop by our "Ideal Sporthorse" section and select "Driving" for top action photos of Karen and her team!
And more good news for Trakehnerdom: on the Danish team, Andreas Helgstrand and the grey Danish mare Blue Hors Matine (by the Trakehner Silvermoon), who already won the National Championships in Denmark this year and despite her age (Matine just turned 9!) is the top shooting star of the international dressage scene this year, will represent Denmark alongside Lone Jorgensen and her Oldenburger Ludewig G, whose dam was by the Trakehner Ibikus. Another heavily Trakehner-influenced competitor, and one with serious medal chances, is Germany's chestnut Hanoverian gelding Bonaparte, who is by Bon Bonaparte out of a EH Consul dam. He already won Olympic gold, and will be ridden by Heike Kemmer. On the French dressage team, it is the full brother to Hertug, Roi de Coeur (by Schwadroneur out of Hellas by Donauwind) and his owner and rider Dominique d’Esmé, who will hold up the Trakehner flag. And finally, the Irish selectors chose Judy Reynolds and her Russian Trakehner Rathbawn Valet (by Egoist-Hockey) to compete for Ireland in Aachen.
Team Competition:
The Team competition in dressage is over, and while Germany won a very secure Gold (best score on the team for Bonaparte and Heike Kemmer), followed by the Netherlands and the US, it was one gray mare that sort of stole the show: Matine and her rider Andreas Heldstrand charmed the judges and audiences alike. While the mare is still somewhat unstable and her rotating tail shows off some of the tension that is in her, there is no denying the fact that she is the future of dressage at this point. No other horse her age comes close.
Trakehners that participated at the Team competition include Danish Roi de Coeur (by Schwadroneur) in the French Team (67.125% with Dominique d'Esme); Jade (by Ressort, a EH Consul son) for Belgium (62.125% with Meike Lunskens); Rathbawan Valet (by Egoist) for the Irish Team (59.458% with Judy Reynolds, who is recovering from an emergency surgery only 2 weeks old and only decided to ride this past Monday!); Problesk (by Beg xx) and Iryna Lis for Russia 62.667%) and finally Gopak by Prival and the Ukrainian Andry Luk'Yanov, who were eliminated after half of their test for extreme disharmony between horse and rider. That test was really quite something ... too bad it had to be on a Trakehner!
Individual Competition:
After the amazing start for Blue Hors Matine and her Danish rider Andreas Helgstrand, the pair charmed the masses again and won a much-deserved bronze medal during the WEG Grand Prix Special. Matine is a 9 year old Danish warmblood mare by the Trakehner Silvermoon out of a daughter of the former worldclass dressage competitor Matador, who was bred in Denmark, but carried more Trakehner blood in his background (Herkules by Traumgeist xx).
The gold medal was won by Germany's Isabelle Werth and her Hanoverian gelding Satchmo (by Sao Paulo - Legat) and silver went to Dutch Anky van Grunsven and Salinero (by Salieri x Lungau). Both geldings represent the Hanoverian S-line through their sires – a line originally founded by the Trakehner stallion Semper Idem!
With the new FEI rules in place, this world championship not only saw a Team competition in dressage, but also individual world champions for the Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle. One might argue that this modus operandi doesn't really pick out the "best" who does everything well, but that's a different debate. For the Trakehner fans, it was a final treat to see the Danish Silvermoon daughter Matine win a second medal: the silver in the Freestyle!! WHAT a competition for this 9 year old "green" FEI horse. With horses of her quality, and that of Elvis VA on her heels, the next years in the dressage world will become interesting again!
7.5. Competition summary for July
Julie McKean and her wonderful Danish Trakehner Stravinski reigned supreme at the NAJC, earning a Team Gold Medal with Region 1, Silver in the Individual Test, and Gold in the Freestyle (71.4%!). "Struly" is only 8 years old, so that much more can be expected form this promising pair! Other Trakehners in Dressage included Anna Stoval and Ambitious, also members of the Region 1 Gold Medal Junior Team, and Laura Noyes and Syncro, who rallied hard after a disappointing Young Rider Team Test, after which both horse and rider needed serious fluids pumped into them due to heat. Lauren also reported that the ATA booth was up and running in the main event hall and that a lot of people stopped by to check out our horses.
We also received news that three Trakehner show jumpers are holding up that end of competition for the breed, both in Europe and North America. At the Equifest I at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL, two younger jumpers showed off beautifully: Gold König, an Arab-Trakehner by Inselkönig, owned by David Beattie of Watertown, IL and ridden by Kate Bomgars was 6th in High Training Jumper II and won the $500 Low AO Jumper II. And Tzigane by Graditz *E*, owned by Twin Gates Farm in Texas and ridden by Helmut Schrant finished 4th in the $500 Open Jumper 1.30m class!
In Europe, the new international Trakehner star Schneesturm TSF by Abdullah *Pg*E* and his Irish rider Denis Lynch placed 2nd at the Grand Prix of Gera, an international CSI** class!!
In the sport of eventing, several Trakehners finished with impressive results from New York to Schenefeld/Germany. Back on track for his anticipated gig at the World Cup in Sweden, Windfall *Pg* by Habicht and rider Darren Chiacchia won the CIC** at the Stuart Horse Trials in New York. Darren's list of youngsters with the moose antler on the hip is never ending, and with his new hopeful Dynamik II, a German bred stallion by Bardolino, he won yet another Open Training division. Dynamik II is currently the Nation's top Training Level horse - and only 5 years old! And Hanno by Windfall also ridden by Darren and owned and bred by the Holekamps of New Spring Farm, finished 3rd at Training Level, barely 4 years old!
All the while in Germany, it was time for the last big show and trials before the World Games in August. The German National Eventing Championships, this year a good CIC***, took place in Schenefeld close to Hamburg. And despite his young age and lack of top international expertise, Birkhof's Grafenstolz TSF by Polarion did it again ... there just seems to be no stopping for this stallion! He finished overall 5th (44.9), tied with Olympic champion Andrew Hoy of Australia, and in the end, won the National Bronze medal for rider Michael Jung. And in the CNC***, a National Three Star event under new format rules, more Trakehners showed up in the top: El Greco, approved stallion by Fontainbleau and his young rider Alexa Bendtfeld, finished 5th (56.5), followed by the former NMS stallion candidate Finch Hatton by Suchard and Elmar Lesch (10th with 63.5), and Karambeau M by Windfall *Pg* and Kai-Stefan Mayer (13th, 75.4).
At the CIC** Feldbach in Austria, the Trakehner mare Wie Immer by Intervall xx placed 3rd. She is bred, trained and ridden by her owner Franz Hörmiller, and is a niece to Windfall, as her dam, West Virginia by Sascha, is Windfall's maternal half sister. Success runs in the family once more.
And in dressage? It is once more the impressive elite stallion Monteverdi TSF by EH Partout with his Danish rider Fie Skarsoe, who placed high at Grand Prix’s in Wickrath: 5th in the Grand Prix, and 4th in the Freestyle. And at the Elmloher Reitertage in Holstein, Peter Koch managed both the 1st and 2nd place in a National S-class on Trakehner horses: With Avoni by EH Caprimond, he placed first, and with Konradi by EH Charly Chaplin, he placed second. In another division, Uwe Sauer and his impressive Immensee ended up 2nd as well.
Finally, we will close with the announcement that four Trakehners will represent our breed at the World Games in Aachen ... 4 black Trakehners in the 4 in hand competition under the patronage of the world's most successful female driver ever, British Karen Bassett!!
