New Trakehner elite stallions

The German Trakehner Verband recently published the list of new Elite Stallions in Germany. In 2008, this list includes 4 new stallions - three of them from the same stallion line of Burnus AAH - Habicht. Here we're introducing the stallions selected this year. Selection critera include performance records in combination with offspring performance records and/or quality of approved sons and inspected daughters along with performance test results.

Parforce is the son of two international event horses, the famous stallion Habicht and the Irish TB mare Punchestown Lady xx. Ironically, both competed at the 1977 Achselschwang CCI***, which Habicht won. Punchetown Lady xx was competed by her owner, Jörg Freiherr von Imhoff, and later covered by the winner of that event - Parforce was the result. Parallels to another famous "marriage" through competition are of course striking: Abdullah covered the dam of his team mare Touch of Class xx and the result was the show jumper Special Memories.

Parforce had a career at upper levels in show jumping, and made a name for himself as a top rate performance horse producer - maybe the best of all Habicht sons given the fact that he only bred via life cover for his entire career and had very few offspring overall. No son is approved (yet) in Germany, but Advent is approved in Hungary and it really are the daughters that place Parforce at the top of all active Trakehner stallions in Germany: no other stallion has more elite daughters and the competition from stallions with over 150 registered daughters like Kostolany, Caprimond or Hohenstein is fierce.

Among his perfomance offspring, his daughters ESt. Banteer TSF and SPS,PS+ESt. Bunbury TSF stand out the most. Both competed at CCI*** level in eventing, both have become successful mothers of performance horses.

Other Elite daughters include E.St. Ilexa II out of Immortelle by Herzbube, who produced the champion mares Italia and Iluna (both by Caprimond) and her son Incello is successful at M level in dressage. E.St. Hippi out of Herzblume by Erzsand produced the M-successful show jumper Hetty-Hou (by Donaumonarch) and the dressage gelding Heartbreaker (by Ivernel).

Interestingly, especially with mares from the Wundermädel xx - family, the mare line that also produced Windfall *Pg*, Parforce has sired a number of outstanding younger event horses like Weisser Riese (now owned by British Polly Stockton), Williams Birnbaum, Weinong and Weinbrandt. Parforce is also the sire of one of Trakehner breed's most successful show jumpers of the 90s, the grey gelding Phantom TSF.

EH Connery was approved in Neumünster 2000 and came out of EH Buddenbrock's first foal crop - just like that year's Champion EH King Arthur TSF, who also in 2008 becomes an Elite stallion. Connery's dam is a maternal half sister to legendary EH Consul and the family has produced a number of great stallion, brood mares and performance horses in all disciplines, which includes stallions Cornus, Checkpoint, Chardonnay, Cadeau, Carel-Deak, the Olympic show jumper Almox Prints, European Eventing Champion Fleetwater Opposition and many more.

EH Connery qualified for the Bundeschampionat twice and had decent success as a dressage horse on his way to the FEI levels, but lately, has been breeding only. His first crop appeared in Neumünster in 2004 and his first son, Aquarius, was approved. In 2005, his sons Elfenfeuer and Imperio were approved, the latter as the shining reserve champion in Neumünster, and in 2006, Connery again sired an approved son, the impressive dressage type Hulian. In 2007, he again produced the reserve champion of the approvals, the radiant chestnut Editorial. Connery also has an approved son in Hanover. The 2008 season was clearly the year for Connery's offspring under saddle, with Imperio first winning the Silver medal at the FEI World Championships of the 5yr old Dressage Horses in Verden and only a few weeks later, winning the prestigious Bundeschampionat in Warendorf under Anna-Sohpie Fiebelkorn. At the same Bundeschampionat, a total of 4 Connery offspring, Trakehner and Hanovarian, placed/won in the finals of dressage and eventing. Connery is just as an impressive mare producer - several of his daughters won their inspections and mare performance tests and contonue to be price highlights at the auction in Neumünster, which is also true for Connery's offspring in the riding horse sections.

Efenfeuer	Imperio	Editorial

Like EH Connery, EH King Arthur TSF was approved in 2000 - and became Champion Stallion that year. Acquired at auction by Petra Wilm from gestüt Tasdorf, the stallion has made his way to international Grandr Prix dressage now at age 10 in the 2008 season and as a combination of that, the inspection scores of his daughter, his approved sons and the success of his offspring in competition, is now an Elite stallion with a very straight forward career.

King Arthur's mare family is that of O23A2 Kabinda, a line that goes back to Kordel from the Dohna Stud in East Prussia and that also stands for such stallions as Kennedy, Kir Royal, Kronjuwel, Kovington *Ps* (ATA), Kosmos, Karwendelstein, Kopernikus, Kurfürst, Kasimir, Karl Lagerfeld, Korado and the ATA's latre Kitfox (who was out of King Arthur's dam Konsula).

King Arthur has produced a number of excellent daughters and auction highlights, as well as the approved sons Hidalgo, Sir Arthur and Georgenberg. He is always represented at Trakehner Auctions and his first get are now coming into the age of advanced level work.

Hidalgo	Sir Arthur	Georgenberg

Also from the 2001 Neumünster crop, Hofrat was Reserve Champion that year and was the first approved son of Gribaldi in Germany. His full brother Hoftänzer followed only a year later in the same position. Both stallions have successful dressage careers, both at FEI levels in Germany. His sire EH Gribaldi was one of the breed's best dressage horses in the international circuits and produced a number of approved stallions, also in the KWPN breed. EH Gribaldi will be announced as "Stallion of the Year" in Neumünster 2008 and already carries the title of "keur" from the KWPN based on the success of his offspring in the Netherlands. He was Champion of his approvals in 1995 and since then, has had a very successful career as a breeding stallion and performance horse alike. He is one of the top international Trakehner performance sires today and has several approved sons both in the Dutch as well as Trakehner breed, including the reserve champion Hoftänzer, and the 2004 approved Rheinglanz. Two sons were approved for the ATA, Kougar von C and Kobra von C, and Gribaldi's son Painted Black (KWPN) is one of Anky van Grunsven's hottest newcomer stars. Gribaldi's dam Gondola was also dam of the approved FEI dressage stallion Goldino (by Patricius xx), who sired the 1995 reserve champion Uljanoff as well as the accomplished East German stationed Uckermärker. This is also the line of the multiple champion mare Golda Meir, and the greater family of Gundel also produced the FEI dressage stallion Giorgio Armani as well as the younger Goldschmidt and Godot.

Hofrat sired the 2006 Hanoverian Champion stallion Hotline, who sold at auction for a record high of 800,000 Euro. In the Trakehner breed, he is the sire of the 2007 approved Karl Lagerfeld and has made a name for himselof as an excellent mare producer. Hofrat's mare family of Herbstgold goes back to the famous original Trakehnen-born Herbstzeit, who founded a family of tremendous proportions that in more recent times produced such stallions as champion Herzensdieb, Herzglanz, Herzfunke, EH Herzzauber, Herzkristall, Houston and many others.

Photos by: Julia Rau, privat, Peter Richterich, Jutta Bauernschmitt, Werner Ernst, Trakehner Verband Archives, and homepage of stallion owners

Bundeschampionat 2008, Warendorf, Germany

The talk of this year's dressage Bundeschampionat was the approved Trakehner Imperio (by EH Connery - Balfour xx, bred by the Keunicke family in Germany) under Anna-Sophie Fiebelkorn, who is co-owned by the German Trakehner Stud Hörem and the Bavarian State Stud Schwaiganger. The stallion scored the only perfect 10.0 of the entire show for his trot and followed up his winning round in the qualifier with a very convincing win in the finals. His total of 9.1 placed him well ahead of the second placed horse, the approved Westfalian stallion Rock Forever with Oliver Oelrich, who scored 8.8. The judges and the spectators were on their feet with standing ovations even before Imperio's final scores were announced, and commentator Christoph Hess compared the tremendously elegant and supple bay with "wonder mare" Poetin in his total domination of the field, and his exceptional basic qualities. The stallion was reserve champion in Neumünster in 2005 and so positively shows the much needed influence of TB blood in our breed.

Imperio (photos by Ulrike Sahm)

Another Trakehner worth mentioning with a special achievement in the class of 5yr old was the mare Pepsi IV (by Cadeau - EH Sixtus), bred by ZG Lorch/Becker and owned by Margit Eisner. Pepsi was the highest inspected 3yr old Trakehner mare in Germany 2 years ago, owned by Gestüt Sommerlade at the time. She was one of the 300+ horses that were up for grabs last summer, had never seen a saddle or been trained in her entire life, and within one year went from being broken to qualifying and competing at this outstanding event. What an achievement for this lovely mare and her rider, Germany's Helen Langehanenberg.

Pepsi IV (photo by Astrid Becker)

In the 6yr old division, Trakehner fans saw three stallions compete in the qualifiers: Birkhof's Meraldik (by EH Münchhausen TSF - Caramel xx) and Nicole Casper placed 7th, but were unable to qualify for the finals. Kasimir (by Ivernel - EH Charly Chaplin) with Lydia Camp placed 15th and Le Rouge, the 2004 champion in Neumünster (by Pret a Porter - Tycoon) with Vera Nass qualified for the finals by winning the consolidation round. In the finals, the impressive chestnut was still a bit distracted, but scored 7.7 overall for a 10th place.

Le Rouge (photos by Ulrike Sahm)

In the division of 4yr old stallions, Gestüt Tasdorf's Elfado (by Kostolany - Roncalli xx) and his rider Hannes Lütt barely missed the B finals (with test riders) and ended in 4th position - a tremendous success in this highly competitive field of young German stallions. Last year's reserve champion, bay Zauberfürst (by Interconti - EH Caprimond) and Friedericke Schulz-Wallner (who, by the way, was the original trainer and rider of champion Imperio) placed 10th overall.

In eventing, usually a stronghold for Trakehners, hopes were up after the consolidation rounds and the impressive win of approved stallion Herzog (by EH Tambour - Inkognito) with Elmar Lesch - 9.0 for their round in the 5yr old division meant a position in the finals. In the end, the two ended up 7th. One place ahead of them, on 6th position, was Feenzauber Iwest (by Connery - Sans Souci) with Michael Jung in the saddle. The gelding received exceptional comments from the knowledgable crowds and it seems there is another star iin the making for Michael Jung (who already rides Trakehner eventers like Grafenstolz TSF and Miss meller TSF).

Herzog (photo by Ulrike Sahm)

In the 6yr old division, Maona (by Liebestraum - Lucado) with Vanessa Hölscher-Bölting qualified for the finals, where she placed 9th overall.

In the driving division, 4yr old Hilka (by Kantadou - Kennedy) with driver Falko Mäkelburg was the youngest horse in the field (only here, 4 and 5yr olds compete against each other) and managed to qualily for the finals and placed 8th overall in the end.

Summing up, the Bundeschampionat was a huge success for the breed - once again. It was an even more special event for the Trakehner stallion Connery. Soon to be proclaimed as "elite" in Neumünster, Connery had four of his offspring placing/winning in the finals in dressage and eventing, which is a huge accomplishment for Hörem's elegant bay.

Riding Horses (3+4yr old)

The Trakehner Verband selected all representatives for the Bundeschampionat at the 2008 International Trakehner Bundesturnier in Hanover.

3yr old mares & geldings:

Name	Pedigree	Breeder / Owner	Rider
Priegnitz	Hofrat - Mahagoni - Koran	ZG Julia und Hartmut Traupe, owner: Julia Traupe)	Dirk Seewald
Irish Coffee (res.)	Sir Chamberlain - Mumpitz - Habicht	Wilhelm Wülfing, owner: Team Schmelting	Hella Kuntz

3yr old stallions:

Name	Pedigree	Breeder / Owner	Rider
Hamilton (appr.)	Distelzar - Fahnenträger II - Fabian	Pieter Smeets, owner: Gestüt Pallerhaff	Kristine Möller
Grand Passion (appr.)	Oliver Twist - EH Polarion - Camelot	Gestüt Heinen, owner: Tony Pigdley	Anja Engelbart
Herbstzauber (res.)	Insterburg TSF - EH Bartholdy - Vivaldi	Dr. Hans-Peter Karp	Jessica Haag

 

4yr old mares & geldings:

Name	Pedigree	Breeder / Owner	Rider
Copain	EH Gribaldi - Fontainbleau - Mahon	Gabriele Schröder	Uwe Stradtmann
Iluna	King Arthur TSF - EH Hohenstein - Langata Express xx	Jörg Bustorff, owner: Gestüt Tasdorf	Sandra Frieling
Pommery	Hibiskus - Unkensee - Fango	Erin Raili	Nicole Raili

4yr old stallions:

Name	Pedigree	Breeder / Owner	Rider
Elfado (appr.)	Kostolany - Roncalli xx - Sastor	Axel Hörmann, owner: Gestüt Tasdorf	Hannes Lütt
Donaugold (appr.)	Distelzar - EH Sokrates - Morgenglanz *E*	Ingrid Wahler, owner: Tony Pigdley	Jan Steiner
Zauberfürst (appr.)	Interconti - Caprimond - Mahagoni	Dr. Elke Söchtig, owner: Beate Heise	Friederike Schulz-Wallner
Tristan (res.)	EH Münchhausen TSF - Schwadroneur - Pardon Go	Gestüt Wiesenhof	Stefan Stevens
Dorkas (res.)	K2 - EH Partout - EH Finley M	Manfred Rüter, owner: Gestüt Waldfried	Rena Freikin

Dressage Horses (5+6yr old)

5yr old:

Name	Pedigree	Breeder / Owner	Rider
Imperio (appr.)	Connery - Balfour xx - Primo	Hartmut Keunicke, owner: Gestüt Hörem	Anna-Sophie Fiebelkorn
Pepsi	Cadeau - EH Sixtus - EH Arogno	ZG Lorch/Becker, owner:	Helen Langehanenberg
Canzler (appr.)	Amatcho - EH Consul - Seeadler	Renate Hagen, owner: Stall Waldfried	Alexandra Freimuth
In Vita	EH Buddenbrock - Kennedy - Onassis	Hans-Joachim Scharffetter, owner:	Pascale Sax

6yr old:

Name	Pedigree	Breeder / Owner	Rider
Kasimir (appr.)	Ivernel - EH Charly Chaplin - EH Arogno	Gestüt Tasdorf, owner: Dr. Elke Söchtig	Lydia Camp
Kaspaar	EH Münchhausen TSF - EH Sixtus - Kostolany	Bernd Berge, owner: Daniel Hoffstadt	Daniel Hoffstadt
Meraldik (appr.)	EH Münchhausen TSF - Caramel xx - Cale xx	Gestüt Birkhof	Nicole Casper
Pricolino (appr.)	Schwadroneur - Sokrates - Mahagoni	Beate Heise, owner: Gestüt Domselshof	Ramona Strucken
Le Rouge (appr.)	Pret a Porter - Tycoon - EH Michelangelo	Geert Brenninkmeyer, owner: Klosterhof Medingen	Vera Nass

Event Horses (5+6yr old)

Qualified 5yr old:

Name	Pedigree	Breeder / Owner	Rider
Berlin	Stradivari - Oglio xx - Bajar ShA	Petra Renate Rebhahn	Csaba Sarközi
Feenzauber Iwest	Connery - Sans Souci - Fierant xx	ZG Krohn/Dötschel	Michael Jung
Herzog (appr.)	EH Tambour - Inkognito - Radom	Dr. Elke Söchtig	Elmar Lesch
Kristeban	Esteban xx - EH Consul - Sacramento Song xx	Elisabeth Rinn	Beeke Kaack
Robson Peak	K2 - Kostolany - Sonnenstrahl	Johannes Kessler, owner: Astrid Weinhold	Sven Peinig

Horses that yet have to meet the final requirement (finish of regular horse trial at training and/or preliminary level), but have achieved the two necessary qualifying scores, include:

Name	Pedigree	Breeder / Owner	Rider
It's my Life	EH Tivano - Seratino xx - Falkner	Fred Rötschke	Beate Hemmer
Löwenstein (Saxony)	EH Latimer/Trak. - Horrido xx	Ottmar Vogel	Dr. Martina Reemtsma
Schoensgreen Hanni (Saxony)	Gingerino - EH Grossist/Trak.	Gunther Schöniger	Antje Schöniger
Schoensgreen Quebec (Saxony)	Quattro B - EH Grossist/Trak.	Gunther Schöniger	Antje Schöniger
Special Connection (Oldenburg)	EH Latimer/Trak. - Justinian xx	Heinz Lübben	Jano Debusschere
Valentin Valbone	EH Buddenbrock - EH Leonardo - Ralf	Gestüt Graditz	Linde Ditzel

Qualified 6yr old:

Name	Pedigree	Breeder / Owner	Rider
Maona	Liebestraum - Lucado - Pasteur xx	Trakehner Gestüt Weinhof Winzlar	Vanessa Hölscher-Bölting
Vincent	Grafenstolz TSF - Almox Prints J - Honeur	Dr. Rüdiger Keudel	Michael Jung
Don Juan M	EH Manrico - EH Consul - Seeadler	Sybille Michalski	Constantin von Ziegner

Horses that yet have to meet the final requirement (finish of regular horse trial at training and/or preliminary level), but have achieved the two necessary qualifying scores, include:

Name	Pedigree	Breeder / Owner	Rider
Charlie Weld (Hanoverian)	Connery/Trak. - Spartan	Hartmut Wiese	Kai Rüder
Nepomuk (Saxony)	Nocturno - Parforce/Trak.	Günter Engelmann	Michele Radzey
Raumpionier	Cavallieri xx - Mont du Cantal AA - Mohammed	Elmar Lesch	Dr. Hubertus Schmittlein

Driving Horses (4+5yr old)

4yr old:

Name	Pedigree	Breeder / Owner	Rider
Hilka	Kantadou - Kennedy	Trakehnergestüt Volkmarst	Falko Mäkelburg

Part Trakehners (already qualified for 2008)

Name	Breed	Pedigree	Discipline
Fuerto	Westfalia	Farewell I o/o Courage/Trak. by Tolstoi - Santiago	Driving
Dylane	Oldenburg	Dimension - EH Banditentraum/Trak.	Driving
Highlander	Hanoverian	EH Hohenstein/Trak. - Hill Hawk xx	6yr old dressage horses
King Size	Hanoverian	King Arthur TSF/Trak. - Don Schufro	5yr old dressage horses
Delgardo M	Hanoverian	Depardieu - EH Caprimond/Trak.	5yr old dressage horses
Münchhausen S	Hanoverian	EH Münchhausen TSF/Trak. - Don Schufro	6yr old dressage horses
Bervitos Go	ZfdP	Bertone/Trak. - Vivus/Trak.	6yr old event horses
Pampas	Bavaria	Parforce/Trak. - Belmondo - Sascha/Trak.	5yr old event horses
Hugo	Saxony	Harlem Go/Trak. - Wackerbart	5yr old dressage horses
Hofdame	Hanoverian	Hofrat/Trak.	5yr old dressage horses

History of the event

The German Bundeschampionat in Warendorf is the world's biggest and most prestigious young horse competition and has been staged in Germany since the early 70s. It attracks around 35,000 visitors in 5 days each summer. For a gallery of some of the most famous former Trakehner Bundeschampions, scroll down to the photos at the end of this page!

Horses and ponies of all breeds compete in young horse classes, dressage, show jumping, eventing and driving and even only a qualification to this event can raise the value of a horse significantly. The qualification events see the best horses of the country compete for tickets to Warendorf, and the individual requirements for each discipline are:

Riding Horse Classes - only horses nominated by the breed registries (in our case the Trakehner Verband) can participate

Dressage: 5yr old horses have to gain at least 8.0 at an official qualification site at L-level; 6yr old at M-level

Show Jumping: 5yr old horses have to gain at least 8.0 at an official qualification site at M-level with water (1.20m); 6yr old at M-level with water (up to 1.35m) and place 1-5th at one M*-level course or place 1-10th at one M**-level course.

Driving: 4 to 6yr old horses have to gain at least 7.5 at a driving horse suitability class

Eventing: 5yr old horses qualify by scoring 8.0 or better at at least two event horse classes at A and L level througout Germany until the weekend of August 2nd plus by placing at least once at training and/or preliminary level horse trials. 6yr old horses qualify by scoring 8.0 or better at at least two event horse classes at L level througout Germany until the weekend of August 2nd plus by placing at least once at training and/or preliminary level horse trials

Our lists on TI will be growing and will be updated as the qualification seasons goes on. By mid-August, all horses will be known and we will bring you full coverage of the event from Germany.

Former Trakehner Bundeschampions - a selection

Tümmler by Heros - Burnus AAH - Pindar xx, first Bundeschampion 1979 in Eventing with Martin Plewa,	Windfall *Pg* by Habicht - Madruzzo xx - Celadon xx, Reserve Bundeschampion 1997, Bundeschampion 1998 in Eventing with Ingrid Klimke	Seacookie TSF by Helikon xx - Onassis - Hortus, in Eventing 2005 with Ingrid Klimke
Altefeld's Rob Roy by EH Sixtus - Black Minstrel xx in Eventing 2002 with Eva-Christin Putz	Nagano by EH Grossist - EH Tenor , Bundeschampion in Eventing in 2003 with Christina Korte	Kunta Kinte TSF by Fontainbleau - Sacramento Song xx - EH Ravel, Bundeschampion 2001 with Peter Thomsen

The first and - to this day - only horse to qualify in all three major disciplines (dressage, show jumping and eventing) was the stallion Birkhof's Grafenstolz TSF by EH Polarion - Camelot - EH Arogno in 2004, with Michaell Jung. He competed in Eventing and became Bundeschampion with the highest ever achieved score to this day!

Corna by Illuster - Lothar - Altan was the first Trakehner Bundeschampion after WWII, ridden by Julia Westphal in 1985	Induc by EH Marduc - Ibikus - Flugsand, Bundeschampion Riding Horse, 4yr old stallions 1994 with Hans-Jürgen Armbrust	EH Latimer by Saint Cloud - EH Caprimond - EH Sokrates, Bundeschampion Riding Horse 4yr old stallions in 2000 with Hans-Jürgen Armbrust
Kaiserkult TSF by EH Van Deyk - Gajus - Gunnar, Bundeschampion 6yr old Dressage Horse 2005 with Dorothee Schneider	Kaiserdom TSF by EH Van Deyk - Gajus - Gunnar, Bundeschampion 6yr old Dressage Horse 2006 with Kathrin Meyer zu Strohen	Emma Peel by EH Consul - Mahagoni - Impuls, Reserve Bundeschampion Driving Horse

The Young Event Horse Championships 2008

Introduction

The Young Event Horse Series is a relatively new concept in American eventing and has been staged successfully for a couple of years now during the American Eventing Championships each fall in Chicago. In the past years, Trakehner horses have almost always won one or both championship titles (judged in the divisions for 4 and 5yr old horses) and 2008 was no exception to that rule. However, this year did mark the overwhelming success of one farm's breeding program for this sport: the Champion 4yr old, Champion 5yr old and Reserve Champion 4yr old all came from New Spring Farm, Columbia, MO, and the Holekamp family.

from l-r: Judge Dr. Joachim Dimmek (GER), Samantha Clark w/ Asterion, Judge Jayne Ayers (USA), Judge Marilyn Payne (USA), Leslie Law (GBR) w/ Amarna, Project Runway w/ Maxance McManamy

Results (photos by Timothy Holekamp, and Emily Daily, Josh Walker, and Erica Larson for USEA)

Asterion was the Champion in the 5yr old division and was presented by his owner Samantha Clark, a 20yr old from Cambridge, Ontario, and a student of Darren Chiacchia. Asterion is a Trakehner son of Windfall out of Astra by Amethyst II - Rombus and scored 11.65 for conformation, 29.26 for his dressage, won the jumping with 43.3 and finished on 84.21 to take the top spot in this field of 10, beating Olympians Leslie Law and Darren Chiacchia in the process.

The Champion in the 4yr old division was the chestnut Trakehner Amarna (by Amethyst II out ot Actress by Avignon II - Ricardo), who was ridden by Olampic Gold Medalist Leslie Law for her owners, New Spring Farm, Columbia, Mo. She scored 11.70 in the conformation class, 28.63 in dressage, which was by far the best score, 41.15 for the jumping and received a total score of 81.48 in this field of 5 horses.

The Reserve Champion in the 4yr old division was the Pinto Project Runway, a 3/4 Trakehner by Windfall out of Polarschecke by Sacred Indian/Paint - Amthyst II, also bred by New Spring Farm and now owned and ridden by 16yr old Maxance McManam from Templeton, California, who travelled this long way to show off her delightful partner. The gelding won the conformation class with 11.80, scored 27.58 in dressage, 39.93 in jumping and finished with a total of 79.31 in this field. Maxance trains with Gina Miles in California.

Other Trakehners in this championship included Darren Chiacchia's 2007 4yr old Champion Dibelius (by EH Michelangelo out of Donnata by EH Bartholdy - ), who was bred by Gestüt Nüssel in Bavaria, Germany, and sold via the Trakehner Stallion Approvals and Auctions in Neumünster in 2005, where Darren acquired the gelding from gestüt Webelsgrund in the auction. Dibelius placed 6th in the 5yr old division with 79.97 points. Darren also presented his grey Trakehner mare Emilia GS by Hilton GS, bred by Galten Farms in Canada. She placed 5th in the 4yr old division with 76.21 points.

Dibelius	Emilia GS

Dressage Gala Heroldsberg, Bavaria, Germany

One of Germany's most outstanding and interesting Natinal Grand Prix turnaments is staged in the Bavarian city of Heroldsberg during the peak summer months each year. Here, the top classes, Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle, are held at night under floodlight. Traditionally, spectators are seated in the stands and the grass right next to the ring, the atmosühere is more than "electric" and this event, even though ir has great purses offered to the riders, attracts on the brave and seasoned riders due to its special setting and the nerve it requires of horse and rider.

In 2008, the big tour classes saw a number of Trakehners entered, among them the approved Insterburg TSF (by EH Hohenstein - Giorgio Armani), who was not only showing his very first Grand Prix ever, but he had certainly never seen a dressage ring like this one before. His long-time rider, Carola Koppelmann, is one of Germany's most talented and experienced younger riders and truly a joy to watch, as her horses exhibit natural elevation and joy in their work that are testimony to great horse"woman"ship on Carola's part. Her second horse in Heroldsberg 2008 was Hinnerk TSF (by EH Buddenbrock - EH Ravel), who is owned by Germany's Dressage Team Coach Holger Schmezer.

Seasoned "veteran" and former Heroldsberg champion EH Solero TSF (by EH Hyllos - Polargeist) and his long-time rider Anja Plönzke also came back this year, and more Trakehner blood was represented by the part-Trakehners Herzruf's Erbe (Rhineland, by EH Herzruf/Trak. - Caletto I), Highway (Bavarian, by Habicht/Trak.) and Clinten (Hanoverian, by EH Caprimond).

Typical for Heroldsberg: competition and show, hand in hand

Results

To say the Trakehners entered in the event did well is quite an understatement. At the end of the Gala, the big classes were dominated by Trakehner blood and that makes us very proud. Thanks to our long-time partner Jutta Bauernschmitt, we're able to bring you the following photos of Trakehners and part-Trakehners that competed and placed. Congratulations to everybody for a job well done - and especially to Carola for presenting her two Trakehners in such a lovely way!

The first round in the Grand Prix was won by Ulla Salzgeber with Herzruf's Erbe (70.458%). Second place in that class went to EH Solero TSF and Anja Plönzke (70.25%), and the 4th place was won by Grand Prix debuting Insterburg TSF with Carola Koppelmann.
The Inter II as first round of the "Stars of Tomorrow" event was won by Carola Koppelmann with Hinnerk TSF (66.667%). The two placed 3rd in the finals (64.650%). On top of that, Carola won the price for the youngest horse entered in the Grand Prix and took home a special award for the most relaxed and skillful warm- up!
The Grand Prix Freestyle under floodlight was won by crowd favorites EH Solero TSF and Anja Plönzke (74.95%) and third place in this class was won by Insterburg TSF/Carola Koppelmann. What a debut in the big tour for this beautiful stallion! 4th place in that class was won by Highway and Ukrainian rider Olga Klimko (70,10%).

The champions of the Grand Prix Special were once again Herzruf's Erbe and Ulla Salzgeber (74%), a pair that experts claim will have a big say in the future German team nominations. Herzruf's Erbe was acquired by Salzgeber at the CHIO Sales, the top riding horse auction held each year during the CHIO Aachen competition. Second place in the Special was won by Insterburg TSF and Carola Koppelmann, 5th place by EH Solero TSF and Anja Plönzke nnd 6th place by Highlight with Olga Klimko. Also placed (9th): Clinten by EH Caprimond and Nicole Glaser-Käppeler.

Insterburg TSF and Carola Koppelmann

Herzruf's Erbe and Ulla Salzgeber	Hinnerk TSF and Carola Koppelmann
Highway and Olga Klimko	EH Solero TSF and Anja Plönzke

FEI World Championships of Young Dressage Horses 2008, Verden, Germany

The FEI World Championships for Young Horses, hosted in Germany each year, are one of the big highlights of his already packed summer season (Olympics, Bundeschampionat, etc). Horsted in Verden, Lower Saxony, from July 31st to August 3rd, a selection of the World's best young dressage horses are gathering to find the ultimate champions in the 5 and 6 yr old classes. For a complete list of horses with Trakehner background selected for the World Championships, please use this link.

Results

The Finals are over and with tremendous success for Trakehners - both as pure bred participants as well as in the background of several other horses. The two full Trakehners that entered into the event both made it to the finals and the approved stallion Imperio (by Connery - Balfour xx) also won the Silver Medal in his group, the 5yr old class. Only .26 points behind Champion Desperados (Old. gelding by Dressage Royale), the stallion had the highest trot score of the entire group (9.2) and received only highest praise from chief judge Dr. Plewa: "Imperio s a dressage horse of seldomly seen elegenace and his impulsion in the trot is something we see only rarely." His walk scored 8.7, his canter, which at times could show a lower croup, scored 8.2, his exceptionaal correctness and attention to the rider's aids were awarded an 8, the overall impression scores 8.8, which lead to a final score of 8.58.

In Vita (by EH Buddenbrock - Kennedy), who made her way into the finals by placing 3rd in the consolidation round, and hence with one more run under her belt, placed 13th overall with 7.78. So from that Trakehner perspective, two things stand out: the Habicht - EH Sixtus - EH Buddenbrock line produced both our purebred contestants, and a good dose of quality TB blood is what makes Imperio stand out from his peers - long lines, elegance without the commonly perceivded loss in "movement", and rideability to the tips of his hair are largely contributed by the blood heritage on both his sire and dam side. Congratulations to riders Anna-Sophie Fiebelkorn (Imperio) - and not to forget Frederike Schulz-Wallner, who started Imprio and gave him such a great foundation-, Pascale Sax (In Vita), breeders Mr. Keunicke and Mr. Scharfetter and the owners, Gestüt Hörem and the Bavarian State Stud Schwaiganger and Gestüt Pallerhaff in Louxembourg.

Imperio

And the remaining Trakehner influence?

In the 5yr old group, the Bronze Medal was won by Silberaster, an Oldenburg mare by Sandro Hit - Canaster I. Canaster I is by EH Caprimond/Trak. Silberaster had a total score of 8.54 and was presented by Helen Langehanenberg. 8th place was won by Donna Weltina with Dr. Ulf Möller. This Hanoverian mare is by Don Frederico, a Donnerhall - EH Consul/Trak. stallion and former champion in Verden. 10th place was won by Scharmeur, a Swedish stallion by the Trakehner Schwadroneur with Malin Rinne. 13th place was won by Atterupgaards Cassidy with Sabine Petersen, followed by In Vita and Pascale Sax on 14th position. The overwhelming presence of Trakehner blood should speak a very clear language!

In the 6th yr old group, the Gold medal was won by Dramatic and Jana Freund (8.78) - Dramatic is also by Don Frederico, branded Hanoverian. 5th place was won by the Dutch gelding Vivaldo Kemenade with Mirelle av Witlox in the saddle. His sire is Polansky, by the Trakehner stallion Kostolany! And 15th place went to Noble-dream by EH Caprimond/Trak. with French Jessica Michel.

On August 1st, the Small Final for the 5yr old horses determined the additional three top places that will be able to qualifgy for the Finals on the weekend. Much to our delight, In Vita and Pascale Sax placed 3rd with 8.12 in this highly competitive class, thus qualifying for the finals! Congratulations, and thank you Stephan Bischoff for providing us with these wonderful photos from the scene!

On July 31st, the first qualifying round for the 5yr old group was held. Results came back as shown below - Trakehners and Trakehner influence is marked by red tags.

1. Desperado OLD with Nadine Plaster GER (8.76)
2. Silberaster by Sandro Hit x Canaster I by EH Caprimond with Helen Langehanenberg GER (8.52)
3. Scharmeur by Schwadroneur with Malin Rinne SWE (8.5)
3. Donna Weltina by Don Frederico (dam sire EH Consul) with Dr. Ulf Möller GER (8.5)
5. Atterupgaards Cassidy by EH Caprimond with Sabine Petersen DEN (8.4)
6. Imperio by Connery - Balfour xx with Anna-Sophie Fiebelkorn GER (8.36)
...
14. Ullerups Müller by EH Münchhausen TSF - Ibikus with Jim Rasmussen DEN (7.98)
...
17. Wakensho by Wolkentanz - EH Hohenstein with Sylvie Corellou FRA (7.86)
...
20. Daphna by Blue Hors Hertug with Camilla Larsson SWE (7.74)
...
24. In Vita by EH Buddenbrock - Kennedy with Pascale Sax LUX (7.52)
...
24. Delano H by EH Münchhausen TSF with Björn Vileyn BEL (7.52)
27. Dame de Hus by Don Frederico (dam sire EH Consul) with Jessica Michel FRA (7.4)
...
34. Williams by Paddox - EH Michelangelo and Katie Robicheaux USA (7.2)
...
36. Westpoint by Jazz - EH Michelangelo with Emmelie Scholtens NED (7.16)
...
38. Winston by EH Gribaldi with Dominique Mohimont BEL (7.06)
39. Stall-K's Hero Flower by Blue Hors Hertug with Thomas Lassen NOR (6.86)

Pedigree

From a Trakehner perspective, the event is quite interesting since a large number of participating horses carry Trakehner backgrounds. Horses are selected by the Riding Federations of their respective countries and it is a huge honor to be selected and be able to represent once country (and ultimately, breed registry). The list of participants with Trakehner background/pure bred Trakehners is:

for Germany:

Imperio, approved Trakehner stallion by Connery - Balfour xx
Silberaster, Oldenburg mare by Sandro Hit - Canaster I (who is by EH Caprimond/Trak.)
Diva Royal, Hanoverian mare by Don Frederico (who is out of an EH Consul/Trak. mare)
Dramatic, Hanoverian gelding by Don Frederico
Reserve: Highlander, approved Hanoverian stallion by EH Hohenstein/Trak. - Hill Hawk xx

for Sweden:

Daphna, Swedish warmblood mare by Blue Hors Hertug/Trak. - Master
Scharmeur, approved Swedish warmblood stallion by Schwadroneur/Trak. -Napoleon
Yantuge, Swedish warmblood gelding by Blue Hors Hertug/Trak. - Master

for the United States:

Williams, Dutch gelding by Paddox - EH Michelangelo/Trak.

for France:

Dame de Hus (aka Donna Cortina - 2007 reserve Bundeschampion), Hanoverian mare by Don Frederico
Wakensho, Hanoverian gelding by Wolkentanz - EH Hohenstein/Trak.
Noble Dream (French Champion 2006, 2007, bronze medal 2007 WCYH), Oldenburg mare by EH Caprimond/Trak. - Donnerhall

for Belgium:

Delano H, Belgium gelding by EH Münchhausen TSF/Trak. - Wendekreis
Winston, Dutch gelding by EH Gribaldi/Trak. - Jazz
Reserve: Whisper Gold, Dutch gelding by EH Gribaldi/Trak.

for The Netherlands:

Westpoint, Dutch gelding by Jazz EH Michelangelo/Trak.

for Denmark:

Atteripgårds Cassidy, Danish mare by EH Caprimond/Trak. - Donnerhall
Ullerups Müller, Danish gelding by EH Münchhausen TSF/Trak. - Ibikus/Trak.
Hervi's Futuro, Danish gelding by Blue Hors Hertug/Trak.
Reserve: Krogskær Zafir by Zardin (who is by EH Gribaldi/Trak.)

for Luxembourg:

In Vita, Trakehner mare by EH Buddenbrock - Kennedy

for Norway:

Hero Flower, Danish Warmblood by Blue Hors Hertug/Trak.

for Spain:

Chapeau Claque, Hanoverian by Connery/Trak. - Davignon I