03|2016
THE HANOVERIAN
No. 03 | March 2016 Auction
Flaggship
Verden
Sport
Surprising
successes
Breeding
Award-winning
stallions
A young talent in Holger Wulschner‘s
stable: BSC Skipper by Stolzenberg/
Lord Liberty.
Auction
Verden‘s Auction –
The Flaggship
The changes to the auction system already bore fruit in 2015. The first auction in 2016
showed that the marketplace Verden is number one with respect to marketing horses.
Two horses surpassed the magic threshold of 100,000.00 Euros: The dressage talent
Londonfly and the hopeful jumper Cinderella. A total of 92 horses sold for an average
price of 17,244.00 Euros in January.
By Malte Kanz
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The Hanoverian 03|2016
Auction
W
hat an auction! Verden’s first auction in
2016 took place on January 23rd in the Niedersachsenhalle and delivered a sensational result.
110 riding horses were listed in the catalogue, 95
horses were offered for sale and 92 actually sold.
The highest price was 150,000 Euros, the average
price 17,244.56 Euros. Eleven horses sold for more
than 25,000 Euros, the sale prices of 22 horses lay
in the price segment from 15,000 and 24,999 Euros. 27 horses obtained final bids within the price
segment of 11,000 to 14,999 Euros, and 22 horses sold for prices between 8,000 and 10,999 Euros. Only ten horses changed ownership for
amounts between 6,000 and 7,999 Euros. Forty
horses sold to foreign countries for a total amount
of 697,500 Euros; fifty-two horses will remain in
Germany. They sold for a total of 889,000 Euros.
Top horses for top prices
The collection was presented online before Christmas with pedigrees, photos and videos. The clicks
on YouTube shot up quickly. The videos were viewed between 2,000 and 7,500 times. It became
clear early on that there was great interest in the
collection, which did not just offer one or two outstanding horses but a wide variety of top-quality
horses. These horses turned the auction into a magnet for prospective buyers. Londonfly became the
top seller. He found a new home for 150,000 Euros, a record price, which has never before been
obtained on a January auction. The successful sale
of Londonfly by Londontime/Cordoba will enter
into the auction history of the Hannoveraner Verband as a first.
Londonfly had not been a secret tip nor was he a
stranger. His sire, Celle’s state stud sire Londontime, had been the unchallenged top-seller here in
Verden at the elite auction in October exactly ten
years ago. Londonfly was born in Verden less than
1,000 meters away from the Niedersachsenhalle.
His breeder Dr. Hinni Lührs-Behnke sold the chestnut to the State Stud Celle as a foal. He grew up
and was carefully started under saddle at the breeding farm for raising young colts in Hunnesrueck.
His training has already proven successful, as he
has been victorious in dressage horse classes at
the A- and L-level. The quality of his movement is
undisputed: His walk, trot and canter are supple
and relaxed, naturally balanced and rhythmical.
Watching him move is fun!
In addition to his first-rate movement and his just
as impressive and charming appearance, auction
rider Melanie Schmerglatt also raved about his rideability, “I rarely rode a horse, which always cooperates. He thinks with you. Every day he enjoyed
the training, worked diligently and promptly follo-
wed my aids. It was an honour to ride this horse!”
Londonfly’s talent is not just a coincidence. He descends from an athletically successful damline. His
dam St.Pr.St. Charlotte successfully competed in
dressage at the M-level with Jan Lührs-Behnke.
Charlotte’s full-sister Corlette was one of Jörn
Kubelke’s successful sport horses. The pair competed up to Inter I. Weltino by Weltmeyer/Gelria
(breeder: Helmut Kettelhodt, Kettelhodt) was the
most successful representative of the damline of
Majorin. Ellen Schulten-Baumer and Weltimo were
victorious in dressage up to Grand Prix. Londonfly
is not going very far. His new home is in Hamburg
with one of the most loyal customers of Verden’s
auction program.
The most expensive jumper also created a sensation. The breeder of Cinderella by Clinton/Calypso II
was Sven Gräfe from Blumenthal, who was also
the exhibitor of the 7-year old grey. His son Jan
Gräfe had already successfully competed Cinderella up to the M-level. Cinderella presented herself
at her best in the free-jumping and the stadium
test during the pre-auction preparation time and
attracted every jumping enthusiast with her faultless performances. Ariane Pourtavaf, who takes
care of French customers in her capacity as an advisor for the Hannoveraner Verband, won the bidding duel. She had Marc Dilasser, a French jumper
rider, on the phone, who believes in Cinderella and
her talent for international competitions. “I liked
the free-jumping video of Cinderella so much that
I traveled to Verden to see her perform live and to
try her. I loved the feeling that she gave me – her
quality is impressive,” Dilasser explained on the
French website Studforlife.com. He is very happy
that his sponsors are providing him with a horse of
such quality.
Auction manager Jörg-Wilhelm
Wegener is satisfied with the result
of the auction in January.
A result, which will enter into
the auction history: Londonfly
by Londontime/Cordoba sold for
150,000.00 Euros, a price, which has
never before been obtained in a
January auction. Photos: Ernst
The Hanoverian 03|2016
3
Auction
An emotional finish in a bidding
duel. New customers are keeping
their fingers crossed.
The auction was well attended:
The visitors followed the bidding
process with great excitement.
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The Hanoverian 03|2016
Black Devil by Balou du Rouet/Contendro (breeder:
Dr. Michael Luehrs, Wagenfeld) held the third position in the price ranking. Even though he has a
jumper pedigree, he belonged to the dressage cadre. He was able to impress Verden’s spectators with
his first-rate basic gaits, his balance and his rideability. This four-year old, beautiful stallion was always obedient and elastic for his rider Melanie
Schmerglatt. His talent for collection was very visible especially in the canter. He was an excellent
advertisement for this auction and found a new
home in Germany for 41,000 Euros. The auction
participant with head number one is always a special horse. This fact held true for this January auction as well. Five-year old Shirkaan by Sir Donnerhall/Cheenook (breeder: Nicola Rietdorf, Henstedt;
exhibitor: ZG Sahlmann & Schmitz, Bleckede) opened the sale. The attractively marked bay, which
already had placements in riding horse classes,
quickly advanced to one of the spectators’ favorites. New customers from Denmark bought this talented dressage prospect for 36,000 Euros.
The uphill trend with respect to auctions continued. This auction set a clear signal: It started the
New Year on an elite auction-level with an average
price of 17,244 Euros – about EUR 2,000 higher
than last year’s – for 92 riding horses. “This was by
far the highest average, which was obtained on an
auction in January,” auction manager Jörg-Wilhelm Wegener declared. The January auction clearly showed that the new auction system is a carefully thought out, conclusive and successful concept.
The system was changed last year. It was adapted
to the needs of the market to remain attractive to
customers from Germany and from foreign countries. Interim auctions no longer exist. They were
replaced by Verden’s auctions, which offer riding
horses of all calibers. The collections include a variety of horses, which satisfy diverse demands and
are worthy of the attribute elite. A customer, who
is looking for an elite riding horse at the end of
October, can now also find what he/she is looking
for at the auctions in November or January. It goes
without saying that this customer does not want to
wait until April for the next elite auction. The new
auction system is simpler and more versatile offering fast service to a variety of customers. Every
eight weeks, we offer for sale riding horses of top
quality. This ties prospective customers to the market place Verden. The elite auction in October continues to serve as the highlight for championship
horses. The new and already established marketing
format is just as attractive for potential buyers as it
is for exhibitors. Since we now offer an opportunity
to sell riding horses of all calibers every two
months, the seller has now the opportunity to
choose the sale date to best benefit the individual
horse and its training status.
Complementing the auctions in March, May and
July with a selected group of foals is another innovation, which already proved successful during
2015. Breeders and exhibitors now have the opportunity to sell their foals on auctions in accordance with the foals’ birthdays. We select foals,
which were born between November 1, 2015 and
February 28, 2016 for Verden’s auction in March,
foals, which were born between January 1 and
March 31 for the May auction, and foals born between March 1 and May 15 for the July auction.
Foals, which are born between April 15 and May
31st, will be selected for Verden’s auction in August. We shall be looking at foals, which are born
after June 1st for the 133rd elite auction. This concept helps our breeders. They have an assurance of
Statistics
Riding horses
Offered for sale
Sold
Net proceeds
Average price
Top price
Lowest price
95 horses
92 horses
1,586,500.00 Euros
17,244.56 Euros
150,000.00 Euros
6,000.00 Euros
Price configuration
6,000 to 7,999 Euros
10 horses
8,000 bis 10,999 Euros
22 horses
11,000 bis 14,999 Euros
27 horses
15,000 bis 24,999 Euros
22 horses
25,000 Euros and more
11 horses
Sale by areas
Germany
52 horses
International
40 horses
Auction
direct marketability and are able to adjust their
breeding plan accordingly. Sales increased last
year by 38 percent because of the foals, which sold
on average for EUR 7,517.00. More than 300 foals
sold in Verden during 2015.
Combining auction with action
The numbers and the atmosphere of the past auctions prove the attractiveness of the marketing
centre Verden. Another novelty for the auction year
2016 is combining the auctions with equestrian
events. The synergic effect of promoting each other
results in a mutual benefit and raises the attractiveness. In 2016, the HA.LT-Horse Show, the regional horse show of the Association for the Sport of
Riding Hannover, celebrates its debut in Verden
and takes place parallel to Verden’s auction in July
on the outdoor terrain, which belongs to the Niedersachsenhalle. These are very exciting news. The
foal auction in August will also be integrated in an
event. It will take place during the International
Dressage and Jumping Festival on August 5 and 6.
Marc Dilasser posted on Facebook that he had
been enthusiastic about the jumper mare Cinderella from the beginning! What makes an auction
horse attractive to the market, what sparks off an
interest? We cannot answer this question in just
one sentence. The demands on an auction horse
from the perspective of a customer are complex
and partially individual. An auction horse needs to
have sale-promoting attributes. These are the basic
gaits in a young dressage horse, which have to be
rhythmical and regular. The exterior plays an important role. When a riding horse is equipped with
the necessary riding horse points like a good
shoulder, saddle position and top line, it positively
influences the movement. The foundation with correct leg position and industrious hindquarters is of
utmost importance for elastic movement, which
swings through the horse’s body. A correctly angled hind leg and a perfect croup are prerequisites.
The rideability, which holds the highest priority for
prospective customers, goes along with the correct
conformation. A horse, which is well built, has usually no problem to go on the bit. In a way, the rideability is also connected to the interior of a horse.
Do the surroundings distract the horse easily? How
willing is it to learn? How does it react to other
horses and to humans? Furthermore, the colour,
the size, but also the radiance play a significant
role. It certainly increases the salability, if a horse is
attractive, has a beautiful head and large eyes. The
above attributes – for the most part – also apply to
jumper horses. Jumper horses may also be pretty,
rideable and pleasant. Jumping ability and style
do, however, take precedence in the selection of a
jumper. Good jumpers are gauged by the powerful
take-off at a fence, the bascule, and the ability to
open up the hindquarters during the landing phase. Top seller Cinderella certainly fulfilled these
criteria. The mare navigated the stadium course
with the greatest of ease, which impressed not
only auction rider Roman Duchac, but also many
customers. A jumping diva without an attitude!
“Cinderella had already proven her exceptional
talent with numerous successes at the M-level,
which is helpful information especially for customers from foreign countries. We did, however, already sell jumpers at top prices, which had no
show experience at all,” Jörg-Wilhelm Wegener
sums up.
Safety first
The Niedersachsenhalle never experienced this.
While horse with head number 24 was in the auction arena to be sold, an announcement came over
the speaker system asking all visitors to leave the
arena immediately. All visitors got up and left the
building in an orderly fashion. The Niedersachsenhalle was evacuated within the shortest period of
time and made it possible for the voluntary fire
department to move in. The news spread quickly
that it had been a false alarm. The fire department
confirmed the false alarm shortly after its arrival.
“Most likely the alarm was set off because of unlawful smoking in the building,” the caretaker of the
building reassured the crowd, and the auction continued. The disruption did not disturb the flow of
the sale. The incidence proved that the safety precautions work in the Niedersachsenhalle. All visitors, employees and horses can be taken to safety
immediately in case of an emergency. n
Cinderella by Clinton/Calypso II sold
to France for 130,000 Euros.
Photos: Ernst
The Hanoverian 03|2016
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Sport
Surprising
successfor Corona
Corona provided for a surprising success, when she
finished Wellington’s Grand Prix in third place. Stan and
Lordan followed in the same footsteps, when they won
the World Cup Jumping in Valle di Bravo and in Thermal.
Don Auriello won in the dressage rings of Florida.
By Britta Züngel
Corona and Marilyn Little. Photo: Linsenmeyer
As newcomers in international jumping competitions, Corona and Marilyn Little finished
the Grand Prix of Wellington in third place.
The Grand Prix offered prize money in the
amount of 216,000 US-Dollars. The friendly
blonde rider usually successfully competes in
eventing. She also breeds horses. Twelve-year old Corona by Cordalme/Lenz xx (breeder:
Udo v.d. Haar, Ankum) is well known in the
circle of jumper riders. David Will, Andreas
Kreuzer and Jasmin Chen, who competes for
Taiwan, rode her successfully in Europe. She
also has a talented son, Little Spezi by Lord
Pezi, which already has M-placements.
“The jumps were quite high today and the
distances difficult,” Marilyn Little says after
her success. “It was the first Grand Prix for
me since years. Riding in a 1,60 m jump-off
against the clock is very different to finishing
Showjumping
CSI***-W Al Ain/UAE
Marion Hughes from Ireland rode Laith (VA)
by Lord Z/Weinberg (breeder: Norbert Nowak, Haren) into fifth place in a two-phase
jumper class. The following day, the pair enjoyed a victory in a speed class.
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The Hanoverian 03|2016
a cross-country course in the allowed time.”
She proved that she is able to do both. Rider
and horses did not allow much time to get to
know each other. The 35-year old owns the
mare less than a year. Two weeks ago, she
was still participating in smaller classes in
Ocala to get acquainted. Marilyn Little rode
the last Grand Prix, when she was a teenager. “We needed the first weeks to understand each other. It was not easy. But now
she is on my side and fights for me,” Marilyn
Little says. A successful debut for this pair!
Marilyn Little owes the surprise success to
the strikingly beautiful grey mare. Beauty
alone is not enough. Success requires a combination of numerous factors including ambition, courage, rideability and jumping ability,
and, not to forget, trust between horse and
rider. The chemistry between Marilyn and Corona is good, which the ride proved. The
quick, ambitious mare fought with her rider.
She was attentive at all times and listened to
CSI*-W Boneo/Australia
World Cup-points were distributed in “downunder”. Silvo (VA) by As di Villagana/ Goldfasan (breeder: Dr. Bonny-Jasmin Jacobs,
Bierbergen) and Brook Dobbin finished the
World-Cup jumper class in fifth place.
CSI**** Braunschweig/Germany
Stalido by Stakkato/Calido (breeder: Renate
Bosse, Wendeburg) obtained the first Hano-
her rider. The ride was harmonious and beautiful to watch. One could not miss the influence of her former coach and trainer George
Morris. “I owe today’s success to my partner
Corona. She has a lot of experience, a super
attitude, and she fights for me. Never before
did I ride a horse with such ability!” the rider
shares.
Marilyn Little does not only determine the
direction on a stadium course, but also in the
air. She is a trained pilot. Together with her
parents, she runs a competition and breeding facility in Maryland and in Florida. Mother Lynne represented the US-colours for
decades as a member of the US-team. In
addition to her mom, Andrea King and Katie
Brown train Marilyn Little, who plans for the
future to not only impress the eventing community. Together with her mount Corona,
she hopes to compete at the international
level against the best in jumping competitions. H.-G. Linsenmeyer
verian victory at the Löwen Classics. Mynou
Diederichsmeier rode him to victory in the
first qualification of the Medium Tour. Galippo by Georgio/For Pleasure (breeder: Lars
Nieberg, Sendenhorst) followed in fifth place
with Lars Nieberg. Christian Rhomberg and
Corbusier (Rhld.) by Cristallo/Casco (breeder: B.A.T.H. van Uhm, Stokkum/NED) finished a two-phase jumper class in second
place. BSC Skipper by Stolzenberg/ Last Liberty (breeder: Konrad Deister, Harsum) and
Holger Wulschner won the final.
Sport
Rolf Moormann rode Clintina by Clinton/
Nobre xx (breeder: Heinrich Bremer Jun.,
Nöpke) onto an excellent third place in the
opening class of the Youngster Tour. Christian
Kukuk finished third in a two-phase jumper
class aboard Casanova by Clinton/Stakkato
(breeder: Wilhelm and Heike Strunk, Bochum). Contessa D by Chasseur/Argentan
(breeder: Klaus Damman, Fredenbeck) and
rider Silke Kröckel finished a speed class for
amateurs in second place; Aramis (Hess.) by
Aargau/Recke (breeder: Hans-Joachim Strutz,
Moringen) followed in third place with rider
Laura Ahlborn. Both horses did even better in
a two-phase jumper class, in which Contessa D was the winner and Aramis followed in
second place. In the final, Aramis again
placed second, while Ciquest S by Contendro/Varus (breeder: Jennika Stuerken, Bremen)
and Pia Burchard followed in fourth position.
CSI*****-W Bordeaux/France
All Star and Denis Lynch collected World Cup-points in Bordeaux and in Zurich. Photo: Frieler
Denis Lynch rode All Star (VA) by Argentinus/Alme Z (breeder: Horst Zöllmer, Südergellersen) into fifth place in the last World
Cup-jumper class before the final in Gothenburg. This placement spells eighth position in
the overall ranking of the Western Europe
League. Scott Brash from Great Britain finished an accumulator class in fourth place on
his mount Hello Annie (VA) by Contendro/
For Pleasure (breeder: Joachim Tobaben, Ottensen).
CSI***-W Dubai/UAE
The performance of Laith (VA) by Lord Z/
Weinberg (breeder: Norbert Nowak, Haren)
and Marion Hughes in an accumulator class
was rewarded with a second placement. The
eleven-year old black mare Sierra FBH by
Stakkato/Escudo (breeder: Reinhard Rieckmann, Wittorf) followed in fourth place with
rider Alice Debany Clero. Abdullah Mohd Al
Marri represented the colors of the hosting
country aboard his mount Sama Dubai FBH
by Stakkato/Landcapitol (breeder: Wilhelm
Winkeler, Herzlake). The pair finished a twophase jumper class in fourth place.
CSI** Lublin/Poland
Lublin, which is located 160 kilometers southeast of Warsaw, was the second station of
the Tour Cavaliada. Paul Wiktor had tacked
up Colonia (Rhld.) by Cellistal/Ex Libris
(breeder: Sonja Oserberg, Plau am See) for a
speed class of the Big Tour, which they finished in third place. The pair placed fourth in
the final Grand Prix.
CSI*** Offenburg
Two Hanoverians finished within the top five
in the first class of the Medium Tour. Extasy
III by Bonito/Rhytmo (breeder: Patricia Sausmikat, Bremen) and Bronislav Chudyba
placed fourth and El Bandiata B by El Bundy/Picard (breeder: Broer Bruns, Hesel) ridden
by Mario Stevens finished fifth. Hendrik
Dowe won the final for seven-year olds
aboard St.Pr.A. Sally by Stakkato/ColeurRubin (breeder: Eitel Wehrs, Steinwedel).
CSI** Oliva/Spain
The Mediterranean Equestrian Tour offers top
competition on eight weekends from the end
of January until mid April right outside of Valencia. Michael Wittschier brought the proven Galaxy HS (VA) by Go on Top/Acorado
(breeder: ZG Spreckels and Hoops, Hammah)
to Costa Blanco in the first week. After a fifth
place in the opening class of the Bronze
4-Tour, this successful combination celebrated two victories in the next two classes.
Ben Nevis by Balou du Rouet/Silvio (breeder: Walter Fehling, Raddestorf) was one of
the horses that placed in the Silver 3-Tour.
Eoin McMahon from Ireland now rides the
eleven-year old. The pair finished a jumper
class with jump-off in third place.
Conlana Del Ray by Contagio/Landadel
(breeder: Oliver Ross, Thedinghausen) obtained first international placements in the second round. Holger Wenz rode the seven-year old into fifth place in a speed class of the
Youngster Tour. Que Sera by Quidam’s Rubin/Lanthan (breeder: Dieter Ortmann, Weyhe) obtained a victory. It was the debut of
Tobias Meyer, who started riding the ten-year
old at the beginning of the year. The pair won
a jumping class against the clock of the Silver
3-Tour. Two Hanoverians were in the top five
of the final: Ben Nevis under Eoin McMahon
finished third and Galaxy HS with Michael
Wittschier fifth.
MET 2 – The Mediterranean Equestrian Tour
lasts from the mid to the end of February:
Jessica Lüdicke rode Stakkadero (VA) by
Stakkato/Calypso II (breeder: Ulrich Heuer,
Bienenbüttel) into fourth place in a speed
class of the Bronze 4-Tour. Chantal Hebbel
on Cover Girl by Contendro/Cavalier (breeder: Siglinde Hoffmann, Kürten) also placed
fourth in the next jumper class against the
clock. White Wizzard (Rhld.) by Winningmood v.d. Arenberg/Cevin (breeder: KarlHeinz Krings, Gangel-Stahe) and rider Edouard Schmitz followed in fifth position. Cover
Girl had another impressive performance in
the final finishing fourth.
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7
Sport
Hanoverian News
Jackie Brown by Lord Pezi/Grandeur
(breeder: Wilhelm Winkler, Herzlake) is a
new addition to Meredith MichaelsBeerbaum’s stable. The breeder rode the
seven-year old, before Gilbert Böckmann
started riding the bay and celebrated the
first placements at the S-level.
Helen Langehanenberg and Damsey FRH
by Dressage Royal/Ritual (breeder: Stallion
Station Kothe, Osten) had their first official
appearance at the private stallion show in
Verden. The presentation was filled with
difficult movements at the Grand Prix-level,
which the pair completed with ease. They
proved to already be a good team.
“Damsey is just the horse for me,” the
successful dressage rider shares her
excitement. The stallion – born 2002 – had
been a member of the German Nations
Cup-team in Rotterdam last year with his
previous rider Steffen Frahm.
CSI** Opglabbeek/Belgium
The faultless performance of St.Pr.A. Sunfire by Stakkato/Contender (breeder: Elmar
Vogel, Enger) and rider Suzan Pape in a jumper class with jump-off was rewarded with a
third placement. Rikke Belinda Barker aboard
Oh La’La (Rhld.) by Orlando/Lancer II (breeder: Josef Hüpen, Strälen) just missed the
victory in the Grand Prix placing second.
Evy Morssinkhof enjoyed a fourth placement
in the two-phase jumper class for riders U25
with her mount Perigrosso (VA) by Perigueux/Grosso Z (breeder: Dr. Bernd Osterloh, Hardegsen). When the Belgian/Hanoverian combination finished the Grand Prix in
second place, Evy Morssinkhof was overjoyed! Maria Madenova rode Sheggy (VA) by
Stolzenberg/Escudo (breeder: Matthias and
Annette Bug, Petersberg) into fourth place in
a speed class.
CSI** Rosendaal/The Netherlands
Fredrik Knorren started the “Carnival
Jumping”-event in Rosendaal with a fifth
place in the first jumper class. His mount was
Shaitaan by Stolzenberg/For Future (breeder: Lutz Wimmer, Bad Harzburg).
CSI** Schwerin/Germany
Subtitle: Damsey FRH and Helen Langehanenberg. Photo: Beelitz
Damsey FRH and Helen Langehanenberg
Charlott-Maria Schürmann also has a new
stallion in her barn. Celle’s state stud sire
Quaterhall by Quaterback/Donnerhall
(breeder: Ulrich Kriebel, Bienenbüttel)
moved into the stable of the dressage rider
at the beginning of the year. “Quaterhall is
such a star,” the 23-year old shares happily.
She is looking towards a participation in
the Nürnberger Burgpokal. The liver
chestnut already had obtained placements
up to Prix St. Georges with rider Wolfhard
Witte. Young German Charlott-Maria
Schürmann, who won the final of the
Burgpokal (Castle Cup) in 2012 aboard
Burlington FRH by Breitling W/Rohdiamant
(breeder: Hans-Heinrich Oltmann, Borstel),
is working together with the state stud for
some time now.
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The Hanoverian 03|2016
Clintina by Clinton/Nobre xx (breeder: Heinrich Bremer Jun., Nöpke) placed second with
her performance in the first qualification of
the Youngster Tour. The grey mare, which Rolf
Moormann rode, had done very well at the
Herwart v.d. Decken-Show and had placed
second in the free-jumping competition of
the Program for Hanoverian Jumper Horse
Breeding in 2012. In the division for eightyear olds, another Hanoverian also placed
second: It was Ciwaluca by Charming Boy/
Sandro (breeder: Breeding Farm Fries, Northeim) with rider Leonie Jonigkeit.
Bliss Heers rode Contendra by Contendro/
Raphael (breeder: Schirrmacher GbR, Hemmoor) into fifth place in the jumper class for
the world rankings. The pair obtained the
same placement in the championship of
Schwerin. Cassandra Orschel enjoyed a
fourth placement in a 1,45 m-class of the Big
Tour riding Acanthya by Adlantico As/Argentinus (breeder: Thomas Hart, OsterholzScharmbeck). Thomas Kleis won the final of
the Big Tour at the end of the horse show
aboard For Success by For Pleasure/Stakkato (breeder: Hans Siemers, Sittensen).
Ciquest by Contendro/Varus (breeder: Jennika Stürken, Bremen) and Pia Burchard finished the final of the Amateur-Tour in fourth
place.
CSI***-W Sharjah/UAE
Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi and his mount
Summer Time by Stakkato/Foxhunter (breeder: Reinhard Weiss, Rotenburg) placed
fourth in a speed class.
CSI***-W Thermal/USA
Lordan by Lordanos/Landor S (breeder: Gerd
Sosath, Lemwerder) and Nayel Nassar from
Egypt won the World Cup-jumper class in
Thermal/USA. The pair beat the competition
in the jump-off by more than one second.
Catypso by Catoki/Calypso II (breeder: Gerald Wiese, Ottersberg) and Eric Navet finished on an excellent third place after a jumping fault in the jump-off.
Lordan had already impressed with an excellent performance in the opening jumper
class finishing second. Catypso followed in
fifth place. Cat Balou by Converter/Acord II
(breeder: Klaus Hermann Bielfeld, Schülp)
placed in between – in third place – with rider Tamie Philips from Canada.
CSI*** Villach/Austria
Perigueux by Perpignon/Stakkato (breeder:
Dr. Karl-Otto Jacobs, Bierbergen) won the
Grand Prix with rider Eva Bitter. The pair had
a lead of almost three seconds. “I would like
to thank my horse and his groom Sabine
most of all. It was superb team work,” the
excited rider shared. “I am incredibly proud
to hold the lead amidst this high-carat field
of competitors!” Celle’s state stud sire had
already completed the second qualification
with a remarkable performance finishing
fourth.
CSI****-W Valle de Bravo/Mexico
For the first time, there was a World Cup-site
in Mexico. Juan Manuel Luzardo from Uruguay won with a sensational clear round on
Stan by Stakkato/Sacramento Son (breeder:
Isa Probst, Weyhausen). The pair, which already participated in last year’s Pan Am Games,
Sport
Lordan and Nayel Nassar won the World Cup
jumping in Thermal. Photo: FEI
had finished the first qualification in fifth
place.
Contendros (VA) by Contendro/Drosselklang II (breeder: Wilhelm Berghorn, Stolzenau) and Andres Azcarraga delivered an impressive ride in a speed class placing fifth.
Jumper blood runs through the veins of this
nine-year old. His granddam St.Pr.St. Gipsy by
Glückspilz/Egerländer is out of the line of Neapenda. She is the dam of Christian
Ahlmann’s Codex One.
CSI**** Wellington/USA
Alsvid by Escudo/Azur (breeder: Mareike
Decker-van Leeuwen, Bierbergen) and Richie
Moloniey had every reason to celebrate after
winning a speed class. Super Sox by Salito/
Silvio (breeder: Otto Krone, Hoheneggelsen)
proved his talent in a 1,50 m-class, which he
finished second with his 19-year old rider Lillie Keenan right behind Check Picobello Z
and rider Eric Lamaze.
The Grand Prix offered prize money in the
amount of 216,000 US Dollars. The jump-off
was very exciting. Marilyn Little and her
mount Corona by Cordalme/Lenz xx (breeder: Udo v.d. Haar, Ankum) celebrated a third
placement behind Eric Lamaze and Nick Skelton after producing three faultless rounds.
This was the best result for this pair so far.
CSI***-W Wellington/USA
Sirius Brown by Stolzenberg/Legat (breeder: Heinrich Verwold, Isterberg) represented
Columbia in Florida. Juan Pablo Gnecco rode
the ten-year old into fifth place in a jumper
class with jump-off.
CSI*** Wellington/USA
Cian O’Connor and Saphir (VA) by Salito/
Escudo (breeder: Manfred Schäfer, Köchingen) finished a fault and time-class in third
place.
CSI*****-Zurich/Switzerland
Denis Lynch rode All Star (VA) by Argentinus/Alme Z (breeder: Horst Zöllmer, Südergellersen) into second place in the Grand Prix
and also in the World Cup-jumper class.
Dressage
CDIO U25 Braunschweig/Germany
The U25- Nation Prize celebrated its debut.
The German team made good use of its home
advantage and won ahead of the riders from
Denmark and Austria. Florida (Rhld.) by Fidermark/Grosso Z (breeder: Friedhelm
Milthaler, Gangelt) was a member of the winning trio with rider Nadine Husenbeth as well
as Doctor Schiwago (breeder: Peter Henning Reinstorf, Tespe) with rider Florine Kienbaum. Rentino by Rosario/De Niro (breeder:
Reiner Roebke) was on the Danish team with
rider Anna Zibrandtsen. Donaublick by Don
Vino/Brentano II (breeder: Martin Schmid,
Legden) collected points for Austria with rider Tatjana Svehla. Florida obtained the second-best score in the Grand Prix. Doctor
Schiwago followed in fourth place and Rentino in fifth. Nadine Husenbeth and Florida
greatly enjoyed a victory in the final freestyle.
“This weekend everything worked out beautifully. Flo was very happy in Braunschweig,”
so the 23-year old student. Doctor Schiwago finished the freestyle in third place.
CDI-W Burbank/USA
California was a site, where World Cuppoints were distributed. Steffen Peters rode
Rosamunde (Rhld.) by Rock Forever/Fidermark (breeder: Hannelore Koch, Nuernbrecht)
into second place in the Grand Prix right behind Rosamunde’s stablemate Legolas. Only
four riders competed in the Special. Rosamunde won by a considerable margin.
CDI*** Boneo/Australia
A horse from the Rhineland was very successful in Australia with a rider from New
Zealand: Vom Feinsten by Fidermark/Weltmeyer (breeder: Rudi Henn, Simmerath) and
Julie Brougham finished the Grand Prix in
second place. The judges gave the pair the
fourth-best score in the Special. In the freestyle, they placed third.
CDI Wellington/USA
The dressage ring in Florida was in Hanoverian hands mid January. Don Auriello (VA) by
Don Davidoff/White Star (breeder: Joachim
Poppe, Harsefeld) and rider Tinne Vilhelmson
Silfven were unchallenged winning the Grand
Prix and the freestyle. Leah Wilson from Canada rode Fabian J.S. by Feiner Graf/Denberg (breeder: Silke Mosgull, Damme) into
third place in the Grand Prix. Don Diego
Ymas (VA) by Don Frederico/ Wolkenstein II
(breeder: Claus Schütt, Hemmoor) and rider
Juan Matute Guimon followed in fifth place.
This pair improved to fourth place in the freestyle, while Fabian J.S. won. Fiorano by
The Hanoverian 03|2016
9
Sport
moor) to the Atlantic Coast. The pair celebrated first international top successes obtaining
a fifth placement at Prix St. Georges and improved to third placement at Inter I.
Florida and Nadine Husenbeth won the Nations Cup and the Grand Prix-freestyle in Braunschweig.
Photo: Frieler
Rousseau/Rotspon (breeder: Anke von Riegen, Neuenkirchen) and rider Susan Pape
obtained a fourth place in the freestyle.
CDI*** Wellington/USA
Rosamunde (Rhld.) by Rock Forever/Fidermark (breeder: Hannelore Koch, Nürnbrecht)
and rider Steffen Peters were not to beat!
This pair won the Grand Prix and the Special
by a considerable margin. Shelly Francis rode
Danilo by De Niro/Andiamo (breeder: Susan-
ne and Jürgen Beck, Stuttgart) into second
place in the Grand Prix and in the freestyle.
Don Principe by Donnerhall/Prince Thatch
xx (breeder: Adelheid Brüning, Ochtmannien)
and rider James Kofort finished the freestyle
in fifth place. Don Tignanello by Don Vino/
Andiamo (breeder: Hermann Lücke, Badbergen) and Leida Collins-Strijk from the Netherlands obtained the second-best result in the
Prix St. Georges. Susan Pape had brought
Samson by San Remo/Davignon (breeder:
Harmony Sporthorses and Ingo Pape, Hem-
Virginia Yarur Ready rode Finn (Rhld.) by
Feinsinn/Wall Street (breeder: Ulrich Pütz,
Wermelskirchen) to victory in the Inter-freestyle after having placed second at Inter I.
Royal Dancer by Royal Blend/Le Primeur
(breeder: Georg Hardekopf-Hartmann, Lüdersfeld) finished the freestyle in second
place with Michael Klimke, and Elevado by
Flakenstern II/Weltmeyer (breeder: Georg
Harsman, Wilsum) followed in fourth place
with Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo. Juan Matute Guimon from Spain celebrated a dual victory with his mount Dhannie Ymas (VA) by
Don Crusador/Weltmer (breeder: Hinrich Engelke, Dörverden) winning the team and the
individual test for young riders. Barbara Davis
and her mount Feivel Mousekewitz (VA)
by Federweißer/Singular Joter (breeder: Gabriele Bontemps, Salzhausen) followed in second place in both classes. The pair finished
the freestyle in third place. Maima Moreira
Laliberte aboard Belafonte (VA) by Belissimo M/Wendekreis (breeder: Ingo Rosenberg,
Groß Banratz) was the winner of the freestyle, after having placed third in the other
two classes. Rigo (VA) by Rotspon/Wolkenstein II (breeder: Hinrich Martfeld, Bederkesa)
and rider Alexandra Meghji finished the team
test in fourth place. n
„I am glad to have him!“
Since one-and-a-half years, Holger Wulschner rides BSC Skipper by Stolzenberg/Lord Liberty
(breeder: Konrad Deister, Harsum). The pair gathered numerous top placements and earned
more than 40,000 Euros in prize money, but they had not hit the jackpot yet. They succeeded at the Löwen Classics in Braunschweig, when they won the final of the Medium Tour. It
was the first victory at the S-level for the 2004-born black. “The time had come for Skipper
in the final. We remained faultless and had the fastest time in the jump-off, which spelled
victory! I could hardly believe it,” Holger Wulschner is overjoyed.
BSC Skipper and Holger Wulschner.
Photo: Lafrentz
10
The Hanoverian 03|2016
Holger Wulschner discovered Skipper on horse shows in Mecklenburg. Jasmin Selke-John
rode this diamond-in-the-raw in jumper classes at the S-level. The young rider had brought
the horse along from participating in jumper-horse classes to international competitions. “He
is very careful and has his own jumping style. I now and again inquired, if he was for sale. At
one point, I got a positive response. Skipper came to my barn for three months on trial,”
Holger Wulschner remembers. “Skipper had the reputation to be very difficult, but now he is
fine. He could not compete during the summer because of an injury. After the short break
from horse shows, he reentered and did much better from the beginning than he had done
before. I am glad to have him!” The jumper talent will remain in the stable of Holger Wulschner. The sponsor enjoys the success and already confirmed that long-term plans are to be
made.
Sport
Jan-Dirk Gießelmann was not only awarded
the Golden Riding Badge, his mount Real
Dancer was also awarded the suffix FRH to his
name Photo: Beelitz
young dressage horses. He finished the
small final in second place and the big final
in eighth place. “I always carefully rode
Real Dancer and took one step at a time,”
his rider explains. It is the first horse for the
32-year old, which he trained to Grand Prix.
After his graduation from high school, he
completed his training to become a professional horseman at Hella Kunz and in the
stable of Heinrich Ramsbrock. He was a
member of Verden’s auction team from
2004 to 2007, before he joined his parental
equestrian business in 2010.
After another placement at the Bundeschampionate for six-year olds, Real Dancer
and Jan-Dirk Gießelmann celebrated winning their first ribbon at the S-level. The
goal was obvious: the participation in the
Nürnberger Burgpokal. With the help of
Holga Finken as trainer, this was no problem. “We trained towards the final in Frankfurt. We finished in fourth place, just one
point behind the third-placed horse,” so
Jan-Dirk Gießelmann. Since the first victory
at Grand Prix in 2014, the pair won ten additional times. They aimed towards participating in the Louisdor-Prize, a Grand Prix
for rising youngsters. A serious riding accident in the summer of 2014 put all plans
and dreams on hold. One year later, the pair
returned to competition. They competed for
the first time internationally at Grand Prix
and in the Special at the Dressage and Jumper Festival in Verden. “That was very special for me, especially since many friends
and acquaintances were present,” Jan-Dirk
Gießelmann says. An what is the secret of
his success? “The horses need to remain
motivated in the training, enjoy the movements and show willingness in the training
process. They are not to loose their natural
appearance and expression.” Real Dancer
was recognized for his performance with
the sought-after suffix FRH.
Real Dancer FRH
“Every day, I enjoy riding him!” Jan-Dirk came the celebrated champion stallion at
Gießelmann shares happily and raves, “Real Verden’s licensing in 2005. He created a
Dancer has an enormous willingness to per- small sensation with his sale price of
form and a character of his own. He knows 800,000 Euros. The privately owned stallion
exactly that he is the star in our stable and advanced to international competition by
that he is allowed to be a little naughty now. Real Dancer and Jan-Dirk Gießelmann
while in work - every now and again. When are trying to get there as well, “It would be
it counts, he focuses beautifully.” The 2004 a dream-come-true to compete internatioborn dark-bay and his rider have known nally!” Jan-Dirk Gießelmann follows the
each other for a long time. Real Dancer by classic German training and competition
Rubin-Royal/De Niro (breeder: Friedrich Op- system with Real Dancer. He finished the
permann, Liebenburg) was raised as a stal- Hanoverian riding horse championships in
lion at Family Gießelmann’s farm. He made fifth place as a three-year old. His perforit to the final ring in the stallion pre-selec- mance in Verden followed the participation
tion. “Luckily he was not selected and I at the Bundeschampionate in Warendorf
could keep him as a riding horse,” Jan-Dirk the following year.
Gießelmann remembers. “He always was
very willing and we are a very good pair.” As a five-year old, he visited only a few
Real Dancer’s one year older half-brother shows, qualified for the BundeschampionaHotline by Hofrat, also raised in Barver, be- te and for the World Championships for
The Hanoverian 03|2016
11
Breeder‘s portrait
Breeding
horses united
Family Menke from Handrup near Lingen breeds
very talented riding horses. The motto: “We only
succeed, if we work together well.”
By Jürgen Stroscher
Father and son Bernhard Menke and
Anna Ellenberg. Photos: Stroscher
„A
Nothing can be accomplished by only one
person. The daily work at the basics, which
we do together, has priority with us,” father and
son agree. Both are called Bernhard, Mr. Menke
senior is now 75 years old, Mr. Menke junior turns
42 the end of May. It is of utmost importance to
Family Menke to maintain a good relationship with
buyers but also with everybody, who is involved in
breeding horses. Even maintaining a good relationship with the neighbors is important.
“Josef Wilmes and his family from the farm next
door is always ready to help when needed and vice
versa,” Berhand Menke Sen. shares. Son Bernhard
inherited this mentality. “After all, we all want to
achieve something with our breeding program. We
only will be really successful, if we work well together,” so the junior. This includes maintaining a
good relationship with the Horse Breeding Club
Lingen, with Edda Kröner and Harald Thelker, and
with the sale centre Verden. “It only takes one call
to either Peter Kind or Jörg-Wilhelm Wegener and
together we try to solve our concerns.” Berhard
Menke Jun. is happy about the good business relations between Family Menke and the Hannoveraner Verband.
Working against each other is not for Family Menke. Exchange and mutual interest in breeding horses successfully takes centre stage in their activities. Because of this life philosophy, an amicable
relationship developed with Rudolf Schepergerdes
over the course of the years. Furthermore, the family recently started to work together with breeder
Father and son Menke are proud of their 23-year old
broodmare Argentina by Argentinus.
12
The Hanoverian 03|2016
Anna Ellenberg from Kirchdorf. “We share the affinity of breeding horses and realized that we have
very similar ideas,” 28-year old Anna Ellenberg
describes her good relationship especially with
Bernhard Menke Jun. They plan working together
on horse-related issues.” “We may be able to help
each other. Anna benefits from our expertise and
we learn from her ideas.” Bernhard Menke Jun. is
looking towards a constructive future, “after all,
we are sitting in the same boat!” The farrier Daniel Klesper is also part of the equation. He lives in
the immediate neighborhood and is on “stand-by”
mode 365 days a year – always available, when he
is desperately needed for the horses. “Otherwise,
we take it as it comes, we lie in the straw without
any ifs or buts; after all everybody only cooks with
water!” Bernhard Menke Jun. explains. Family
Menke can relax, since their breeding products
have gained a good reputation in the horse community.
Unwavering joy in breeding horses
“We always had foals on the farm. In earlier times,
they were cold-blooded horses – we just cannot
be without horses,” Mr. Menke Sen. shares. He remembers working the fields of the family farm together with his father using Belgian cold-blooded
horses. “We bred horses already then – but on a
much smaller scale.” The joy in horses remained.
During the sixties Bernhard Menke made his first
attempts to breed modern riding horses. It started
with the purchase of the chestnut mare Agentin by
Akzent/Absatz (breeder: Heinrich Meyer, Syke),
born 1983. “I quickly realized that several generations back are of utmost importance. I was on the
look-out for a suitable broodmare.” His decision to
buy Agentin was the right one! Today’s damline
Breeder‘s portrait
and the talented riding horses, which came from
the breeding farm, go back to this foundation dam.
“Luxor is the world’s best horse in my eyes. When I
rode him the very first time, I knew, he is it – his
rideability and radiance were just magnificent. He
has a wonderful disposition and an unbelievable
intelligence,” the young Australian rider Kate Farrell raves about her 14-year old son of Londonderry. The highly talented dressage horse is out of the
mare Argentinia by Argentinus. The mare goes
back to Agentin in the second generation. The facility of Kasselmann arranged for Luxor to go to Australia in 2010. He was very successful in 2013 with
his 22-year old rider. The young female rider was
not to beat in FEI-classes, and the pair was a member of the winning team in Sydney. The pair won a
total of five CDIs. Kate Farrell is on the current Australian U-25 cadre. She strives to achieve personal
best performances in dressage aboard Luxor.
A breeder cannot ask for greater acknowledgment
regarding the quality of a riding horse. “It is our
goal to breed tall, elegant horses, which are easy
to get along with, horses with a reliable disposition, while they impress with good rideability and
performance ability. When we receive such positive feedback, then we feel endorsed in our breeding program,” Bernhard Menke Jun. shares his
joy. Family Menke remains realistic in spite of all
the successes.
Exchange with other breeders is important
“If you are able to judge your broodmares and
know to evaluate their pedigrees, then it is not so
hard to select suitable producers. The verbal exchange with other breeders is just as important. If
a combination has been successful for someone
else, it may also be of interest to us. You just have
to take a chance every now and again and try.
Continued education is essential as well; for instance, we traveled to the mare and foal shows in
Freiburg and Krautsand to explore the market,”
the Menkes share. If you use famous foundation
sires, you cannot go wrong and will quickly achieve success. The first talented foals were by Grannus,
Weltmeyer and Wolkentanz, and then later by Londonderry, Sandro Hit and De Niro. The blood of
Grannus combined with Akzent from Agentin,
brought right away an licensed stallion in 1991
called Claucus. The traditional Hanoverian G-line
provided the colt with a lot of jumping ability,
which allowed him to successfully compete up to
the S-level. Breeding Wolkentanz to a daughter of
Agentin proved successful as well. The colt Walker,
born 1999, out of Rubina by Rubinstein was licensed in Verden in 2002 and successfully competed in dressage up to the M-level.
Bernhard Menke Jun. looks back on a remarkable
career as a jumper rider, when he was younger.
Hence the main focus of the family’s breeding program was on creating performance-oriented jumpers. As a pony rider he was rewarded as the best
rider from his region. Later he successfully rode
home-bred horses out of the family’s breeding program. “Once the responsibility for the family farm
grew more and more, he was unable to combine
his career as a competition rider with his job. At
the age of 25, he retired from participating in competitions.” Experience showed that the damline
was equipped with a dual predisposition. “Today
we strictly separate jumper lines and dressage lines. As it turned out, the marketing of foals with
dressage talent is easier and more lucrative,”
Bernhard Menke Sen. views the further development of his breeding program as positive. “When
we started out, the Hanoverian horse was far
ahead of the Oldenburg horses, especially with respect to the exterior, but also regarding the pedigree. Today a lot assimilates. Part of the reason for
this assimilation is certainly the expansion of the
Hannoveraner Verband into the Rhineland and
into Hesse. Regional borders become obsolete.”
Deep Impact and Robert Acz from
Hungary celebrate international
successes. Photo: Hajdu
The Menkes sold more than forty foals on Verden’s
auctions. As the best non-licensed stallion, Deep
Impact by De Niro out of Rubina advanced to the
top-seller on Verden’s stallion sales in 2005. He
successfully competed in dressage at the S***-level with Robert Acs from Hungary. Another De Niro-son is causing a sensation in the dressage ring.
Deniwe – born 2004 – out of Wichita by Welt Hit
is currently victorious up to Inter I and Prix St.
Georges with rider Gerhard Pietsch.
The female descendants truly represent the breeding successes of Family Menke. Numerous state
premium mares brighten today’s dam line. Even
23-year old Argentinia still delivers excellent foals.
Seven mares are currently in foal. “Every foal that
is born on our farm becomes immediately acquainted with human beings through bottle feeding. All
horses are members of the family, and if they fall ill,
then we also feel bad,” father and son describe
the relationship, which they have with their breeding horses. They enjoy dealing with and handling
the honest souls. Both agree that horses will act
according to how they are handled. This remarkable statement may just be part of the reason for
their success with breeding Hanoverian horses. n
The Hanoverian 03|2016
13
Breeding
Hanoverian
horses impress
The licensing of the KWPN took place in the
Brabant Arenas in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the
Netherlands, at the beginning of February. It was
not just the new vintage of young stallions, which
were evaluated. The five-year old Hanoverians
impressed with their performances.
By Ulrich Hahne
A
Toto Jr. by Totilas/Desperados was
the best five-year old dressage
stallion at the KWPN-licensing.
Photos: Bronkhorst
t the KWPN-licensing, older stallions proved
their abilities in dressage and in jumping in
addition to the vintage of 2013. Toto Jr. by Totilas/
Desperados (breeder: ZG Schmidt, Naumburg) and
Ferguson by Floriscount/Lauries Crusador xx (breeder: Erika Lütjen, Grasberg) left Verden’s stallion
sales in 2013 in direction to the Netherlands. Twoand-a-half years later, they take leading positions
in dressage for five-year old stallions in Germany’s
neighboring country. Toto Jr. won with Marieke van
der Putten by a comfortable margin. Ferguson finished in third place with young-horse champion-
ship-rider Kirsten Brouwers. Another Hanoverian
placed in the final: George Clooney by De Niro/
Wolkentanz (breeder: Ulrike Lahmann-Gehrke,
Wittingen). Two stallions were presented from the
first vintage of sire Starpower by Stakkato/Escudo
(breeder: Manfred Schäfer, Köchingen); one was
licensed. Starpower finished a 1,40 m-jumping
class for stallions in sixth place. As the Hanoverian
licensing committee-member Hans-Henning v. d.
Decken shares his impressions of the KWPN-licensing.
THE HANOVERIAN: Mr. von der Decken, you
observed the licensing of the KWPN through
the eyes of a Hanoverian licensing committee member. What were your impressions of
the stallions?
Hans-Henning v.d. Decken, “The jumping was very
positive. The variety of pedigrees including internationally successful stallions in several generations
is impressive. The free-jumping was at a top level
accordingly. A great discrepancy between the
three basic gaits was noticeable in the stallions
with dressage talent. Often trot and canter are
good. Unfortunately the walk often lacks relaxedness and reach. No improvement has been reached
over the last few years.”
THE HANOVERIAN: How do you view the influence of Hanoverian horses?
Hans-Henning v.d. Decken, “The current influence
in the young stallions seems low. There were only
a few Hanoverians in the collection. De Niro, Hotline and Stakkato appear in a few pedigrees. After
very good performances of Toto Jr., Ferguson and
Starpower, it will be interesting to see, how this
continues to develop.”
THE HANOVERIAN: Did you notice a fundamental difference between the horses from
Hanover and from the KWPN?
Hans-Henning v.d. Decken, “I was very pleased
with the hooves of the horses. With respect to the
construction, I believe that our dressage horses
have more stability in the back and hence show
more elasticity through the entire body. We paid a
lot of attention to this over the past years. The construction of the back is with reason the focal point
in the guideline quality. The Dutch stallions impress with extravagant, effective movement. They
raise their feet high off the ground. It shows a lot
of kinetic movement, which encumbers the elasticity and the activity of the back. The movement
does not reach the front.”
14
The Hanoverian 03|2016
Breeding
THE HANOVERIAN: Do you also see a difference in the selection?
Hans-Henning v.d. Decken, “The stallions are selected in different viewings. Once dismissed, a stallion is no longer allowed to participate in the next
viewing. In borderline cases, information from the
pedigree and the damlines are taken into consideration. This will be shared during the announcement. The decision stays intern though. Several
descendants by the same sire were licensed, which
all appeared very hot and wiry and had not much
walk at all. It would have been hard for these
young stallions to be licensed with us.”
THE HANOVERIAN: What is good that we
can take over for our breed from our neighboring country?
Hans-Henning v.d. Decken, “The predisposition for
jumping is very well secured over several generations by stallions with successful show records. We
must improve that. With respect to the dressage
horses, we – in comparison – are on the right
track, I believe, especially with respect to the activity of the back. We must continue to keep our
eyes open though.”
THE HANOVERIAN: Older stallions compete
against each other in dressage and in jumping classes on the licensing in the Netherlands. How do breeders accept this?
Hans-Henning v.d. Decken, “That is awesome and
is very well received. A lot of young people came to
the competitions, not only breeders but also riders.
You can feel the excitement. The Dutch celebrate
their horses. Hanoverian breeders always apply a
lot of self-criticism, which I in general support. Sometimes, it takes a toll on the atmosphere, when
we weigh the weaknesses in our horses higher
than the strengths while looking for the perfect
horse. From a breeding perspective, it is very interesting, and I would love to see the sport horse
classes for stallions, which are a part of the stallion
performance test in Germany since this year, develop in this direction. You get a very good overview.
I did not much care for the riding style in the dressage classes. It may be very effective, but it lacks
relaxedness. I witnessed it in all dressage horse
presentations. n
Third place in the competition of
five-year old dressage stallions:
Ferguson by Floriscount/Lauries
Crusador xx.
In service for Hannover
Since 15 years, the KWPN influences the Hanoverian breed through the use of stallions. It is time for
a first interim evaluation of the effects of the use of
these stallions in the Hanoverian breed.
It was Olympic medal winner Ferro by Ulft/Farn in
2002, which obtained the breeding license for
Hannover as one of the first dressage stallions
from the Netherlands. His pedigree is a mixture of
French, Holstein and Hanoverian blood influenced
by some Thoroughbred blood and is based on a
Dutch damline. About forty of Ferro’s descendants
are Hanoverians. One of them competed in dressage at the S-level.
Ferro’s immediate influence on the Hanoverian
breed remained small. His only licensed Hanoverian son Felice out of a dam by Sandro was never
used for breeding. His Hanoverian daughters also
were of no great significance as broodmares. Only
St.Pr.St. Ferros Märchen out of a dam by Weltmeyer (breeder: Arend Kamphorst, Prieros) and Fürstin
H out of a dam by Hohenstein (breeder: Hans-Günther Berner, Bienenbüttel) attracted attention. Ferros Märchen received a premium award on the
Herwart v.d. Decken-Show in 2009 and won her
class on the Friedrich Jahncke-Show in 2014. Fürstin H delivered the now licensed stallion Blackstage by Bon Bravour.
Influence via Rousseau
Ferro had a larger influence on the Hanoverian
breed through his son Rousseau. His damline is
also refined by Thoroughbred, Holstein, Hanoverian and Westphalian blood. Because of his success
at the World Championships for young dressage
horses in 2003, he obtained his breeding license
for Hannover. His progeny includes 177 Hanoverians including the stallions Fiorano, Fürst Rousseau
and Rousseau Noir. The Hanoverian breed value
estimation for dressage characteristics reflects mediocre results for Rousseau as well as for his Hanoverian descendants. Only the evaluation of the rideability is uniformly positive.
One of Rousseau’s KWPN-sons has a greater influence on the Hanoverian breed than Rousseau
himself – it is a similar situation with Rousseau’s
sire Ferro. Ampere and lately also Zack are used
more frequently than their sire. Ampere, who by
now has 139 descendants in Hannover, is strongly
influenced by Holstein blood on the damside of his
Ferro won team silver in Sydney
with rider Coby van Baalen.
The Hanoverian 03|2016
15
Breeding
influences the Hanoverian breed through his sons
Van Vivaldi, Vitalis, Veneno and Veneziano. Not
much can be said about his heredity since he has
not been breeding Hanoverian mares for long nor
has he been used a lot, certainly in the beginning.
A lot of his descendants are long-legged and have
an enormous amount of shoulder freedom combined with the desired knee action. If you choose
him as a breeding stallion, it is advisable to select
a mare with good rideability. The third dressage
branch, which appears to more and more influence
the Hanoverian breed, leads to Jazz. He and De
Niro are in a shoulder-to-shoulder race for first
place in the WBFSH-rankings. Estimating his influence at this time is too early.
Now or Never was one of the first
jumper stallions from the Netherlands to be used in Hannover.
Photo: Archive
pedigree. His heredity cannot be generalized.
While the heredity of his type and of his foundation are excellent, the dressage breed values are
only mediocre. The sire side of the pedigree clearly
passes on a weak walk. It appears that these stallions do better in the Dutch breeding program than
in the Hanoverian breed.
Krack C by Flemmingh/Beaujolais obtained his Hanoverian breeding license in August 2004. His pedigree also reflects a Dutch damline with Holstein
and Thoroughbred blood. His direct influence on
the Hanoverian breed has been insignificant until
now. His son Vivaldi has been more influential. He
expects his largest Hanoverian vintage in 2016. He
already produced two much observed, premium
stallions in Verden, Le Vivaldi and Livaldon. He also
British Breeders Awards
for Hanoverian breeders
Seven British Hanoverian breeders were honoured for their breed successes during the
festive award ceremony of the British Breeders Awards in London. The dressage prize
for the best two-year old was awarded to
Fosshey Stables & Hanoverian Stud’s for Fortunatus by Floriscount/Der Lord (breeder/
owner: Sandra Tinker, Cheshire). Woodlander
Woodstock by Woodlander Wild Child/Florencio (breeder/owner: Lynne Crowden,
Northamptonshire) received the prize for
being the best foal. Heaven by Hotline/Lon-
The pioneer of Dutch blood in the Hanoverian jumper horse breeding was Now of Never M – contemporaneous with Ferro. His pedigree shows a
Dutch damline, which is influenced by Holstein and
Thoroughbred blood. His sire is the Hanoverian
Voltaire, which bred successfully in the Netherlands. While the dressage sires came to Hannover
via the private sector, the influence of Dutch jumper stallions started at the State Stud Celle. Now or
Never M and four of his descendants, Toronto, Uccello, Valentino and Wilton were stationed in Celle
within a short period of time. Even though they
passed on jumping ability, the rideability and the
foundation suffered. Valentino certainly is the most
important of all of them, but he also did not really
gain in popularity. Now or Never M and his sons
were not really true representatives of those jumper stallions, which were used in the Netherlands
at the time. These influenced the Hanoverian breed
at a later time. Their influence cannot yet be evaluated; the influence is distributed over several stallions with just a few descendants. n
donderry (breeder: Lynne Crowden; owner:
Sarah Lucas) received the dressage prize for
being the best three-year old. The best fouryear old rising youngster in eventing was
Quite Something by Quaterback/Scolari
(breeder: Clair White). Carsten of Westoak
by Classic Juan/Londonderry (breeder:
Westoak Hanoverian Stud, Derbyshire; owner: Sir William Aldous, Lady Gillian Aldous
and Elizabeth Ann Tolhurst) received the prize for eventing as the best five-year old rising youngster in this division.
Hawtins Duchessa by Decamerone/Don Frederico (breeder/owner: Judith Davis, Glou-
cestershire) was selected as the best fouryear old mare. Seven Percent by Sherlock
Holmes/Western Star (breeder: Ernst-August
Gülker, Hankensbüttel; owner: Suzy Mainprice, Llangeilo) received the prize for the overall best mare – presented by the magazine
Horse & Hound. Suzy Mainprice imported
Seven Percent as a foal together with the
dam, which delivered a total of 14 foals so
far. “When I heard that Shirley won, tears of
joy rolled down my cheeks. She is the smartest, friendliest and most wonderful mare
that you can imagine,” the breeder shares in
delight. n
Breeding
Competition tests
Rideability
Overall
impression
Final score
Average score/11 participants
7,83
8,14
7,96
7,75
7,97
7,91
Bon Coeur by Benetton Dream/Sandro Hit
Station: Gestüt W. M., Visselhövede
9,50
8,80
9,00
8,70
9,30
9,00
Damon (Holst.) by Damon Hill/Loutano
Station: Jens Meyer, Dorum
7,50
8,00
7,60
7,50
7,80
7,65
Duke Noir by De Niro/Hofrat
B.: Beate Heuer-Matheis, Bienenbüttel
7,20
8,00
8,00
7,20
7,00
7,50
Fürst William (Old.) by Fürst Wilhelm
Station: Gestüt Famos, Legenhausen
9,30
8,50
8,50
9,00
9,50
9,11
Villeneuve (Rhld.) by Vitalis/Dancier
B.: Edeltraut Hähn, Bergneustadt
8,20
7,80
8,00
8,20
8,40
8,10
Trot
walk
Results of Hanoverian and Rhenish stallions or stallions, which are registered in the stallion book I of Hanoveraner Verband.
Canter
The scores
Competition test dressage (four-year-olds)
Overall
impresion
Final score
Jumping ability
8,16
8,51
7,33
8,10
8,34
8,30
Classic One by Classe/Glückspilz
B.: Wilhelm Berghorn, Stolzenau
7,80
8,50
8,40
7,80
8,20
8,17
Flic Flac (Westf.) by. Flipper D‘Elle/Con Air
Station: Landgestüt Celle
8,50
8,50
8,80
9,00
9,00
8,73
Brauner by Lincolm L/Escudo
B.: Il Chirone Bruna de Paolis/ITA
7,50
7,70
8,00
7,80
7,70
7,76
Like Angel (Westf.) by Los Angeles
Station: Rene Tebbel, Emsbüren
8,30
9,20
8,50
7,80
8,20
8,47
Canter
Rideability
7,77
Quattromani (Old.) by Quaterback/Latimer
Station: Hengststation Massener Heide
8,00
8,50
7,50
8,50
8,20
8,17
Final score
7,87
Overall
impression
7,82
Rideability
7,48
Jumping
7,90
Walk
7,80
Canter
Average score/7 participants
Competition test show jumping (four-year-olds)
Average score/6 participants
Trot
Scope
Competition test dressage (five-year-olds)
Bon Coeur Photo: Beelitz
Competition test show jumping (five-year-olds)
Competition test versatile talents
Average score/2 participants
7,90
8,00
7,75
8,15
8,65
8,10
8,13
Average score/4 participants
8,03
7,80
7,75
8,10
8,34
8,30
Gentleman by Grey Top/Fabriano
Station: Landgestüt Celle
8,30
8,20
7,50
9,00
9,50
9,20
8,67
Stonehenge by Stolzenberg/Kolibri
Station: Hengststation Massener Heide
7,80
8,00
7,80
8,00
8,00
7,91
The first competition test of the new stallion
performance test-system took place in Münster-Handorf in February. Eleven jumper, seventeen dressage and two event stallions
participated. It was an exciting weekend for
all, since it was the very first time for a test of
this format.
The team from the Westphalen Pferdestammbuch made sure the event ran smoothly. First
experiences point towards shortening the
time frame. The question is, if it would be
possible to do without changing the jumping
course, if a standard course is designed,
which then can quickly be adjusted to the
different disciplines and/or age groups. Differences in the quality of stallions and their
presentations became apparent. It is impor-
tant for stallion owners to gather information
about how to prepare a stallion for this test
and to carefully decide who will present the
stallion most favorably. We witnessed very
successful, exemplary presentations, which
should serve as an example. The presentation
of Sandra Auffarth and Gentleman by Grey
Top/Fabriano (breeder: Annette and Detlef
Schelhas, Lage) was excellent. This versatile
stallion was beautifully presented in his basic
gaits as well as over fences.
We would like to recognize the judges, the
delegates for the disciplines and the guest
riders for mastering this debut in such an excellent fashion. The communication between
riders and judges was very good; the participants, officials and visitors were calm and
focused throughout the entire event. It was
everybody’s goal to utilize the time wisely allowing for a positive, age-appropriate, correct development of the horses. The expert
comments on the horses, which offered important information to the breeders, proved
very valuable.
In summary, we feel that organizational details can still be improved. With respect to the
selection and its goal, we can only confirm
that the system is on the right path; the right
stallions were in the lead! This weekend, the
breeders were able to get a very good impression of the stallions because of the standardized conditions and the professional information. n
The Hanoverian 03|2016
17
Breeding
The best of their vintage
The young stallions with the best testing results were awarded the Weltmeyer- or the
Stakkato-Prize for the fifth time. The award ceremony for the breeders took place
during the private stallion show in January.
By Britta Züngel
Florestan
Fürst Heinrich
Dawina
Fürstenball
St.Pr.St.
Maradonna
Donnerhall
St.Pr.St. Marella
Sandro Hit
Stedinger
St.Pr.St.
Starlight O
Bold-Fantasy
White Star
Woman on Top O
St.Pr.St.
Matcho‘s Girl O
Proven competitor
Frisco already proved his high dressage breed value of 135 in competition. The talented bay was
highly successful in riding horse classes. Frisco’s
dam St.Pr.St. Starlight O came to breeder Dieter
Grasekamp in Datteln as a six-year old. She had a
Lanciano
Lord Sinclair
St.Pr.St. Cleopatra
Lord Loxley
Rubinstein
St.Pr.St. Weltlady
Weltmeyer
foal by Fürstenball at her side. Frisco’s full-brother
from 2011 was licensed in 2013. The O in the
name stands for the breeding farm Ohmen in Stinstedt, which bred numerous interesting horses out
of the line of Jugendgespielin like Moncassado by
Muenchhausen/Weltmeyer. Petra Middelberg rode
him very successfully in the junior and young rider
divisions. The most renowned representative is the
privately owned stallion Del Piero by Donnerhall/
Matcho AA. Susan Pape trained the Bundeschampion all the way to Grand Prix.
Günter Grasekamp breeds Hanoverians since
2010 – exclusively with state’s premium mares.
He is also very selective in the choice of the stallions. “Only the best for the best” is his motto. His
engagement and his expertise were honoured in
2012, when he won the award in a contest for
horse businesses by the Company Schade & Partner. n
tion of the test, Lassago S was licensed for Hannover and returned back to his breeder. “He had only
been under saddle for six weeks before the test,”
Tobias Schnoeink from Twist shares. It is very important to the breeder to use performance-tested
stallions in his breeding program.
Goliath II Z
Grosso Z
Füchsin
Gaudete TS
Brentano II
Bavarian Lady
St.Pr.St. Georgia
Charming character
He is named after HSV-forward Pierre-Michel
Lassoga, Lassoga S. The bay completed his 70day test with above average scores. The guestriders seemed very comfortable and scored his rideability with a 9,25. He obtained a total breed
value dressage of 132. One day after the comple-
18
The Hanoverian 03|2016
“Lord Loxley has always been interesting to me as
a producer, since he has a solid performance record.” Tobias Schnoeink bought Lasogga’s granddam Bavarian Lady sixteen years ago. She was
seven at the time. “A typy mare with a very good
neck,” Tobias Schnoeink remembers. He had done
his apprenticeship at the State Stud Warendorf.
Bavarian Lady was the first Hanoverian mare on
his farm. “I only had Westphalian mares in the beginning, but that has changed over tine.” Gaudete
TS was her first foal. “She was very honest with a
well-balanced character. She became a broodmare right away.” n
Breeding
Blood does no lie
Grand Stakkato is out of one of Hannover’s
most valuable damlines. The name “Pension”
stands for Celle’s state stud sire Diacontinus, which
is one of the most desirable jumper horse producers of the past years. Willem’s As I and II, Foxhunter and Perpignon also are male representatives.
Herwart v.d. Decken-show championess Diarada
KJ also belongs to this family as well as dual federal champion Placido. Breeder Willem Klausing
from Diepholz celebrates successes with horses
out of this line again and again. He brought the
strikingly marked, colourful chestnut to the licensing in Verden. A Hanoverian friend from Indonesia
bought the premium stallion on the stallion sales
and sent him to the State Stud Celle for his care.
There, Grand Stakkato was prepared for the stallion performance test, which he completed in Neustadt/Dosse. He fulfilled the tasks with performance willingness and motivation obtaining a
breed value-jumping of 131. He now sets about
following in the footsteps of his full-brother Graf
Grannus
Graf Grannus
Goldmädel
Graf Top
St.Pr.St.
Capries
Calypso II
Geri
Spartan
Stakkato
Pia
Stapira
Prestige Pilot
St.Pr.St. Piria
St.Pr.St. Siria
Stakkato – born 2005, who obtains international
placements under Michael Aabo from Denmark.
Grand Stakkato’s dam Stapira was accepted into
the Program for Hanoverian Jumper Horse Breeding because of her offspring. In addition to Graf
Stakkato, the now seven-year old Cardesch by Cardenio is now ready to compete at the S-level. Stapira also delivered two daughters, which both obtained the state’s premium award. n
Light the fire
Landos
Lordanos
State stud manager Dr. Axel Brockmann bought
Light My Fire on the stallion sales and sent him
for his test to Neustadt/Dosse. He surpassed
himself at the 70-day-test and became Germany’s
highest valued stallion with a breed value-jumping
of 137. Only the Holstein stallion Cornet Lux obtained the same value. The chestnut is a grandson of
foundation sire Stakkato just like Grand Stakkato.
It is after all Stakkato, after whom this award is
named. His final scores were all 8,0 and better,
also for his canter and his walk; he obtained ‘only’
a 7,5 for his trot and his performance cross-country. There was a lot of interest in Light My Fire from
the beginning. He was in great demand in Adelheidsdorf already last year. Light My Fire was born
in Spelle on the farm of Heinz Schütt, who also
raised him. His dam St.Pr.St. Sarieka only delivered
three colts - all of impressive quality. The premium
stallion License is Light My Fire’s two-year older,
right brother. He collects his first experiences in
W-Ashley
Light On
Landadel
Love Girl
Farina
Spartan
Stakkato
Pia
St.Pr.St.
Sarieka
Argentinus
St.Pr.St. Anabell
Betsey
jumper horse classes. Granddam St.Pr.St. Anabell
is the dam of privately owned stallion Los Angeles,
of state stud sire San Brasil and of Quiero, who
now competes at the S-level. The line of Neumuenster has produced a variety of interesting horses. In addition to successful jumpers, Breanna is
out of this line as well. Breanna is one of the best
dressage horses in the USA with rider Kathleen
Raine. n
Stallions in Moscow
Dr. Dieter Schüle, Dr. Ulf Möller and Steffen Werner
from the Hannoveraner Verband traveled to the
Equestrian Centre Maxima near Moscow’s centre
for a stallion show. 120 stallions were evaluated in
several categories, which included the evaluation of
the exterior, free-running, free-jumping, and an under-saddle class.
The Hanoverian 03|2016
19
International
Starting signal in
the USA
The general membership meeting of the American
Hanoverian Society (AHS) took place in West Palm
Beach, Florida, on the last weekend in January.
The inclusion of the Rhineland Studbook
(Rheinisches Stutbuch) was accepted by a large
majority in 2017
By Dr. Ludwig Christmann
W
hile there was plenty of snow especially in
the northeast of the United States, the participants of the general membership meeting, which
came from all parts of the US, enjoyed spring-like
weather in southern Florida. Because of the unreliable weather patterns in the northern US, the decision was made many years ago to hold the annual
meeting in the warmer regions of the US. The West
Palm Beach-site is furthermore favorable because
of its close proximity to Wellington, where top international riders meet every winter and compete
on the international dressage and jumping circuits.
The four-day meeting included visiting the show
grounds to observe first-rate competitions.
Including the Rheinische Stutbuch in the field of
responsibilities of the American Hanoverian Society was one of the main issues at the meeting. The
members of the AHS had the opportunity to vote
whether or not to establish this marebook during
several weeks prior to the annual meeting. Hugh
Bellis-Jones, the managing director of the AHS announced the result, “Our members voted for establishing the Rheinische Stutbuch by a large majority.” Edgar Schütte, the President of the AHS,
added, “All members now have the opportunity to
stay in the family.” The AHS will intensely advertise
the Rheinische Stutbuch, since it offers tremendous growth opportunities. A special homepage will
be designed and set up.
The work of the young breeders of the AHS was
another major topic. The world championships for
young breeders are scheduled to take place on
Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada in 2017. It is
a goal of the AHS to send a team to these first
world championships for young breeders on American soil. A committee was formed under the tutelage of Dorie Schmitz-Vlatten, which will work on
the preparations. Dorie Schmitz-Vlatten has already invested tremendous effort in the work with the
youth and succeeded in getting eighteen young
breeders to participate in this AHS meeting. In addition to the usual agenda, the meeting offered
intense schooling for young breeders. Donations
were accepted to help the young breeders cover
the travel expenses, which are substantial in the
USA.
Questions and answers with Jan Ebeling
Linking sport and breeding was another topic,
which took precedence at this meeting. Representatives of two of the most important equestrian
organizations, the USEF (United States Equestrian
Federation) and the USDF (United States Dressage
Federation) participated in the meeting. With respect hereto, an hour of questions and answers
with dressage Olympic competitor Jan Ebeling and
Christine Traurig was offered. Rassolini FRH, the
winner of the Nürnberger Burgpokal in 2010, is
standing in the stable of Jan Ebeling. Christine
Traurig had been an auction rider in Verden at the
time of Hans Joachim Köhler. She also had worked
at the stable of Family Baumgart, before she immigrated to the USA, where she married the international jumper rider Bernie Traurig. Now she is the
USEF dressage young horse-coach and is responsible for furthering young dressage horses all over
the United States. Both speakers described the deWith great enthusiasm: The young breeders of the
AHS participated in intense schooling in West Palm
Beach..
20
The Hanoverian 03|2016
International
mands on a first-rate dressage horse. In addition to three good basic gaits and a matching
exterior (“The exterior is a prerequisite for
health. We need horses, which hold out,” so
Jan Ebeling), both agreed that intelligence,
the right temperament and rideability are absolute prerequisites for a top-quality dressage horse. “The horse must want to work
with the rider,” Christine Traurig said, and,
“We have a performance pyramid. The Olympic horse is at the top. If a horse does not
reach the top, it still must be suitable for the
classes, which are below. We need horses,
which allow our sport to grow.” It is even
harder in the US than in Germany to find the
right trainer. Traurig offered her help in finding suitable training facilities and in bringing horses and riders together.
Whatever occupies Germany’s breeders is
also interesting for Hanoverian breeders in
other countries. Issues like changing the stallion performance test-format or new methods
like the linear description also concern breeders in the USA. A festive dinner party on Saturday night is one of the highlights of every
annual meeting. It includes an award ceremony for successful horses from the previous
year. Breeders and riders are invited to attend. All prize winners are listed on the
homepage of the AHS at www.hanoverian.
org.
We would like to mention two horses in this
article. Victoria FH by Wolkentanz II/Donnerhall (breeder/owner: Eliza Rutherford) was
the highest scored mare of the entire inspection tour in 2015 with a final score of 8,16.
She was awarded the Bari von Buedingen
Memorial Trophy for her accomplishment.
Whitney MRF by Wolkenstein II/Diamond Hit
(breeder: Doug and Shannon Langer, Maple
In memoriam
Holger Schmorl †
Holger Schmorl, a Hanoverian breeder of
long-standing and the President of the Australian Hanoverian Society, passed away on
January 8, 2016. Holger Schmorl had made a
name for himself as a successful breeder of
Hanoverian horses in Voelkersen, near Verden, and in Sudwalde, near Bassum, before
he immigrated to Australia in 1982 together
with his wife Melanie and his children Fritz
and Victoria. The decision to move was based
on health issues. The doctor had advised Melanie Schmorl to move to a region with a milder climate. The couple acquired a farm called
Kinnordy Stud near Toowoomba in Queensland. Five breeding horses accompanied the
family on the move: the homebred stallion
Daktylus by Diskus/Absatz, the stallion Winterkoenig by Woermann/Pik Koenig and the
mares St.Pr.St. Wolfsangel by Wolfsburg/Absatz, Gold Song by Goldstern/Lateran and
Gina by Glodstein/Pik König. The start was
not easy. But it did not take too long before
the stallions, which have a very good pedigree, became favored breeding stallions. The
sale of the offspring began and it became
time to expand Kinnordy Stud. An indoor riding ring was built. The number of horses at
times rose to 120 animals! Professional riders were brought in to start the horses under saddle. Holger Schmorl always had a
Holger und Melanie Schmorl.
clear idea of the horse that he wanted to
breed, “My ideal was combining old and
beauty, in other words, maintaining the power of the old bloodlines and combining them
with the genes, which produce lightness, elegance and rideability – jumpers with movement and dressage horses with the special
something!”
He bred Gold Song to Daktylus and produced
Daley K, one of the most sought-after warmblood stallions in Australia. Winterkönig produced several internationally successful descendants, for instance Wiking, who
represented Australia at the World Equestrian
Games in Rome. Other stallions, which increased the popularity of Kinnordy Stud, were
Silky Baby xx by What a Pleasure xx/Dark Star
xx and the Hanoverians Graf Landau by Ge-
Run Farm, Wisconsin) received two awards:
She obtained the Engler-Friedländer Memorial Trophy for the best performance test (final
score 8,41) and the Hartwig Award for the
highest combined score from the mare inspection and the mare performance test. The
pedigrees of both mares show a combination
of the successful lines of Weltmeyer and Donnerhall.
During a silent auction, the guests have the
opportunity to support the work of the AHS
by bidding on a big variety of donated items.
A Hanoverian flag, which the Hannoveraner
Verband had donated, obtained the highest
bid. The flag was decorated with signatures
(i.e. from Lisa Wilcox) and sold for 850 US
Dollars to Meredith Mickelfelder, the organizer of this auction, who also was honoured
as “the honourary helper of the year”. n
never/Wendekreis, Gymnastik Star by Glückspilz/Calypso II and River Dance by Rubinstein/
Atatürk. The combination of Fast Kahn xx and
Graf Landau created KS Genoa, which competed in the World Cup and in the World
Equestrian Games in Aachen and was shortlisted for the Olympic Games in Hong Kong.
Offspring of Silky Baby xx and out of mares
from the G-line competed in jumper and
dressage classes up to the S-level. “We bred
a lot of talented horses. Not all made it into
professional hands. We are, however, very
proud that we bred a number of horses,
which successfully competed at the international level in eventing, dressage and in jumping.”
When the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia was founded in 1993, Holger Schmorl
was selected President. The relations were
broken off in 2002 and Holger Schmorl left
the Hannoveraner Verband. Nonetheless:
Holger Schmorl did a lot for the Hanoverian
horse in Australia. He was a true horseman
and a strong personality. He always was
open-minded and straight forward and did
not fear a confrontation. Melanie and Holger
Schmorl retired in 2014. They sold the farm
and the horses and moved to the outskirts of
Toowoomba. The horse world lost a supporter and a pioneer of the Hanoverian breed in
Australia. We express our condolences to his
wife Melanie and to the children Fritz and
Victoria. n
The Hanoverian 03|2016
21
International
Sport
In memoriam:
Ron D. Southern
On January 21 Ron Southern, Calgary, passed
away at the age of 85. He was a true pioneer, a
great supporter and a breeder of the Hanoverian
horse in Canada and bearer of the golden badge
of honour of Hannoveraner Verband.
By Dr. Ludwig Christmann
R
on Southern was truly visionary – as a business man but also as a horse man. His business career started with Atco company, which he
founded together with his father in 1947. Atco
was a trailer hire company, a great business model
for the remote oil and gas fields in Northern Canada. They started with 15 trailers. Today Atco is a
global company with businesses in more than 100
countries and a market capitalisation of 5 billion $.
Containers are still on lease, but today there is a
main focus on utility, mainly gas and electricity.
Ron Southern also founded Akita Drilling, another
public company in the oil business.
1975 Ron and his wife Marg wrote equestrian history, when they founded Spruce Meadows just
south of Calgary. Together with former Verden
auction rider Albert Kley they created a Hanoverian
stud and an equestrian centre of international
standing. Before Spruce Meadows show jumping
was a sport for insiders only in the prairie and
mountain province of Calgary. Today hundreds of
thousands attend the Spruce Meadows Masters in
September, where the best riders of the world are
invited. They can expect more prize money than in
hardly any other tournament.
The Hanoverian breeding program at Spruce Meadows was developed in cooperation with Hannoveraner Verband and the state stud at Celle. There
was a strong friendship between Ron Southern
and Dr. Burchard Bade, former head of state stud
Celle, and Manfred Lopp, former head of stallion
performance testing centre Adelheidsdorf. Important Hanoverian stallions at Spruce Meadows were
Young Wolfsburg (Wodka), born 1972, who was a
very successful jumping horse with Albert Kley, the
Celle stallion Wagner by Wendekreis, born 1975,
who was always owned by Ron Southern, and the
two former Celle stallions Le Primeur by Laptop,
born 1997, and Salito by Stakkato, born 2001.
Spruce Meadows grew to a centre of Hanoverian
breeding in Western Canada, hosting the annual
Hanoverian show with mare performance test,
mare show and foal show during the Masters in
September. In 1993 Hannoveraner Verband awarded Ron Southern with the golden badge of honour. In 2006 Ron and his wife Marg were inducted into the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame for their
contribution to show jumping in Canada.
Ron Southern started a true family dynasty in business and equestrianism. His daughters Nancy and
Linda were successful show jumpers with Linda
competing at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta for the
Canadian team. The grand children Ben Asselin
and Kelly Koss follow their footsteps. Ben is one of
the great show jumping talents in Canada representing his country already in nation’s cups. Kelly is
in charge of the Spruce Meadows horse program
and has been internationally successful in show
jumping. Nancy today is CEO of Atco and Linda
president of Spruce Meadows.
Ron Southern was a great example that success in
business and strong moral and human values
could be combined. Reliability and loyalty were
core values for him which he lived every day. He
surely was demanding but combined with respect
and courtesy. With these characteristics he gained
the trust of Tsuut’ina First Nation. Their chief, Roy
Whitney, made Ron an honourary member of the
Tsuut‘ina in 2013 and gave him the name „Sorrel
Horse“.
Ron Southern was striving for excellence with everything he did. This was his own interpretation of
“Excellence”: „Going far beyond the call of duty.
Doing more than others expect. This is what excellence is all about. It comes from striving for and
maintaining the highest standards, looking after
the smallest detail and going the extra mile. Excellence means caring. It means making a special effort to do more.“ Heartfelt condolences of Hannoveraner Verband go to Ron’s wife Marg Southern
and their daughters Nancy Southern and Linda
Heatcott with their families. n
Editorial: THE HANOVERIAN is published by Hannoveraner Verband e. V., Lindhooper Str. 92, D-27283 Verden,
Germany, e-mail: [email protected]. Editor: Britta Züngel, Translations: Yvonne Zuther
22
The Hanoverian 03|2016
Sport
„A good start has
been made!“
The first meeting of the delegates in 2016 already took
place in Verden the end of January. A meeting had become
necessary, because the members had to vote on by-law
changes due to the reform of the stallion performance
test-system.
By Britta Züngel
T
he studbook-committee and the executive
board had discussed the selection thresholds
for stallions before the meeting of the delegates.
The selection process of the Hannoveraner Verband has always been tougher than those of other
breed associations.
At the beginning of the year, the testing system for
stallions changed fundamentally. In the future,
there will be 14-day and 50-day station tests and,
in addition, new, discipline-related competition
classes for licensed stallions. Once these tests/classes are completed with the required scores, the
foals will be eligible for registration. Once future
producers completed the 14-day predisposition
test, they obtain a preliminary breeding license.
Since these tests will be offered very early in the
year, in February and in March, and since we have
no experience to go by, the responsible committees agreed to adapt the judging guidelines from
the German Equestrian Federation (FN) and to not
raise the standards for now.
“The stallions will still be very young at the time of
the test. A score of 7,5 in the competition class
sounds low, but the stallions will just turn four,
when they are to participate,” Ulrich Hahne, who
led the discussion during the meeting of the delegates, explained. Breeding manager Dr. Werner
Schade was unable to attend the meeting of the
delegates because of the funeral services for Ron
Southern. When the stallion performance test-system was introduced, the tests lasted 300 days or
100 days respectively. Now the test is reduced to
50 days. “In the past, there were no differences
with respect to the requirements in the stallion
performance test,” Ulrich Hahne continued. “Now
the stallions will be tested according to the expected level of training.” The Hannoveraner Verband
will also subscribe to the proposal of the FN regarding these results. The qualification through the
Bundeschampionate for dressage, jumping and
event horses as well as the corresponding World
Championships was broadened. A breed value
estimation will no longer take place, generally
speaking. “The acceptance by other breed associations was insufficient. After this year’s tests, we
shall revisit the height of the selection thresholds.
By then we have our first experiences. We also will
have to discuss the results of the test for awarding
the Weltmeyer-Prize and the Stakkato-Prize,” Ulrich Hahne said.
The facility of the Hannoveraner
Verband has become an attractive
site for events.
The by-law changes are mainly related to the stallion performance test. In addition, there will be a
supplement, which allows the studbook committee more room to move. For instance, the studbook
committee now has the right to decide on a term
extension for the completion of the stallion performance test, if a stallion is, for example, injured and
therefore unable to participate in the competition
classes. Another by-law change affects the breeding book of the Rhineland Riding Horse. There
will be a supplement, which includes the breeds
“British Warmblood” and “Lusitano”. These breeds
may be used in the breeding program.
“The breeding year 2015 was very successful. We
implemented many innovations like the fusion
with the Rhineland.” Ulrich Hahne delivered an
overview on the number developments in the area
of breeding. “There still is a high fluctuation with
respect to the number of members, but the number
of breeding horses increased.” The stallion Revolu-
The Hanoverian 03|2016
23
Hanoverian
Highlights
All Star and Denis Lynch
Photo: Holcbecher
April 13
Free-jumping
Competition
Three-year-olds
May 7
Verden-Auction
Sport horses and foals
July 16
Verden-Auction
Sport horses and foals
August 3 to 7
International
Dressage and
Jumping Festival
Herwart v. d. Decken-Show
August 5/6
Verden-Auction
Foals and broodmares
Hannoveraner Verband e. V.
Lindhooper Str. 92
Niedersachsenhalle
D-27283 Verden
Phone +49 42 31/67 30
Fax +49 42 31/67 37 12
www.hannoveraner.com
tion was an important stallion in 2015. He impressed the entire equestrian community with his
presentations at the stallion licensing in Verden.
The champion mares at the Herwart v.d. DeckenShow also set signals in 2015. They were phenomenal with respect to type, quality and powerful
movement. “We put a lot of energy in developing
marketing strategies for foals,” auction manager
Jörg-Wilhelm Wegener explained. He was very
happy about the result: The sale of foals increased
by 30 percent in comparison to last year’s. “Since
we expanded and sell foals at almost every auction, we now are able to offer a foal for sale, when
the foal is at a good developmental stage. This may
also have a positive influence on breed decisions.
We have to make sure that the quality is pretty
equal on each auction.” The facility in Verden,
which includes the training and sale centre, the
racetrack and the stadium as well as the former
riding and driving school, presents an attractive
event avenue. “We are placing emphasis on expanding the use of our facility. Furthermore, we
want to broaden the cooperation with other organizations and partners,” Dr. Henrik von der Ahe
explained. As the representative of the executive
board and the designated successor of Gerhard
Wiechers in the finance department, Dr. Henrik von
der Ahe presented the event concept. The goal is
apparent: Sport and marketing will be tied together more closely. The auction in July will take
place during the national horse show, the mare
and foal auction is scheduled during the International Dressage and Jumper Festival in August.
“Work at home in demand”
As the representative of Dr. Ludwig Christmann,
who was attending the general membership meeting of the AHS in the United States, Maren Schlender informed about positive developments in the
department for development, advice and breeding
(foreign countries), “The inspection tours reflect a
positive tendency with increasing numbers in enrolment and registration.” A total of about 1,200
foals were registered in 27 countries. In addition,
the studbook Rhineland was integrated in all
daughter associations. The seminars, which are organized by the Hannoveraner Verband, also reflect
a positive development with respect to the number
of participants.
Training clinics were added, which renowned trainers will conduct. A jumping clinic with HeinrichWilhelm Johannsmann was the first one and it was
very popular. The young breeders impressed with
excellent successes at national and international
competitions throughout the year. The spokesman
for the Verband’s youth, Robert Kock, shared the
long list of results. The highlight was Vanessa
Feuerstein’s title victory at the World Championships in Great Britain. The work of the local breeding clubs remains important. They are the most
important link of the breeders and horse enthusiasts to the Hannoveraner Verband on the local level. “The work at home is in demand,” according
to Ulrich Hahne. As an example, he presents the
idea of a flyer, which could be designed by the department for public relations in cooperation with
the breeding clubs advertising Hanoverian event
dates and activities in the different regions. Furthermore, an extensive discount system of the
“German Horse Industry”, of which the Hannoveraner Verband is a member, was introduced, which
holds numerous discounts for breeders and partners of the Hannoveraner Verband.
Manfred Schäfer, who directed the meeting of the
delegates as President of the Hannoveraner Verband, took the opportunity to explain the background of the internal and external discussions
about the board, which took place during the autumn. He referred to the interview, which had
been published in the german magazine “Reiter
Revue”. “This harmed the Verband. I was glad to
have had the opportunity to react in a different
interview but in the same issue,” Manfred Schäfer
said. He reported that the board members exchanged its sentiments in the following board
meeting and agreed to represent the Verband as a
united front from now on. “We first must rebuild
the lost trust. This requires clear proof of trust,”
the president explained. He made very clear that
he represents the interests of the Verband and its
breeders with all his power while in office. “If you
think that I am not strong enough to do so or if
you do not want me to, then you need to look for
a different president.” Manfred Schäfer finished
this issue with these words and the delegates honoured them with applause.
One year after the fusion with the Rhineland, Theo
Leuchten, the President of the ‘Rheinische Pferdestammbuch’ and member of the executive board,
summarized, “We are well received in Hannover!
The successes on the Herwart v.d. Decken-Show and
at the stallion licensing speak for the great engagement of the breeders from the Rhineland. The harmony works beautifully!” He gave an account of over
100 horses, which were sold at the horse centre in
Wickrath. “The best horses must go to Verden, irrespective of the brand – there is the best facility and
the best audience!” Unfortunately the number of
horses, which have been registered with the FN as
show horses for the first time, went down just as
the number of organized riders. “The landscape of
an association has become rougher. We must now
plan ahead for the next twenty years!” n