German Studs & Verden Elite Auction 10th and 11th April 2010

What a great two days in Germany! With my great friend Cheryl Mitchell from Flax Lion Stud (and partner in Gestüt WM) we travelled to Germany in search of potential sires for my mares and for Cheryl off to see her “boys” Don Ricoss and Samaii at Gestüt WM GmbH.

First we visited Zucht Hof Klatte where the fabulous Argentinus used to stand until his death in 2007. We saw Chamberland (photo left) (Chambertin – Landadel – Fruhlingstraum II) who scored 9.06 in jumping at his 30-day test. He most certainly also justified his top score for character too.

We were also introduced to Cornet’s Prinz (photo below left) (Cornet Obolensky – Almox Prints J – Polydor) and were extremely taken with this beautiful show jumper. An added bonus was to see their foals - it gave me much food for thought because I am looking for a show jumping stallion for my Arpeggio mare, Florida E.

We also saw Klatte’s newest arrival, the KWPN stallion Uptown (photo below right) (Kennedy – Ubis – Joost). Uptown was the 4-year-old Pavo Cup Champion in 2005 in Holland and was successfully ridden by Hans-Peter Minderhoud. He was an imposing stallion with a quiet, relaxed disposition in the stable.

Onto the 122 Elite-Auction at Verden where we were interested in looking at the foals on offer, as well as potentially buying lot No: 107 Radiant (photo below) (Royal Classic – De Niro – Cardinal xx) for a friend. It is just so interesting to watch the foals; it gives you a real understanding of the bloodlines and to see how they work.

We certainly liked the foals by Bonifatius (Belissimo M – Lauries Crusader xx – Lemon Tree) with the highest priced foal by him selling at €32,000 to the USA. The Royal Classic foals all had beautiful heads (like their sire), fabulous movement and were certainly peas in a pod. Sadly, Radiant went above our budget and he was sold locally. Nevertheless, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and good to catch up with friends.

The Sunday started with Gestüt WM in Reesum (photo right) for their annual stallion show, and what a treat it was.

Ecki Wahlers is so welcoming and it is lovely to see the stallions in their stables, as well as working in, which you don’t always get to see. It makes a big difference to see stallions in their home environment as it really does give you an idea of their temperament.

The show was opened by Cheryl’s fabulous Don Ricoss (Don Frederico – Weltmeyer – Eiger I) who never disappoints me, nor do the foals he produces. It was great to see Benetton Dream (Brentano II – Rotspon – Davignon I), Souvenir (Santorini – Argentan – Novize) and the lovely show jumping stallion Adlantico As (Adlantus AS – Grannus – Waldschutz). Sadly, I don’t believe that semen for Adlantico As will be available in the UK.

As always it was lovely to see Samaii (Sambertino – Brentano II – Wenzel II) who is affectionately known as Stevie at home. Having had him staying with me to show for Cheryl as a yearling, I am certainly emotionally attached to him and it is always so pleasing to see how he is progressing in his dressage career with Ecki. He has the most fabulous character, loves the crowd and is a credit to Cheryl who bred him. He is 30 and 70 day performance tested and is now life approved for breeding which is a fantastic achievement for a British bred horse, particularly a coloured.

I wanted to see Royal Classic (Royal Highness – Florestan I – Landadel) having seen him last year as a 3 year old. He didn’t disappoint me and he was fabulous under saddle - I am well and truly smitten! He has definitely been booked for my State Premium mare Florianne (De Niro – Lavado – Caribo GL) and I am very excited at the prospect.

Last, but not least was the young stallion St Moritz Junior (St Moritz – Wie Weltmeyer – Prince Thatch xx) who was awarded Prämienhengst at the Hanoverian licensing in 2009. He has not been under saddle for long but Ecki presented him beautifully and for a green horse, he was very sensible and impressive. He has been added to my list of stallions for the future!

A collection of foals by their stallions were then presented which is always nice. It was also good to see the Bon Balou foal out of a Watzmann mare bred by his rider, who rode him as a 3 year old. This was particularly interesting to me as I have a Bon Balou baby due at the beginning of May.

A great couple of days, which sadly went by far too quickly. It is always great fun to go to Germany and I look forward to going back for the licensing in the autumn. It always prompts me to learn German, as it would be so useful…..so watch this space!