In conjunction with the 2011 Trakehner Spring Stallion Approval in Munster-Handorf, National Trakehner Stallion Show was the highlight of the weekend with a parade of around 60 stallions presented every year.
This popular sold-out event features youngsters in hand and under saddle, show jumpers, older dressage stallions and a number of Thoroughbreds, and 2011 was no exception.
Stallion lines that have dominated not only the Trakehner scene lately were represented by several generations worth of offspring, which is really a highlight with an event like this. Clearly the best all-around sport horse line the breed as to offer these days traces back to the great Anglo-Arabian Burnus AA and found its major link in the black Habicht and his son E.H. Sixtus. The line was represented by exciting show jumper Hirtentanz (by Asix TSF x Kostolany) and his son Abendtanz (dam by Kostolany).
Sire Axis TSF (dam by E.H. Angard) was presented in impeccable condition by Terhi Stegars in a Grand Prix dressage freestyle and also had his young son Sidney Bay (dam by Kostolany (!)) in the ring, who was a secret star of the show with three high quality gaits that were dominated by his great sense for balance and rhythm and an always-active hind leg. And since nothing these days seems worth noticing without dropping the name Totilas: his full sister Uusminka, a small tour horse for Edward Gal, was bred to Axis TSF in 2010.
The name Kostolany of course fell more often, since the other dominant line in the breed, that of the TB son Mahagoni leads straight to Gestüt Hämelschenburg’s major sire Kostolany. Known to the rest of the dressage world through his son E.H. Gribaldi and his many outstanding international Grand Prix dressage horses (spearheaded by the superstar Totilas), the line has more to offer: one just needs to go on a trip to Handorf!
Elfado (by Kostolany – Roncalli xx) is a youngster with an impressive record under his belt (National Trakehner Riding Horse Champion, twice qualified for the Bundeschampionate) and has a more than bright future ahead. The Gribaldi sons E.H. Distelzar (dam by E.H. Arogno), an international Grand Prix dressage winner, E.H. Hofrat (dam by Guter Planet), Easy Game (dam by Schwadroneur), All Inclusive and his full brother All Agility (dam by E.H. Buddenbrock) and several sons of Distelzar (e.g. the fantastic C’est Bon) and Hofrat gave a very impressive overall summary of where the breed is heading in the dressage department.
Rideability and a very good work ethic are at the core of this line, no matter how very different the individual horses look and move. A modern, free shoulder with good knee action, as desired by today’s dressage riders, is also evident and has added to the quick rise to fame of the Kostolany-line worldwide. The absence of the youngest (and most expensive) Kostolany-descendants from the 2010 approval circus in Germany, Neumünster Champion Imhotep and 2nd Reserve Champion Millenium, was regrettable, but maybe a wise decision for such young stallions.
And several highlights came into the ring rather unexpectedly. State Stud Marbach’s older chestnut Laurel (by Stan the Man xx – Pregel) has the pedigree of an international eventing superstar and matches that by a quality canter that is hard to fine these days. Not much different in jumping scope and canter style is Houston (by Sir Chamberlain – Saros xx), who was presented by international event rider Frank Ostholt. The young Amadelio (by E.H. Lehndorffs – Lauries Crusador xx) is a quiet superstar, a horse for a second look but with such excellent self-carriage, engagement and work ethic that one hopes for a good future for him.
Herbstkönig (ex His Time, by Interconti – Timber), Reserve Champion of the approvals in Neumünster 2010 and described as “the most complete horse” of the approvals by breed director Gehrmann had a much anticipated appearance under saddle and solved all questions wonderfully. One would wish he was presented more like a barely three year old – his frame indicated differently.
A master class in young horse presentation was given by State Stud Schwaiganger’s head rider Friederike Schulz-Wallner and Idamantes (by Pricolino – E.H. Itaxerxes). Her display was loose, forward, rhythmical and with good impulsion and never seemed to ask too much, highlighting the natural ability of her elegant mount.
Team World Champion Ingrid Klimke presented Gestüt Sprehe’s lovely Delikat (by Herzfunke – Black Magic Boy) in a dressage setting and with her usual ease, transferred to the jumping saddle with Gestüt Wiesenhof’s Bundeschampionat-proven Glenn Grant (by E.H. Buddenbrock – E.H. Consul), a horse that showed tremendous natural ability for the work over bushes and hurdles.
Another World Champion made an appearance on two Trakehner jumpers: Michael Jung presented the young Abendtanz and his most successful current show jumper, the chestnut Der Dürer TSF (by Waitaki – Trafaret). Piloted by Jung, this magnificent stallion won and placed in international S**/* classes during the 2010 season, beating the current World Champion Philipp Le Jeune/FRA at the Speed Master in Stuttgart. Der Dürer addresses all jumps with a most economic style, never wasting an inch but adding speed and elegance effortlessly.
As usual we conclude that Handorf is worth a visit every year, and 2011 just made hungry for more. Rarely does one get a summary of a breed’s current standard and outcross options in one spot during one weekend. We’re looking forward to 2012!
More information on the Trakehner Stallion Show will appear later at www.trakehners-international.com
Text by Maren Engelhardt
Photos © Jutta Bauernschmitt
Related Link
Three Colts Accepted at 2011 Trakehner Spring Stallion Licensing