Five stallions were licensed at the annual mare and stallion grading of the British Warmblood Sociey (WBS UK) at Hartpury College. Flashpoint (by Ampere x Dornenkonig) was named the champion of the 2012 WBS UK Stallion Licensing.
Seventeen stallions in total were presented to German judges Eberhard Senckenberg and Rainer Heuschmann. Four colts were fully graded and one was given a 2-year approval allowing time for his progeny to be inspected before a final decision is made.
"Whilst the number of graded stallions this year was less than the WBS UK had hoped for it is vitally important that only those that are on a par with stallions approved for Stud Books in other countries, notably Germany and Holland are approved if we wish to continue to improve the quality of the youngstock in this Country," said Sandy Senior, secretary of the WBS UK.
The Champion was the 2-year old Ampere sired Flashpoint out of a Dornenkonig mare, bred by C Adair of London and owned and presented by Stephen Hobbs of the Alvescot Stud. He showed himself well on the day and impressed with his elasticity and confirmation.
Reserve Champion was Cathmor Florian, owned and bred by Sarah Watson and presented on the day by Woodcroft Stud. By Floriscount out of a World Classic dam, this 2 -year old was also the top scoring 2 year old at this years' Futurity evaluations. Both of these stallions were awarded Premium Status.
The 2-year old Larkshill Debonair, owned by Bruce Matthews and bred by Heather Stack of Larkshill stud was graded with the judges commenting that his correctness was in line with his dressage breeding by De Niro out of a St Pr Show Star mare.
Wadacre William, the only pony stallion to be presented, owned and bred by Jeanette Mathew Griffiths of the Wadacre Stud also showed good type and confirmation and a good jump. This 6-year old is by Waikiki of Wadacre out of a Hurstead Spruce mare.
The recently British Hanoverian Graded 2-year old Clapton, owned and bred by Lynne Crowden of Woodlander Stud was approved for 2 years thus enabling his progeny to be inspected so that he can then be reconsidered. By Christ out of a St Pr. Londonderry mare, the judges were impressed by his type and confirmation but felt that his movement on the day precluded him from full grading.
"Due to the financial climate, high costs of fuel, venue etc and falling numbers the decision to leave the show classes for this year and amalgamate the Mare and Stallion Grading was a reluctant but necessary decision," said Sandy Senior. "Also returning to the venue of Warwickshire college from Hartpury seemed popular with its easy access to most main motorways and being central in the country. The ability to accommodate enough stables for the entries is also always a huge factor for us."
At the mare grading the collection of presented mares did not disappoint with all eight that came forward were graded into their respective stud books. A Gold Medal was awarded to our Mare Grading Champion Dizzy Rascal owned by Victoria Moss and bred by Sandy Senior of Glossoms Farm Stud. Sired by Dimaggio out of a Biotop x Cocktail mare she was awarded 10 for her trot and her swing and elasticity.
The Silver Medal and Reserve champion Mare was the 5-year old Sorlena (by Sorento x Chapman), owned and bred by Claire Skinner epitomized a really good breeding type.
"These two mares in particular showed the improvement that's been made in conformation and movement over the years," Senior added. "There was nothing not to like about any of this year"s entries and everyone went home in the knowledge that they had graded so could go on to produce their Pink papered offspring when put back to graded stallions."
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