Dressage at Devon 2015 was a highlight of the competition year for Hanoverian stallion Don Principe. “Prince” competed in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle with excellent results. Don Principe is a 16 year old stallion that has competed with 5 riders over 7 years at Grand Prix. His offspring and their offspring were captivating and successful as well.
Doctor Wendell MF (dam sire Sandro Hit) placed third in the Prix St Georges and 4th in the Intermediate 1. Duet MF (dam sire Rotspon) had an unfortunate run of luck with the cold and rainy conditions but still did well for her first CDI. These two horses are young for this level, as they are 7 year olds. Both horses are trained and ridden by Jim Koford of Lexington Kentucky.
The Don Principe son, David Bowie MF, a 3-year old colt and full brother to Duet MF, returned to the Dixon oval where he won the Devon Foal Championship in 2012. He won his class and went on to be the Colt Champion.
The offspring of Doctor Wendell carried on the family tradition. Debonair MF (dam sire Rotspon) won his competitive 2 yr old colt and gelding class and went on to become the 2015 DAD Colt Champion.
The highlight of the breed show was Danae MF, full sister to Debonair MF. She was electric in the Dixon, scoring a win in the yearling fillies, Reserve Filly Champion and then Young Horse Champion. This exciting dark bay filly, expertly handled by King Santa Cruz, danced into the Reserve Grand Championship on Wednesday evening also taking home the Highest Placing Hanoverian trophy for 2015.
The two Doctor Wendell MF offspring were joined by their full brother, Dionysus MF to represent their sire in the Get of Sire where the group[ placed second.
The two offspring of the Hanoverian stallion Don Principe made their way to Conyers, Georgia for the USDF GAIC Region three Championships. There, they were joined by three other daughters of Don Principe. From amateurs to professionals, between 5 offspring, they captured 7 titles, 5 Champions and 2 Reserves.
The Championships began with the brother–sister duo of Doctor Wendell MF, and Duet MF competing in the very large, 39 ride, Prix St. George open division. Duet went down centerline line early in the day and captured the lead with a score of 72.039% from the judges Michaels and Kolstad. This lead held for most of the day until her brother Doctor Wendell MF took the lead with a commanding 74.671%. The pair finished the day with both the Championship and Reserve titles. Jim Koford has this to say about his two horses. He calls Duet MF “a very serious student. She studies hard, does her homework and tries hard every time.” Of Doctor Wendell MF, Jim smiles and calls him the “playboy”. “Doc thinks everything in life is a game and he likes to have fun. He always comes out of the stall with a ‘what are we going to do today’ attitude.”
Saturday’s weather was a bit rainy and the arena footing was a bit sloppy but held up well at this 1996 Olympic venue. Kicking the day off was Janet Holliman Stone’s Don Principe daughter, De Lovely, a RPSI mare in the second level open division. Ridden masterfully by Lisa Marie Brown, the mare did a commendable job . De Lovely has been a past Regional and National competitor with Championship credits to her name.
Across the grass was the second level AA division and entering the arena was Lyn Davis and Dahlia Ace. This Hanoverian mare was bred by Gina Fisk and is out of a Berkinstall dam. The smile on Lyn’s face throughout her test was a testament to the joy she had riding the test. Lyn and Dahlia won this 29 ride class with a score of 68.720 under judges Michaels and Rodriguez.Lyn has this to say about Dahlia “I adore Dahlia and have really enjoyed her--- she can get a little hot sometimes and we are working on that. She has only been to about 6 shows I think so she is just not a seasoned competitor. I've had her about 2 1/2 years now and she is so sweet and tries so hard.”
Dinah Shore MF, a full sister to Duet MF, contested the Training level open division with her rider/trainer Anna Marek of Williston, Florida in the Olympic arena that once held the games in 1996. Perhaps a portent of the future, Dinah and Anna took home top honors from the judges, Cox and Kolstad,and became the Training level Champions with a score of 77.159%, the highest score of the entire show for performance tests. Anna Marek has only been riding Dinah Shore MF since May 2015. They have only been to three shows this year and scored as high as 79.8% . Anna calls Dinah “Sensitive but very brave and willing. Nothing seems to bother her”.
Duet MF was the first horse down centerline in the Fourth level open division under judges Riehl-Rodriguex and Mandas. She earned a score of 70.722% and held the lead throughout the entire class to capture the Championship title.
Sunday, a perfect fall day dawned bright and clear,with a picturesque setting for the Intermediate 1 open Championship class. Jim Koford and Doctor Wendell were near the end of the class. They did not disappoint. The pair scored 72.697% and captured their second Championship title.
Making a return appearance in the Olympic arena in the 1st level open division, Dinah Shore and Anna Marek were early in the 42 competitors and earned a 75.247%. They held the lead until near the end of the class. They took home the Reserve Championship title.
Three of the Don Principe offspring will be making the trip to the USDF Nationals in Kentucky in November. Doctor Wendell MF, Duet MF and Dahlia Ace will compete among the country’s best.
Another exciting youngster of Don Principe, Declaration (dam sire Fuerst Heinrich) named for his unique facial markings, is located in Germany. This bright chestnut son born in 2013 has been pre-selected out of over 2000 colts born that year to be considered for licensing by the Hanoverian Verband. The “Körung” begins in Verden, Germany on October 22 with the presentation on the hard surface and triangle. Friday will have the free jumping and free running. The nearly 100 colts presented will be given the yes or no during their time in the indoor. On Saturday, the stallions will be auctioned in one of the highlight events of the year for breeders. Don Principe’s owners, Maryanna and Wendell Haymon, along with his rider, Jim Koford, will be traveling to Europe to cheer for this exciting prospect.
For more information about Don Principe, visit his online stud card and his Facebook page
Photos © Alicia Freese Klenk - private