Where Are They Now? Samira

Focus

Eurodressage F.O.C.U.S.

At the 2007 Bundeschampionate in Warendorf, Germany, the elegant black mare Samira dazzled the crowds and judges with her graceful movements and top performance in the 6-year old finals. Under Bärbel Förster-Henrich, Samira won the Finals with a whopping high score of 9.7 and kept everyone talking for weeks. She sold to British millionaire Tony Pidgley but since then has disappeared from the show scene. Where is she now?

The Rhinelander branded mare Samira was born in 2001 and bred by the Schumacher couple. She is by Sandro Hit out of Rapalla (by Rockwell x Landino x Romadour II).

Samira was trained and competed by Bärbel Förster-Henrich who introduced her to her first show at a local event in Rheinberg-Budberg in July 2004. Bärbel gradually brought the mare up the young horse levels and competed her sparingly. In 2005 the duo did two reguonal shows and in 2006 they contested four local events

Samira made her claim to fame in 2007 showing at M-dressage horse level. She won the Langenfeld Bundeschampionate qualifier and placed third at the Wickrath one a month later.

Samira wins the 2007 Bundeschampionate
for 6-year old dressage horses

At the 2007 Bundeschampionate Samira was a sensation. It hadn't been since ce the victory of Poetin at the 2003 Bundeschampionate that the audience and judges were so moved by a horse's performance. Samira scored 9.70 in the 6-year old Dressage Horse finals, receiving a 10 for trot and submission and 9.5 for canter, walk and general impression.

Samira was such a bright shining star with her top marks in Warendorf that she immediately sold to British Tony Pidgley, who at the time was seriously investing in horse stock. He bought the mare but she did not compete in his ownership. In 2009 the Pidgleys decided to reduce their horse collection and Samira was sent to Hof Kasselmann, where Stefanie Kerner took up her training. She competed the mare in one local show in Gehrde in August 2008 at Pris St Georges level and finished ninth. Since then Samira has not been competed.

Hof Kasselmann sold Samira to the Danish Grand Prix rider Martin Christensen, who is head rider at the Hamburg based Gestut Pinnenberg. They saw great talent and potential in this top mare for the future, but unfortunately Samira sustained an injury which kept her from making a come back to the show ring.

Where is She Now?

Samira's 3-year old licensed son by Foundation (Photo © Kiki Beelitz) Samira returned to Ulli Kasselmann's yard in Hagen am Teutoburger Wald in 2012, where she is now a highly successful brood mare in their breeding programme. In 2013 she produced her first foal via embryotransfer, a colt by Foundation, who is now a 3-year old licensed stallion. That same year she also delivered a colt by Lord Sinclair.

Owned by Ullrich Kasselmann and currently standing in the mare field at Gestut Lewitz, Samira has produced three foals so far and is awaiting the birth of her fourth this year. After a break from breeding in 2014 she delivered a healthy Vivaldi colt in 2015. This year she should produce a Dante Weltino OLD foal soon.