Edward Honoured with 2018 Grande Prize

The Celle state stud owned stallion Edward has been awarded with the 2018 Grande Prize at the 2018 Hanoverian March Auction in Verden, Germany, on Saturday 24 March 2018.

The Grande prize is awarded to the breeder of a stallion whose first progeny under saddle gives rise to great hopes for having a positive influence on the Hanoverian breed.

"Edward is one of the last “true” Hanoverian horses that pass on their talent for both disciplines to their progeny," said the Hanoverian society. "Last year, offspring from his first crops of foals qualified for the Bundeschampionate in all three disciplines, dressage, show jumping and eventing. The Grande-Prize is an award that is linked with the hope that the honoured stallion will sustainably improve the Hanoverian breed. Edward is a worthy winner."

The versatile Embassy x Fabriano-son was bred by Hans-Heinrich Dittmer from Radbruch.

The large framed chestnut was born in 2005 as third foal out of state premium mare Fabienne. The dam was a champion mare in Luhmühlen and was an award winner at the 2003 Louis-Wiegels-Show. Her sire Fabriano is well-known for his all-round qualities, just like Edward’s sire Embassy. His breeding performances are therefore no coincidence.

Edward’s road led straight to the Celle State Stud. He grew up at the stallion station Hunnesrück and completed his stallion performance test in Adelheidsdorf with 120.72 points for show jumping and 143.92 points for dressage. Edward was licensed after his stallion performance test. He stood up for stud in Adelheidsdorf at the age of four before he changed to Ankum as of 2010.

Edward was registered with the Hanoverian Jumper Breeding Program after having successfully accomplished his stallion performance test. As he also displayed good basic gaits he was put in training with young rider Charlott-Maria Schürmann, who competed him at the 2013 European Young Rider Championships in Compiegne, France, where the duo won the silver team medal. His last international show was at small tour level at the CDI Hagen in April 2014.

When Edward started his breeding career, a new principle was launched with the goal to also combine dressage bloodlines with appropriate show jumping bloodlines. Edward did not breed that much in his eight years as state stud stallion. Only 333 progeny have been registered until today, a number other stallions achieve in one year.

"But he is very popular with a lot of breeders and is bred to show jumping, dressage and halfbred mares. The successes of his progeny are to be highly regarded against this backdrop," said the Hanoverian society.  "His breeding value of 137 points for dressage and 143 for show jumping, determined in young horse development classes, are highly regarded, and his oldest offspring are now ready to compete at the advanced level."

Photos © Astrid Appels - Hannoveraner Verband

Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Edward
Londontime Gets 2015 Grande Prize
Desperados Bestowed with 2012 Grande Prize