The 2004 Vechta Autumn Elite Auction was a very unusual one. The atmosphere was not as exuberant as usual, auctioneer Heckmann -- who recently collapsed at the AOS Auction in Muhlen due to low blood pressure -- was unable to get the spirits up in the stands.
Many of the top horses that were announced in the advertisements, were purchased back by the owner or did not appear for sale, especially the newest eye catcher of the lot: the Grand Prix horse Roxinho. Furthermore, this spring and summer, the Oldenburg Verband dealt with some organizational turmoil as several employees resigned from their posts, and new people took up new functions. Every auction center in Germany has its good and its bad days.
Fortunately the sale of What Joy put some life into the Vechta Autumn Auction. What Joy became the price highlight of the collection, selling for 150,000 euro to Austrian Sissy Max Theurer. The bay Welt Hit II x Noble Roi xx x Figaro mare impressed with her elastic movements and rideability. "She's breath taking. I never saw a three year old with such a good trot," marketing director Thomas Rhinow said about What Joy.
What Joy was a Brilliant Ring mare at the 2004 Oldenburg Elite Mare show in Rastede and was then known under the name "Riwera." She will find a bright future lying ahead of her at Castle Achleiten in Austria.
A second top price would have been achieved by Silhouette, a dark bay Sandro Hit x Weltmeyer x Roncalli xx mare. Presented by Klaus Dirks, Silhouette has been bought back by owner Dirks. Silhouette is also known under the name of "Wertvolle" as she was the 2004 Reserve Champion Mare in Rastede.
The third best selling horse was Salamander, a dark bay stallion by Sandro Hit x Rohdiamant x Grundstein. For 60,000 euro, this youngster will move to a stable in the Mecklenburg area.
The best selling foal was Solveig's Lied, a Sandro Hit x De Niro x Rubinstein colt, that sold for 45,000 euro to Paris, France.
Photos © Tammo Ernst - Eurodressage