The Swedish warmblood society accepted six young colts and nine older stallions for breeding following the 2011 Swedish Warmblood performance testing in Flyinge, Sweden, which completed last Saturday 5 March 2011.
The testing was finished with an assessment by guest judge riders Hella Kuntz and Hannes Baumgart.
The Swedish warmblood society is quite strict in accepting three year olds and only approves them for one year of breeding, before reviewing the colts again and determining whether their stud career should continue or not.
One 3-year old dressage colt passed the testing. The Oldenburg reserve licensing champion Floricello (by Florencio x Dormello) was praised for his "large, well developed and long lined conformation" with "floating gaits in both walk and trot". Floricello's Oldenburg peers Quartilaz (by Quaterback x Stedinger) and Washington (by Werder Fan x Sandro Hit) were not accepted.
In the 4-year old age category the Dutch warmblood Clever Hill Q (by Uphill x Havidoff) was proclaimed performance testing champion. The beautiful bay stallion lacked some strength in the back and loins. Despite his soft mouth he was very unsteady in the contact with the bit. The trot missed suspension under the test riders, but the stallion excelled in canter. The dark bay appeared very weak and flexible in the fetlocks. The guest judge rider commented that he "could be a little bit more "alive". He is loose in the contact, not very well balanced and not taking the bit in a constant way. He needs more work over the back in all gaits. He seemed a little bit tired, but is still a nice horse. His walk is okay, but needs to be more forward."
The 4-year old liver chestnut Oldenburg Sohn der Sonne (by Sir Donnerhall x Sion) also passed the testing. The colt, which has been purchased at the auction in Vechta, impressed with his rideability. Hella Kuntz praised him as "very nice, comfortable to sit on, reacts to the aids. Could be a little bit quicker, reacting faster in the hindlegs. Canter gives a good, uphill feeling. Wonderful character, concentrating on the rider. Big walk that is quick enough (active)." Hannes Baumgart mentioned that Sohn der Sonne gave him an "uphill feeling, good mouth, good to sit on. Really rythmical, good gaits, well balanced. Carries himself well. A horse for the big sport."
The accepted older dressage stallions, which only had to do the mandatory in-hand presentation and vet check, were Wellington (by Weltman x Campari M), KWPN licensing champion Ampere (by Rousseau x Flemmingh), Blue Hors Hot Shot (by Hotline x Don Schufro), the Trakehner Grand Prix horse Insterburg TSF (by Hohenstein x Giorgio Armani) and Shooting Star (by Sir Donnerhall x Banditentraum).
Photo © David Svensson
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