A fresh wind could be blowing for U.S. Dressage. Bob Price and his head trainer Sarah Daehnert have acquired the 9-year old licensed Dutch warmblood stallion Breezer as Grand Prix hopeful.
The chestnut Johnson x Sultan offspring, which was owned by Mr. Schoenaker in partnership with Dutch team vet Jan Greve, was lightly competed in The Netherlands as a youngster. He participated in the KWPN Stallion Competition with Judith Ribbels and Lisanne der Nederlanden and contested the Pavo Cup Semi Finals. As an 8-year old the stallion was brought to Patrik Kittel's Outstanding Stables in Germany to be trained to Grand Prix level and to be sold.
A match has been made between Breezer and Daehnert, who rides for industrial designer Bob Price of Pegaso Farm in Mettawa near Chicago, Illinois. The American duo has acquired the stallion together as a Grand Prix hopeful for America.
"Breezer is an exceptional stallion with super rideability and three great gaits," said Daehnert. "He has the perfect amount of hotness that is needed in an international Grand Prix horse and at age 9 he is doing everything for the Grand Prix."
Snowbirding in Florida at Pegaso Farm South, a 10-acre property in Wellington, Daehnart aims to compete her new ride during the winter season.
"Breezer has not been shown Grand Prix, but once we get to know each other a bit better, we will hopefully be in the ring this season showing Grand Prix," Sarah explained. "First we will start with a smaller show and from there we will see what happens; hopefully competing in a CDI by the end of season."
Daehnert was trained by Scott Hassler but now relies on Patrik Kittel's expertise to further her skills in riding.
"Patrik comes to Chicago about every six to twelve weeks depending on his schedule at home. When I'm in Florida, he plans to come once a month for the season," said Daehnert. "I feel so lucky to have him, so any time he has is great by me."
Bob and Sarah were looking for a young Grand Prix prospect for a few years and first discovered the liver chestnut 9-year old Danish warmblood mare UNO Samantha (by Shepard x Donnerhall x Rohdiamant) at Kittel's yard in Germany in March 2014. It was the beginning of a new working relationship. UNO Samantha is small tour confirmed and will be schooled to Grand Prix this year. The duo also purchased the 6-year old Dutch warmblood Evander (by Vivaldi x Jazz), who finished 10th in the 2013 Pavo Cup Finals in The Netherlands and won a young horse qualifier for 5-year olds in Denmark with Andreas Helgstrand.
Daehnert has built up experience training the famous Lippizaners at Tempel Farms in Illinois, before going to Scott Hassler for regular tutelage at Riveredge in Maryland. Now an independent trainer at Pegaso Farm, Daehnert is aiming to hit the international circuit with her new top quality mounts as well as with several Oldenburg and Hanoverian youngsters which are lined up in the barn.
"So much depends on how the horses develop," said Daehnert about her goals in the sport. "I believe Breezer as well as Samantha have potential to be competitive international Grand Prix horses. It would be great to be on the American team one day, if all of the stars align."
by Astrid Appels - Photos ©
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