The elite Danish warmblood stallion and Grand Prix horse producer Michellino celebrates his 30th birthday on 7 April 2021.
His 30th anniversary was celebrated with a special photo shoot by Ridehesten.
Dutch Warmblood
Michellino is in fact a Dutch warmblood stallion by Trakehner Michelangelo out of Claudette (Ulft x Lector).
He was imported into Denmark by Per Vintersboelle from Aars and licensed in Denmark in 1994. The 164 cm standing stallion has 1137 registered offspring registered in Denmark. He sired two licensing champions -- Milan and Matinique -- and many more licensed sons.
His first crop of foals produced Olympic medalist Mistral Hojris (Laura Bechtolsheimer) and GP horses Zalmiak Firfod, Milan, Mitchell Imhoff and Minor. The list of international GP horses is long, making Michellino the best GP horse producer in Denmark. My Lady, Smeyers Molberg, Mira, Main Stream Hotmail, Elmegårdens Marquis, Marron, Michigan, and Kjærholm's Abutsiaq are just a few...
30 Years
Like a grand old senior, Michellino has the best view on the farm with a window outside, where can keep an eye on the entire courtyard, the drive way and his paddock, which he shares with his best friend, a goat named billy. Inside Michellino can watch the mares, youngsters and sport horses.
Helle Stordal and her husband Ray Harris take the best care of this nestor in the barn, of which only the grey hairs on his face reveal his old age. The couple took over the management of the stallion from Irene Braun and Niels Grøndahl nine years ago and keep him at Østergaard stable near Tjele, Denmark.
His carrots have to go through the food processor, because his remaining teeth are no longer of much use.
See more photos and a video of Michellino's birthday celebration on Ridehesten.
Related Links
Michellino, Danish Warmblood Stallion of the Year 2006
Michellino Receives HRH Princess Benedikte's Challenge Prize