Verbier, Sir Gribaldi, Eastwood, Velvedere, High Scorers of 2024 Suitability and Stallion Suitability and Sport Test in Munster-Handorf

Breeding

Westfalian

The 3-year old Verbier, the 4-year old Sir Gribaldi and the 5-year olds Eastwood and Velvedere were the high scorers of the shortened suitability test and stallion sport test held in Münster-Handorf on 8 - 10 November 2024.

Shortened Suitability Test: Verbier

Nineteen 3-year old colts gathered in Munster-Handorf for the shortened suitability test. One stallion, Celle's Hanoverian bred Fort Knoxx (by Floriscount x Feedback), did not finish the test.

The Hanoverian bred Verbier (by Von und Zu x Dancier x St. Moritz) was the high scorer in the group. Bred by Monika Rösemeier-Harms and owned by Lodbergen, the bay stallion got 7.6 for walk, 8.4 for trot, 8.8 for canter, and 8.7 for rideabililty and general impression to finish on a total of 8.44 points. He was presented by Jessica Lynn Thomas.

The second highest mark was 8,15 points achieved by the Hanoverian Benjamin Franklin (by Bon Vivaldi x Royal Blend x Don Frederico), bred by Wilhelm Kamps. He got 8.4 for walk, 7.8 for trot, 8 for canter, 8.3 for rideability and 8.2 for general impression.

Five stallions scored under 7.5 which used to be the benchmark to pass the test (Birmingball CT, Bondolo, Cirion, Dynamic Prince, Fiorentino).

Last Sport Test in the Old Format

This was the last "sport test" in the old format with a guest judge rider giving an extra score for the rideability of the horse. In the future sport tests will take place without test rider and at selected competitions.

The last sport test was judged by Wolfgang Egbers, Harry Lorenz and Heinrich Plaas-Beisemann.

Egbers told Zuchter Forum: "We very much regret that the test rider test is no longer required. This is because the impression of the test rider is particularly important for checking the overall picture. We have seen time and again in the past how valuable a guset rider test is, and we have seen it again and again today.”

4-YO: Sir Gribaldi

Twelve four-year olds were presented and the Hanoverian bred Sir Gribaldi (by Secret x All Inclusive x Lauries Crusador xx) became the high scorer of the lot. Bred by Aronis & Jansen and owned by Gestut Sprehe, the bay stallion scored a total of 8.84 points under Italian Beatrice Arturi. He got 8.7 for walk, 8.8 for trot 9 for canter, 8.8 for rideability and 9 for general impression.

The second highest score was for the Hanoverian bred Succession (by Secret x Sancier x Espri), who is bred by Wolfgang Reich. He totalled 8.34 points and got 8.2 for walk, 8.5 for trot, 8 for canter, and 8.5 for rideability and general impression.

Four of the 12 stallions underwhelmed and did not score more than 7.5 (which used to be the minimum mark to pass the test in the "old" days). Der Löwe, Dry Gin, Viva Niro and Zoretto did not bring their A-game to Munster.

5-YO: Eastwood and Velvedere

In the sport test for 5-year olds there were only four stallions and two became the high scorers with a total of 8.0

The Westfalian Eastwood (by Escolar x Vitalis x Lord Loxley) got 8.0 with 8.5 for walk, 8.6 for trot, 7.6 for canter and rideability and 7.8 for general impression. He is bred by Leo Hermanns and owned by state stud Celle.

The Westfalian Velvedere (by Valderde x Sir Donnerhall). He got 7 for walk, 9 for trot, 7 for canter, rideability and general impression. He is bred by Ralf Borowczak and owned by stallion station Holkenbrink.

Complete scores: shortened suitability test - sport test