Lordswood Bernstein SL Passed Away

Breeding

Oldenburg

The Oldenburg stallion Lordswood Bernstein SL has passed away at his home in Florida. He was 7 years old.

The liver chestnut stallion was by Bonds out of Sunshine M (by Quaterback x Rohdiamant). He was bred by Stefanie Löhmann in Germany.

German - British - Danish

British horse owner duo Heather Stack and Alice Whitefield of Lordswood Dressage bought Bernstein as a foal directly from the breeder. He was reared at Thorsten Hogrefe's in Germany.

The British duo presented him at the 2020 Oldenburg Stallion Licensing, but he was not accepted. The duo sold him to Andreas Helgstrand in Denmark.

He was licensed at the 2021 Danish Warmblood Stallion Licensing which took place as a private home tour licensing due to Covid. Three months later he got approved for Oldenburg. For breeder Lohmann, Bernstein SL was the first stallion in her breeding programme that got licensed.

Bernstein SL completed his Danish Warmblood 35-Day Stallion Performance Test in November and scored 802 points and placed 15th out of 18 stallions that passed the testing.

Sold to the USA

In the winter of 2021-2022 he sold as a rising 4-year old chestnut stallion to American Grand Prix rider Jessica Howington and has already arrived in Florida.

In 2022, Bernstein was also approved for the Hanoverian and Rhineland studbook and for KWPN-NA.

Jessica and Bernstein made their national show debut in March 2024 competing in Wellington in the 6-year old test, scoring 77.2 points. A week later she scored 76.4 in the same test. In April 2024 she showed him at Third level in Ocala to win with 70.541%. In July she took him back to WEC in Ocala for another third level test and won with 69.189%. It was their last show.

Untimely Passing

On 13 January 2025 Howington announced the passing of her stallion. She did not disclose the cause of death.

Bernstein SL at the 2020 Oldenburg Licensing

"I'm beyond heartbroken and devastated," she said. "I’m still in shock and disbelief over this loss. There was never a doubt in my mind that he would be my Olympic 2028 horse. Bagel had the best mind you could ask for and was, of course, incredibly talented. He was so willing and happy to work, and he loved our rides—not just in the arena, but also out on the track and in the fields."

Howington had planned on competing Bernstein SL at small tour level this year.

"Sadly, life took him from us far too soon," she continued. "The only comfort I have is that I do have some very special foals by him. Even if they’re only half of what he was, it’s still more than most could ever hope for."