Isabell Werth, the world number one dressage rider, has welcomed the Oldenburg licensed stallion Viva Gold OLD into her barn in Rheinberg. Werth announced the news today on her social media.
Viva Gold OLD is a 9-year old Oldenburg by Vivaldi out of Weihronce (by For Romance x Don Schufro). He is bred by Christine Arns-Krogmann.
From Auction Foal to Breeding Stallion
Dutch Eugene Reesink purchased the colt as a foal for the whopping amount of 140,000 euro for Dutch investor Jan Pieter Dalsem at the 2016 Summer Mixed Sales. The stallion was privately licensed at home by the Oldenburg licensed committee instead of at the public main licensing or saddle licensing.
The late Werner Gehring of Gestut Westfalenhof initially leased the stallion but in the spring bought the horse of 2019 bought the horse.
Viva Gold became the high scorer of the 2019 Schlieckau Stallion Suitability Test with 9.09 points. In 2020 Viva Gold passed his first sport test with a score of 8.19 and in 2022 he qualified for the Bundeschampionat in Warendorf, which was good for his lifetime licence.
From his first crop of foals no less than 12 stallions were licensed. His most famous licensed sons are Viva Vegas, V-Power, and Viva Diamond. He is one of the most popular and successful young breeding stallions in Germany with numerous top selling offspring in the auctions and state premium daughters.
Sport Career
As a very popular breeding stallion Viva Gold's sport career seemed secondary. He has only competed at a handful of shows.
Under Kathrin Sudhölter he premiered in the riding horse test in Salzkotten in July 2019 after which a 3-year break from showing followed. In May 2022 he returned to the arena in Bielefeld at M-level and two weeks later showed in Iserlohn. He also went to Uder, and Rastede but never competed at the Bundeschampionate. Another almost two year absence from the show ring was next.
Coached by Oliver Oelrich, the pair returned to the arena at S-level in May 2024 in Bielefeld.
Isabell Werth
Isabell Werth announced today on Instagram that Viva Gold has moved to her barn for his future sport career.
"We're curious whether he'll follow a little in the footsteps of his grand dam (Weihegold). He has the talent," she added.
The stallion remains owned by Gestut Westfalenhof but is no longer available with fresh semen and has been removed from their website.
Related Links
Viva Gold, High Scorer at the 2019 Schlieckau Stallion Suitability Test
Weihegold's Grandson Viva Gold, Top Seller of the 2016 Summer Mixed Sales