Aaron Janicki Welcomes Hanoverian Premium Stallion Valdric to U.S. Breeding Program

U.S.A.

American Grand Prix rider Aaron Janicki has acquired the rising 3-year old Hanoverian premium licensed stallion Valdric to strengthen his breeding program and expand his string of top quality sport horses at Janicki Dressage in Mount Vernon, Washington.

At the 2025 Hanoverian Stallion Licensing in Verden, Janicki secured Valdric at auction for 365,000 euro making the colt the second most expensive horse of the collection, as Aaron had to bid against some of Europe's biggest stallion keepers and horse dealers.

Valdric

Valdric is by Isabell Werth's rising Grand Prix stallion Valdiviani and out of the Rhinelander broodmare First Lady (by Feinrich x Sir Donnerhall x Lord Loxley). He is bred by Norbert Grittern.

At the Hanoverian Licensing Valdric impressed the committee with his conformation, high quality basic gaits, and athleticism and potential on the lunge line and in freedom. He was one of only eight stallions that were named "premium."

"I was drawn to how complete this stallion is," Aaron explained. "He has three excellent gaits, a modern type, and a cutting edge pedigree. His mechanics are impressive but he stays relaxed and natural in his way of going."

Aaron knew Valdric was the one to go for and outbid the competition to secure him for the American market.

"His bloodlines are also particularly exciting and valuable for American breeders," he said. "My plan is to develop him in the young horse classes and ultimately bring him up to Grand Prix."

Valdric is one his way to the U.S.A. and will fulfil his licensing commitments by participating in the U.S. stallion performance test in 2026.

Growing Breeding Program in the U.S.A.

Aaron and Danish approved stallion No Limit
(Photo © Amanda Olson)

Valdric's new home will be Janicki Dressage in Mount Vernon, where Aaron stands two further licensed stallions. He is also expanding his mare band to support his growing breeding program.

"Our mares, young horses, and competition horses are all based here," said Janicki. "We are expecting 26 foals this year, so spring and summer will be very busy with foaling and rebreeding. Our breeding program’s goal is to provide exceptional foals and young horses to the American market at a great value, as well as high-quality stallions for U.S. breeders."

His other two Danish Warmblood approved stallions are the 7-year old No Limit (by Totilas x Ferro x De Niro) and the 6-year old KWPN bred Olav (by Kilimanjaro x Krack C x Ramiro).

"No Limit recently debuted at Prix St Georges level with scores over 71%," said Aaron. "He shows excellent talent for piaffe and passage and is out of the same mare as Le Formidable and Four Legends. Olav is schooling Fourth Level and showing real aptitude for the Grand Prix work."

Aaron has set clear goals for his stallions, targeting to combine sport while being available to North American breeders.

"Both No Limit and Olav already have promising foals on the ground and all three stallions will be available to breeders next season," said Aaron.

Although a select number of foals and youngsters will be offered for sale, Janicki wants to pave his path in sport with his home-bred horses. "I plan to retain and develop many of the young horses through the levels," he confirmed.

Holistic Stable Management

The 32-year old Aaron graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked as an engineer for two years before starting Janicki Dressage. He made his international Grand Prix debut in 2021 aboard the self trained KWPN stallion Heron (by Johnson x Bazuin) and is a USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist.

Aaron with Victoria JD (by Fynch Hatton x Sir Sinclair)
(Photo © Alyssa Hamedi)

Full-time invested into his dressage and breeding stable, Aaron has a holistic and long-term vision on the management and future of his business.

"We have a vertically integrated business model that allows us to provide a lot of value to our customers: We make our own hay, have our own mares, stallions, do the collection, insemination and ultra-sounding ourselves," he said. "We also raise the young horses and start them into our sales program."

He continued, "we are finally getting some scale to our operation that allows us to reduce costs as well. We are hoping that if we provide enough value that we can give a lot more people in North America access to high quality horses for sport and breeding."

Brining Top Sport and Breeding to the Pacific Northwest

The sale of Grand Prix horse Heron in the spring of 2023 did not keep Aaron from Grand Prix level for long. In January 2024 he debuted KWPN mare Jinicole M (by Expression x Gribaldi) at international big tour level in Wellington, Florida.

Aaron has made it no secret that his is aim is "training horses to Grand Prix and providing the most outstanding horses for the North American market."

Aaron on Grand Prix mare Jinicole M
(Photo © Astrid Appels)

"I currently have six small tour horses that I’m focused on bringing up to the Grand Prix level, in addition to Jinicole M," he said. " Developing these horses has been incredibly rewarding— I’ve had each of them since they were young. Of course, I will need to sell some horses to keep the business moving forward, but long-term, my goal is to represent the U.S. in International Championships."

By being based in Washington, Aaron is not truly in the heart of U.S. horse sport, but modern technology keeps him connected to the best. "I take remote lessons from Frederic Wandres who has been a great mentor of mine," he said.

His ambitions are big with more enterprises in the pipeline. He wants Janicki Dressage to be an essential a cog in the equestrian 'machine' of the Pacific Northwest, elevating the level of breeding and equestrian sport.

Keuring champion Romulus JD (by Vitalis x Zonik)

"I am also running a winter show series in the Pacific Northwest in partnership with Amanda Olson. These shows are recognized indoor winter shows that will be offered in Lynden WA, and will provide riders in our region competitions without having to travel to Cailfornia or Florida."

Discover the stallions and breeding programme at www.janickidressage.com
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