Renowned Westfalian Breeder Alfons Baumann Passed Away

Breeding

Westfalian

Renowned Westfalian horse breeder Alfons Baumann has passed away on 30 October 2026 succumbing to injuries sustained one month earlier in a tragic barn accident.

The Lower Rhine based Baumann grew up on the family dairy farm acquired in the 1920s. Their 40-hectare homestead in Rees, Germany, became the breeding ground of over 1000 Westfalian bred and registered foals.

Alfons "Alo" Baumann became a member of the Westfalian breeding society in 1984 and established himself as a passionate and successful breeder whose name became known far beyond the borders of his homeland. With extensive expertise, dedication, and a keen eye for breeding, Alfons Baumann created an impressive life's work over decades.

Breeder of Champion Mares and Licensed Stallions

Baumann began breeding in the 1970s, initially warmbloods, but also half-bloods, thoroughbreds. he gradually specialised in warmblood sport horses and ponies, while the yard was also filled with livery horses. He officially took over his parents' business in 1989.

A whole chapter in Franz-Josef Neuhaus' book "Zuchtschätze: bedeutende Stutenfamilien in Westfalen" was dedicated to Baumann's dam lines. Baumann's breeding programme was built on two mare lines: Walküre (by Welsh Minstrel xx) and Al'Amour (by Aarstein). In the 1960s Alfo's father purchased mare Biene (by Frühsport x Dekan) for the slaughter price of 600 Deutsch Marks and was put in foal to Welsh Minstrel xx in 1969.

Alfons bred no less than 21 licensed stallions, three Westfalian Mare Champions and three reserve mare champions.

Amongst the licensed stallions are Farewell I to IV (by Fidermark x Rosenkavalier), Dankeschön (by Danone x Fidermark) and Licosto (by Licotus x Rosenkavalier).

This three Westfalian mare champions are Anky (by Ampere x Fidermark - champion in 2013), Fergana (by Fidermark x Rosenkavalier - in 2007) and Falbala (by Fidermark x Rosenkavalier - in 2004). His reserve champion mares are Amie (by Abanos x Grunhorn II), Dolly (by Don Bedo x World Hit II) and pony mare Daylight (by FS Don't Worry x Rosedale Tiberius).

Versatility

Baumann bred over 1000 foals in his career and no less than 297 are registered in Germany as competition horses. Some of them he competed himself in show jumping until 1990s, his last show horses being home bred horses Baumann's Cornetto (by Capistrano x Cento) and Cavalli (by Chambertin x Heraldik xx)

Thirty of his breeding products have competed at S-level in dressage and 16 at S-level in show jumping.

He sold 86 of his horses through the auction with licensed stallion Licosto selling for 200,000 euro and dressage horse Imperial (by Ibiza x Davignon) selling to Sissy Max-Theurer for 172,000 euro. The latter went on to compete at the World Young Horse Championships.

Baumann's horses successful in sport include Grand Prix horses Dancing Diamond (by Diamond Hit x Fidermark - under Claudia Dorpmans BEL), Baumann's Diorella (by Dankeschon x Davignon - under Hannah Rockwell AUS), and Darleen de Funes (by Don Juan de Hus x Dark Fire - nationally under Katrin Burger GER).

Baumann's Despino at the 2020 Pony Europeans

Baumann's Quenau (by Quinta Real x Cento - under Elena Kasakova) competed at junior level at the 2025 Balkan Championships, while Baumann's Dior (by FS Daddy Cool x Charm of Nibelungen - under Sarah Willemsen NED) showed recently in international pony sport.

Alfons was not less successful with his pony breeding. Dutch rider lara van Nek rode Baumman's Despino (by FS Don't Worry x Rosedale Tiberius) to team silver and placed sixth individually at the 2010 European Pony Championships. A year later Thessa Gilbers piloted full sister Daylight to team silver at the 2011 European Pony Championships. Daylight also won silver at the Bundeschampionate as a young pony.

Legacy

Alo and Ellen Baumann in Wellington 2025

In 2020 Baumann began to "downscale" his breeding programme, but remained extremely passionate and committed with still more than two handfuls of foals born every year.

He travelled frequently to watch and attend major horse shows such as the Bundeschampionate and World Young Horse Championships as well as headed to Wellington, Florida in 2025 as he had a strong network of loving family and friends living in the U.S.A.

Baumann was decorated with the Hans-Bemberg Prize for Breeding Achievement in 2008.

The Westfalian breeding society communicated that, "our deepest sympathies go out to all his family and loved ones. We wish them strength, comfort, and support during this difficult time."

Alfons has two candidate stallions coming up for approval at the 2026 Westfalian Licensing on 30 November - 2 December 206 : A Bon Esprit x Donkey Boy colt and a jumper colt by Madness x Cornado.

Baumann leaves behind his devoted wife Ellen and his children, Arndt and Ilona Baumann.