It was an interesting 26th Elite Westfalian Sport Horse and Foal Auction in Munster, Germany. While buyers from Great Britain and the U.S.A. were aiming to buy the best horses, it was Austria who took home the highlight of the auction.
Austrian Sissy Max-Theurer, a fervent 'auction shopper' besides being a former Olympic gold medallist, had the hammer struck down at 320,000 € for the enchanting chestnut mare Fleur Rubin. Max Theurer purchased the mare for Americans clients of hers. Illustrating the cover of the auction catalogue, Fleur Rubin was destined to become the top knock down horse of the day. Bred by Heinz-Michael Schröder from Lauenförde, Germany, Fleur Rubin is a 3-year old Florestan x Rubinstein x Weltmeyer offspring who became Reserve Champion at 2003 Westfalian Elite Show in July.
The black gelding Maybach aroused interest from some American bidders. For 52,000 €, this Munchhausen x Pandur x Fernzauber will be moving to the United States. The liver chestnut Dannemann will be sharing air cargo containers with Maybach as he travels to the U.S.A. as well for 51,000 €. Dannemann is by Don Bedo x Fidermark x Worldchamp.
The show jumper Bourdy (by Baloubet de Rouet x Granduer x Romeo) is moving to Hungary for 56,000 €. Dolly B, another Don Bedo offspring, but out of a Welt Hit II x Apart dam line, was sold to a German for 50,000 €. British buyers purchased Fairfax, a Florestan x Weinberg x Bengale stallion, for 38,000 €
Especially interesting was the sale of the 4-year old Westfalian dressage pony Tessy. This chestnut mare by Top Derbino x Derby x Valentino was sold to a Hessian pony rider for 51,000 €. Tessy won the 2003 Bundeschampionate for 4-year old Dressage ponies under Henrike Sommer-Boker, which partially accounts for her high auction price. Tessy was already sold once through the Munster auction, but in 1999 as a foal.
The most expensive foal at this auction was Barrage, a bay mare by show jumping sire Baloubet de Rouet out of a Landgraf x Maestoso xx dam. A German paid 17,000 € for this little star.