Australian Kerry Mack sold her Hanoverian licensed stallion Whisper to Jody Hartstone from New Zealand. The black stallion by Weltmeyer x Feiner Stern x Pik Bube will be Hartstone's hope to qualify for the 2010 World Equestrian Games or 2012 London Olympics.
The 14-year old Whisper arrived in New Zealand on 5 February and Hartstone immediately competed him the weekend afterwards in an attempt to qualify him for the Horse of the Year show. At the Waitemate Championships on 12-14 February 2010, the pair won the Intermediaire II with 62.96%, the Grand Prix with 61.92% and the Kur to Music with 69.80%.
“We got him here as quickly as we could and he’s settled in better than we could have hoped for. It’s a lot easier for a horse to come from Australia than from Europe," said Hartstone. "It’s been something of a roller coaster ride trying to make it all happen and within a relatively short time frame and the added pressure of trying to qualify for Horse of the Year. But he is the most fantastic horse. I fell in love with him the first time I saw him four years ago and can’t believe I’m lucky enough to now have him.”
Owned in partnership between Jody and Erin Mortimer, Jody’s parents also have a small stake in him. Mack sent over his double bridle as a gift with a note wishing Hartstone all the best.
”It would have been hard for her to part with Whisper, when it was such a coup to get him to Australia in the first place, but her other Grand Prix horse Pzazz really is her favourite,” Jody explained.
Whisper originally came from Europe. His German registered "real" name is Weltstar and he competed at the 2000 Bundeschampionate under Susanne Miesner. Afterwards he moved to Holland where Hans Peter Minderhoud showed him as "Whisper" at Fourth level. In Australia, Grand Prix rider Brett Parbery campaigned the stallion at Grand Prix level.
Raglan based Hartstone also stands Holsteiner stallion Landioso (by Landgraf x Calvados II and Rhinelander stallion Donnerwind (by Donnerschlag x Voltaire) at stud.
Related Links
Young Guns in Dressage: Jody Hartstone
Hanoverian Stallion Weltstar, aka Whisper, Sold to Australia
Dr. Kerry Mack and Weltstar, A Challenging Partnership