The UK is fast establishing itself as a major force in international dressage so it’s no surprise that auctioneers Brightwells – who will be staging their annual sale of dressage horses in November – have been closely associated with a string of world-renowned horses that have been hitting the headlines in this year of outstanding Olympic success for British riders.
The Grand Prix horse Fernandez was originally bought through the “Stars of the Future” sale, while leading Dutch agents Jan and Danielle Tuyl - who continue to find top-class horses for Brightwells - found Carl Hester’s recently crowned British National Dressage champion Utopia and actually owned Negro who is the sire of Charlotte Dujardin’s Olympic gold medal winner Valegro.
The dual World Champion Young Dressage mare Farouche also has close links with the sale. Her mother is the Dimaggio daughter Woodlander Dornröschen who is the National Prix St George Champion and was also purchased at the Stars of the Future Sale by Lynne Crowden’s Woodlander Stud.
“The UK may not always have been somewhere buyers would expect to find world-class dressage horses of this calibre, but so many have now been bought at this sale that it’s rapidly establishing a world-wide reputation,” said Brightwells auctioneer Richard Botterill.
“The close working relationship we have developed over the years with our agents in Europe and their ability to source quality horses from leading breeders and producers ensures this sale continues to command international attention,” he added.
Brightwells' German agent Ulrich Keuter works closely with leading European breeders and international clients and has found such outstanding horses as the four-year-old British Champion Lonsvelt and the Grand Prix horse Fernandez who is a past “Stars of the Future” auction horse.
“We’ve seen the reputation of this sale elevated until it has now become one of the most successful in terms of its ability to produce outstanding young horses with world-class potential. Last year we had bidders at the ringside from the USA and Canada, Russia and Switzerland,” said Richard Botterill.
Every year more international buyers are recognising the importance of the sale as an opportunity to find Grand Prix horses of the future.
This year’s sale takes place between Thursday December 1st and Saturday December 3rd within the outstanding equestrian facilities of Addington Manor, Buckinghamshire. As always buyers will have the opportunity of fine dining during the evening auction.
British Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin found her first horse Fernandez as a three-year-old at a Brightwells “Stars of the Future” sale. Fernandez, now owned by Norwegian rider Catherine Rasmussen, took Charlotte to Grand Prix level.
“Fernandez was the first horse I rode at international level just one year before the London Olympic Games. I bought him from the Brightwells sale and I certainly owe much to my success to finding a horse of that potential at a sale in the UK," said Charlotte.
All horses entered undergo strict veterinary checks including a full X-ray procedure.
“We believe the health of our auction horses is a very important part of the service we provide to our clients, with all horses undergoing 22 X-rays and two vettings prior to sale,” added Richard Botterill. “And as part of our service we can organise accommodation for international buyers and assist with all export documentation and requirements.”
A complimentary DVD of all horses entered for the sale is available in addition to videos that cane be seen on line at www.brightwells.com
View the Dressage Collection here.