December 2007

Practial Trainee in the Royal Stables 

This autumn, the daughter of a good friend of mine had the chance to spend two weeks as practical trainee in the Royal Stables in Copenhagen. It is an absolute exception, because normally, the Royal Stables do not allow students to do traineeships there. 

Camilla wrote about her experiences during these two weeks, and I’m pleased to publish her fascinating story on my website. It is a great a thing and deserves to be furthered if young people become active to foster their career and to fulfil their dreams. Well-done, Camilla!

Camillas Story:

A horse is a horse – even if it is wearing a crown !

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November 2007

Blue Hors Don Schufro Still at the Top

Every year, the breeding evaluation is determined for more than 3.500 riding stallions by the currently latest model to calculate this figure. It is the 7th time in a row that BLUE HORS DON SCHUFRO leads this world famous German FN dressage ranking. 

• DON SCHUFRO by Donnerhall 181 points
• BREITLING W by Bismarch 171 points
• MÜNCHHAUSEN by Hohenstein 171 points
• HIS HIGHNESS by Hohenstein 166 points
• FLORENCIO I by Florestan I 164 points
• BELISSIMO M by Beltain 162 points
• DIAMOND HIT by Don Schufro 162 points
• DON PRIMERO by Donnerhall 161 points

October, 2007

Valuable New Member in Our Group of Foals

We have the pleasure to present a new foal in our broodmare stable. It is a bay filly, descending from the successful, top-class Hanoverian line going back to the Schumann-daughter S449, bred by Dr. Max Schulz-Stellenfleth in Germany. The famous stallions Brentano I + II, Garibaldi I + II, Wolkenstein I + II and Wolkentänzer as well as the extremely successful advanced level dressage horses and stallions Beauvalais (in the photo Beatriz Ferrer-Salat (ESP) and Beauvalais), Believe It, Bao Bao, Beltain, Lauterspieler and Little Big Man descend also from this damline. Above mentioned privately owned stallion Wolkentänzer is a half brother of our noble filly by Lauries Crusador xx out of state premium mare Cäcilie by Cavalier/Bolero. We are very happy about our new promising youngster.

October, 2007

Top Stallion Prospect by Don Schufro x Brentano II

These are video recordings of our four months old, very promising colt DMJ DANNEBROG by the successful Grand Prix-stallion BLUE HORS DON SCHUFRO out of our valuable state premium mare BYZANTINA by Brentano II. On the occasion of the Danish Stallion Licensing in Herning in 2006, DON SCHUFRO was awarded Stallion of the Year. In the same year, he also presented the most expensive riding horse and the most expensive colt at Danish Elite auctions. Apart from that, his offspring won the 2006 Danish Dressage Horse Championships and the 2006 DSA-final of five-year-old dressage horses. In 2007 DON SCHUFRO is for the third time the sire of the champion mare of the Danish Elite Mare Show in Vilhelmsborg. BRENTANO II won his stallion licensing, he competed at the Federal Championship final and was trained up to Grand Prix-level. Due to his incredible dressage inheritance qualities, he was awarded “Hanoverian Stallion of the Year 2003”. Please read more about DMJ DANNEBROG.

September, 2007

Andreas Helgstrand Exceeds 5 Million Downloads on YouTube

In less than one year, Andreas Helgstrand and Blue Hors Matiné have exceeded more than 5 million downloads at YouTube. Users all over the world have frequently downloaded his fantastic ride at the freestyle final of the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006.

“It is incredible,” Andreas Helgstrand says, and he continues: “I would do a lot to experience these moments once again. And should I not succeed, then this was certainly the best experience of my lifetime.” Enjoy the fascinating presentation once again and find more information here...

August, 2007

Louisa Lüttgen and DMJ Dreamy (FN: Dreamy 6)

Louisa Lüttgen (GER) and DORNIK B won the 2007 European Pony Dressage Championships with the record-breaking, highest ever result of 77.35% (the previous record was 76.97%).

This is not the only outstanding success of the only sixteen-year old, extremely promising young rider. She also was on the winning team in 2005 and 2006 and is today celebrating her third gold medal. It is the last year for Louisa Lüttgen on the pony circuit; next year she will start at junior level.

But she already made her first experiences this year when she won a third level dressage test with the seven-year-old Donnerhall-daughter DREAMY (see photo) out of WEDGEWOOD LADY by Weltmeyer out of our breeding stock.

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July, 2007

Blue Hors Cavan Said Goodbye

It was an unforgettable, moving moment when BLUE HORS CAVAN took leave at the gala show of the 2007 stallion licensing of the Danish warmblood society. During his active sport career, CAVAN had a tremendous influence on Danish dressage sport, first with Lars Petersen, then with Andreas Helgstrand. He won totally 49 Grand Prix events, four Danish championships and eight World Cup qualifiers. And he competed at various European and World Championships, Olympic Games and World Cup finals. Now Andreas Helgstrand rode the gorgeous, 17-year-old CAVAN one last time, in front of the same audience and in the same dressage ring as 14 years ago when CAVAN started his fascinating career in Herning.

When Andreas took the microphone, the spectators were deeply moved by his words: „… CAVAN, you are the best training horse one can imagine. With all the valuable experiences we both have made, I should visit you every morning in the stable to do you proud. Thanks so much that I was the one who could experience this fairy tale. You are a true friend.“

Today CAVAN enjoys his retirement on the huge pastures of Blue Hors. He spends the days with a companion, lots of lush grass and with view to the other pastures with the stars of tomorrow. He loves running around, he takes pleasure in life and from time to time, he shows the youngsters how to do a perfect passage. 

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June 2007

Top Stallion Prospect by Don Schufro x Wolkentanz II

We have the pleasure to present a video of our 14-weeks old stallion prospect DMJ DONTECITO by Grand Prix-stallion BLUE HORS DON SCHUFRO out of our highly awarded state premium mare WEDDING ROSE by Wolkentanz II. There are more than 2800 riding stallions listed in the breeding evaluation of the German National Equestrian Federation FN, and BLUE HORS DON SCHUFRO leads this ranking for the sixth time in a row. The photo on the right side shows Johannes Westendarp and WOLKENTANZ II. In 2006, both earned various victories and placements at Prix St. Georges and Intermédiare I-level. Besides, WOLKENTANZ II achieved highest scores for type and dressage skills so that he ranks at the top of the 15 best stallions in the “Hanoverian Yearbook Stallions 2007”.

May 2007

Wedgwood Lady Does Not Live Any More

It was hard for us to part from our 18-year-old WEDGEWOOD LADY by Weltmeyer, bred by the well-known horse expert Harry Possin from Germany. In our thoughts, she will always be in our mare herd. We will never forget her exceptional personality and her unique character. She was a horse to rely on completely – even in especially stressful situations. 

It was touching how she looked after her offspring, even in the end when she had to cope with pain. Many well-known riders and stallion raisers appreciated her high-quality, eagerly working offspring. We will try to continue and to foster this valuable line with her daughter DMJ CHERRY by Blue Hors Cavan – we deeply miss WEDGEWOOD LADY.

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May, 2007

Blue Hors Cavan Mare In-Foal to Lauries Crusador XX

Our BLUE HORS CAVAN-mare DMJ CHERRY is checked in-foal to the 22-year-old, exceptional thoroughbred stallion LAURIES CRUSADOR xx (photo). He is regarded as being the most successful contemporary dressage thoroughbred stallion with a fantastic prepotency. He passes on an utmost of elegance and expression, light-footed and ground-covering trot movements as well as his uphill canter. I myself love this English thoroughbred stallion and I am convinced that the riding horse breed cannot do without a continuous thoroughbred influence. Performance thoroughbred stallions add the necessary „steel“ to the warmblood breed. Without the thoroughbred, the warmblood would certainly lose its performance potential, its toughness and would slowly resemble cart horses. A sound brood mare is the best basis for using thoroughbred stallions successfully, and with these mares, you will be able to produce any type of horse. And I believe in the clever combination of different bloodlines true to the motto „blood to blood“. Countless exceptional horses have already proven this theory.

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April 26, 2007

The Swallows Bring Good Luck

On April 26, when the swallows returned to our stable, our valuable state premium mare BYZANTINA gave birth to a noble, 106 cm tall lovely colt by top-class stallion BLUE HORS DON SCHUFRO.

The liver chestnut colt DMJ DANNEBROG will certainly have the same impressive type and the same fantastic movements as his full sister DMJ DIVA DIOR. The ground-covering basic gaits, combined with the unique, pleasing Trakehner expression, are anchored in the dam line and cannot be denied.

We are very happy that dam and foal are in perfect health and that the colt is developing impressively. Please find more photos under DMJ DANNEBROG.

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April, 2007

A Planned Foal Was Born

It was an incredible pleasure for me that my 18-year-old state premium mare BEAUTY BOLERA by Bolero gave birth to her filly DMJ DONNA DANICA (photo at the age of 18 hours) by BLUE HORS DON SCHUFRO: I have been waiting a very long time for a filly out of this bloodline combination! The 108 cm tall foal has the same gorgeous colour, type and constitution as her promising (now 2-year-old) full brother, the stallion prospect DMJ DUBAI. SPM BEAUTY BOLERA is again completely taken up by her motherhood. It is such a pleasure to watch these first bonds of love – they are the most valuable moments in life! Thank you, Bolera!

More information under DMJ DONNA DANICA

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April, 2007

Silvia Iklè (SUI) Qualified for Las Vegas, But...

The Dutch Anky van Grunsven (NED) and SALINERO are still at the top of the World Dressage Rankings, followed by Isabell Werth (GER) and WARUM NICHT, Andreas Helgstrand (DEN) with BLUE HORS MATINE and Isabell Werth with SATCHMO.

Silvia Iklé (SUI) and SALIERI CH rank fifth which is their hitherto best position at this ranking. And the duo qualified for the World Cup Final in Las Vegas (USA). But Silvia Iklé will not travel to the gambler’s city, not only because her horse SALIERI CH does not like air transports. „With regard to the European Championships, I will not participate at the World Cup Final. Perfect performances in Turin are absolutely necessary for the Swiss team, because it’s our last chance to qualify for the Olympic Games in Hongkong. In this show season, I have focused on the European Championships,“ explained the rider from Zurich.

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March, 2007

2007 National Stallion Show in Herning, Denmark

Please feel free to see our photos and share some personal moments from the National Stallion Show on the links below. The photo to the right: Andreas Helgstrand and BLUE HORS ROMANOV by Rohdiamant (the full brother of Rubin Royal).

PHOTOS:

DRESSAGE - FREESTYLE PRIX SCT. GEORGE

PHOTOS:

PERSONAL MOMENTS AND THE CHAMPION STALLION HOTLINE 

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March, 2007

2007 National Stallion Show in Herning, Denmark

Please feel free to see our promotion photos and share some personal moments from the National Stallion Show on the videos below.

March, 2007

2007 Palm Beach Dressage Derby

Susan Jaccoma and the nine-year-old stallion HARMONY´s WEISSMULLER (the full brother of our WEDGEWOOD LADY) took home a blue at the Intermediaire I. The pair’s winning score of 71.25 percent was also the highest score at the Saturday FEI-competitions.

Susan Jaccoma is not only happy with the score, to her great delight, she has also contributed to the winning reputation of Harmony Sporthorses. “I was thrilled with the score,” she said. “The horse really doesn’t make mistakes in the ring. He’s super and the whole ride was really fun. When it feels fun, you know in the back of your head it’s good. His greatest strength is his character. He’s a kind, willing, stallion who tries hard. The only thing keeping him from moving up to Grand Prix is his age.”  

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February 27, 2007

The First Foal of the Year Was Born

It is a pleasure to inform you that on February, 27, our highly awarded state premium mare WEDDING ROSE by Wolkentanz II gave birth to the first foal of the year - an enchanting dream prince!

It is a gorgeous, (110 cm) tall and very leggy colt, true to type, by the champion stallion and Grand Prix winner BLUE HORS DON SCHUFRO.

We are grateful that the birth went well and that the foal is developing so wonderfully. Photos of the top foal are available under DMJ DONTECITO.

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February, 2007

"Hoofprints Upon Our Heart" by Carole An Lee

Please find attached a breathtaking story that really touched my heart from the author Carole Ann Lee’s life about how love and patience transformed a starved and abused horse into a champion - and a beloved member of the autor’s family!

Carole Ann also told me that; “The real reason for writing AJ's story was mainly to release the pain in my heart. As mentioned, his story has been published several times in various magazines.  I've never charged a fee for his story and never will.  Instead, my wish is that AJ's story will carry a message to the world. That, instead of looking the other way when people know an animal is being neglected or abused, they will do something to help. If even one horse, or any animal is rescued from suffering because of AJ's story, my purpose has been met … ”

Last summer AJ`s story was chosen best to represent the human-animal bond in the USA! It is a pleasure and a great honour for me to present the beautiful and heartbreaking story of AJ - wonderfully told by Carole Ann Lee - here ...

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February, 2007

Record Resultat for Don Schufro in Neumünster

Isabell Werth (Germany) and her 11-year-old WARUM NICHT FRH won the Grand Prix freestyle at the World Cup Dressage Festival in Neumünster. The previous day, they were victorious at the Grand Prix-competition. With a result of 83,60%, the Grand Prix Special gold medal winner of last year’s World Championships was the unbeaten winner at the freestyle.

Andreas Helgstrand (Denmark), the darling of the audience, and BLUE HORS DON SCHUFRO ranked second. With 79.55%, they established a new personal record. 

„He was simply fantastic, and the audience was out of its mind with joy,” Andreas Helgstrand said. This time, he presented a completely different freestyle. Alexandra Korelova (Russia) and BALAGUR ranked third with a final score of 77.50%.

Video - MyVideo

Anderas Helgstrand and Don Schufro - Dressur World Cup Kür

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January, 2007

Great Honour for Christine Stückelberger (SUI)

Christine Stückelberger is certainly the most successful Swiss Olympic rider of all times. On the occasion of a Gala Evening in Munich (Germany), she was awarded the „Silver Horse“ for her lifework.

During her sport career, Christine Stückelberger won gold medals at Olympic Games, World and European Championships as well as various national championships. Today she is an active breeder and is regularly holding seminars and clinics. Last year, the American Monty Roberts was awarded the „Silver Horse“.

Link: 

http://www.eurodressage.com/news/focus/foc_stuckelberger.html

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January, 2007

Still at the Top: Fidermark

FIDERMARK, Grand Prix-Winner, Federal Champion and reserve winner at the stallion licensing in 1994, is once again the unquestionable leader of the prize money statistics of NRW stallions of his age-group. He achieved this fantastic result almost without considering the show jumping results and prize moneys of his offspring. 

Video - YouTube

Marlies von Baalen (NED) and the stallion Fidermark