Wahajama, Exotic Name for an Exotic Horse

Mon, 07/05/1999 - 00:00
1999 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses

Placing third in the 5 year old division at the 1999 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses was Wahajama. This gorgeous black mare already dazzled the dressage world at age three. In the autumn of 1997 Wahajama switched owners at the Verden Elite Auction for the highest price ever paid

at that sale, i.e. 510,000 DM (260,000 euro). Sonja and Gerd Knoop from Gestut Hoftehof in Meppen, Germany, became the new owners of this rising star.

Permanent rider Holga Finken made a brilliant career with the Hannoverian mare by Warkant x Acapulco. In 1998 the combination won the the 4 year old mare and gelding dressage class at the German Championships for Young Sport Horses, better known as the Bundeschampionate. More successes throughout the show season guaranteed Wahajama and Finken of an entry for the World Championships.

The impressive mare is very persuasive with her sublime basic gaits, smooth transitions and excellent flexion through the body. Ending third in the overall ranking and proclaimed as World's Best Young Dressage mare, Wahajama has a bright future ahead of her.