The 2010 American Oldenburg Inspection Tour was a great success. Our hosts were organized, gracious, and went to a lot of effort to make each inspection work the best it could for all who participated.
The Oldenburg Verband would like to thank each and every one of them, and let them know how appreciated they are. Many went even further out of their way hosting special events and/or Mare Performance Tests.
One inspection in particular held at German Dressage in San Diego, California held a special exhibition of horses from the Oldenburg auctions in Vechta, Germany and of their wonderful Oldenburg approved stallions. It was hosted by Jennifer and Juergen Hoffman who did an excellent job. In an article written for our magazine, Pam Moss writes, "Today I took a quick trip to Germany. At least that's how I look at it. Yes, some of us are fortunate to go and experience the wonderful shows, auctions, and all things horse that Germany has to offer. And some of us promise we will do it "one day", but life has a way of happening, and we don't always get where we are going. Today was a wonderful afternoon well spent right here in San Diego County with incredible horses that were purchased at the German Oldenburg auction and a fantastic exhibition of stallions professionally run by a well experienced German handler and a ground jury evaluating some beautifully bred foals and mares."
The foals were bred here, and judged using the German standards by the Oldenburg Studbook team of Thomas Rhinow and Holly Simensen. To my delighted surprise we were even lucky enough to have the great sausages and hamburgers grilled by Jennifer's dad Wesley Dymek!" After writing a nice description of the events, Pam concludes, "So if you get a chance, and want a little taste of the horse world from the center of some of the most beautiful and sought after animals in Germany - take the short trip, go to the local inspections, and enjoy a beautiful California afternoon in Oldenburg Country."
Diamond Queen Wins Mare Performance Test
This year, three Mare Performance Tests were held. The East Coast MPT's were held at Rolling Stone Farm in Pennsylvannia and at Crosiadore Farm in Maryland. The West Coast MPT was held in conjunction with an Oldenburg Horse Show at Pollyrich Farms in Solvang, California hosted by Rick and Buffy Oas. The judges who flew in from the German Verband were Deputy Breeding Director Katrin Burger and Sales Director Thomas Rhinow. They were accompanied by the North American Director Holly Simensen, North American breeder/inspector Mo Swanson, and Test Rider, Shirin Amier. Click here to see the full results from the Oldenburg Horse Show and MPT at Pollyrich Farms.
The Mare Performance Test was won by Diamond Queen (Diamond Hit x Royal Queen (Royal Hit)) bred by Gestuet Lewitz in Germany, and owned by Flannery Banks. Diamond Queen won with the overall score and was the winner of the "Best Result Dressage". She earned the following scores, 8.5 Trot Free, 8.5 Canter Free, 7.5 Free Jumping, 8.0 Trot Under Saddle, 8.0 Canter Under Saddle, 8.5 Walk, 8.0 Test Rider which resulted in an outstanding overall score of 7.99! She was also judged by the committee to be worthy of the title, Special Premium Candidate which is the equivalent of the States Premium Candidate title given in Germany.
The winner of the best Free Jumping in the MPT was given to Paisley (Landstreicher x Petit Bijou (Prestige Pilot)) who as Katrin Burger comments, "had already impressed under saddle" when she won the Suitable to Be a Jumping Horse 4 to 6 year old class. She was given an 8.0 for her "high potential" in jumping. Paisley was bred and is owned by Pollyrich Farms. Katrin comments, "Also convincing in the free jumping chute was the dressage bred, Diamon Queen, who showed a very nice technique with good work of her back."
In total, four mares were decorated with the title, Special Premium Candidate. One of those who placed just behind Diamond Queen in the MPT was the 4 year old Wroxanne (Weltmeyer x Bonny (Bolero)) bred by Dantia Benson and owned by Suzanne Galsterer of Rincon Vista Farm. Wroxanne had already won the Suitable to become a Dressage Horse 3 to 5 years old and the 4 to 6 year old in hand Mare class in the show. In the MPT she earned; 7.0 Trot Free, 7.5 Canter Free, 6.5 Free Jumping, 7.5 Trot Under Saddle, 7.5 Canter Under Saddle, 8.5 Walk, 8.5 Test Rider resulting in an overall 7.51. Katrin commented that she showed, "a swinging trot and an outstanding walk."
The next two were Flo (Florencio x Livadia (Impressionist)) bred and owned by Hilda Gurney and H. Sierra Pelona (San Rubin x Hunter's Magic (Hadrian)) bred and owned by Laurie Browning. Flo earned an overall score of 7.38 and H. Sierra Pelona earned a 7.28.
Wintera Becomes Young horse Champion
In the show the Young Horse Champion came down to the rivalry between the winner of the Two Year Old class and second in the Hunter class, Wintera (Windfall x Pantera Z (Freedom Z) bred and owned by Kristina Novak and the winner of the Hunter class and second placed horse in the Two Year Old class, Rafael (Rosenthal x Born in a Storm (Beaute')) bred and owned by Andrea Duncan. This rivalry started last year when almost the same thing happened in the Yearling and Hunter classes, and both horses have developed beautifully over the past year.
Katrin Burger explains how difficult the final decision was for the Young Horse Championship, "The decision on the Young Horse Championship was strongly discussed by the judges, and in the end it was a neck and neck race between Wintera and Rafael. The final judgment went in favor of Wintera, because of the better trot presented on that day. Both horses were presented in the best condition and showed amazing types."
The Mature Horse Championship went to the 7 year old mare, Diamond Queen who had won the 7 year old and older Mare class. Katrin remarked that the mare, "showed a super trot with a lot of elasticity and good mechanics. She also had a fantastic walk." She mentions how impressed the judges were with this mare who went on to win the MPT. The Reserve Mature Horse Champion was Wroxanne.
Katrin concludes, "In summary, we can say that we were really happy about the growing number of horses which were presented for the show this year. In dressage we saw some horses with very nice types and good characters. the development in international dressage breeding perhaps requests more horses with more elasticity and mechanics in movement, but for sure these goals in breeding have to be defined by every breeder him or herself."
We congratulate all of these great horses and their owners, trainers, presenters, and grooms!! Katrin adds, "We found once more the best conditions to run our horse show at Pollyrich Farms, and want to say thank you again to Rick and Buffy for the professional preparation of the triangle, free jumping chute, dressage arena, and jumping courses, as well as organizing the catering and nice dinner with the raffle in the evening."
Article courtesy American GOV
Related Links
Eurodressage On the Scene at the 2009 Oldenburg Stallion Licensing
Fifty Fifty, Champion of the 2010 Oldenburg Elite Mare Show in Rastede