Häwelmann (by Hofrat out of Heavenly (by Artistic Rock) was named champion of the 2011 Trakehner Stallion Licensing, which celebrated its 49th edition in Neumünster’s Holstenhalle. The stallion sold at auction for 140,000 euro to Jens Thorsen of Pallerhaff Stud from Luxembourg.
Breeder Ilsemarie Peters from Mölme needed a sleeping pill on Saturday evening. „Normally I only need ¼ pill but that wasn’t enough last night”, said the obviously moved and proud breeder and owner of the winning stallion. Häwelmann is the smart and elegant Primus Inter Pares in the approval year 2011.
The stallion shares his name with the world famous children’s book “Der kleine Häwelmann”, by Theodor Storm, which basically translates into “nag”, a characteristic that the dark bay Häwelmann doesn’t possess.
“A stallion that embodies the ideal breed and stallion type, one which is always moving through his complete body and was one of the best in free jumping," said Lars Gehrmann, breed manager of the Trakehner Association, on behalf of the approval committee. “He always has rhythm and an unshakeable walk – a truly ideal champion stallion."
Häwelmann comes from a competitive dam line – a federal winning family. His sire Hofrat is by Gribaldi. The beautiful and sporty Häwelmann created great enthusiasm from the sell-out crowd in Holstenhalle, as they celebrated the strong nerved winning stallion with standing ovations.
“I didn’t have the plan to buy him when I woke up this morning," said the champion's new owner at the auction. Jens Thorsen mentioned that Häwelmann will be keeping his name and, even though he will be at stud, the focus will be on his competitive career.
Herakles, Reserve Champion
The first reserve is Herakles, by Gribaldi, out of Helenah de L, by Michelangelo. A stallion that was born in Denmark at his breeder Mette Hansen's place and then reared by Norbert Timm at Hohenschmark Stud. This is also where the stallion will remain in the future. Lars Gehrmann commented: “A noble horse – silent, lightfooted and relaxed. He is a dressage specialist with charisma and expression - a true talent”.
The approval committee named the dark bay Dürrenmatt, by Hirtentanz out of Dolce Vita III, by Exorbitant xx as second reserve stallion. Dürrenmatt also received the Agricultural Ministry Award as the best stallion from Schleswig-Holstein. “We never saw him off-form and he is a flexible type of stallion with three very good gaits”, praised Gehrmann. Dürrenmatt was bred by Veronika von Schöning and the proud owner is the Meyenburg Stud. The Trakehner stallion Glücksruf by Dramatiker out of Gretel by Opernball has been named best jumping stallion. Glücksruf is owned by the Ganschow Stud. At auction Dürrenmatt changed ownership for 120,000euro .
Petra Wilm, chairman of the Trakehner Association, made it clear the decision to give a stallion the premium title cannot be influenced by whether or not the stallion will be part of the auction. “We want and need to think about the breed and how to move it forward genetically”, said Wilm. “That can only happen when the approval committee is impartial.”
Credit where Credit is Due
The Trakehner Association honoured deserving breeders and members of the Trakehner family before the winning stallion was announced in the Holstenhalle. Dieter Trepkau has been involved as a breeder and other functions of the Trakehner breeding programme for over forty years. This commitment was honoured with the Dietrich-von-Lenski memorial prize. Competition success in 2011 was the middlepoint of the presentation of the Dr.-Fritz-Schilke silver badge. Jürgen von Gierke is the breeder of the most successful Trakehner dressage horse 2011, King ArthurTSF, by E.H. Buddenbrock, and out of Konsula, by EH Consul. King Arthur was the state champion of Schleswig-Holstein/Hamburg with the Association Chairman Petra Wilm.
Dr. Mechtild Bause is the breeder of Der Dürer TSF (by Waitaki, out of Dalmatika, by Trafaret), the most successful Trakehner jumper 2011, who has created quite a stir with the eventing world champion Michael Jung.
The most successful eventing horse is TSF Karascada M, by Heraldik xx out of Karatschi II, by Anduc, and the breeder is Mrs. Hannelore Meier and Ingo Wittlich’s Gilberto Gold, by Latimer out of Goldperle VII, by Anduc, impressed by the driving horses.
Photos © Tammo Ernst
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