The 32-year old German born and British based Elisabeth Ahn has acquired Norbert Timm's Trakehner breeding farm Gestut Hohenschmark. As of 1 July 2016, Ahn has become the official owner of the stud which is located in north Germany at lake Schmark.
Gestut Hohenschmark was founded by Dr. Karl-Andreas and Frau Else Voss in 1963. The pair, which was originally from Hamburg, became highly successful as Trakehner horse breeders. They bred licensed stallions Garamond and Siegbert.
In the 1980s their daughter Dorothea Schlüter took over the management of the stud farm and in 2004 she sold the farm to Norbert Timm, who also owned the neightbouring farm Hof Schluensee. Timm completely renovated the yard. He is the breeder of licensed stallions Sir Sansibar and Sir Samoa, as well as Trakehner dressage sport horse Zikade (Dorothee Schneider), Finnish Grand Prix rider Terhi Stegars rented boxes at Gestut Hohenschmark for several years before moving to Luxembourg.
"It is not easy to hand over such a farm, which is become part ot me," Timm stated. "A long-term security of what we have achieved has to be
guided on the right way at the right time. Ahn is a young, sympathetic
and completely independent, motived and experienced horse woman and
breeder. She can is more predestined than others to lead my Gestut into
the next generation and a successful future with her young team."
The Dorset based Elisabeth Ahn, who is born in Germany but has lived in Austria, Ireland, Holland and England, is the new owner of the yard. She will be bringing about thirty horses and some mini's with her from Corradee Stud. She has taken over some of Hohenschmark's broodmares and youngstock, but not the stallions.
"I have decided that it's time to go "home" after living abroad for most of my adult life," Ahn told Eurodressage. "Breeding horses in the U.K. has its difficulties logistic wise; plus being able to purchase such a well-established stud that was built with the love of horses in mind and of someone that thinks alike. It will continue to be a stud and we will continue to breed high quality horses. We will also focus on young horse training where the horse comes first and of the highest possible standard."
Related Links
Norbert Timm, Trakehner Breeder of the Year 2015
Sir Sansibar Moves to Muhlen
Generous Approval at Reformatted 2014 Trakehner Stallion Licensing
Sir Sansibar, Champion of the 2014 Trakehner Stallion Licensing
High Class Rides at 2012 International Trakehner Championships in Hanover
Imhotep Champion of the 2010 Trakehner Stallion Licensing