Uproar in the breeding (and dressage) world! Furst Heinrich, one of the most popular and most promising young breeding stallions has died unexpectedly at a clinic in Germany.
The black Westfalian branded stallion became the 2003 World Young Horse Dressage Champion under Holga Finken, sired multiple foal champions and produced -- from his first crop of offspring -- Van the Man, the 2004 Oldenburg Licensing Champion.
Furst Heinrich is owned by Gestut Sprehe in Loningen, Germany, but Sprehe was unwilling to give information on the untimely passing of this stallion. "I can only confirm that he passed away at the clinic, but I am not allowed to tell you more," Gestut Sprehe told Eurodressage.
Sprehe did not want to share any information about the cause of death of their horse, nor the location of the clinic. "We are investigating his death and I would like to say that everyone at Sprehe is extremely upset about it, including the family." Sprehe will release an official statement on the passing of Furst Heinrich tomorrow.
Furst Heinrich was a 7-year old Westphalian bred stallion by Florestan I out of Dawina (by Donnerhall x Weinberg). He was bred by Heinrich Ramsbrock from Menslage, Germany. As a two-year old, Furst Heinrich was presented at the 2000 Westfalian stallion licensing and became a premium stallion. Gestut Sprehe purchased the black stallion in the after-sales.
In 2001, Furst Heinrich won the 30-day Stallion Test at Munster/Handorf. In 2003, he became World Young Horse Champion. At the 2005 Westfalian "Vorauswahl" (the preselection for the auction), 19 Furst Heinrich offsprings were presented and seven were accepted for the licensing. At the 2005 Westfalian Elite Foal Auction, Furstenhit (Furst Heinrich x Sandro Hit) became the price highlight foal selling for 32,000 euro.
This Article is once again a Eurodressage Exclusive - reproduction not allowed
Photo courtesy: Gestut Sprehe
Related Links
Holga Finken and Fürst Heinrich, A World Champion's Pair
Furst Heinrich x Volturno Colt, 2004 Oldenburg Licensing Champion
Furst Heinrich Back in Training