Andreas Helgstrand and Lankjaergaards Donna Fetti are currently leading after the first heat in the 2006 Danish Warmblood young horse championship at the 2006 Danish Stallion Licensing in Herning, Denmark.
The 5-year old chestnut mare by Blue Hors Don Schufro out of Klosterhedens World Fetti (by World Cup I x Maat I) scored a 10 under test rider Rune Willum and showed off her top quality gaits both under Helgstrand and Willum. Donna Fetti, who is bred by Marianne and Jens Sondergaard and owned by Helgstrand himself, is already a national star, having produced the best saddle test of all mares in Denmark in 2004.
Donna Fetti has three top quality basic gaits with lots of push in the trot and a very ground covering canter, but the big mare is not the easiest to ride. She tends to become a bit strong under the rider, but professionals can cope with that.
A mare who showed superb rideability and top class basic gaits, but who did not have the international grandeur of Donna Fetti, was Treldegaards Shantiana. This dark bay Blue Hors Hertug x Diamond x Racot offspring is a super rideable sport horse with excellent movements. Especially her excellent disposition and softness in the mouth were point-earning additions to her large walk, balanced trot and lovely canter. Shantiana, who is bred by Kirsten and Niels Madsen and ridden by Dorthe Sjoebeck Hoeck, might not be the international stunner Donna Fetti can become, but she's an amateur rider's dream.
Tomorrow the second heat in the Danish Young Horse Championships takes place.
Text and photos by Astrid Appels - No reproduction allowed