Fabienne Lutkemeier Welcomes Valencia As' Full Sister into the Barn

Dressage

Germany

Fabienne Müller-Lutkemeier, a German 2014 WEG team rider, has welcomed the full sister to her Grand Prix horse Valencia As into her barn.

Viva is a 4-year old Westfalian mare by Vitalis out of Holiday VDH (by Hotline x Sir Chamberlain). She is bred by Albert Schulze-Topphoff.

Viva and Valencia As are not the only full sisters, there is Valentina As (born 2017, by Vitalis, who is still owned by the breeder) and half brother Emszauber AS (by Escolar) is currently competing at small tour level with Ann-Christin Wienkamp.

"Actually I’m not really into this ‘sibling thing’ but Viva absolutely captured me," Fabienne explained. "She is only four, just ridden, about the size of Valencia and still very tender and slim. Purely optically, you would not immediately think that Valencia and Viva are sisters: Viva is bay, with four white socks and also from the head a different horse. However, the trot is, just like Valencia, absolutely great; canter and walk are also very good and the hind leg is magnificent."

Valencia As sold at the 2014 Westfalian Autumn Elite Auction for 200,000 euro but the buyer ended up not paying the horse, Fabienne told Eurodressage. This gave her the opportunity to purchase her directly from the breeder, just like Viva

"Valencia's breeders always follows with great enthusiasm when Valencia and I are on the road at the shows," said Fabienne. "We've always kept in touch over the years. They recently sent me this video of Valencia's full sister. I responded immediately, ‘hold on, I’m coming. 'So I went there, sat on it and knew very quickly that it was one for me."

Viva arrived three weeks ago and will slowly be trained for the future.

"She can now settle in with us, calmly and then I am looking forward to the next years with her," said Fabienne. "I just love training young horses."