Joyride, Champion of 2025 Hanoverian Elite Mare Show

Breeding

Hanoverian

The 3-year old Joyride and the mare family of Coco M became the grand winners at the 2025 Hanoverian Elite Mare Show held in Verden, Germany, on 4 August 2025.

Hanoverian Elite Mare Champion: Joyride

54 mares competed in the dressage competition. The trio of judges included Arend Garrn and breeding director Ulrich Hahne, as well as Dutch stallion owner and dressage expert Gertjan van Olst. The decision in the top-class final ring was exciting. Her powerful movements and presence on the triangle track were a real “joyride”.

Joyride (by Jovian x San Amour), bred and owned by Heinrich Gießelmann, thrilled the audience and won the coveted white and yellow sash of the winning dressage mare. She thus surpassed her dam Suri, who was reserve champion mare at the same venue in 2016.

This year, the reserve champion's title went to Embella Rose (by Escolar x Rubin-Royal), bred and owned by Johannes zur Lage, who not only displayed spectacular movements but also had a flawless conformation.

“The overall quality of the dressage mares was very good, but that's no surprise. The mares were very modern and moved well,” said Gertjan van Olst.

Herwart von der Decken Prize for Coco M

It is only awarded every four years: the Herwart von der Decken Prize. The family of Hann.Pr.St. Coco M was honoured with the most prestigious trophy awarded by the Hannoveraner Verband.

For the first time, a family with a show jumping pedigree was honoured. Hann.Pr.St. Coco M by Comte/Escudo II (breeder and exhibitor: Peter Mahler, Neuhaus/Oste) won with her two Grey Top daughters Hann.Pr.A. Golden Hour M and Hann.Pr.A. Golden Moment M. Almost exactly ten years ago to the day, the liver chestnut mare was celebrated as the champion jumping mare in Verden.

The reserve champion family was the family of St.Pr.St. Fantastica by Fürst Nymphenburg/Wolkentanz (breeder: Koelmann GbR, Bad Bentheim, exhibitor: Anneli Brunckhorst, Hollenstedt), which presented her two daughters Hann.Pr.St. Brasilia by Bon Coeur and Hann.Pr.A. Soleil d'Amour by Secret (breeder and exhibitor: Anneli Brunckhorst, Hollenstedt).

“The tradition of family competitions must be upheld. The mares are the most valuable asset in breeding,” said Dr Norbert Camp. The Managing Chairman of the Trakehner Association assessed the seven families together with State Stud Manager Dr Axel Brockmann and deputy breeding director Maren Schlender.