Vitala and Tophøjs Excellent Named 2025 Danish Warmblood Foal Champions

Breeding

Danish Warmblood

Filly Vitala and colt Tophøjs Excellent were named the champion foals at the 2025 Danish Warmblood elite mare show in Vilhelmsborg on 29 - 31 August 2025.

Colts: Tophøjs Excellent

Nineteen dressage bred colts participated in the foal championship, which was judged by Vicky Nortvig, Bjarne Nielsen and Johnny Sørensen.

Eight colts were invited to the championship round and Tophøjs Excellent was named the champion. The bay by Extreme US x Floriscount is bred by Anette Nilausen and Niels-Jørgen Johansen. The breeders couple did not attend the championship as they were at the European Dressage Championships in Crozet, where they saw their Rockson (by Rockefeller x Sorento) compete for Switzerland under Jessica Neuhauser.

Nortvig described Tophøjs Excellent as "a very uphill and expressive colt with a long croup and an excellent riding horse type. We have seen a very good walk that is supple, rhythmic and ground covering, and the foal works through the whole body. The same can be said about the trot, which is also supple, powerful and ground covering. Tthe canter is ground-covering and well-balanced with great balance."

The eight champion ring colts were:

Kamar’s Bech Noir Hi (by Be Sure x De Noir) - Breeder: Morten Kappel Petersen
Tophøjs Excellent (by Extreme U.S x Floriscount) - Breeder: Stutteri Tophøj
Lacour-L’s Million (by Gørklintgårds Million x Zonyx OX) - Breeder: Linda Lindved Lauridsen
HD My Sunrise (by Gørklintgårds Million x Sezuan) - Breeder: Hansen Dressage
Noble James (by Proud James x Quaterhit) - Breeder: Christian Springborg
Øster Tvedens Lanzo (by Straight Hors Leonardo x Blue Hors Zack) - Breeders: Hanne & Lasse Kallehauge
MLJ Vancouver (by Blue Hors Viva Vegas x Blue Hors Zackerey) - Breeders: Martin Klavsen & Julie Kruse Hansen
Fredsbo’s Locatelli (by Vivaldos x L’Espoir) - Breeders: Steen F. Andersen & Dorthe R. Schmidt

Fillies: Vitala

Six fillies were invited to the champion's ring to vie for the title of Filly Foal of the Year. The liver chestnut Vitala (by Vitalos x Dancier), bred by Lena and Ulrik Kristensen, was named the champion.

Vitala was described by DWB breeding director Vicky Nortvig as a large-framed and well-moving filly who moves well in all three gaits. "We have seen a rhythmic and spacious walk with good overstepping and an excellent trot and canter, in which the foal moves powerfully, supple and with good self carriage," said Nortvig.

The six champion ring fillies were:

Worres Noella (by Bon Courage x Franklin) - Breeders:June and Mogens Worre-Jensen
Baunehøjens Escalante (by Extreme US x Sezuan) - Breeder: Stald Baunehøj
Kamar's Fox News (by Fürst Toto x Escolar ) - Breeders: Morten Kappel Petersen
Springborgs Giovanna (by So Perfect x Fürst Romancier) - Breeders: Per and Pernille Springborg
Purple LMS (by Veniro x Ampère) - Breeders: Sophie Wilson, Maria Andersen & Lo Breiding
Vitala (by Vitalos x Dancier) - Breeders: Lena and Ulrik Kristensen