Kandou Wins 2025 Trakehner Elite Mare Championship

Breeding

Trakehner

Kandou was named winner of the 2025 Trakehner Elite Mare Show held at Hofgut Kranichstein in Darmstadt on 13 September 2025.

The young mares qualified for the National Mare Show via the central inspections in the ten Trakehner breeding districts. From the 15 competitors presented, the judges selected the winning mare and two top three place-getters. The quality of the collection impressed the trio of judges and the well over 800 spectators, who accompanied the mares with spontaneous applause and celebrated the winner with ovations.

Kandou

The champion was Kandou, who is by Millennium out of elite mare Kosima XIX (by Ivernel) bred by Barbara Jörn.

"Breathtaking movement mechanics in trot, a rhythmic, generous stride, an almost perfect conformation and a confident temperament secured her the title that most breeders can only dream of," is how the Trakehner breeding society described her.

Breeder and owner, Barbara Jörn, was overwhelmed and surprised by her mare's victory: "This is the day of my life," she rejoiced together with her family. Trakehners have been a family affair and passion for the Jörns for decades. Kandou's dam Kosima was of particular importance to Barbara Jörn, and her four daughters are worthy and beloved successors.

"These mares are exceptional not only in terms of quality but also in terms of character," said the breeder, who trains and rides her horses under saddle together with her daughters. "Kandou is really something like a soulmate horse for me."

The Jörn family went on to celebrate more success in Darmstadt as the half-sisters Kayla (by Imperio), Kiranar (by Honoré du Soir) and Korma (by All Inclusive) also shone in their age groups and represented their stud on the final day of the National Mare Show.

Top Three

The reserve champion was the opulent champion mare from the Bavarian breeding district, La Boum de Luxe (by Freiherr von Stein x Singolo) bred and owned by Dr Andreas Wezel. This mare also made the trip to Hesse with two full sisters, the four-year-old class winner Luxus and the six-year-old 1b prize winner Luxusliebe.

The third ranked mare was the Danish bred and highly elegant Miss Magic (by Preussen Party x Buddenbrock), another outstanding breeding success for Danish breeder Tonny Bang, who has enjoyed remarkable success with exquisite top mares in Denmark as well as in German Trakehner breeding.

Three breeding farms thus led this important competition, all of which care for their mare families with long-term commitment, competence and passion – proving that success in horse breeding may require luck, but it is certainly no coincidence.

The actual "Mare of the Year" will be named at the 2025 Trakehner Stallion Licensing in Neumunster.