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Natalie DiBerardinis
Breeding Manager, Hilltop Farm So one of the important topics that has been under discussion over the past ten years or so is this: Do the Young Horse classes really predict talent for the future FEI horse or are they rewarding extravagent movers that won't be able to handle more collected work that is the core of the FEI work? It's a complicated question, with many factors including pre-selection, training, etc but overall, I do believe we see a far greater number of these horses progress into the FEI levels. I reviewed the USEF National Championships from 2011-2016 for the top 5 placing horses in the FEI 5-year old & FEI 6-year old classes to see what their own development has shown us. That gave me 51 horses to look at (some horses placed in the top 5 both years, and I didn't look at the 2016 5-year olds as they aren't old enough to compete in the FEI classes). Of those 51 horses, 30 are competing at Prix St. Georges or above. That's a 'graduation rate' to the FEI ring of almost 59% (there are also 2 horses competing in the FEI 7-yr old Division but I didn't count them in my statistics). Nine of these horses have competed at least to the Developing Grand Prix level, and one was a member of the Pan-American Gold Medal Team. Keep in mind also that these horses currently range from ages 7 to 12. To add another layer, I also looked at how many of these horses were US-bred (Full disclosure: I did include one by a US-breeder who bred this particular horse in Germany). Fifteen of the 30 horses now competing at the FEI levels are US-bred. Those are some very strong stats for the top 5 finishers! **US-Bred**Somer Hit (Sandro Hit-Rotspon), breeder Mo Swanson Lauren Chumley/Alice Tarjan 3rd in 2011 (5yr) with 8.408/1st in 2012 (6yr) with 8.050 Showing Int II-Grand Prix by age 8 Sanceo (San Remo-Ramiros Son II) Sabine Schut-Kery 4th in 2011 (5yr) with 8.116 Team Gold Medal at 2015 Pan-Am Games, Showing Grand Prix Elfenfeuer (Florencio I-Sion) Alice Tarjan 2nd in 2012 (5yr) with 7.864; 5th in 2013 (6yr old) with 7.832 Showing Int II-Grand Prix by age 7 **US-Bred**Freedom (Feuri x Windjammer), breeder Barbara Cadwell Patrica Becker 3rd in 2012 (5yr) with 7.612 Showing Grand Prix Horizon (Hotline x Revue) George Williams 4th in 2012 (5yr) with 7.592 Showing PSG/Int I with Adrienne Lyle Fashion Designer OLD (Faustinus x Forst-Design) Nadine Buberl 1st in 2013 (5yr) with 9.012; 3rd in 2014 (6yr) with 8.12 Showing Inter II with Cesar Parra Fiderhit OLD (Fidertanz x Fleur) Nadine Buberl/Cesar Parra 3rd in 2013 (5yr) with 8.620; 6th in 2012 (6yr) with 7.798 Showing in FEI Young Riders with Barbara Davis **US-Bred**Qredit Hilltop (Quaterback-Dream of Glory), breeder Judy Yancey Christopher Hickey 4th in 2013 (5yr) with 8.480 Shown through Intermediate I with Michael Bragdell **US-Bred**Benefactor RRS (Bonheur-Rubinstein), breeders Melinda Walton & Larry Smith Silva Martin 5th in 2013 (5yr) with 8.452 Showing PSG Emilion SA (Painted Black x Karisa) Kelly Casey 1st in 2014 (5yr) with 8.680 Shown to PSG Elian (Sir Oldenburg x Barliane) Anna Marek 3rd in 2014 (5yr) with 8.14 Showing PSG **US-Bred**Wakeup (Wagnis-Macho), breeder Beverly McLean Tetrick Emily Wagner 1st in 2011 (6yr) with 8.736 (also won as a 5yr old) Competed at 2010 World Young Horse Championships, won Developing PSG Championships & 2nd at Developing GP Championships, Showing Grand Prix **US Breeder**Bon Chance (Belissimo M-Weltmeyer), breeder Marefield Meadows Caroline Roffman 2nd in 2011 (6yr) with 8.736 Shown to Grand Prix, now in U25 Aesthete (Trento B x Unusual) Silva Martin 3rd in 2011 (6yr) with 8.728 Now showing Inter II Riccidoff (Riccione x Don Sarina) George Williams 4th in 2011 (6yr) with 8.084 Showing PSG/Int I with Adrienne Lyle Adje (Rousseau-Jazz) Willy Arts 5th in 2011 (6yr) with 8.076 Showing PSG Simply Nymphenburg (Sir Donnerhall I x Wendy) Cesar Parra 2nd in 2012 (6yr) with 7.796 Showing in FEI Young Riders with Barbara Davis Vitalis (Vivaldi-D-Day) Charlotte Jorst 1st in 2013 (6yr) with 9.152 Showing PSG/Int 1 with Isabel Freese Sunshine Tour (Sir Donnerhall x History) Jane Karol 2nd in 2013 (6yr) with 8.028 Winner of 2016 Developing GP Championships, showing GP **US-Bred**Caliente DG (OO Seven x Satina), breeder DG Bar Ranch Craig Stanley 3rd in 2013 (6yr) with 7.940 Showing PSG/Int I **US-Bred**Clapton JP (UB40 x Liana), breeder Peggy Mills Holger Becktloff 4th in 2013 (6yr) with 7.782 Showing Grand Prix **US-Bred**Ripline (Hotline x Riviera), breeder Oak Hill Ranch Heather Blitz 1st in 2014 (6yr) with 8.612 Showing PSG/Int I **US-Bred**Hemmingway (Hofrat-Archipel), breeder Angela Barilar Angela Jackson 2nd in 2014 (6yr) with 8.572 Showing PSG/Int I **US-Bred**Sir Steinerman (Stedinger x Donnabella), breeder Marlace Hughes Amy Lewis 4th in 2014 (6yr) with 7.994 Showing PSG **US-Bred**Doctor Wendell MF (Don Principe-Sandro Hit), breeder Marydell Farm James Koford 5th in 2014 (6yr) with 7.976 Showing Int II/Developing GP, winner of 2015 US Dressage Finals at PSG **US-Bred**Gallant Reflection HU (Galant du Serein-Rohdiamant), breeder Horses Unlimited Lisa Wilcox 1st in 2015 (6yr) with 8.136 Showing Int II **US-Bred**Floretienne (Florestan-Jazz), breeder Judy Yancey Emily Wagner Miles 2nd in 2015 (6yr) with 7.836 Showing PSG/Int I Ellert HB (Johnson x Alanda-B) Jordan Rich 4th in 2015 (6yr) with 7.676 Showing PSG Lucky Strike (Lord Laurie x Heidi) Endel Ots 1st in 2016 (6yr) with 8.604 Competed at 2015 & 2016 World Young Horse Championships, showing Developing PSG **US-Bred**Sternlicht Hilltop (Soliman de Hus-Rascalino), breeder Rachel Ehrlich Michael Bragdell 3rd in 2016 (6yr) with 8.028 Competing PSG
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Susanne Manz, Manz Dressage Horses
Twin Cities area, Minnesota I attended the KWPN – North America Annual General Meeting in Lexington, Kentucky last week. It was a fun and educational event, offering the chance to meet and network with other breeders. It’s always fun to hear what other breeders are doing and to share experiences with them. Some of the more experienced breeders shared their experiences during a panel discussion. Bert Rutten from the Netherlands was a special guest and provided insights on selecting, breeding, and developing dressage horses. As a member of the 1984 Olympic team and current head of the KWPN Stallion Selection Committee, Bert had excellent perspectives on dressage horse breeding and development at all levels. Bart Henstra from the Netherlands also attended and gave a clinic on linear scoring of KWPN horses as well as a presentation on the new OCD genome testing that the KWPN is doing. Dr. Scott Harper from Rood and Riddle discussed pre-purchase examinations and Dr. Debbie Harrison gave an update on the latest breeding information form AAEP. We had a field trip to Spy Coast Farm where we watched horses in the jumping chute. Then on to the Kentucky Horse Park where we had some time to wander through the Horse Museum and visit the KWPN–NA office. On the second day we had a field trip to Valley View Farms. Willy Arts coached the Young KWPN–NA members on in-hand handling and presentation. It was fun to watch but I was glad I did not have to run the horses! We also had fun getting to see a harness horse presentation and discussion from Wim Cazemier and Sterling Graburn. Wim showed us his beautiful harness stallion, Colonist. Thanks to the presenters but also to the owners of the beautiful demonstration horses! It takes a team effort to put together such an educational meeting. Having demonstration horses available makes a huge difference. It’s nice to see how other breeders share their knowledge and contribute resources to newer breeders like me. It was a warm, supportive environment. The KWPN–NA Board of Directors did an awesome job. A couple of interesting points –
So, to my USSHBA friends and colleagues, meet the KWPN North American Association. And KWPN friends, please meet the USSHBA. Please visit the USSHBA booth at the FEI World Cup in Omaha at the end of March. Blenheim EquiSports is proud to announce a new Young Hunter Program, which is divided by age, offers free entries, discounted stall fees and features a Championship in the fall. With this opportunity, plus the new structure for Green Hunters, the CPHA 3' & 3'3" Incentive Program and more, the show season offers ample opportunities to develop horses, compete and earn prizes in the Hunter divisions.
New Division, New Final and Free Classes! In support of the new US Equestrian division, this year The Blenheim EquiSports Young Hunter Series & Final (an exclusive Blenheim EquiSports Program) offers divisions for 5, 6 and 7 Year Old Hunters with no entry fees and discounted stall fees. There will be sixteen $1,000 Young Hunter Classics, each of them qualifiers for the Final. The entry fee for each one - $0. Also note that all of the classes, classics, and championships count for US Equestrian HOTY Awards. "With US Equestrian revamping the hunter divisions, we are pleased to offer expanded opportunities for young hunters like we've been able to do for young jumpers," said Melissa Brandes, Blenheim EquiSports VP of Marketing. "From free entries to a fall championship, it's going to be a great season for developing horses." To participate, the age of horse must be verified in accordance with Federation policies prior to competing (only Breed Registry Papers will be accepted to determine proof of age and identity). The 2017 qualifying season will commence March 22, at Spring Classic I, and concludes September 14, 2017. The Blenheim Fall Tournament, September 13 - 17, 2017, will host the inaugural $10,000 Young Hunter Final. |
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