Horses of the year 2021- and their breeders

Warendorf (fn-press). In 2021, numerous horses and ponies made sport history again. They are the linchpin of equestrian sport, without them there would be no riders, drivers and vaulters. Success in equestrian sport always takes two - at least. Because in addition to the right athlete-horse combination, trainers and owners as well as the right sport and health management decide what will become of a horse. And they are right at the beginning: our breeders. They care for the next generation and make equestrian sport possible in the first place. In our theme week from December 27th to 31st we take a look behind the scenes of some of the top horses and their careers.

A good mare line and the right gut feeling when choosing a stallion are the basis for successful breeding. Many factors are decisive for whether a foal later becomes a champion. Last but not least, according to the statements of successful breeders, the necessary ounce of luck is always part of it. Are quality, motivation and health correct and does the horse get into the right hands that recognize its talents and promote them accordingly? It is a long way from the insemination to the foal birth to the first tournament successes in top-class sport. And only very few are destined to achieve athletic Olympus. For example the Trakehner mare TSF Dalera BB (by Easy Game - Handryk), who won double gold in Tokyo in 2021 with her rider Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. Or like the Westphalian mare Bella Rose (by Belissimo M - Cacir AA), who - after double gold at the World Championships in Tryon and triple gold at the European Championships in Rotterdam - this year was 17 years old with team gold and single silver in Tokyo said goodbye to sport. Both mares also helped their breeders - Silke Druckermüller from Ferschweiler and the breeding community of Heinrich and Wilhelm Strunk from Bochum - to fame and honor.

The world and European championships are also a milestone in the career of a top horse. This year the mare DSP Chakaria (by Chap - Askari) bred in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, bred by Martin Jürgens from Polzow, stood out in particular. The chestnut mare made history with her rider André Thieme when she was the first East German couple to secure EM team silver and individual gold in Riesenbeck. The Holsteiner JL Dublin “Dubs” (by Diarado - Canto) also won double gold not only for his British rider Nicola Wilson at the European Eventing Championships in Avenches, but also for his breeder Volker Göttsche-Götze from Buchwald near Bordesholm. Even if these medals did not go to Germany, they testify to the outstanding quality of German horses. Including TSF Dalera BB, the individual European champions 2021 of all three Olympic disciplines come from German breeding.

Successful among young riders
Horses are also characterized by the fact that they not only allow themselves to be ridden by top professionals, but also achieve outstanding successes with young riders. For example the Oldenburg Scrabble OLD (by Straviaty - Colander). The black horse, bred by Hubertus Stolle from Vechta and born at Hof Kuhlmann in Neuenkirchen-Vörden, helped his rider Greta Busacker to the German junior championship title last year and secured double gold with her this year in the age group of U21 eventing riders. By the way, the Weser-Emser pony mare Penny Lane WE comes from the Kuhlmann kennel. The pony gelding Daddy Moon (by FS Daddy Cool - Capri Moon) bred by the Bäumken family in Issum and his rider Rose Oatley won triple gold in dressage.

Young talent with great prospects
As already described, the path to the top is long and depends on many different factors. The various young horse tests, in which the talent and perspective of the four-legged friends are in the foreground, are therefore of particular importance for breeders and German horse breeding. One of the highlights of the year is the Bundeschampionate, which has been taking place regularly in Warendorf since 1994 and which it has been possible to secure there for the next three years. To have once bred a Bundeschampion is the dream of many horse and pony breeders, and this year it came true for 20 of them. Werner Buschsieweke from Rietberg had a very special reason to be happy. The Westphalian Coros (by Cornet Obolensky - Arpeggio) bred by him not only secured the title of Vice Bundeschampion, but also became world champion of six-year-old show jumpers with his rider Philip Weishaupt a few weeks later in Zangersheide.

Theodor Sporkmann from Bottrop and Hobe Magens from Ottenbüttel could also look forward to a world championship title. At the World Championships for young eventing horses in Le-Lion d ‘Angers, the Oldenburg mare Lagona (by Lavagon - Catani), bred by Sporkmann and presented by Anna Lena Schaaf, won the gold medal among the six-year-olds. The seven-year-old world champion, Cute Girl, saw the light of day in the Magens stable, where the mare line of the stage is looked after, including the grandmother of Ludger Beerbaums Come. Cute Girl - like JL Dublin, by the way - was discovered by the Italian Francesca Pollara, who lives in Great Britain, at a Holstein auction in Neumünster.

What many riders want ...
Not every scientist dreams of the Nobel Prize, not every actor of the Oscar, and just as little does every equestrian and breeder strive for the Olympic medal as a goal. Most breeders simply want a healthy foal, most riders want a horse that has a good character, is easy to ride and with whom you can ride out and have fun. But that also cuts a fine figure in competition. Horses such as the Hanoverian mare Caecilia K (by Castellano - Don Roncalli), winner of the nationwide championship of the German leisure horse / pony. A success that breeder Susanne Klatte and rider Carolin Klatte from Wardenburg can be proud of, as well as the Hanoverian breeder Dirk Radeke from Verden, who was represented with two horses at the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2021: Best of (from Bonifatius - Maurice), Gold medalist with the Belgian Michèle George, as well as La Boum (from Londontime - Crazy Classic), who as the youngest horse helped the oldest participant Heidemarie Dresing to two fourth places.

Much more horses of the year ...
The list of horses of the year 2021 - and their breeders - could go on and on - from other medal winners and championship participants to horses that have achieved the annual goals they set themselves - whatever - to all the four-legged friends who are easy on their people having brought joy every day just by being there. When it comes to horse of the year, everyone has their own number one - and that's a good thing!