Rising Star - 10 yr old mare Shiva NRW by Sir Heinrich / Fürst Grandios with Nadine Plaster

It it not the first time this combination caught H2R attention, as they already showed something special from the preliminary round for DERBY STARS VON MORGEN and at Louisdor Preis final.

First of all it is a super cool horse. The environment in the quite small arena is pretty tense as the audience are really close to the arena, and at the same time with lot of noice through out their performance.

Easy, effortless, super nice contact and frame and still with some green moments. A pleasure to watch.

Comments after the performance by Christoph Hess:

“Ladies and gentlemen have you also been riding the test like I did? The first word as I wrote was WONDERFUL, and until the end I had the word wonderful in my head. And have you seen the final line, those stupid one times, it was not as if it should happen, so nice into, the horse was straight, in front of you, uphill, everything in top and now she will do 15 one times, but then two times error, but better for one exercise than errors for two exercises.

Isn´t a super horse, isn´t it a super combination. Like she goes in walk now, how she does the piaffe, a dream, how is does the passage, a dream, like the transition in and out of passage, a dream. How she is able to make the transition from piaffe, passage to total relaxation to the walk, a dream horse. If I have to point out kind of weakness was the first pirouette, 2nd you´ve executed super, a little bit bigger.

You must not forget the mare is just 10 years old or will be 10 this year. She has made her qualifier and a few weeks ago in Frankfurt where they were placed 3rd in Louisdor Preis final, now here today. In Oldenburg they have won the half final, a top sympathetic horse, but the rider is likewise sympathetic. A really nice and harmonious combination. How is the feeling the saddle? Shiva is always nice, she always wants to please me.”

Oldenburg Stallion Days: schedule & livestream

Photo: Oldenburg main premium winner 2024 Escanto PS OLD by Escamillo with owner Paul Schockemöhle and his rider Brandi Roenick. (OLD Art)

PART OF PRESS RELEASE

The highlight of the year is just around the corner: The Oldenburg Stallion Days from January 16 to 18 await outstanding dressage and show jumping stallions. Only the best stallions will be admitted to the Oldenburg licensing. If you do not have the opportunity to come to Vechta in person, you can follow the Oldenburg Stallion Days live on the Internet on the Oldenburg homepage or at Clipmyhorse.tv.

 

The Stallion Days will be broadcast live from Thursday morning both on the homepage of the Oldenburg website and at www.clipmyhorse.tv. You will also have the opportunity to view archive recordings of already completed stallion sections during the event. Use the following link to access the archive: https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/de_DE/events/15275

On Thursday, January 16th, the presentation of the show jumping stallions on the triangle will open the Oldenburg Stallion Days at 9.00 a.m. At 11.00 a.m. the jumping stallions will present themselves at their 1st free jumping. From 2.00 p.m. the presentation of the dressage stallions on the trianglewill take place, followed by the lunging at 4.30 p.m. 

On Friday, January 17th, the stallions will show themselves in their disciplines. The free jumping of the show jumping stallions begins at 8.30 a.m. The dressage stallions will fascinate from 3.00 p.m. Afterwards there will be a party with DJ in the tent.

Saturday, January 18th, is packed full of highlights. First of all, at 9.30 a.m., there will be an exciting award ceremony with the selection of the champion stallions. Afterwards, the best four-year-old stallions, who have already presented their first crop of foals in a post-breeding inspection, will compete for the title of main premium winner. The Oldenburg Stallion Market will start at 1 p.m. with an exciting auction in which the licensed and unlicensed stallions will be auctioned off. In addition to bidding on site, you can also bid by telephone or online via the HORSE24 platform. If you do not yet have a valid HORSE24 account, please register in advance. Technical support for questions about online bidding is available on +49(0)172-7267334 or by e-mail to support@horse24.com.

The crowning finale of the exciting Oldenburg Stallion Days is the fantastic Stallion Gala on Saturday at 6.00 p.m. Stallion legends and promising newcomers will present themselves to give breeders a first insight into the stallion selection for the coming breeding season.

Here you can find H2R favourites and collection - https://www.horse2rider.com/seneste/latest/2024/12/27/old-stallion-collection-for-licensing-and-auction

Oldenburg Stallion Days: schedule & livestream

Photo: Oldenburg main premium winner 2024 Escanto PS OLD by Escamillo with owner Paul Schockemöhle and his rider Brandi Roenick. (OLD Art)

PART OF PRESS RELEASE

The highlight of the year is just around the corner: The Oldenburg Stallion Days from January 16 to 18 await outstanding dressage and show jumping stallions. Only the best stallions will be admitted to the Oldenburg licensing. If you do not have the opportunity to come to Vechta in person, you can follow the Oldenburg Stallion Days live on the Internet on the Oldenburg homepage or at Clipmyhorse.tv.

 

The Stallion Days will be broadcast live from Thursday morning both on the homepage of the Oldenburg website and at www.clipmyhorse.tv. You will also have the opportunity to view archive recordings of already completed stallion sections during the event. Use the following link to access the archive: https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/de_DE/events/15275

On Thursday, January 16th, the presentation of the show jumping stallions on the triangle will open the Oldenburg Stallion Days at 9.00 a.m. At 11.00 a.m. the jumping stallions will present themselves at their 1st free jumping. From 2.00 p.m. the presentation of the dressage stallions on the trianglewill take place, followed by the lunging at 4.30 p.m. 

On Friday, January 17th, the stallions will show themselves in their disciplines. The free jumping of the show jumping stallions begins at 8.30 a.m. The dressage stallions will fascinate from 3.00 p.m. Afterwards there will be a party with DJ in the tent.

Saturday, January 18th, is packed full of highlights. First of all, at 9.30 a.m., there will be an exciting award ceremony with the selection of the champion stallions. Afterwards, the best four-year-old stallions, who have already presented their first crop of foals in a post-breeding inspection, will compete for the title of main premium winner. The Oldenburg Stallion Market will start at 1 p.m. with an exciting auction in which the licensed and unlicensed stallions will be auctioned off. In addition to bidding on site, you can also bid by telephone or online via the HORSE24 platform. If you do not yet have a valid HORSE24 account, please register in advance. Technical support for questions about online bidding is available on +49(0)172-7267334 or by e-mail to support@horse24.com.

The crowning finale of the exciting Oldenburg Stallion Days is the fantastic Stallion Gala on Saturday at 6.00 p.m. Stallion legends and promising newcomers will present themselves to give breeders a first insight into the stallion selection for the coming breeding season.

Here you can find H2R and collection - https://www.horse2rider.com/seneste/latest/2024/12/27/old-stallion-collection-for-licensing-and-auction

Danish Warmblood stallion Sarai L now also approved for Dutch NRPS

Sarai L finished NRPS performance test as no 3 with a total score of 84,67.

Sarai L is an attractive, striking large-framed stallion who does his work with great dedication. The stallion has a beautiful and appealing leg technique and shows that he has a lot of ability to change tempo and candence. The walk is clear, four-beat, sufficient of space but could be a bit more suppleness with more over track. The trot has a very beautiful movement technique with a strong use of the hind leg and shows that he can easy switch in tempo and candence. What stands out in Sarai L is absolutely his big outstanding canter in which he has a very powerful uphill jump with a lot of space and a very good self-carriage.

Sarai L has developed very well during the test and has shown that he has a lot of ability to both go forward and collect and a very good attitude and willingness to work. The guest rider was also very enthusiastic about the stallion and praised him about his canter, workability and ability to go forward and to collect.

Stable behaviour: Honest, reliable stallion, easy to handle and quiet in the stable.

Sorry when translation is not fully correct, but hope you get the context. (made by H2R)

The performance test was won by Final Dream by Fontaine TN / Johnson / Florencio with a top score of 93 p.

2nd placed with 86p Danny Boy by Dream Boy / Tolando.

CDI3 Grand Prix freestyle debut victory for Dieudonne & Raphael Netz today in Basel

Grand Prix freestyle debut victory for Germany´s Raphael Netz and Dieudonne

From their international debut back in October in Herning they really caught H2R attention.

The power and elegance from 12 yr old gelding Dieudonne by Dante Weltino/Sir Donnerhall I combined with the lightness from Raphael and at the same time a super strong seat, without looking strong is a pleasure to watch. This is of course still a very green combination at international level, but the way Raphael is able to improve and give Dieudonne confidence in the arena definitely brings high hopes for the future.

Today was only their 6th international start together and their first ever Grand Prix freestyle, where they also managed to keep the Queen of dressage Isabell Werth on 2nd position.

Judges at long side at E Maribel Alonso de Quinzanos (MEX) and at B Hans Voser (SUI) clearly on point!

From looking bit insecure before at the end by A, Raphael had full attention from Dieudonne in the test even though some minor tensions were creeping in for the canter tour, it was a very expressive and soft trot tour with super passage tours and good piaffe, good walk tour and well managed canter tour. Lovely soft connection between hand and seat.

Here you can find the detailed scores.

From Foal to Grand Prix

A unique opportunity for breeders, riders and anyone interested in dressage horses

What to look for when selecting foals and young horses with Grand Prix potential? 

This and many other questions will be answered on Thursday, February 6, 2025.  

This unique and stand-alone event will be hosted by the Hanoverian Club of Denmark in cooperation with Randbøl Dressage Academy in their new beautiful (former Blue Hors) facilities.

The legendary Danish dressage and breeding expert Bjarne Nielsen will be our guide through the process of breeding successful foals, from recognizing the potential in young horses, through to turning them into highly trained, winning dressage horses. 

We will look at foals, young horses and horses under rider, excellently presented by Sophia Obel and Dennis Fisker, and commented on by the always engaging and entertaining Bjarne Nielsen, who will share his infinite expert knowledge with us.  

Please come and join us for this marvelous event: An opportunity to see the magic put into practice and to enrich your (breeder's) toolbox.

It is also a rare and unique opportunity to experience the Randbøl Dressage Academy and its vision and mentoring program.

Everyone is welcome to an exceptional and inspiring evening: DKK 200 per person (members of H.V. can register online at DKK 150).

Headset translation will be available if required.

click here to purchase your ticket

Superb and Werth takes the CDI3 Grand Prix in Basel today

Supeb & Isabell Werth - photo: screenshot/Clipmyhorse

It was comeback for the now 13 yr old mare Superb, as Werth has not shown her since March 2024.

It is a big moving mare, but also look as if she is “struggling” at bit being fully able to carry from behind under the body all the time. Today without any technical issues, as Werth clearly supporting the mare throughout the entire test in order to balance as good as possible. For the canter tour some tensions creeping in, and even when doing the line of one times Werth is a true master to keep it all together. Very nice qualities for the canter pirouettes.

Final days for Dutch NRPS stallion performance test 9 & 10 January (live stream on YouTube)

20 dressage stallions are ready for end of NRPS stallion performance test taking place Thursday and Friday this week, including Danish Warmblood stallion Sarai L by Secret / Belissimo M, bred by Stutteri L, Denmark and owned in partnership with Stal van de Sande.

Schedule:

9 January

  • 08.30-09.15 - presentation on hard surface

  • 14.45 - 17.45 - dressage test

10 January

  • 13.45 - 17-10 - presentation of stallions with awards

You have the possibility to follow the event LIVE at Youtube from the riding arena.

Thursday: nrpsvodag12025
Friday: nrpsvodag22025

Here you find the entire catalog.

Viva Vegas & Donkey Boy topper listen over antal bedækninger i DV i 2024

Tilbage i marts måned 2024 blev Viva Vegas præsenteret for første gang under Nanna Merrald til hingste fremvisningen på Stutteri Ask, og her efterlod den unge hingst et særdeles godt indtryk både gangarts- og temperamentsmæssigt.

Donkey Boy & Jan Møller Christensen, DV hingstekåringen i 2020. Foto: H2R

Igen i 2024 hittede Donkey Boy hos avlerne. Han har med sine afkom bevist at ridelighed med tre gode gangarter, og et stort plus til skridten - aldrig fornægter sig. Stort antal afkom i diverse championatsfinaler, det jo taler sit eget sprog, og vidner om at Donkey Boy er en klar ridehesteproducent.

Stallions from Van Olst Horses dominated last stallion competition yesterday in Groningen

Secret Lover & Lottie Fry

With the final KWPN stallion competition of the year heading up to the KWPN stallion show, Van Olst Horses stallions were dominating the final stallion competition yesterday in Groningen.

The judging team was Janine van Twist, Floor Dröge and Alex van Silfhout.

Winning with 7 yr old Everest by Especial/Negro with 88,6 p. Some of the judges comments were:

“He is a very high-quality horse, who moves through the performance with a lot of rhythm and shows a nice consistent approach. He has a good walk and trots with a lot of balance, suppleness and impulsion. He also shows a good rhythm for the canter and the image is very expressive. We have a lot of confidence in him for the future.”

In the 6 yr old class Secret Lover by Secret/Fürstenball won with 89,8.

Some comments from the judges:

“This is a complete and willing horse with a bright future. The walk has good rhythm and is active with plenty of space. At times it was a bit hurried. The trot has a lot of cadence, rhythm and impulsion. We also saw a lot of impulsion in the canter and with a lot of ground cover.”

In the 5 yr old class Pjethro by Kjento/Desperado came second to Pina Colada with equal score of 87,4 p.

Some comments from the judges:

“A willing horse with a lot of quality that was presented very nicely. He gets into the rhythm well with a lot of space, but was sometimes a bit hurried. The trot has a lot of impulsion in good cadence. We saw a lot of jump and impulsion in the canter.”

Link for full results here.

🌟FEI Top 50 World Rankings 31 December 2024🌟

🇩🇪Werth and Wendy finish the year in top of FEI World Ranking, follow by 🇩🇰Freestyle and Laudrup-Dufour with 🇬🇧Glamourdale and Lottie in 3rd position.

Danes in top 50

2 - Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour

6 - Daniel Bachmann Andersen

7 - Nanna Skodborg Merrald

37 - Nadja Aaboe Sloth

🇩🇰🇩🇰Denmark in top of U25 and YR rankings

1 - U25 - Sophia Ludvigsen

1 - Young Rider - Frederikke Gram Jacobsen

CDI1 Ranking

Danish Susanne Barnow ranked 18.

U25

Young Rider

Junior

Pony

Focus at DSP stallion collection for licensing 22 - 25 January

50 dressage stallions are ready for DSP licensing

H2R picked 6 favourites, each with supple movements, nice expression and stallion look. Of course the picture of each stallion will be much more clear when watching each of them from the lunging part. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

No doubt the auction will also focus on the 4 Vitalis sons as they look like interesting prospect for the sport.

Schedule dressage stallions:

22 January Wedneday

  • 16.00 - free jumping

23 January Thursday

  • 08.00 - presentation at hard surface

  • 11.00 - lunging

24 January Friday

  • 07.30 - free presentation with subsequent licensing decision

  • 20.00 - DSP Gala

25 January Saturday

  • 09.30 - presentation and honor of premium stallions (3 yr old and older under saddle)

  • 10.30 - show

  • 11.00 - honoring of premium stallion and annoucement of champion of the year

  • 14.00 - auction

The entire event will be available at Clipmyhorse.

Here you can find the entire collection.

Goodbye 2024 and welcome 2025

Thank you for following and supporting H2R during the year.

The Olympics was the absolut highlight of 2024, but taking a tour through the different news and posts during the entire year it´s been much more than the Olympics.

Started the year with national event in Esbjerg, KWPN stallion licensing, later on Danish Warmblood licensing, visiting many of you during the year for bigger or small ocations, stallion show at Stutteri Ask (new facilities for Blue Hors), Hagen as one of the best international shows, Danish national championships, Danish Hannoveraner foal show and mare show, Blue Hors foal show and auction, Danish selection days for WCYH in Ermelo, Danish Warmblood mare shows, foal show in Norway, Danish Warmblood Elite mare show, clinic at Kirstineholm, Danish young horses finals, World Cup qualifier Herning, young horse qualifier for Herning from Billund & Vilhelmsborg and ending the year with Danish Warmblood stallion pre-selcctions at Riders Cup and Vilhelmsborg.

Additionally many hours of LIVE coverage from international sport and breeding events at Clipmyhorse.

In between many of you has been part of small video interviews and lately also the world of Podcast has been introduced at H2R.

Here you can follow H2R PODCAST as more visits are allready planned for 2025







Below small recaps from a great 2024 ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

Movie about living legend John Whitaker (available at ClipMyHorse)

How to save money on coffee? ☕

Do it like John Whitaker: sit down and wait to be invited! 😄

We asked John’s daughters and wife what the showjumping legend is really like. The verdict? Down-to-earth, positive, and surprisingly thrifty.

🎬 Watch "John Whitaker - Not A Normal Life" NOW on CMH.TV!

🔗 http://watch.clipmyhorse.tv/Not-A-Normal-Life


Small teaser ⬇️⬇️⬇️


Van Liere (NED) triumphs in Mechelen as Verboomen (BEL) steals the spotlight

The final FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier of the year in Mechelen (BEL) turned into an exciting contest between Dutch and Belgian combinations. In the festive arena, the home crowd witnessed Belgian dressage performances of a calibre rarely seen before. Ultimately, it was Dinja van Liere (NED) and Hermès N.O.P. who disrupted the Belgian celebration with a winning score of 83.240% in the Freestyle.

The FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier in Mechelen was the sixth leg of the season and gave the home audience much to cheer for. The excitement started early in the Grand Prix on Saturday, when Justin Verboomen (BEL), World Cup-debutant and first combination of the day, delivered a sensational performance with the only eight-year-old Zonik Plus. They posted an impressive score of over 74%, which held up against even the most experienced athletes, including Olympians Dinja van Liere and Larissa Pauluis (BEL).

Van Liere bounces back in the Freestyle

Dinja van Liere brought her top horse Hermès N.O.P. (owned by Joop van Uytert) to Mechelen. The pair achieved fourth place at the Paris Olympics, but Hermès found the atmosphere in the Mechelen Grand Prix overwhelming, leading to costly mistakes and a fourth-place finish. “In the Grand Prix, we really lost each other,” Van Liere explained. “He was scared and spooked, so it was a difficult ride.”

However, Van Liere restored order in the Freestyle. Despite minor errors in the two-tempis and one pirouette, Hermès appeared far more settled, delivering a relaxed and harmonious performance with outstanding piaffe and passage-work, to claim victory. Their score, though impressive, remained around 5% below their Olympic peak.

A vibrant arena

Mechelen’s arena, with the crowd close to the action and a lively and noisy atmosphere, proved challenging for several horses. Among those who managed to excel was Camille Cheret Judet (FRA), who rode the energetic Herelja Higgins (owned by Francoise Bourgeois and S.A.S. Pamfou Dressage) to a score of 76.295%, finishing eighth. Belgian Olympian Domien Michiels raised the bar further with Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof (owned by Marc Steeno), delivering a precise and correct Freestyle for 77.305% and sixth place.

Belgian pride: Pauluis shines

Belgium’s Larissa Pauluis, riding her Olympic partner Flambeau, gave a near-flawless performance in the Freestyle. Their expressive freestyle with well-fitting rhythmical music earned them a score of 79.920%, securing third place. Reflecting on her horse’s development, Pauluis said,

 

“It’s taken me years to get where we are today, and he keeps improving. In the beginning of our career, he was very difficult to ride in the double bridle, but the contact keeps getting better. I’m so proud of him.”

 

Larissa Pauluis

(BEL)

 

 A rising star: Verboomen and Zonik Plus

The most memorable moment of the weekend came from Justin Verboomen and his own Zonik Plus. Competing in just their second international Grand Prix and their first World Cup competition, the pair delivered a standout performance. After winning the Grand Prix on Saturday, they scored a sensational 81.730% in the Freestyle, finishing second.

Verboomen discovered Zonik Plus as a 2.5-year-old in Portugal and has since developed him into a rising star. The stallion already has impressive achievements under his belt, including sixth place in the six-year-old finals at the Longines FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses. Now, he looks poised to become a world-class competitor.

Reflecting on his journey together with the talented stallion, Verboomen said, “It’s been an incredible journey, and his best years are still ahead of him. He’s such a generous horse, full of courage and always in a good mood.”

Final highlights

Dorothee Schneider (GER), the last athlete in the Freestyle, also delivered a strong performance with her Grand Prix star Dayman (owned by Lian-United GmbH). After placing third in the Grand Prix, they had errors in the one-tempis and one piaffe in the Freestyle, earning 77.325% for fifth place. Schneider was narrowly surpassed by Corentin Pottier (FRA) and Gotilas du Feuillard (owned by Maryse Pottier, Herve Pottier and Camille Judet Cheret), whose harmonious and error-free performance earned 77.340% and fourth place.

Borja Carrascosa (ESP), fifth in the Grand Prix, slipped down two places after the Freestyle. Riding the elegant stallion Frizzantino FRH (owned by the athlete and Alexander Brenninkmeijer), he earned 76.985%, with slight mistakes in the extended trot and some transitions affecting their score.

Looking ahead

With Van Liere now fourth in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ standings after her Mechelen victory, she is eyeing a spot in the Finals but is yet to decide which horse she will take: Hartsuijker or Hermès N.O.P. 

The next leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ is scheduled for Basel (SUI), on January 2025, so don’t miss a hoofbeat…

FULL RESULTS

Barefooted World Cup Grand Prix victory for Belgium super stars Zonik Plus and Justin Verboomen

8 yr old Zonik Plus & Justine Verboomen with today´s first ever World Cup debut - photo: screenshot/Clipmyhorse

Zonik Plus and Justin Verboomen with World Cup Grand Prix debut victory at home soil in Mechelen today

Today with their 2nd international event and with impressive World Cup Grand Prix victory.

It is obvious to everyone that this combination just shows how to have fun in the arena, no matter of the challenge.

The 8 yr old black stallion Zonik Plus by Glock´s Zonik / Hohenstein with his owner and rider Belgium Justin Verboomen were again today, like their recent international debut first to go, and they just delivered an effortless performance. Top motivation from both horse and rider shining together through the demanding GP exercises, one by one without any technical difficulties. Score 74,348%.

The way the black stallion just conquers the impressive arena and atmosphere, still staying fully focused on the job is just second to none. Their partnership brings dressage into a beautiful spotlight. Light contact, natural open frame, high degree of elasticity, suppleness and not least fine aides all the way.

Barefooted

The sharp eye might have caught that Zonik Plus actually is barefooted. As Justin told H2R Zonik Plus were struggling to keep his shoes on when having his daily paddock time. Therefore now happy paddock time without concerning about lost shoes and at the same time he is super comfortable being barefooted.

Debut freestyle

Not only is it World Cup debut this weekend, but it is also a very exciting freestyle debut. Justin looking very much forward to tomorrow (start time 12.45), where they will show a brand new freestyle, actually as brand new as Justin first received the music yesterday, and haven’t had the chance to practice yet. The theme is kind of emotional and also inspirational tells Justin.

Link for start list - https://www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2024/jumping-mechelen-mechelen/startlist_D2.html

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