Having owned several OTTBs, I wholeheartedly support retraining for amost any equestrian sport!

By Yellow Horse Marketing for MSEDA

For centuries and across continents, Thoroughbreds have been legendary for their athletic performance.  In addition to being champions on the racetrack, these amazing athletes have carried generations of Pony Clubbers to their first blue ribbons, and have brought glory to U.S. Equestrian Team riders by helping to earn Olympic medals.  And even as horse racing and equestrian sport has evolved over the decades, off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) have continued to prove themselves in the competitive arena and have even enjoyed a recent resurgence in popularity.

In response to this growing interest, the Mid-South Eventing and Dressage Association (MSEDA) will host an innovative presentation titled “OTTB Mythbusters” as part of its annual meeting festivities on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort in Lexington, KY.  An expert panel composed of international eventer Danny Warrington, farm owner and trainer William “Billy” Wofford, and veterinarian Dr. Kathleen Anderson will discuss everything riders need to know about off-the-track Thoroughbreds, including why someone should consider an ex-racehorse as a new mount; what to expect; searching for the right prospect; pre-purchase considerations; bringing a new partner home; and how to help a racehorse successfully transition from life on the racetrack to a recreational or competitive career.

MSEDA President Mary Fike of Shelbyville, KY explained why she’s so excited about this upcoming presentation.  “MSEDA’s mission is to be an educational-based organization, so every year we try to bring in nationally-known speakers as part of our annual meeting, such as David O’Connor, Jane Savoie, and Denny Emerson,” said Fike.  “I believe that this year’s panel discussion is especially timely, as new incentive programs and rescue groups have brought a renewed spotlight to Thoroughbreds.  We see lots of new people coming into equestrian sport in our region, especially to eventing, and we thought the time was right to bring experts together to talk about this topic.  We hope that it will help people who are considering purchasing or adopting a Thoroughbred to make an informed decision by asking necessary questions, avoiding common pitfalls, and learning about issues which are applicable to any racehorse, whether that horse is to become a trail mount or an international jumper.  An increased awareness and understanding can help ensure that people find the right match and have a successful new partnership with their horses. ”

Panelist Danny Warrington of North East, MD is an international event rider who has had extensive experience with Thoroughbreds not only on the cross-country course, but also in steeplechasing, flat racing, training yearlings, and re-educating horses after retirement from racing.  “My first horse to take me to the 3* level as well as several advanced wins was a Thoroughbred I claimed off the track,” noted Warrington.  “Another ex-racehorse that we worked with went on to compete at the Olympics with Bobby Costello.  We’ve had great luck with Thoroughbreds, both for ourselves and for our clients.”

During the OTTB Mythbusters presentation, Warrington looks forward to sharing his experiences and enthusiasm for Thoroughbreds, while also helping people understand the challenges.  “In this country we breed some of the best athletes in the world in our racehorses: they have natural talent, and they will work all day for you,” he explained.  “But one of the biggest myths I see is that people think it’s going to be easy to transition a horse off the track and into a new sport.  This is not about instant gratification; it takes time, and the horses need to be in a good program with proper education which will set them up to succeed.  Just because they were ‘ridden’ on the track every day doesn’t mean that they were ‘ridden’ the way we often think.  It’s important to realize how much work has to go into them, because many of these horses don’t have the education people think they have.”

Named the 2012 Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club “Farm Manager of the Year”, William “Bill” Wofford has spent a lifetime with racehorses.  With wife Beth, Wofford owns 120-acre Rimroc Farm in Lexington, KY, where they have been in the business of breaking, consigning, and boarding Thoroughbreds since 1975.  Dedicated to helping his equine prodigies successfully transition to new homes once their racing careers are over, Wofford brings his enthusiasm and experienced candor to the OTTB Mythbusters panel.   “I think the best thing about Thoroughbreds is that they’re incredible athletes – they’re like the Michael Jordans of equestrian sport.  They can do anything,” he said.  “Even though there have been changes in horse racing trends, I think Thoroughbreds are as good now as they’ve ever been.  Sometimes it seems you only hear the negative things, but there’s plenty of positive to go around.  I think there are a lot of good horses out there, but you need to have an organized and informed process to find them. ”

The most widespread misconception Wofford hears is that Thoroughbreds are too “hot”, but he believes this usually isn’t the case.  “Too many people think ex-racehorses are too wound up or a little wacky, but some of the worst horses I’ve ever had were of other breeds,” he laughed.  “Most Thoroughbreds have great minds, and sometimes being a little animated is a good thing in an athlete.”

Dr. Kathleen Anderson of Elkton, MD began her veterinary career under the tutelage of legendary United States Equestrian Team veterinarian Dr. Marty Simensen.  Today, she is the owner of Equine Veterinary Care PC, a racing and performance practice based at the renowned Fair Hill Training Center, and has been named as the 2014 vice president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).  A lifelong horsewoman and Thoroughbred fan, Dr. Anderson’s resume includes roles as an eventing competitor, international competition groom, barn manager, and racetrack exercise rider prior to obtaining her DVM.  “After being around Thoroughbreds for well over 30 years, the bottom line for me is that I have found them to have a tremendous amount of heart,” noted Dr. Anderson.  “Their ability to give their very best effort under pressure is what makes them very special partners.”

During the OTTB Mythbusters panel discussion, Dr. Anderson will address health concerns and answer questions about factors which may impact an ex-racehorse’s future performance in sport.  “From a veterinary perspective, the most important considerations are soundness, especially for the upper levels of competition, as well as temperament,” Dr. Anderson said.  She also encouraged equestrians who are considering a Thoroughbred as their next mount to avoid necessarily believing common generalizations.  “Not ‘every’ racehorse has a ‘hot’ temperament; transitioning racehorses entails much more than just pulling the shoes and turning them out; and most of these horses have not been mistreated – they do not need to be ‘saved’,” she explained.  “No matter how much experience someone may have with Thoroughbreds or thinks he/she knows about them, things change over time.  Nobody knows everything there is to know about a subject, and we should all remain open to learning new things and new ways of approaching situations.  I hope that people will attend to share their experiences and maybe then try something different.”

MSEDA President Mary Fike stressed that the OTTB Mythbusters presentation is not just for the organization’s members.  “Everyone is welcome!,” she noted.  “We feel that we’ve got a good program that will interest lots of people in the horse community, and we hope to reach as many as possible.  We’re very excited about this program, and we hope that everyone will take a break from the cold weather to join us and share knowledge and enthusiasm about our amazing Thoroughbreds.”

The OTTB Mythbusters panel discussion (hosted as part of the MSEDA Annual Meeting) begins at 9:45am and continues until 3:30pm on Saturday, January 18, 2014 and will be held at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort, 1800 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY. Fabulous door prizes will be awarded throughout the day!  Admission for the presentation is $45 for MSEDA members and $55 for nonmembers, and lunch is included.   Please register by Wednesday, January 15 by contacting  Bev Henson, bvhenson@gmail.com. Attendees are also invited to stay and enjoy the festivities of the annual MSEDA Awards Banquet, which kicks off with cocktails at 5pm and includes dinner, awards presentations, and great company.  A limited number of tickets for the MSEDA Awards Banquet will be available for sale at the door.  For more information and to register to attend the OTTB Mythbusters presentation at the MSEDA Annual Meeting, visit http://www.mseda.org/.

PHOTO CAPTION & CREDIT:  International event rider Danny Warrington, shown here aboard his off-the-track Thoroughbred “Discover the Power”, will join a special panel discussion titled “OTTB Mythbusters” hosted by MSEDA on January 18, 2014.  Photo: www.photosbybailini.com.

Jennifer M. Keeler

Martien van den Heuvel, former President of the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS), passed away on 2 January 2014. He was 73.

A former member of the FEI Finance and Nominations Committees, Martien van den Heuvel was awarded the Golden Pin and also made an honorary member of the KNHS in recognition of his many services to equestrian sports in the Netherlands.

As a farmer’s son, he had a natural passion for horses, but his career took him in a different direction. Blessed with a sharply analytical mind and excellent financial insight, he became a successful businessman and managing director of the international company Bosch Rexroth, manufacturer of hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and mechanical drive systems, then known as the Hydraudyne Group.

He first came to public attention in the equestrian world in 1984, when he became treasurer of the international horse show Indoor Brabant. He was appointed President of the show in 1997, and under his leadership Indoor Brabant developed into one of the world’s premier equestrian events.

In January 2002, he was elected President of the Board of the KNHS and made the decision to resign as President of Indoor Brabant so that he could focus on developing the KNHS, which was formed at that time as the result of a merger of 16 very different equestrian organisations, of varying sizes and each with its own history and culture. He led the new organisation with great vision and drive, tackling head on the enormous task of making the KNHS a successful and financially healthy sports federation.

With typical energy and enthusiasm, Martien van den Heuvel worked tirelessly to turn the KNHS into the organisation he envisaged. By the time he retired as President in January 2011 at the end of his maximum term of office, the KNHS had grown into one of the leading sports federations in the Netherlands as a tight-knit, financially sound estabslishment, well-regulated and highly successful in delivering world-class performances. Under his chairmanship, a start was also made on restructuring the KNHS, including the successful cooperation with the Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands (KWPN), which has recently been completed. The result of this restructuring, the national equestrian centre in Ermelo, is now nearing completion.

His passion for equestrian sports also manifested itself in other ways. He was present at many international championships, and was highly involved in the careers of the top Dutch riders. But he did not leave it at that. From his home in Den Dungen (near ’s-Hertogenbosch), he frequently travelled the length and breadth of the country to present prizes to champions – from harness horses in the north to jumping and dressage ponies in the south.

At his farewell reception, he received a ‘Liber Amicorum’, in which 60 people closely involved in equestrian sports reminisced about the many facets of his incredible engagement with the sport. The book was aptly entitled Met hart en ziel (‘With heart and soul’).

During his chairmanship, Martien van den Heuvel often demonstrated unswerving determination and perseverance. He was a keen advocate of reforms within the FEI, as well as within the NOC*NSF, the Dutch National Olympic Committee, and he actively contributed to these reforms. He was firmly convinced that the equestrian sector in the Netherlands needed a unified voice in the Sectorraad Paarden (Joint Equine Sectoral Committee). He not only expressed his opinion, but also set to work himself to further the interests of both equestrian sports and the equine industry.

His name will always be inextricably linked to the development of the KNHS into an equestrian sports federation that is respected both nationally and internationally, and he made an invaluable contribution to the development and professionalisation of Indoor Brabant and the Sectorraad Paarden.

“I was so shocked to hear of Martien van den Heuvel’s passing. He was a really wonderful man and a true visionary, who always had the best interests of the equestrian world, in all its guises, at heart,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said.

“He understood the importance of correct governance in sport at all levels, and was unstinting with his time and expertise. He played a vital role in developing the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation into the strong and successful organisation it is today, and amongst his many other roles, was also an invaluable member of the FEI’s Finance and Nominations Committees. With his passing, the equestrian world has lost a loyal and true friend. He will be much missed.”

The FEI extends its sincere condolences to Martien van den Heuvel’s wife and family, to the KNHS and to all his many friends in the equestrian world. May he rest in peace.

Martien van den Heuvel’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, 7 January 2014, at 11.00 in the Sint-Jacobus de Meerdere Church, H. Hartplein 1, 5275 BM Den Dungen, The Netherlands. Flowers may be delivered to the funeral parlour at Koenen-Oel Uitvaartverzorging, Het Schild 15, 5275 EB Den Dungen, where there will be an opportunity to pay final respects on Monday 6 January, between 19.00 and 20.00.

Photo caption: Martien van den Heuvel, former President of the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) and former member of the FEI Finance and Nominations Committees, who has died at the age of 73.

Media contacts:

Grania Willis

Director Press Relations

grania.willis@fei.org

+41 78 750 61 42

Malina Gueorguiev

Manager Press Relations

malina.gueorguiev@fei.org

+41 78 750 61 33

Wellington, FL – January 4, 2014 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) announces the following riders have been invited to the $5,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper Speed Exhibition class, sponsored by EnTrust Capital. The class follows the $125,000 Trump Invitational Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, and is held at The Mar-a-Lago Club on Palm Beach Island on Sunday, January 5, 2014. The exhibition class gives junior and amateur riders a special opportunity of competing at this unique event. Adding to the entertainment at this year’s event will be a dressage exhibition by Olympian David Marcus.

The riders invited to compete in the $5,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper Speed Exhibition class, sponsored by EnTrust Capital, are: Gustavo Mirabal, Hannah Patten, Madeline Thatcher, Annabelle Gundlach, Cloe Hymowitz, Heather Hooker, Mareya Godoy, Jennifer Gates, Kira Kerkorian, Jennifer Santana, Alicia Gamboa, Mikala Chesler, and Paris Sellon.

An elegant dressage exhibition will be performed by Canadian Olympian David Marcus on one of his top horses, Don Kontes, during Sunday’s festivities. “I look forward to introducing dressage to the spectators at the Trump Invitational,” Marcus said. “The Mar-a-Lago Club is a spectacular venue, and I think it will be a great experience!”

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, David Marcus began riding at the age of seven. In 1996, he made a decision to take the sport to the next level, heading north of the border to Canada to train with Olympic-level coaches while also pursuing his university education. Marcus represented the United States in five North American Young Riders’ Championships, winning silver and bronze medals.

At the end of 2011, Marcus officially became a Canadian citizen, and immediately began representing his new home country successfully at the Grand Prix level with Chrevi’s Capital and Don Kontes. In his Canadian Team debut at the 2012 Nations Cup at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital proudly wore the maple leaf, scoring a win for Canada. Marcus drew on that top performance and represented Canada at the 2012 London Olympic Games.   (Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle)

January 2, 2014 – The Dressage Foundation has announced that a total of $10,000 has been awarded to U.S. dressage instructors through the Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship program, funded through The Dressage Foundation’s Carol Lavell Gifted Memorial Fund.  The Lindgren Scholarships provide financial support that enables dressage instructors to train in a concentrated amount of time in order to improve teaching, riding, and training skills.  This year, the Selection Committee chose the following recipients:

Reese Koffler-Stanfield (Georgetown, KY) was awarded the $6,000 Lindgren Scholarship.  Reese is a USDF Certified Instructor through 4^th Level and has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Freestyle Bar medals.  She plans to use the funds to train with Kathy Connelly.

Gina Duran (Livermore, CA) is the recipient of a $2,000 Lindgren Scholarship.  She has earned her USDF Gold Medal and is a USDF Certified Instructor through 2^nd Level.  Gina will use the scholarship to train with Rachel Saavedra.

Jami Kment (Palmyra, NE) was also awarded a $2,000 Scholarship.  She has earned her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals and is a USDF “L” Program graduate.  Jami will use the scholarship to train with Kathy Connelly.

Since 1996, The Dressage Foundation has offered annual instructor scholarships in Major Anders Lindgren’s name.  Major Lindgren was an accomplished dressage rider, having won the 1971 Swedish Dressage Championship and ridden on the Swedish Olympic Team in 1972.  He also won the Scandinavian Eventing Championship in 1959.  Lindgren’s contribution to American dressage was large, as he was solidly committed to the education of U.S. dressage instructors.  Over a ten-year period, almost 1,000 participating instructors learned from his systematic, structural approach to teaching dressage at the USDF/Violet Hopkins National Seminars for Dressage Instructors, and then at the National Symposium.  Major Lindgren passed away in 2010, at the age of 85.  The Dressage Foundation is proud to offer these important scholarships in his honor.

Applications for the three Lindgren scholarships are due to The Dressage Foundation by September 30th of each year.  A Grant Selection Committee will review each application and determine the recipients, if qualified applications are received.  For more information about the Major Anders Lindgren Scholarships and The Dressage Foundation, please contact Jenny Johnson at (402) 434-8585 or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.

The Dressage Foundation

The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to supporting and advancing the sport of dressage.  The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocates the donations, and awards grants and scholarships to dressage riders of all ages and levels.  For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.

Piaffe Performance Puts Global Dressage Festival Adult Amateurs in a Frame

Wellington, FL (January 3, 2013) - Getting one’s horse ‘in a frame’ is a foundation for good riding but when the 2014 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (GDF) opens January 8 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, it’s adult amateur riders going in to frames – and silver ones at that – thanks to a the Piaffe Performance Adult Amateur Achievement Award, sponsored by Dr. Cesar Parra and Piaffe Performance Farm.

Now in its second year at the GDF, the Piaffe Performance Adult Amateur Award will be presented throughout the GDF CDI series, recognizing exceptional adult amateurs for either their success in the arena or their contribution to the sport through outstanding sportsmanship or horsemanship.

Each award-winning rider will receive a Piaffe Performance rosette commemorating their achievement, as well as an engraved silver picture frame to hold a lasting memory of their ride and horse.

“I have learned so much from my adult amateur riders about perseverance and commitment,” said Parra who was on the US Team during the past CDIO Nations Cup show at the Global Dressage Festival, and won the Freestyle last year with Van the Man.   “Through this award, I hope Piaffe Performance can play a role in encouraging such riders.  They are the heart of our sport.”

The 2014 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits, will feature six CDIs, the only non-championship CDIO Nations Cup in the Western Hemisphere, and five national title events before its conclusion in March.

Cesar Parra, DDS, MScD, operates Piaffe Performance in Jupiter, FL and Whitehouse Station, NJ and was born in Colombia.  Now a US citizen, he was  a member of the Gold Medal winning US Team at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara.  He also competed in the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, 2003 Pan American Games, 2004 Athens Olympic Games, 2005 Las Vegas Dressage World Cup and 2006 Aachen World Equestrian Games.

Interviewed by Sharon Packer

Many riders and trainers think they can purchase the best horse for their money only in the countries of Europe. In the context of a short period of time and relative distance, the market in Europe is easier to access. For the cost of a plane ticket, hotel and meals, many horses can be seen in a single trip. And that is the handicap that American bred horses and breeders struggle with that cannot be overcome at this time. But those who think the best quality of horses are available only in Europe, are sadly mistaken.

American breeders have been educating themselves for over thirty years.  American breeders have improved the quality of their horses to that of their European counterparts and then some through the following methods:  registry inspections; International, USDF and USEF breeder courses; judges at breed shows; many with trips to Germany and Netherlands under their belts; imported foundation stock and the access to the best stallions in Europe through frozen semen.

Breeders are a passionate group. They have to be to survive the ups and downs of their chosen vocation. The highs are that of a parent and are indescribable-­‐ the birth of a foal, standing and nursing for the first time, the first time outside, and later on, the training and performance efforts and successes.

But the lows are hellish-­‐ the loss of a foal that you have waited 11 long months for or worse, a foal with deformities that never survives past the first few hours; a broken leg in the pasture from normal playtime; the devastating loss of a mare who was your friend and foundation; and not to even mention the tens of thousands of dollars spent to get through those 11 months.

Another difference between the American bred horse and European bred horse is the actual cost of putting a live foal on the ground. Horses in the USA cost more for a very legitimate reason—money to produce. Most vet fees and the cost of raising is higher.  The training is significantly higher. Most breeders here in the USA are not able to start their own offspring due to their health and age. So young horses are sent out to trainers.  It is a well-known issue facing all disciplines and all breeders, that there is a severe shortage of young horse trainer who can do the job properly and affordably

Because of the issues all American breeders have in common,  a new organization has been formed called the United States Sport Horse Breeders Association or USSHBA.  The mission of the group is as follows:

1.  Support the efforts of U.S. sport horse breeder through education, recognition, and outreach

2. Identify and bring forward issues of concern to U.S. sport horse breeders in a variety of forums

3. Serve as a resource for the U.S. sport horse community

4.  Promote the welfare of sport horses in the U.S.A.

The group can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USSHBA or at the webpage http://www.usshba.org

Marydell Farm

Marydell Farm has recognized the lack of recognition for American Bred young horse for quite some time now.   As have other breeders who in the early 2000s got together and created awards for Horses Born in the USA. At Dressage at Devon, ribbons and cash prizes have been awarded to the highest placing BITUSA horse in each of the open in hand and material classes for some time now.

Marydell Farm has gone a bit further and established several “High Score Born in the USA” awards for performance horses. At Dressage at Devon, the “Feel the Dream” award was established in honor of our foundation mare. The prize is a perpetual along with a take home memento and cash with 80% to the owner and 20% to the breeder. Since then, we have established several other similar awards, one at the KDA CDI in May, and one at the Palm Beach Derby in honor of a fine friend, Patsy Albers. Saddle pads and halters are available to other shows that want to participate in this performance award for American bred horses.

Most breeders have set goals for their program.  In the case of Marydell Farm, there are two goals that go hand in hand. The first is to breed a horse that has three major components-­‐ great temperament, solid conformation and three very good basic gaits.  Along with that hope,  comes the hope that each of these horses will be amateur friendly with athleticism enough to go to the top of sport. Also the hope is that each horse has enough “flash” and sensitivity that a pro would want the ride and be able to take the horse to International competitions. Our second goal is that each and every horse has a job for life.

Although our main focus is dressage, we have hunters, eventers and jumpers out in the world. Our stance is that Temperament comes first and foremost so that each horse can have a long and productive life.

We breed mares that come from lines that have a proven performance component. Our mares have all been performance tested or backed and have performance careers. We believe that young horses need to prove their athletic ability to do the work before earning the right to reproduce themselves.

In general, we use our own stallions, Don Principe (Donnerhall/Prince Thatch xx/Durkheim) and Doctor Wendell MF (Don Principe/Sandro Hit/ Don Gregory).

Don Principe has competed up to the CDI Grand Prix and been scored as high as 76%. His accomplishments are numerous, both performance and in hand. Over the years since arriving in the USA in 2005, Don Principe has ranked at the top of each of his performance levels. As a six year old, “Prince” was 4th at the National 6-year-old Markel FEI Young Horse Championships and 4th HOY.  Under Jim Koford, Prince had enormous success all the way through Grand Prix. He was regional and BLM Champion at several levels. Under Courtney King-­‐Dye, just prior to the accident, Prince was winning at CDI competitions in Wellington, FL.   Summer of 2011, Don Principe made the trip back to Germany for training with Klaus Balkenhol and was reunited for a visit with his breeder, Adleheid Bruning.  In 2013, Don Principe with Michael Bragdell in the saddle won the 2013 Region 1 GAIG Intermediare II Championship.

As a breeding stallion, Don Principe has followed his sire, Donnerhall’s hoof prints.  Donnerhall is the late, great dressage sire of the century.  Don Principe is approved fully with the Hanoverian Verband in Germany, The GOV-­‐German Oldenburg Verband both in Germany and the USA and Oldenburg NA/ISR.

Prince off springs have done exceptionally well in hand winning many Grand Championships, USDF Champion Horse of the Year awards and national American Hanoverian Championships.

Never has any stallion, yet alone one standing on US soil, produced so many “Traveling Trot” winners as Don Principe MF.

In general, we use our own stallions, Don Principe (Donnerhall/Prince Thatch xx/Durkheim) and Doctor Wendell MF (Don Principe/Sandro Hit/ Don Gregory). Don Principe has competed up to the CDI Grand Prix and been scored as high as 76%. His accomplishments are numerous, both performance and in hand. Over the years since arriving in the USA in 2005, Don Principe has ranked at the top of each of his performance levels. As a six year old, “Prince” was 4th at the National 6-year-old Markel FEI Young Horse Championships and 4th HOY.  Under Jim Koford, Prince had enormous success all the way through Grand Prix. He was regional and BLM Champion at several levels. Under Courtney King-­‐Dye, just prior to the accident, Prince was winning at CDI competitions in Wellington, FL.   Summer of 2011, Don Principe made the trip back to Germany for training with Klaus Balkenhol and was reunited for a visit with his breeder, Adleheid Bruning.  In 2013, Don Principe with Michael Bragdell in the saddle won the 2013 Region 1 GAIG Intermediare II Championship.

Duet MF, as a three year old in 2011, won the highest honor that USDF can award, the “Traveling Trot” perpetual trophy for being the highest in hand Champion of all the Champions. Duet went on to win the Mature Horse Championship at 2013 Dressage at Devon and yet another perpetual trophy for being the Highest Placing Hanoverian at the show.  Duet’s performance career has been outstanding.  She has a Reserve Champion at 1st level in Region 1 in 2012 and was 2nd level High Score Champion at the Region 1 open show in 2013.  In addition, Duet is now an Elite Mare with AHS for having a wonderful MPT (mare performance test) score and producing an outstanding foal.  Serenade MF (Sir Donnerhall/Duet MF) is the 2013 USDF Reserve Champion Filly and AHS Champion Young Filly for 2013.     

(Photo Credit:  Hoof Print Images)

David Bowie MF, another Don Principe son, also has many accolades to his name, even as a  foal.  He followed in his sister’s path and also won the “Traveling Trot” for 2012. His name is also engraved on the perpetual at Dressage at Devon for 2012, as the highest placing Hanoverian of the show. We believe strongly that “Davy” is stallion material and will compete to the FEI levels.

Dansuse MF (Don Principe/EM Fuerst Dancer MF/Fuerst Heinrich) is also a third generation offspring from our program. Dansuse means Ballerina and she is certainly that, floating above the ground, sweet-tempered and athletic, “Rina” won the 2013 USDF “Traveling Trot”.  (Pictured are David Bowie MF and Dansuse MF) 

(Photo Credit:  Hoof Print Images)

Doctor Wendell MF is the first licensed son of Don Principe.  He had many wins in Material classes as well as USDF and AHS year-­‐end Championships.   Doctor Wendell MF is a coming 6 year old in 2014 and third generation breeding from Marydell Farm mare lines. “Doc” has had many important Championship in hand classes and also Material. “Doc” was the 2010 Dressage at Devon Champion Colt and has several Championship titles to his name from both USDF and AHS. “Doc” competed at the Markel 2013 National Young Horse 5 year old old Championships and placed 6th overall. His success is a wonderful achievement for a young breeding stallion.

Doctor Wendell MF had his first test foal in 2013, a colt named Debonair MF. Debonair MF made his show debut to excellent scores and comments. The first full crop of “Doc” foals start to arrive early 2014. Doctor Wendell MF is full licensed and approved with the Oldenburg NA/ISR and is licensed with the AHS and GOV.His full approval with those registries will come with performance results.

(Wendell Haymon and Christopher Hickey)

A special mention goes to Janet Stone’s 4 year old mare, DeLovely, 2013 region 3 AA Champions and the USDF National Reserve Champion. All of this has placed Don Principe in the top 50 sires from stallions all over the world as ranked by USEF with 1185 stallions on the rooster.

Then there are Legolas CCF, Dux MF, Don Regale MF, Don Royale MF, Dynamic MF, Donna Hall MF, Destria HVH, Ducatti MF, Donneghal KF, and many others who have gone on to be wonderful performance horses for their owners and riders. Scores have reached 80% with these youngsters.

In addition, Don Principe has produced several top hunters including Duke Principe MF and Dresden’s Holiday who is the 2013 USEF Zone Champion 3 year old old and the AHS Champion for Hunter breeding.  Not to be forgotten are the eventers out there. DeLutje MF and Dune MF have also had outstanding results for being so young.

Marydell Farm also uses frozen semen from the top sires standing in Europe today. We have had foals from Fidertanz, Sir Donnerhall, Sandro Hit, Quaterback, Rotspon, Relevant, Royal Diamond. We have learned through our foals what works for our goals and what does not.

(2013 USDF Awards)

Written by Hilltop Farm

Hilltop Farm is proud to share the news that Don Principe(Donnerhall-Prince Thatch xx-Durkheim), owned by Marydell Farms and bred by Adelheid Bruening, has been named the USEF Dressage Breeding Sire of the Year for 2013. The USEF Leading Sire system has become a valuable way for stallion owners, breeders, and trainers to evaluate the success of a stallion’s offspring in many different venues from competitions throughout the United States.  With top results throughout the season by offspring such as Danseuse MF (Don Principe-Fuerst Heinrich), Dinah Shore MF (Don Principe-Rotspon), and CCS Legolas (Don Principe-Falkenhorst), Don Principe was the clear champion this year.

Don Principe also finished 9th on the Hunter Breeding Sire rankings and despite a fairly young group offspring competing undersaddle ranked in the top 50 for USEF Dressage Sires.  Both Hilltop Farm and Marydell Farm, would like to thank all the Don Principe breeders and owners who have confidently chosen to breed to Don Principe as well as the current owners who have their Don Principe offspring out competing. Your breeding and competition efforts are truly appreciated and this accomplishment could not have been possible without your efforts! (December 2013)