1997 AHHA Approvals Press Releases

1997 AHHA Breeding Stock Approvals
Press Releases

This page was modified: Wednesday, January 07, 1998 - 9:41:29 PM

Press Release: 09/12/1997

SOLOMON REIGNS AT THE OAKS

by C.M. Frank

In all, eight stallions completed two days of evaluation and testing at the American Holsteiner Horse Association stallion site at Indian Hills Ranch, Valley Center, CA on September 6-7. Testing included conformation evaluation, soundness, a dressage test, and both free-jumping and jumping under saddle. A total of four stallions were ultimately approved. For the stallion site, the normal judging committee of Arlene Rigdon, Jos Sevriens and Doris van Heeckeren was augmented by Heinz-Hermann Magens and Jens Hauschildt, from the Holsteiner Verband. Both judges are Holsteiner breeders and have produced stallions in Germany. In fact, Mr. Magens is the breeder of Fabio I, who was licensed both in Germany and Belgium before his importation to the U.S.

At the conclusion of the testing, Solomon (Silvester-Optik, by Ladykiller xx) was named the Champion stallion of the site. The approval of the elegant bay added another licensed son of the important jumping sire, Silvester, to the roster of stallions at Joan Irvine Smith's The Oaks. The 9-year-old has been standing at The Oaks, but was not previously AHHA licensed, which gave the judges an interesting opportunity to evaluate both the stallion and his offspring, including Ladybug, currently one of the top AHSA Hunter Breeding Yearlings in the country, as well as the extremely elegant 2-year-old, Solomon's Wisdom, which recently sold at The Oaks sport horse auction for $16,800.

Solomon edged ahead of the competition with an impressive perfect 10 in one over-fences phase, demonstrating exceptional technique with his front end. Solomon was presented in the riding phases by Jennifer Patterson, who reported that he had recently placed 6th in his first grand prix. On the ground, Solomon was expertly presented by Javier Moncada, who appeared to be the most traveled man at the Approvals, as it seemed that he was handling every horse at the site, including the sixty-odd mares and foals!

Reserve Champion went to Signature Farms' Lazer (Liostro-Sacra, by Montanus). This dark bay 4-year-old showed impressive scope and technique in the free-jumping phase, in addition to wonderful balance and self-carriage. Lazer is a 3/4 brother to the AHHA licensed stallion, Liocalyon, which was recently sold by Signature Farms. Prior to his sale, Liocalyon had been competing in the jumper divisions with Susie Hutchison, who made a surprise visit in Valley Center just to ride Lazer in the under saddle phases-including the dressage test!. Owner Saied Shandaloo braved the oppressive heat to present the horse in hand.

Also approved was Contagious, so named, says owner Ed Wallace of Katy, Texas, because "he's 'catching.' The more you're around him the better you like him. We just had to change his name from his original name, Cuckoo. How can you name a stallion Cuckoo?" The 6-year-old was presented in all phases by Christian Rogge of Germany, who has been competing in the High Preliminary classes and small grand prix with him. Contagious earned consistent 9's across the board in his jumping tests, both free jumping and ridden, demonstrating impressive technique plus remarkable balance and adjustability. He is by the international show jumper, Carolus, out of a daughter of Lenz-who is better known in the U.S. as Margie Goldstein-Engle's grand prix star, Land of Kings.

The fourth and final stallion approved was Arsia Ardalan's Romario (Romino-Hela 2, by Landgraf I). This 4-year-old is currently competing in the International Jumper Futurity Regional and International competitions. Romario is a son of Romino, an important producer of both stallion sons and competition horses, being by the legendary sire Ramiro (= G Ramiro Z) out of a daughter of the "good temperament sire", Moltke I-and introduces to the U.S. the Stem line (1859) which produced the great modern sport horse sire, Landadel. Romario is elegant and modern in type with excellent jumping technique and lovely fluid movement.

In summary, the four approved stallions were almost identical representatives of the modern sport horse type and should be good candidates to produce horses for all disciplines.

Ericka Dominates the Mare Division

Almost 60 mares and foals were presented on the third day of judging at Indian Hills Ranch. The overall "quality was very good," reported jury member Jos Sevriens, "and all the mares were in excellent condition and well presented." A total of 17 mares were graded Main Mare Book, and one mare earned Main Mare Book Premium.

Ericka, an impressive 16.3+ hand dark bay, owned by California resident, Brian Jalbert, dominated the Mare approvals with an incredible score of 48 points (Main Mare Book Premium) to take the mare Championship. The 7-year-old is a daughter of the deceased sire, Condino, who also sired the important amateur-owner hunter, Onyx (ex. Conlon), and she was a good representative of the Condino type. Ericka is out of Valkyrie, a daughter of Lagos, who sired Land of Kings, and is a half-sister to Gaelic Charm (by Solid Silver), which was sold at the 1997 auction at The Oaks, for $26,000.

Reserve Champion went to the 3-year-old Irish Cheer (Cheer-T Romana, by Rodrigo), owned by Joan Irvine Smith and The Oaks. Irish Cheer was 3rd in the AHSA Zone 10 Hunter Breeding Division as a 2-year-old, and is a half-sister to Go For the Gold, a Premium mare who was Champion at her approvals. Irish Cheer earned a score of 45 points and a place in the Main Mare Book.

For more information, contact the American Holsteiner Horse Association, 222 East Main St., Georgetown, KY 40324. (502) 863-4239, FAX (502) 868-0722.

Back to the Top

Links To Related Horse Web Pages

AHHA, Inc Homepage Index