2011 Stallion Licensing Vechta - Dressage Stallions
The 2011 Stallion licensings at Vechta lived up to their usual expectations although this year it was evident how the Verband want to encourage more diverse bloodlines into the Oldenburg breeding program. As always there were some surprises in terms of which stallions did and didn't license and the crowd certainly made their feelings known. The champion dressage stallion, bred by Paul Schockemohle, was by Furst Romancier out of a Sir Donnerhall dam. It is a very elegant long legged stamp of a horse with a very pretty head. However there were some who felt that the Reserve Champion, by Quarterbackout of a Stedinger mare should have been placed first - the movement really was stunning. He will remain with his owner, Sissy Max-Theurer at her stud, Gestut Vorwerk at Cappeln.
The auction as always was exciting. Although the Champion was not due to be sold Mr Schockemohle changed his mind and 'For Romance' as he has been subsequently called was bought by Dressurleistungszentrum at Lodbergen for 750,000 euros. However this was not the highest priced dressage stallion. That went to the stunning Swedish Warmblood, Tomahawk (renamed for the 2012 breeding season) who was bought by Jaimee White-Welling for 800,000 euros. This lovely bay is now standing at Bockmann's and I think is excellent value at 900 euros for 2012. By Temptation, it could not receive a premium as it is not branded Oldenburg but it is a very good example of the new bloodlines being encouraged by the Oldenburg Verband.