Vanessa stayed once again with her friend in Wildeshausen, Germany in order to work at a well reputed breeding/training facility in Vechta. The time spent there was invaluble to see how smoothly it was run, with a great atmosphere and excellent training of all young horses. Vanessa was able to ride several horses and watch many at the various stages of development between the ages of 3 and 4. Three 3 year old stallions were being geared toward this year's stallion approvals and a great number of three year old mares were being prepared for the mare selections. One of the stallions is a full brother to our 4 year old mare, Amelie. This Florencio/Donnerhall is particularly amazing and we just found out that he was liscenced last week! This is very exciting. This charming, centuries old farm, named Gut Fuechtel, is run by Clemens and Andrea von Merveldt. It is definately worth visiting them if you are looking for a talented, well bred and beautifully started young Oldenburg horse. The focus is on dressage, but they do have some with talent for jumping. Von Merfeldt's 30+ years of experience in the training and development of young horses are evident in the way each horse goes: with confidence, in balance, rhythm and relaxation. The farm also has many top broodmares with foals at their side, yearlings and two year olds. In all they have about 80 horses on their facility.

The last part of the trip was spent travelling to the eastern part of Germany to look at Paul Schockemoele's huge breeding farm. It was mind blowing to be given a tour by the head Manager, which lasted half a day by car. This converted cow farm from the days before the wall came down, already had most of the buildings in place to make it servicable for horses. It is a self contained business with ca. 150 employees, it's own vet clinic with surgery and about 4000 horses. One warehouse sized building after another sit in row after row, housing in excess of 400 horses each, ranging from expecting mares, to mares with foals, yearlings and two year olds. There are also a multitude of three and four year olds in training. The focus is on breeding top class jumpers and the selection for a top prospect begins when they are yearlings. All the horses' jumping aptitude is analyzed by experts and finally by Schockemoele himself. Some of the best are undoubtedly sent to the PSI auction, where they will garner large sums of money.

January - Mid April, 2008

Another Winter Season in Florida

This year Vanessa took four horses to Wellington, FL to train and show with Christopher Hickey and Rita Brown. The season was very successful and enjoyable. Royal Replay was very well received by the judges, receiving 8s and 9s for his gaits. This talented 7 year old Royal Dance gelding is currently schooling 2nd and 3rd level and showed at first level with several wins in big classes with scores in the high 60s. Donna Calimba, a 7 year old De Niro/Pik Bube mare, also did very well, placing in every class at first level with scores in the mid sixties and 70s. She is also schooling 2nd and third level. A newly imported seven year old Don Cardinal/Placido mare named Leonesse also came to FL to solidify her training. She has numerous wins in Germany at first level with scores in the 70s and 80s. She is schooling 2nd and third level. Aqua di Gio, an 8 year old Acorado/Galvano gelding is also schooling 2nd and third level. He had a stellar year on the west coast of Florida last year at first level, regularly scoring in the 70s. This year the focus was on training although he was shown once in March by Rita Brown at 2nd level with a score in the mid 60s. The judges are consistantly impressed by this horse. Both Chris and Rita provided invaluble help and support making this season a great one. A heart felt thank you to both.

November 21, 2007

Leonesse picked up from quarrentine

This 17h, black, 6 year old Don Cardinal/Placido states premium Oldenburg mare was purchased from Clemens Von Merfeldt who owns Gut Fuechtel in Vechta, Germany. Leonesse has a lovely combination of very good gaits and work ethic.

December, 2007

Congratulations to Osiris's new Owner

Osiris has taken to dressage like a duck to water. His talents and precocious nature will help him succeed in this challenging sport. We have a good feeling about his new home and wish all concerned with his training the best.

October, 2007

Congratulations to Poseidon's new Owner

Poseidon will continue to share his wealth of knowledge with his next partner and in his heart he believes that he is growing younger and not older! We wish both horse and rider years of health and happiness.

Next ->