Frizzantino FRH (VA) by Finest/Quaterback, Year of birth: 2015
Breeder: Hermann Ulbrich, Peine
Rider: Borja Carrascosa/ESP
The abbreviation ‘FRH’ of the Club of Supporters of Hannoveraner sport horses is proudly emblazoned behind Frizzantino’s name. The only nine-year-old dark bay earned this honour last December with third place in the final of the Louisdor Prize for young Grand Prix horses. Since his nomination for the Olympic Games, he is no longer a young horse. On the Seine he will be competing with Borja Carrascosa. With victories in the Grand Prix and Special in Motesice/SVK and top results in Aachen/GER, Compiègne/FRA and Kronberg/GER, the stallion and his 42-year-old rider have catapulted themselves into the Spanish team for Paris.
Borja Carrascosa discovered Frizzantino FRH as a foal: Together with his partner Alexander Brenninkmeijer, he bought the dark bay at the May Auction in Verden in 2015. With his birth date of March 30, Frizzantino FRH was not only one of the youngest auction candidates, but also one of the first offspring of the privately owned sire Finest, who was the talk of the town at the time with his first crop. Since then, Frizzantino FRH has been the declared favourite in the stable. Frizzantino FRH grew up in the dressage stable in Coesfeld, Westphalia, and was carefully broken in. He completed his first test for young riding horses with Alexander Brenninkmeiijer in the saddle before Borja Carrascosa took a seat in the dark bay’s saddle and instantly won the Hannoveraner Championships for four-year-old stallions in Verden. He came sixth at the Bundeschampionat and also competed in Warendorf in the following three years. The first Grand Prix victory was celebrated in Ankum/GER in March last year. In Münster/GER, Frizzantino FRH won both tests of the ‘Derby Stars of Tomorrow’ with a clear lead over Ingrid Klimke’s Firlefanz. Frizzantino FRH has a great character, is sensitive, always wants to do his best and is keen to show off, said Borja Carrascosa in an interview afterwards.
Like Frizzantino FRH, his dam Quality Choice (breeder: Johann Dittmer, Lehringen) has also found a new owner in the Niedersachsenhalle in Verden. As a riding horse, she was part of the lot at the November 2011 auction. ‘This dressage mare with a talent for movement is an insider tip. She is willing to work and eager to learn and is making good progress every day,’ was written in the auction brochure. Hermann Ulbrich bought the mare at auction for his daughter Marieanne, who was successful up to advanced dressage level, as a young horse. “The mare had wonderful basic gaits, which is why we bought her in Verden. She also passed them on,’ recalls the passionate hobby breeder, who started breeding in 2006. Two years later, Quality Choice was added to his breeding programme. Her first filly by Bon Bravour is still owned by Hermann Ulbrich today. ‘We started breeding with our daughter’s show horses and always bought a few yearlings as well,’ explains Hermann Ulbrich. He maintains good contact with Borja Carrascosa. ‘When Frizzantino FRH is successful, we always get information from Borja,’ says the breeder happily. It wasn’t so long ago that the Spaniard was in Peine and had a look at the young horses. Back then, he had already indicated that Frizzantino FRH was one of the Spanish Olympic candidates. ‘We were really pleased to be nominated,’ says Hermann Ulbrich and he is a little proud of it. ‘People always talk about breeders’ luck. But you’re lucky when the horse comes to the right rider!”
