The exceptional quality of the 2023 crop was impressively confirmed after the pre-selection at the licensing. 39 of the 76 young stallions were licensed. Eight premium stallions were accompanied by the applause of the numerous spectators in the Niedersachsenhalle on their lap of honour, five of which went on to the stallion sales. The top price of 500,000 euros was achieved by a Vivaldos/Revolution son.
“Stallions like this were the goal of opening up the stallion sales. If Hanover wants to stay ahead, the stallion licensing and sales must be a magnet for the best stallions in Europe,” said Heike Kemmer, a long-standing member of the licensing commission. The chestnut by Vivaldos/Revolution registered in Denmark (breeder: Thorhauge Horses, Hejls/DEN, „Hengste wie dieser waren das Ziel der Öffnung des Hengstmarktes. Wenn Hannover vorne stehen will, muss der Hengstmarkt Anziehungspunkt für die besten Hengste Europas sein“, sagte Heike Kemmer, langjähriges Mitglied der Körkommission. Der in Dänemark registrierte Fuchs v. Vivaldos/Revolution (Z.: Thorhauge Horses, Hejls/DEN, exhibitor: Nordentoft ApS, Nibe/DEN) was the most sought-after premium stallion at the stallion sales. He remains in Danish ownership, with Helgstrand Dressage winning the bid at 500,000 euros. His neighbour in the stall will be a bay by Viva Vitalis/Dante’s Junior (breeder and exhibitor: Hendrik Schäfer, Köchingen). He comes from the highly successful dam line of Schneiderin, who became Olympic with Imke Schellekens-Bartels’ championship horse Sunrise. The top-class dressage prospect cost 350,000 euros.
The Celle State Stud secured a powerful-moving Opoque/De Niro son (breeder and exhibitor: 2M2 Horses I Bastad AB, Bastad/SWE). He is not only the fourth licensed, but also the second premium son of the mare Darina. State Stud Manager Dr Axel Brockmann had every reason to be happy, as he will also be adding the premium stallion by Livaldon/Diamond Hit (breeder: Elisabeth Albers, Löningen, exhibitor: Gestüt Allerhop, Hambühren) to his stable. The powerful dark bay, bred from the same dam line as Franziskus FRH, was only at the licensing in the Niedersachsenhalle.
The first stallion at the stallion sales was a Valdiviani/Feinrich son (breeder: Dr Norbert Grittern, Heinsberg, exhibitor: Theo Lenzen, Mönchengladbach), who was greeted with loud applause. After an exciting bidding duel, a customer from the USA proved to have the most stamina online and purchased the bay for 365,000 Euros. The classically Hanoverian-bred Vivaldos/De Niro son (breeder: Roman Bravenec, Alt Ruppin, exhibitor: BG Schulte-Märter and Schwierking, Soest) will move into a stallion station Sosath in Lemwerder. The bay was sold for 90,000 euros. This was already the stallion’s second appearance in the Niedersachsenhalle; two years ago, he was part of the elite foal and broodmare collection.
The licensing began with an outstanding premium stallion: head number one was an Opoque/Bon Bravour son (breeder: Dr. Christina Beuke, Lilienthal, exhibitor: Bollmoor Partner GmbH & Co KG, Lütjensee). The powerful chestnut from the dam line of Ulla Salzgeber’s Olympic champion Rusty was not for sale. The same applied to a Feliciano/Fürst Romancier son (breeder: ZG Muhle, Burgdorf, exhibitor: 360° Sportpferde, Duisburg), who impressed with his type and revealed real highlights on the lunge. Both stallions will be stationed at Pascal Kandziora’s and will therefore be available to breeders next year.
After the premium stallions, the licensed and unlicensed stallions were auctioned off. The Warendorf State Stud secured an Opoque/Christ son (breeder: ZG Lange, Hagen, exhibitor: Romina Capezzuto, Florida/USA) from the important dam line of Schwanjungfrau for 60,000 euros. The average price for the 36 licensed stallions was 82,444 euros. 33 unlicensed stallions came up for auction, fetching an average price of 25,455 euros.
Before the eagerly awaited stallion market opened, not only were the Stallion and Mare of the Year honoured in the show programme, but also the Bundeschampion Sky by Sezuan/Sir Donnerhall (breeder: Gestüt Neff, Frankenberg) was awarded the FRH suffix. It was a fitting setting, as five years ago he left the Niedersachsenhalle as a premium stallion and headed for Gut Schönweide in Grebin.
