By Eva Maria Broomer / AES
Photography: Eva Maria Broomer, Tanja Davis Photography
It has been a great pleasure to organise another series of public stallion gradings which again attracted wonderful quality horses both loose and under saddle. Twice a year, AES visits a small number of venues across the country to hold these gradings, which are listed on our website.
Our next series is planned for April 2023, be sure to get in touch if you are interested in participating. Visitors are also always warmly welcome, just keep an eye on our website for dates and details!
Day 1: Leicestershire
On November 30, 2022, a very nice selection of AES stallion candidates were inspected at the British Showjumping National Training Centre at Hothorpe.
A lovely prospect for dressage was shown by Elly Darling who brought the beautiful chestnut Vikander, a son of the impressive Vivaldi son Veneziano, himself successful at Grand Prix level, out of a Zack mother who is a half-sister to the Oldenburg stallion Don Bon Jovi. Vikander really filled the eye, showing extraordinary presence, elevation and expression in his gaits, as well as a very nice and easy attitude. He is a large-framed horse with long lines who will suit breeders who aim for athleticism and movement. His canter is ground covering with very good use of the hocks and a very free shoulder, showing excellent lift in the knees. His trot is elastic and off the ground with the hocks well underneath the body and again showing great articulation and reach in front. The walk is rhythmical and relaxed with a good overtrack. Vikander was awarded licensed status and will no doubt impress as he moves forward into the sport.
For showjumping, Louis Stud presented their Contendro II son Con Amore. He is a very harmonious young horse and quite compact, making him suitable for breeders with larger mares who wish to add rideability and type. Con Amore showed great consistency in his paces with marks above 8 awarded for all three gaits, an achievement he was able to replicate in his jumping where he showed a keen but careful attitude with excellent scope and suppleness. Con Amore also achieved licensed status and we are keen to see how he gets on in his ridden career.
In the ridden section, Zoe Potter (Lambley House Sport Horses) presented Thor van de Vlasbloemhoeve who is Belgian-bred by the Casall son Hasall van de Mispelaere out of a Wandor van de Mispelaere mare. From the BWP Prestatiestam 62, he is the full brother to Nikita van de Vasbloemhoeve who is internationally successful at 1m45 and half-brother to both the international 1m60 horse Kilano van de Vlasbloemhoeve and to Quinn van de Vlasbloemhoeve who has been coming up the young horse classes. Thor impressed with a very mature attitude in such a young horse, showing lovely natural balance and scope over the fences. He has three correct and very rideable gaits and works in a very good frame, with loose and effortless movement. Showing great attitude and ability in his work, we can expect great things from this horse and he achieved licensed status... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
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