BY JEAN LLEWELLN (PRESS RELEASE)
For the past six years, the State Mare Show of the Baden-Württemberg Horse Breeding Association has been held as part of the State Championships. The event, known for many decades as the Franz Strahl-Schäfer Show, once again offered numerous highlights in 2026
The guest judges Antje Römer-Stauber (breeding director of the Hessian Pony and Horse Breeders Association), Dr. Helmut Feigl (veterinarian and Licensing Commission member of the Bavarian Horse Breeders Association), and Olaf Peters (showjumper, stud manager of Dobel Stud) were unanimously enthusiastic. Of course, the three overall champion mares in dressage, showjumping, and pony categories, selected from the respective class winners, are always particularly impressive.
Strong class of 4yo and 5yo dressage mares
Among the German Sport Horses with a focus on dressage, it was the class of four- and five-year-old mares that particularly impressed this year. The chestnut mare Violett (Vitalis x Sir Donnerhall I; bred and owned by ZG Stabhalterhof) took first place, captivating the judges with her elegant type and fascinating trot mechanics. While her walk was somewhat inconsistent in the individual presentation, it was also of a very high standard in the walk ring. She prevailed against strong competitors.
Reserve champion was the equally powerfully moving Madame Mim (Monte Carlo TC x Dresemann), whom Gestüt Greim had acquired at the elite foal auction from breeder Frieder Heilemann of Weilheim/ Teck.
The 1c premium went to the brown Ziva Sun S (Zico x Damon Hill). This beautifully typed mare also displayed excellent potential in the basic gaits and comes from the successful breeding program of Sabine Reisenauer.
Vrieda (Vitalis x Sandro Hit; bred and owned by Frieder Heilemann, who received a premium of 1d, has already completed a very good performance test under the saddle of Ines Fleischmann and has qualified for the Bundeschampionate (German National Championships) for five-year-old dressage horses.
In the class for three-year-olds, a fascinating mare also took first place, possessing all the potential in the basic gaits: Selina Rose (Secret x Floriscount; bred by Hubert Vogler, Ellwangen; owned by Thomas Casper, Donzdorf) had already been highly successful the previous day, securing the title of State Champion in this age group for mares and geldings under the saddle of Anna Lisa Schepper. Successful breeder Hubert Vogler had, incidentally, ‘borrowed’ the dam of Selina Rose, who herself competed successfully in the Bundeschampionat finals as a young mare, from Heike Gehrung Kauderer...
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