Jack Jones, Danzador, Tolegro and Lord Pezi Junior: flagship stallions whose performances impressed beyond what was expected at the sold-out Oldenburg Equestrian Center in Vechta. Organised by the Böckmann GmbH and Birkhof stud farm, the show turned out an impressive affair once again. Jumping and dressage horses were mixed throughout the evening, expertly commented on by a well-selected range of professional speakers and put on display in a way that should make choices during this breeding season simple ones. Or should it not? The range of top-stallions presented by these two family businesses has certainly not gotten smaller: all sires gave a promising demonstration of what future success in breeding made in Lastrup-Hamstrup and Donzdorf may look like.
Success in breeding is no accident
Expertise is a central concern of the Böckmann Pferde GmbH and Birkhof stud farm. As Gilbert Böckmann puts it: “success in breeding is no accident.” An understanding he shares with his cooperative partner, the Casper family of the Birkhof stud. Testimony to this is given even by the breeding station’s foundation mares Ghana and Aleska. Acquired by Anton Böckmann decades ago, their offspring, thanks to a well-devised pairing strategy, are counted amongst internationally renowned sport horses and licensed stallions. The young sires Checkter and Comfort are cases in point. Licensed in 2015, the stallions recently demonstrated the immeasurable development they have undergone under the saddle over the past months. Both are more than fit to carry forth the legacy.
Flying high
A highlight of what the Böckmann Pferde GmbH has in store for the future of showjumping was Fire And Ice. Commented on by his co-owner Wolfgang Brinkmann, qualities of this licensed sire left the audience in rapture: simplicity, scope, confidence and an exemplary jumping technique. The similarity of Jack Jones with the dam’s sire De Niro makes the Johnsson son the ‘heartthrob’ of the station. Winner of the Championships in Rastede, Radisson, was presented by Andreas Senge. Sandra Kötter gave an superb demonstration of Danzador, the Hanoverian Championship finalist, a pair that was also met the audiences’ well-deserved applause. Outstanding stallions the Böckmann Pferde GmbH showed included Label D’Amour, Levander Brown, Check Up, offspring of Numero Uno – as well as Tolegro, Dancier, Gabbiano with Leonie Böckmann and Lord Pezi Junior. Floriscount progeny were presented and a highlight of its own was the unmatched talent of Fidertanz.
The Birkhof Stud goes north
With the licensed stallions Zalando, Don Diamond and a seven-year-old daughter of Don Diamond the Birkhof stud farm gave an excellent presentation far away from Donzdorf, their home in the south of Germany. Nicole Casper herself rode the stars of the station. Lord Leopold was represented in Vechta by two beautiful four-year-old daughters.
Talented and well-rounded sires and their offspring were shown by the Böckmann Pferde GmbH and the Birkhof stud farm at this year’s stallion show in Vechta. Their mutual interest became clear: to bring together reliable and modern horse breeding with experience, expert training and service.