Editors: Charee Adams, Debbi Bly, Helen
Gibble, Donna Graham
ARCHIVES
International News
Trakehnen - What is its Future?
(2/99)
1998 Stallion Performance Tests (2/99)
New Trakehner Stallion Book
Supplement Available (2/99)
The 1998 Neumünster Champions
(12/98)
German National Trakehner Show
(11/98)
Trakehner Verband Marketing Survey (11/98)
Trakehner Verband Statistics (10/98)
German Stallions Producing 20 or more foals in 1997 (10/98)
German Stallion News (8/98)
Peron Contiues to do Well (8/98)
Peron In The Spotlight Again (3/98)
TRAKEHNEN - WHAT IS ITS FUTURE? (Feb
1999)
By Myriam Lenz
(Translated from Trakehner Hefte 11/98 by Helen K. Gibble)
It is only a building. Stones that decay slowly, not
minding the sighs around them, crumbling slowly and resting on the ground just as
patiently as they used to cling to one another before. No one today has an inkling of the
important part of history they witnessed.
"The first impression of Trakehnen is worse now," said Klaus Hagen, president of
the group whose long name is almost symptomatic of the tough and lengthy negotiations that
involve their goal. Hagen emphasized that the "Society of Friends and Promoters of
the Former Main Stud Trakehnen" will continue to extend all their efforts to preserve
as a cultural monument for future generations at least parts of the former showcase of
East Prussia's horse breeding industry.
Roughly twenty members of the society came to its annual meeting held during the 1998
Trakehner stallion market in Neumünster to listen to Hagen's comments as well as those of
their vice president Karl Kirschnik. The preservation of the Stud Director's residence and
of the grooms' quarters are their first priority. After the cellar building, which had
been ready to collapse, and exterior drainage had been repaired in 1996, the society had
to find a successor for their contractor, the firm Kibus of Chemnitz and Kaliningrad, who
had gone into bankruptcy. However, the construction obstacles are nothing compared to the
bureaucratic maze between Bonn and Kaliningrad.
The society has been trying since 1996 to obtain funds from the [German] Ministry of the
Interior for the maintenance of historical structures in Eastern Europe. Prerequisite for
the release of funds is a statement of unobjectionability from the Foreign Ministry. That
again is a function of the question who is the owner and beneficiary of the building that
is to be used as a school.
Acceptance from the Russians was obtained in July 1997 when a
delegation of the society including its second vice-president, Lars Gehrmann, visited the
Russian embassy in Bonn. The results attained so far concerning the former stud director's
residence and plans to establish a museum are evidence of the success of this delegation.
The question by the bureaucrats in Bonn regarding the ownership situation sent the two
delegates back on the road. As is the case in Germany, schools are the property of the
counties. But the delegation wanted the regional administration in the former Königsberg
[now Kaliningrad] to give a direct answer to this question to their colleagues in Bonn.
"We had constructive discussions," reports Karl Kirschnik about his trip in June
1998. He had hoped to obtain a just as constructive written confirmation of these talks.
Yet, the work of the society has always been accomplished in small increments and forward
steps. During the meeting, Hagen and Kirschnik took the opportunity to point out to the
appropriate gentlemen in the regional administration the unkempt appearance of the area
around the buildings. The se are conditions that require no aid from foreign countries but
some local motivation for keeping the area around cultural treasures in an appropriate
state which could be accomplished quickly with regular mowing and cleanup work.
The society does appreciate the fruitful cooperation with Mrs. Sanjuk, principal of the
school who, before the Germans became involved, had to instruct her children in a damp
building. The installation of drainpipes and gutters helped dry out the exterior walls of
the stud director's residence. In a conversation with Hagen and Kirschnik, Mrs. Sanjuk
gratefully emphasized that she feels like she is in a different building. She also was
instrumental in utilizing funds donated by the society to put the entrance gate into a
better state. The archway has been repaired and painted; the iron gate which had been in
need of repairs for years can finally be opened to welcome guests.
Mrs. Sanjuk also reported that the remainder of the funds is to be used to establish a
museum in the former stud director's residence. Visitors would find a guest book to sign,
view a few exhibits and watch a video of the glorious past of the weary old building. Any
donations dropped by visitors into a waiting collection bag will be spent on the building.
Her complaint that stones from dilapidated and mostly unused chimneys were dropping from
the roof, endangering the school children and tearing holes on their way down, was finally
heeded. One week before the Neumünster stallion market this problem had also been solved.
But a new problem had arisen: windows and sponsors to pay for them were needed to prevent
wind and rain from entering the interior of the school that is now called the
"Schloßschule Trakehnen." A cost estimate was expected to arrive together with
winter weather.
These small successes seem to be negligible compared to the strength robbing procedures
encountered by the labyrinth of officials involved and also by the contentedness of the
Russians as well as critical voices within Germany.
Klaus Hagen tries to keep political debates out of the society. "We have opened many
eyes and hearts in Russia with our engagement." Initial skepticism of the natives has
been overcome and trusting dialogs have been held with contact persons. "After every
trip I ask myself whether the thing is worthwhile," Kirschnik tells the society's
members. The slight hint of pensiveness in his voice quickly changes to conviction.
"We owe our image to Trakehnen, the legends enveloping our horses, giving them a
special status." And this is what must be preserved to the greatest extent possible.
(Editor's note: Since there is still a suspicion in Russia that German involvement in
the restoration of Trakehnen is an indication that Germany as a whole intends to reacquire
all of East Prussia, financial involvement by others than Germans is very much appreciated
by the Society to allay these fears. If you wish to help, send your contributions to
"Verein der Freunde und Förderer des ehemaligen Hauptgestütes Trakehnen e.V., Post
Office Box 2704, D-24517 Neumünster, Germany.")
THE 1998 STALLION PERFORMANCE TESTS
(Feb 1999)
| Name/Sire | Dressage | Jumping | Overall | Placing |
| Marbach 8/26/98 | ||||
| Peron Jr./Sixtus | 94.89 | 113.45 | 101.52 | 12/27 |
| Medingen 11/6/98 | ||||
| Guzzi/Hezzauber | 142.34 | 116.92 | 139.02 | 1/29 |
| Oxford/Arogno | 119.30 | 98.68 | 113.90 | 9/29 |
| Münster-Handorf 8/14/98 | ||||
| Houston/Sir Chamberlain | 113.73 | 92.71 | 107.10 | 11/29 |
| Neustadt/Dosse 10/7/98 | ||||
| Münchhausen/Hohenstein | 149.30 | 89.98 | 128.87 | 4/41 |
| Lafayette/Sixtus | 115.86 | 85.93 | 103.96 | 16/41 |
| Schönglanz/Enchanté | 113.69 | 66.73 | 91.96 | 30/41 |
| Donauwalzer/Sixtus | 111.11 | 86.73 | 105.90 | NR |
| Prussendorf 9/10/98 | ||||
| Schiffon/Anduc | 120.86 | 108.66 | 117.14 | 9/28 |
| Redefin 10/13/98 | ||||
| Sauvignon/Kennedy | 130.62 | 86.31 | 115.88 | 3/19 |
| Warendorf 11/6/98 | ||||
| Sky Dancer/Beg xx | 121.98 | 128.10 | 130.23 | 3/30 |
| Höhenflug/Anduc | 106.50 | 105.32 | 105.77 | 13/30 |
| Mataro/Sir Shostakovich xx | 98.56 | 89.55 | 92.44 | 20/30 |
| Eloquent/Saint Cloud | 77.63 | 101.27 | 87.16 | 21/30 |
| Alter Fritz/Chardonnay | 114.65 | 58.29 | 87.13 | 22/30 |
NR = not ranked, marks given from
training results
For an approved stallion to retain his approval, he must obtain an Overall Index of at
least 90 or a partial index (dressage or jumping) of higher than 110. Thus, only the
stallion ELOQUENT lost his approval.
NEW TRAKEHNER STALLION BOOK SUPPLEMENT
AVAILABLE (Feb 1999)
The 6th Supplement to the Trakehner Verband Stallion Book of 1990 (red three-ring binder)
is now available. It contains 24 new stallions with photos and pedigrees and additional
information on each. Every supplement comes with a new binder since the old one has
reached capacity. It is suggested that the two binders be used to separate the active from
the no-longer-active stallions.
The supplement costs DM 38.00 plus shipping and can be ordered from Jahr-Verlag,
Jessenstrasse 1, D-22767 Hamburg, Germany, Tel. 01149-40-3890-6252 or from the Trakehner
Verband, P.O. Box 2729, D-24517 Neumünster, Germany, Tel. 01149-4321-90270, Fax
01149-4321-902719.
THE
1998 NEUMÜNSTER CHAMPIONS (Dec 1998)
Champion:
MONTEVERDI by Partout, out of Miami by Matador
Reserve:
HIRTENRUF by Michelangelo, out of Herzchen by Ginster
Premium:
ALBARRANO by Fontainbleau, out of Albenga xx by Priamos xx
TAMBOUR by Hohenstein, out of Tänzerin V by Consul
HEAVEN'S DOOR by Partout, out of Hatari by Consul
CARLTON by Polarpunkt, out of Capriola by Ravel
LATIMER by Saint Cloud, out of Lara XII by Caprimond
Approved:
KAISERWALZER by Consul, out of Kavallina by Ravel
URSPRUNG by Cornus, out of Utimor by Istanbul
KAISERBERG by Exclusiv, out of Kassuben by Enrico Caruso
LINNÉ by Herzruf, out of Livonne by Hyalit
DONAUKAISER by Hohenstein, out of Donauwoge II vom Klosterhof by Sokrates
HEARTBREAKER by Hohenstein, out of Harmonia IV by Sir Shostakovich xx
TITELHELD by Hohenstein, out of Tolosa by Arrak
PRETTY DANCER by Mackensen, out of Pretty Daughter by Sir Shostakovich xx
KENSINGTON by Michelangelo, out of Kordelia IV by Mackensen
GOODWOOD by Partout, out of Go-Da by Ibikus
GLENN LIVIT by Polarpunkt, out of Goldstern by Mohammed
DAVIDOFF by Tolstoi, out of Domina VI by Habicht
SCHWENKENDORF by Topki, out of Schlodien II by Königspark xx
Details with photos and official comments will be published in the Membership Issue of THE AMERICAN TRAKEHNER.
Most of the approved stallions, including the champion and reserve, were sold in the
auction following the inspection which brought an average price of DM101,375, with the
cham-pion realizing the top price of DM300,000. The non-approved stallions in the auction
produced an average of DM20,258.62, the top price of DM60,000 being paid for BELCAPO by
Caprimond, out of Belissima by Consul, 16.3 hands tall.
Twenty-three select foals were in the auction, reaching an average of DM10,360, with the
top price of DM26,000 being paid for a filly by Kostolany - Upan la Jarthe (AA) which went
to England. Twelve select mares brought an average of DM23,916.67. The mare COSTA VICTORIA
by Sixtus - Patricius xx brought the top price of DM60,000. (The conversion rate is about
DM1.68 to the dollar.)
TRAKEHNER VERBAND MARKETING SURVEY (Nov
1998)
(Excerpt from Trakehner Hefte 8/98)
Trakehner Verband members were asked in a survey to indicate how many horses they had for
sale, how old these horses were, how much training they had, and whether breeders would
like the Verband's help in marketing them. The higher than expected response rate of
3% provided interesting results.
Only 476 (12%) of the foals of 1994-95, which are now 3 or 4 years old, are for sale.
The responding breeders own approximately 25% of all active Trakehner broodmares;
only about 2.5% were indicated as being for sale.
Most of the 879 horses listed in the survey are riding horses (607). More than 50%
of the respondents indicated that they were able to train these horses themselves, yet
they were not averse to turning the horses over to professional trainers under conditions
that would enhance their sale.
The majority of the horses trained at home are dressage horses; only 25% are being trained
for jumping, 1% for combined training, and 0.2% for driving.
Seventy-six percent of respondents sell their horses from their farms, but all would like
to have a professional intermediary. Local sales weeks are considered to be an aid
in selling other than top quality horses. Four percent of respondents have utilized
these sales where offered, and 26% more would like to participate in the future.
Only about 15% of respondents list their horses with the Verband, who then directs
inquiries to them. Generally, breeders were not very interested in nationwide or
even global marketing strategies over the Internet.
A positive result of the survey was the great willingness of breeders to help in the
Verband's work.
GERMAN NATIONAL TRAKEHNER SHOW
(Oct 1998)
Can you imagine a three-day show with more than 400 entries in 41 different classes of
nothing but Trakehners? This was the case at the 7th National Trakehner Show July 24-26,
1998, in Cologne. Ten international judges viewed Trakehners of all ages in
Dressage, Jumper and Cross-Country classes.
The most coveted honors of the show were awarded in the Trakehner Riding Horse
Championships for 3- and 4-year-old riding horses. Fourteen young Trakehners were
tested in hand and under saddle by riders unfamiliar to them. The championships
simultaneously served as finals for the selection of the Trakehner representatives in the
German Riding Horse Championships of all breeds to be held in Warendorf September 3-6.
Hans Werner Paul, Trakehner Verband Board Member, and Michael Rahlke, assistant
breed director of the Trakehner Verband, selected the following 4-year-old stallions to
represent their breed:
ICTENOS by Sir Chamberlain - Marlon
DONAUDICHTER by Excalibur - Maizauber
HOHENZOLLERN by Scharahnanduc - Narew xx, who was automatically eligible
since he placed third in the 1997 3-Year-Old Stallion Finals
The 3-year-old stallions nominated for the national championships are KASPAROW
by Sixtus - Kostolany, and APOLLO by Van Deyk - Chinatown xx, with KASPAROV
by Consul - Kastilio being reserve.
Two mares, KANDELA by Lehndorff's - Mahagoni, and SCHNEEFLOCKE
by Sir Chamberlain - Valerian, as well as two geldings, EVANO by Sir
Chamberlain - Condus, and BOCELLI A by Kennedy - Polargeist, were
nominated for the group of Four-Year-Old Mares and Geldings
The champions of their groups at the National Trakehner Show in Cologne were:
Three-Year-Old Riding Horse Champion:
KASPAROW by Sixtus - Kostolany
Four-Year-Old Riding Horse Champion:
ICTENOS by Sir Chamberlain - Marlon
Dressage Horse Champion:
HARDENBERG LEMON by Amiego - Ravel
Jumper Champion:
MAGALLAN by Guter Planet - Marduc
Cross-Country Champion:
EOS by Rockefeller - Sastor
TRAKEHNER VERBAND STATISTICS (Oct
1998)
In 1997, the Trakehner Verband had 5,327 members, the highest number ever since the end of
World War II. Sixty-three percent of these are active members, 37% are associate members
or "friends of the Trakehner horse." The active members registered a total of
1860 foals (all born in 1997), a decrease of 1.6% over 1996. The Verband breed
administration believes that to maintain a healthy development of the breed and provide
material for selection, between 1600 and 1900 foals should be born each year.
Eighteen Trakehner stallions produced 20 or more foals in 1997 (see separate table), the
stallion FEINGEIST in 12th place being the only one of the group who produced all of his
foals by natural cover.
Altogether 234 stallions were active in 1997, 82.9% of them were Trakehners, 12%
Thoroughbreds, and 5.1% Arabians. These stallions covered a total of 2722 mares (11.6
mares per stallion). Trakehner stallions covered 90.3% of the mares bred, Thoroughbred
stallions 7.7%, Arabian stallions 1.2%, and Anglo-Arab stallions 0.8%. The breed
administration would like to see 10% of the breed's mares covered by "special"
stallions (namely Thoroughbreds and Arabians, etc.) in order to freshen the gene pool, a
figure which has just about been reached (9.7%). Forty-eight percent of the mares were
bred by natural cover, 52% by artificial insemination of one type or another.
The number of mares newly registered in the stud book came to 631 (7.3% fewer than in
1996); 294 of these mares were 3 years old, 156 were 4-year-olds, 181 were 5 years old or
older. Almost all of the mares (591 Trakehners, 34 Thoroughbreds, and 2 Arabians) were
registered in the main stud book, 3 were registered in the stud book and 1 in the
preliminary stud book.
Two hundred forty-nine mares were performance tested in 14 station tests (requiring 2-3
weeks of training) or 20 field tests (one-day affairs).
Altogether the Verband now lists 5,068 broodmares, 3.1% of which are either Thoroughbred
or Arabian. Roughly 10% of the active broodmares are premium mares (this term covers
Verband Premium as well as State Premium mares); 17 mares were given the "Elite
Mare" title in 1997, bringing the total of elite mares to 53. The "Elite
Stallion" title was given to 4 new stallions, this prestigious group now numbering
26. Another 15 stallions are "Elite Stallion Candidates."
The most heavily represented mare families among the active broodmares are the following:
| Mare Family | # of members |
| Kassette (by Harun al Raschid (Ar.)) | 177 |
| Herbstzeit (by Bussard) | 123 |
| Saaleck (by Erhabener) | 109 |
| Kordel (by Erhabener) | 104 |
The ten most widely represented sires in
the active broodmare population are:
| Sire | # of mares |
| Consul (by Swazi xx) | 83 |
| Kostolany (by Enrico Caruso) | 83 |
| Matador (by Donauwind) | 74 |
| Arogno (by Flaneur) | 74 |
| Marduc (by Halali) | 71 |
| Caprimond (by Karon) | 63 |
| Habicht (by Burnus (AA)) | 57 |
| Mahagoni (by Pasteur) | 55 |
| Anduc (by Marduc) | 55 |
| Tenor (by Tümmler) | 52 |
The ratio of active broodmares to active
stallions in 1997 was 22:1 which is an improvement over prior years in which the ratio was
less than 20:1. [Editor's note: In the ATA, the ratio of active Trakehner broodmares to
active stallions in 1997 was 3.6:1!]
GERMAN STALLIONS PRODUCING 20 OR MORE FOALS IN
1997(Oct 1998)