Below is an overview of the most important thoroughbreds who have shaped the modern showjumper. To illustrate the relative importance of these progenitors I will refer to the computer rankings which the Dutch company BCM maintains for the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the world-wide governing body of equestrian sports. These rankings are based on results in championships, Grand Prix, Nations Cups, World Cups, and certain other top level competitions. The results are transformed into a points system, which was devised by the French journalist Pascal Renauldon, with competitions weighted depending on the level of the event and the calibre of entrants. As an offshoot, since 1996 the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) has published an annual breeding guide, which is primarily an abstract of theFEI/BCM rankings in that the points earned by the horses are allocated to their sires, on an annual basis and also for ten-year periods.
View a chart showing the most frequently occuring ancestors in leading sires of modern show jumpers of the past ten years.
View an update to this article based on an analysis of the World Equestrian Games of 2002.
An update covering World Equestrian Games of 2006
An update covering World Equestrian Games of 2010
An update covering 2004 Olympic Show Jumper Bloodlines
An update covering 2008 Olympic Show Jumper Bloodlines
Selle Français
By a ministerial decree of 18th December 1958, the French regional studbooks for riding horses were united as the Stud-Book du Cheval de Selle Français, and its first studbook was published in 1965. However, Selle Français breeding is dominated by Anglo-Norman stock. This was a generic description, used from about the mid-19th century onward, of horses bred in Normandy which were suitable either as coach horses or for riding. The centres of Anglo-Norman breeding were, and still are, the state studs du Pin (founded in 1715) and Saint-Lô (founded in 1806).
The quality of the products can be seen from the widespread use of Anglo-Normans as improvement sires in other parts of Europe, a role they have played from the mid-19th century to the present. Anglo-Norman breeders have always been happy to use thoroughbred sires, no doubt helped by the plentiful supply of stamina-orientated thoroughbreds which France has traditionally produced. The following thoroughbreds were responsible for the most important modern Selle Français sire lines.
Orange Peel | | Orange Peel (1919) by Jus d'Orange out of Rirette, by Ajax, is one of the most influential sources of show jumping blood in the world. Twenty-six of the top 100 show jumping sires of the 1990s descend from him, and ten members of this select group are in-bred or linebred to him, including Jalisco B (1975), Major de la Cour (1978) and Narcos II (1979). He stood at Saint-Lô from 1925 to 1940. His greatest influence is through his Anglo-Norman grandson Ibrahim (1952), who also stood at Saint-Lô, and whose sons include Quastor (1960) and the great Almé Z (1966), each a line founder in his own right. Ibrahim's sire, The Last Orange (1941), left no major mark on French jumper breeding (other than siring Ibrahim, of course), but Orange Peel's other significant sons, Jus de Pomme (1931) and Plein d'Espoirs (1937), were rather prolific, and with Ibrahim they are the main reasons why linebreeding to Orange Peel is so common in Selle Français pedigrees today. Orange Peel's sire, Jus d'Orange, also sired the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris winner La Fregate (1926).
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The following leading show jumpers descend from Ibrahim, (1952) by The Last Orange out of Vaillante, by Porte Bonheur, Anglo-Norman, in four or less generations:
- Apricot D (1984) Zweibrücken, Olympic team Silver
- Armanie (1997) NRPS, European Championship team Gold
- Atout d'Isigny (1988) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
- Baloubet du Rouet (1989) Selle Français, triple World Cup winner, Olympic silver (linebred 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Belladonna (1983) KWPN, leading showjumper
- Butterfly Flip (1991) SWB, World Championship team Silver, Olympic team Bronze
- Cigale du Taillis (1990) Selle Français, Gran Premio di Roma winner
- Crocus Graverie (1990) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Curtis (1995) Holstein, World Championship team Gold
- Diamant de Semilly (1991) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Dollar du Murier (1991) Selle Français, World Championship Silver
- Espoir de la Mare (1992) Selle Français, eventing World Championship Gold
- Galet d'Auzay (1994) Selle Français, European Championship team Silver
- Galoubet A (1972) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Gold du Talus (1994) Selle Français, European Championship team Bronze
- Hamilton de Perhet (1995) Selle Français, European Championship team Silver
- I Love You (1974) Selle Français, World Cup winner
- Ideo du Thot (1996) Selle Français, World Cup winner
- In Style (1995) Holstein, Olypmic team Silver
- Jalisca Solier (1997) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Jubilee d'Ouilly (1997), Selle Français, King George V Gold Cup
- Jus de Pomme (1986) BWP, Olympic Gold
- Kraque Boom Bois Margot (1998) Selle Français, European Championship Gold
- L'Espoir (1996), Zangersheide, World Championship team Bronze
- La Fayette (1977) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Liscalgot (1991) ISH, World Championship Gold
- Madame Pompadour (1995) Selle Français, European Championship team Silver
- Miss (1984) Selle Français, World Championship Silver (linebred 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Mynta (1988) SWB, World Championship team Silver
- Nabab de Reve (1990) BWP, World Championship team Bronze
- Otterongo (1991) BWP, European Champion Silver
- Pall Mall (1997) KWPN, King George Gold Cup winner
- Quidam de Revel (1982) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze (linebred 5 x 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Quinta la Silla (1982) Selle Français, European Champion
- Quito de Baussy (1982) Selle Français, World Champion (linebred 5 x 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Ratina Z (1982) Hanover, World Cup winner, Olympic Silver, European Champion, etc.
- Rhum (1983) Selle Français, Olympic team Silver (linebred 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Rocco (1983) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
- Rochet M (1983) Selle Français, Olympic Bronze and European Champion
- Roxane de Gruchy (1977) Selle Français, World Cup runner-up (linebred 5 x 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Sam (1999) KWPN, Aachen Grand Prix winner
- Sapphire (1995) BWP, Olympic team Silver
- Seldana (1999) KWPN, European Championship team Silver
- Silbersee (1973) Selle Français, Hamburg show jumping Derby winner
- Souviens Toi III (1984) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
- Stella (1989) USA, European Championship team Gold
- Tlaloc M (1991) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Twist du Valon (1985) Selle Français, leading showjumper (linebred 5 x 6 x 6 x 6 to Orange Peel)
- Up And Down (1997) BWP, World Championship team Gold
- West Side (1999) BWP, European Championship team Gold
The following leading show jumpers descend from Almé, aka Almé Z (1966, died 1991), by Ibrahim out of Girondine, by Ultimate TB, in four or less generations:
- Apricot D (1984) Zweibrücken, Olympic team Silver
- Armanie (1997) NRPS, European team Gold
- Authentic (1995) KWPN, World Championship Silver
- Baloubet du Rouet (1989) Selle Français, triple World Cup winner, Olympic Silver
- Butterfly Flip (1991) SWB, World Championship team Silver, Olympic team Bronze
- Cigale du Taillis (1990) Selle Français, Gran Premio di Roma winner
- Crocus Graverie (1990) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Curtis (1995) Holstein, World Championship team Gold
- Diamant de Semilly (1991) Selle Français, World Championship team
- Dollar du Murier (1991) Selle Français, World Championship Silver
- Galoubet A (1972) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Gold du Talus (1994) Selle Français, European Championship team Bronze
- I Love You (1974) Selle Français, World Cup winner
- Ideo du Thot (1996) Selle Français, Word Cup winner
- In Style (1995) Holstein, Olympic team Silver
- Jalisca Solier (1997) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Jus de Pomme (1986) BWP, Olympic Gold
- Kraque Boom Bois Margot (1998) Selle Français, European Championship
- L'Espoir (1996) Zangersheide, World Championship team Bronze
- Liscalgot (1991) ISH, World Champion
- Mynta (1988) SWB, World Championship team Silver
- Nabab de Reve (1990) BWP, World Championship team Bronze
- Ninja la Silla (1995) KWPN Olympic Silver
- O de Pomme (1991) BWP, World Championship team Bronze
- Pall Mall (1997) KWPN, King George V Gold Cup winner
- Quervo Gold (1993) BWP, World Championship team Silver
- Quidam de Revel (1982) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Quito de Baussy (1982) Selle Français, World Champion
- Ratina Z (1982) Hanover, World Cup winner, Olympic Silver, European Champion, etc.
- Rochet M (1983) Selle Français, Olympic Bronze and European Champion
- Seldana (1999) KWPN, European Championship team Silver
- Stella (1989) USA, European Championship team Gold
- Tlaloc M (1991) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Up And Down (1997) BWP, World Championship team Gold
- West Side (1999) BWP, European Championship team Gold
The following leading show jumpers descend from Jus de Pomme in four or less generations:
- Atout d'Isigny (1988) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
- Baloubet du Rouet (1989) Selle Français, triple World Cup winner (linebred 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Bayard de Maupas (1967) Selle Français, Olympic team Gold
- Cigale du Tallis (1990) Selle Français, Gran Premio di Roma winner
- Dollar du Murier (1991) Selle Français, World Championship Silver
- Quidam de Revel (1982) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze (linebred 5 x 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Quito de Baussy (1982) Selle Français, World Champion (linebred 5 x 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Rochet M (1983) Selle Français, Olympic Bronze and European Champion
- Twist du Valon (1985) Selle Français, leading showjumper (linebred 5 x 6 x 6 x 6 to Orange Peel)
The following leading show jumpers descend from Plein d'Espoirs in four or less generations:
- Gold du Talus (1994) Selle Français, European Championship team Bronze
- Hamilton de Perhet (1995) Selle Français, European Championship team Silver
- La Fayette (1977) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Madame Pompadour (1995) Selle Français, European Championship team Silver
<- Miss (1984) Selle Français, World Championship Silver (linebred 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Nabob de Reve (1990) BWP, World Championship team Bronze
- Quidam de Revel (1982) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze (linebred 5 x 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Razzia du Poncel (1983) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Rhum (1983) Selle Français, Olympic team Silver (linebred 5 x 5 to Orange Peel)
- Thor des Chaines (1985) Selle Français, World Championship Silver
Furioso
By Precipitation out of Maureen, by Son-in-Law, was bred in the UK by the Macdonald-Buchanan family. Although bred as a flat racer, his pedigree combined influences which can be found in many good steeplechasing pedigrees. In the male line he descended from Marco-Marcovil-Hurry On, through whom he is a relative of 19 Grand National winners. Precipitation's dam, Double Life, can also be found in many good jumping pedigrees through her other sons Persian Gulf, Holywell and Casanova, while Maureen's sire, Son-in-Law, is another one of the most important influences on National Hunt pedigrees this century. Thus it is not surprising that within a decade of his arrival at Haras du Pin in 1946 Furioso had produced a host of talented show jumpers. In 1964 his son Lutteur B (1955) won the Olympic Gold medal under Pierre d'Oriola, and in 1966 the same rider won the World Championship with Furioso's daughter Pomone B (1959).
From a long-term perspective, Furioso's most influential Anglo-Norman
stallion sons were Mexico (1956) and Furioso II (1965), a highly successful sire in Oldenburg and Hanover, while his daughter Tanagra B was the dam of Jalisco B, and his granddaughter Quenotte was the dam of Cor de la Bryère, a main influence on modern Holsteiner breeding. Seventeen of the top 100 show jumping sires of the 1990s descend from Furioso.
The following leading show jumpers descend from Furioso in four or less generations:
- Belle de Mars (1967) Selle Français, Olympic team Gold
- Caletto I (1975) Holsteiner, leading showjumper
- Cor de la Bryère (1968) Anglo-Norman, Holsteiner line founder
- Champion du Lis (1990) Selle Français, European Championship team Gold
- Cigale du Taillis (1990) Selle Français, Gran Premio di Roma winner
- Crocus Graverie (1990) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Dollar du Murier (1991) Selle Français, World Championship Silver
- Everest Forever (1972) Oldenburg, Grand Prix of Aachen winner
- Farina (1994) Hanover, King George V Cup winner
- Finesse (1987) KWPN, leading showjumper
- For Pleasure (1986) Hanover, dual Olympic team Gold
- Gold du Talus (1994) Selle Français, European Championship team Bronze
- Goldfever (1991) Hanover, Olympic team Gold
- Iberio (1991) Zweibrücken, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- If Ever (1970) Selle Français, Grand Prix of Aachen winner
- Janus de Vere (1975) Selle Français, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- Jus de Pomme (1986) BWP, Olympic Gold (linebred 4 x 5 to Furioso)
- Khashm Al Aan (1987) BWP, Olympic Bronze
- Kraque Boom Bois Margot (1998) Selle Français, European Championship Gold
- La Toya III (1995) BWP, European Championship team Silver
- Laeken (1977) Selle Français, World Championship team Bronze
- Leroy Brown (1984) Oldenburg, leading showjumper
- Lutteur B (1955) Anglo-Norman, Olympic Gold
- Midnight Madness (1983) KWPN, European Championship Bronze
- Nabab de Reve (1990) BWP, World Championship team Bronze
- Pomone B (1959) Anglo-Norman, World Champion
- Quidam de Revel (1982) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Quinta la Silla (1982) Selle Français, European Champion
- Quito de Baussy (1982) Selle Français, World Champion
- Rochet M (1983) Selle Français, Olympic Bronze and European Champion
- Royal Kaliber (1993) KWPN, Olympic Bronze
- Souviens Toi III (1984) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
- Thor des Chaines (1985) Selle Français, World Championship Silver
- Tlaloc M (1991) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Twist du Valon (1985) Selle Français, leading showjumper
Ultimate | | Ultimate(1941) (Left) by Umidwar out of No Go, by Beaudelaire, came to Saint-Lô in 1946. His main influence in the male line is through his Selle Français great great-grandson Grand Veneur (1972). However, of far greater importance to modern showjumper breeding were Ultimate's many daughters, most importantly Girondine, the dam of Almé Z and grandam of Quastor. Thus his name can be found in the pedigrees of thirteen of the 100 leading show jumping sires of the 1990s. The 1990 World Champion Quito de Baussy (1982) was inbred 3 x 4 to Ultimate, while the successful sire Le Tot de Semilly (1977) is inbred 3 x 4 x 5 to him. | |
The following leading show jumpers descend from Ultimate in four or less generations:
- Apricot D (1984) ZwB, Olympic team Silver
- Armanie (1997) NRPS, European Championship team Gold
- Ashley (1988) Selle Français, leading showjumper
- Baloubet du Rouet (1989) Selle Français, triple World Cup winner
- Cigale du Tallis (1990) Selle Français, Gran Premio di Roma winner
- Diamant de Semilly (1991) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Dollar du Murier (1991) Selle Français, World Championship Silver
- Fair Play III
- Galoubet A (1972) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- I Love You (1974) Selle Français, World Cup winner
- Ideal de la Haye (1974) Selle Français, World Championship Bronze
- It's Otto (1986) KWPN, World Championship team Bronze
- Norton de Rhuys (1979) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Otterongo (1991) BWP, European Champion Silver
- Quastor
- Quidam de Revel (1982) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Quito de Baussy (1982) Selle Français, World Champion (inbred 3 x 4 to Ultimate)
- Ratina Z (1982) Hanover, World Cup winner and Olympic Silver
- Razzia du Poncel (1983) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze (inbred 3 x 4 to Ultimate)
- Rochet M (1983) Selle Français, Olympic Bronze and European Champion
- Rocco (1983) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
- Roxane de Gruchy (1977) Selle Français, World Cup runner-up
- Sapphire (1995) BWP, World Championship Silver
Fra Diavolo | | Fra Diavolo (1938) (Left) by Black Devil out of Frayeur, by Blandford, also stood at Saint-Lô, beginning in 1945. His main influence is through his Anglo-Norman sons Herquemoulin (1951) and Nankin (1957). Nankin in particular has established a strong Selle Français bloodline. Fra Diavolo was inbred 3 x 4 to Dark Ronald, through his American grandam La Palina on his sire's side, and his German grandam Freia III through his dam. | |
The following leading show jumpers descend from Fra Diavolo in four or less generations:
- Bayard de Maupas (1967) Selle Français, Olympic team Gold
- Belle de Mars (1967) Selle Français, Olympic team Gold
- Crocus Graverie (1990) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Dollar du Murier (1991) Selle Français, World Championship Silver
- Galet d'Auzay (1994) Selle Français, European Championship team Silver
- Grand Veneur (1972) Selle Français, Selle Français line founder
- I Love You (1974) Selle Français, World Cup winner
- If Ever (1970) Selle Français, Grand Prix of Aachen winner
- Janus de Vere (1975) Selle Français, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- Joli Coeur a.k.a. Joly (1986) BWP, World Championship Bronze and Olympic team Gold (linebred 4 x 5 to Fra Diavolo)
- Major (1984) BWP, World Championship team Bronze
- Nabab de Reve (1990) BWP, World Championship team Bronze
- Nonix (1979) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Oscar Minotiere (1980) Selle Français, European Championship team Silver
- Quidam de Revel (1982) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Razzia du Poncel (1983) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Rhum (1983) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
- Sam (1999) KWPN, Aachen Grand Prix winner
- Silbersee (1973) Selle Français, Grand Prix of Aachen winner
- Souviens Toi III (1984) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
- Tlaloc M (1991) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
Rantzau (1946) by Foxlight out of Rancune, by Cavaliere d'Arpino, came to Saint-Lô in 1952. For many years he suffered from the reputation that he produced difficult offspring, resulting in relatively few mares being covered by him. However, if properly handled, his sons and daughters were excellent jumpers, and by the late 1960s the better riders on the competition circuit were keen on his blood. In 1971 the well-known Holsteiner breeder Maas Hell discovered one of Rantzau's sons in a field in Normandy, and bought him as a sire prospect for his native Holstein. This raw three-year-old happened to be Cor de la Bryère (1968), one of the most important sources of show jumping blood in the world today. In France, Rantzau's name lives on mainly through a number of his daughters, but also through his Anglo-Norman son Starter (1962).
The following leading show jumpers descend from Rantzau in four or less generations:
- Atout d'Isigny (1988) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
- Authentic (1995) KWPN, World Championship Silver
- Ballerina (1987) Holstein, European Championship team Gold
- Baloubet du Rouet (1989) Selle Français, triple World Cup winner
- Calei Joter (1986) Brazil, Olympic team Bronze
- Caletto I (1975) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Calvaro V (1986) Holstein, Olympic Silver and dual European Championship Bronze
- Calvaro Z (1987) Holstein, European Championship team Silver
- Cantus (1995) Baden-Württemberg, European Championship team Silver
- Caridor Z (1991) Holstein, World Championship team Bronze
- Carthago Z (1987) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Casanova (1990) SWB, Gran Premio di Roman winner
- Cassiana Joter (1983) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Cento (1989) Holstein, Olympic team Gold
- Chandra (1990) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Charlton (1990) ISH, Gran Premio di Roma winner
- Check Mate (1995) Hanover, European Championship team Gold
- Chin Chin (1978) Holstein, leading showjumper
- Classic Touch (1984) Holstein, Olympic Gold
- Collin (1994) Holstein, Hamburg Derby winner
- Corradina (1998) Holstein, European Championship Silver
- Cöster (1993) Holstein, European Champion
- Cor de la Bryère (1968), Selle Français, Holsteiner line founder
- Curtis (1995) Holstein, World Championship team Gold
- Fein Cera (1991) Holstein, World Championship Bronze
- Freestyle (1985) Holstein, Grand Prix of Aachen winner
- Galet d'Auzay (1994) Selle Français, European Championship team Silver
- Gran Corrado (1993) Oldenburg, European Championship team Bronze
- Iberio (1991) Zweibrücken, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- La Belletierre (1977) Selle Français, European Championship team Silver
- L'Eperon (1988) Holstein, European Championship team Gold
- Monaco (1991) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Montender (1994) KWPN, Olympic Bronze and European Champion
- My Mesieur (1978) Selle Français, Hickstead Derby winner
- Nabab de Reve (1990) BWP, World Championship team Bronze
- Ninja la Silla (1995) KWPN, Olympic Silver
- Ole (1996) KWPN, Olympic Silver
- Operette (1984) Holstein, leading showjumper
- Peppermill (1997) KWPN, European Championship team Bronze
- S'Blieft (1989) KWPN, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Souviens Toi III (1984) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
- Tlaloc M (1991) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
- Twist du Valon (1985) Selle Français, leading showjumper
- Waterford Crystal (1991) Holstein, Olympic Gold (disqualified)
- West Side (1999), BWP, European Championship team Gold
The following leading show jumpers descend from Cor de la Bryère (1968, died 2000) Selle Français, by Rantzau out of Quenotte, by Lurioso, in four or less generations:
- Ballerina (1987) Holstein, European Championship team Gold
- Berlin (1994) Holstein, World Championship team Gold
- Calei Joter (1986) Brazil, Olympic team Bronze
- Caletto I (1975) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Calvaro V (1986) Holstein, Olympic Silver and dual European Championship Bronze
- Calvaro Z (1987) Holstein, European Championship team Silver
- Cantus (1995) Baden-Württemberg, European Championship team Silver
- Caridor Z (1991) Holstein, World Championship team Bronze
- Carlsson vom Dach (1996) Holstein, Olympic team Gold
- Carthago Z (1987) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Casanova (1990) SWB, Gran Premio di Roma winner
- Cassiana Joter (1983) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Cedric (1998) Holstein, Olympic team Gold
- Cento (1989) Holstein, World Cup winner
- Chandra (1990) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Charlton (1990) ISH, Gran Premio di Roma winner
- Check Mate (1995) Hanover, European Championship team Gold
- Chin Chin (1978) Holstein, leading showjumper
- Classic Touch (1984) Holstein, Olympic Gold
- Collin (1994) Holstein, Hamburg Derby winner
- Corradina (1998), Holstein, European Championship Silver
- Cöster (1993) Holstein, European Champion
- Cumano (1993) Holstein, World Champion
- Curtis (1995) Holstein, World Championship team Gold
- Fein Cera (1991) Holstein, World Championship Bronze
- Freestyle (1985) Holstein, Grand Prix of Aachen winner
- Gran Corrado (1993) Oldenburg, European Championship team Bronze
- Iberio (1991) Zweibrücken, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- In Style (1995) Holstein, Olympic team Silver
- Küchengirl (1997) Bavaria, World Championship team Bronze
- L'Eperon (1988) Holstein, European Championship team Gold
- Locarno (1996) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Magic Bengtsson (1994) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Monaco (1991) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Montender (1994) KWPN, Olympic Bronze and European Champion
- Nassau (1995) KWPN, European Championship Bronze
- Ole (1996) KWPN, Olympic team Silver
- Operette la Silla (1984) Bavaria, leading showjumper
- Peppermill (1997) KWPN, European Championship team Bronze
- Portofino (1994) KWPN, World Cup Runner Up
- S'Blieft (1989) KWPN, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Ulysse (1997) BWP, European Championship team Gold
- Up And Down (1997) BWP, World Championship team Gold
- Waterford Crystal (1991) Holstein, Olympic Gold (disqualified)
The above are the main pillars of modern Selle Français breeding, but today their influence is world-wide. Next to Almé Z, Furioso II and Cor de la Bryère, other examples of their many descendants who have done well abroad are Fantastique (1971) and Major de la Cour (1978) in Belgium, and Digne Espoir (1969) and Le Mexico (1970) in Holland.
Apart from these mainstays of the Selle Français, over the years there have been a good number of other thoroughbreds who were used with great success in French sport horse breeding, such as Foudroyant II (1938), Verdi (1947), Le Tyrol (1948), Fort National (1951), Enfant Terrible (1957), Night and Day (1957), Montigny (1958), Un Prince (1960), Laudanum (1967), Drapeau Rouge (1969), Benroy (1971), Duc de Ferce (1971) and Spoleto (1978). Nor should one forget Venerable (1955) by Oural out of Velours, by Foxlight, the thoroughbred dam of Jappeloup de Luze (1975), France's greatest showjumper of the 1980s who won Olympic Gold in 1988.
Holstein
From the early 19th century onward breeders in Holstein were focused on producing elegant coach horses. The first studbook for the Holsteiner marshes came into being in 1886, a period of intensive consolidation, based primarily on sire lines which had been established with thoroughbred and Yorkshire Coach stallions. The most prominent of these were the lines of the Yorkshire Coach stallion Brillant (1842), which was known as the Achill line, and of the English thoroughbred St Fagans (1862), which was known as the Ethelbert line. When the smart set began to use motor cars instead of coaches, Holsteiner breeders began to focus on the production of agricultural work horses, but when the plough horse was supplanted by the tractor in the 1950s, the number of registered Holsteiner broodmares shrank from approximately 10,000 to about 1,300. At this point the Holsteiner breeders' association made the policy decision that henceforth they would concentrate on the production of better than average show jumpers - the only German studbook with such a clear focus on show jumping. To this end, they decided that the best way to do so was by acquiring the type of stallions which were used as hunter sires in Britain and Ireland, and within the next decade almost thirty thoroughbreds took up station in Holstein.
Cottage Son (1944, died 1964) by Young Lover out of Wait Not, by Cottage, was the first of these stallion imports, having been purchased in England in 1959. He had a real steeplechaser pedigree, being by a son of Son-in-Law out of a daughter of Cottage, one of the greatest National Hunt sires in the 20th century. Moreover, Cottage Son's third dam Clonkeen was by the champion National Hunt sire Red Prince II. Another interesting aspect of Cottage Son's breeding is that he had Son-in-Law in the second remove of his pedigree and Marco in the fourth, as did both Furioso, mentioned above, and Bright Cherry, dam of the great steeplechaser Arkle. Cottage Son had already established an excellent reputation in England as a good sire of hunters and eventers before his purchase to Germany. His best-known British-bred offspring was the eventer Cottage Romance, with whom Michael Bullen came 4th at the Rome Olympics. Sadly, Cottage Son only spent four seasons in Holstein, before his untimely death in 1964. In Holstein, his male line has always hung by a fine thread, where its most prominent representative is Capitol I (1975). However, the Cottage Son male line thrives in Holland through his grandson Joost (1968). More important still is Cottage Son's influence through his daughters, with Valine, dam of the super Euro-sire Ramiro Z (1965), and Viola, dam of Lord (1967), the most prominent.
In all, Cottage Son makes fourteen appearances in the pedigrees of the leading show jumping sires of the 1990s. Among the leading show jumpers of the 1990s, Operette la Silla (1984) is inbred 4 x 4 to Cottage Son, Carthago Z (1987) is linebred 4 x 5 x 5 to him, and Calvaro Z (1987) and Cento (1989) are linebred 4 x 5 to him. All this is amazing in view of the short time which Cottage Son spent at stud in Holstein.
The following leading show jumpers descend from Cottage Son in four or less generations:
- Butterfly Flip (1991) SWB, World Championship team Silver, Olympic team Bronze
- Calei Joter (1986) Brazil, dual Olympic team Bronze
- Caletto I (1975) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Calvaro Z (1987) Holstein, European Championship team Silver (linebred 4 x 5 to Cottage Son)
- Capriol (1988) Holstein, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- Cardento (1992) Holstein, World Championship team Silver, Olympic team Bronze
- Caridor Z (1991) World Championship team Bronze
- Carrera (1984) KWPN, Grand Prix of Aachen winner
- Carthago Z (1987) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze (linebred 4 x 5 x 5 to Cottage Son)
- Cassiana Joter (1983) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Cathleen (1986) Holstein, King George V Gold Cup winner
- Cento (1989) Holstein, World Cup winner, Olympic team Gold and Grand Prix of Aachen winner (linebred 4 x 5 to Cottage Son)
- Classic Touch (1984) Holstein, Olympic Gold
- Corella (1982) KWPN, European Championship team Silver
- Corso (1979) Holstein, dual European Championship team Bronze
- Darco (1980) BWP, leading showjumper
- Escado (1986) KWPN, European Championship team Gold
- Freestyle (1985) Holstein, Grand Prox of Aachen winner
- George (1965) UK, eventing European Champion, Badminton winner, Burghley Horse trials winner
- Gitania (1992) Holstein, European Championship team Gold
- Gondoso (1986) Holstein, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- In Style (1995) Holstein, Olympic Team Silver
- Kanebo (1997) KWPN, European Championship team Silver
- Küchengirl (1997) Bavaria, World Championship team Bronze
- Ladalco (1969) Holstein, eventing World Championship Bronze
- L'Eperon (1988) Holstein, European Championship team Gold
- Lugana (1982) Holstein, World Championship team Bronze
- Livius (1971) Holstein, World Championship team Silver
- Mynta (1988) SWB, World Championship team Silver
- Oki Doki (1996) KWPN, World Championship team Gold
- Operette la Silla (1984) Bavaria, leading showjumper (inbred 4 x 4 to Cottage Son)
- Otterongo (1991) BWP, European Champion Silver
- Quervo Gold (1993) BWP, World Championship team Silver
- Quilano de Kalvarie (1993) BWP, European Championship team Silver
- Radiator (1987) Hanover, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Ralph (1988) Hanover, Olympic team Bronze
- Ramzes (1976) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Ratina Z (1982) Hanover, World Cup winner, Olympic Silver, European Champion, etc.
- Rio (1976) Bavaria, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Royal Kaliber (1993) KWPN, Olympic Bronze
- Rush On (1982) Westphalia, leading showjumper
- Sapphire (1995) BWP, Olympic team Gold
- Up and Down (1997) BWP, European Championship team Gold
Ladykiller (1961), by Sailing Light out of Lone Beech, by Loaningdale, came to Holstein in 1965, and immediately established one of the studbook's strongest sire lines. Thirty-five of his sons were licensed as sires, among whom the most outstanding were Landgraf I (1966) and Lord (1967). Even though Ladykiller had done nothing of note on the racetrack, he had excellent conformation and a pleasant temperament. He had an intriguing pedigree, in that both his dam and
his sire descended from Phalaris in three removes, each was inbred 4 x 4 to Chaucer, and each also had The Tetrarch in the fourth remove of the pedigree, making Ladykiller inbred 4 x 4 to Phalaris, linebred 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 to Chaucer, and 5 x 5 to The Tetrarch.
The following leading show jumpers descend from Ladykiller in four or less generations:
- Aldato (1982) KWPN, European Championship team Gold
- Armanie (1997) NRPS, European Championship team Gold
- Aspen (1985) Brazil, Olympic team Bronze
- Asti Spumante (1995) Oldenburg, European Championship team Bronze
- Ballerina (1987) Holstein, European Championship team Gold
- Brilliante (1987) Holstein, eventing European Championship Silver
- Calei Joter (1986) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Calvaro V (1986) Holstein, Olympic Silver
- Capriol (1988) Holstein, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- Cardento (1992) Holstein, World Championship team Silver, Olympic team Bronze
- Caridor Z (1991) Holstein, World Championship team Bronze
- Cedric (1998) Holstein, Olympic team Gold
- Classic Touch (1984) Holstein, Olympic Gold
- Collin (1994) Holstein, Hamburg Derby winner
- Cöster (1993) Holstein, European Champion and Olympic team Gold
- Cosima II (1990) Holstein, Gran Premio di Roma winner
- Cumano (1993) Holstein, World Champion
- Curtis (1995) Holstein, World Championship team Gold
- Fein Cera (1991) Holstein, World Championship Bronze
- Freestyle (1985) Holstein, Grand Prix of Aachen winner
- Glasgow (1991) KWPN, Gran Premio di Roma winner
- Gran Corrado (1993) Oldenburg, European Championship team Bronze
- In Style (1995) Holstein, Olympic team Silver
- Küchengirl (1997) Bavaria, World Championship team Bronze
- L'Espoir (1996) Zangersheide, Word Championship team Bronze
- La Toya III (1995) BWP, European Championship team Silver
- Ladalco (1969) Holstein, eventing World Championship Bronze
- Lady Weingard (1987) Oldenburg, World Championship team Gold
- Landdame (1991) Hanover, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- Lando (1988) Denmark, Olympic Silver
- Landzeu II (1995) Oldenburg, European Championship team Silver
- Lantinus (1998) Hanover, Aachen Grand Prix winner
- Lausbub (1978) Holstein, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- L'Eperon (1988) Holstein, European Championship team Gold
- Lianos (1987) Holstein, World Champion (inbred 3 x 4 to Ladykiller)
- Libero H (1981) Holstein, World Cup winner
- Livius (1971) Holstein, World Championship team Silver
- Locarno (1996) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Love Me Tender (1981) Holstein, Olympic team Silver
- Lugana (1982) Holstein, World Championship team Bronze
- Mac Kinley (1994) KWPN, Olympic team Bronze
- Magic Bengtsson (1994) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Monaco (1991) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Montender (1994) KWPN, Olympic Bronze and European Champion
- Nairobi (1995) KWPN, European Championship team Bronze
- No Mercy (1995) KWPN, European Championship Silver
- Nobless M (1998) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Ole (1996) KWPN, Olympic team Silver
- Peppermill (1997) KWPN, European Championship team Bronze
- Portofino (1994) KWPN, World Cup runner up
- S'Blieft (1989) KWPN, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Sam (1999) KWPN, Aachen Grand Prix winner
- Seldana (1999) KWPN, European Championship team Silver
- Taggi (1981) Holstein, World Championship team Gold
- Waterford Crystal (1991) Holstein, Olympic Gold (disqualified)
Marlon (1958) by Tamerlane out of Maralinni, by Fairford, also came to Holstein in 1965, but his long-term influence has been much more limited that Ladykiller's. His best-known close descendant was his granddaughter Orchidee (1977), one of Germany's best show jumpers of the 1980s, and a team Gold winner at the 1988 Olympics. More recent descendants are the World Champion Lianos and Calvaro, one of the best show jumpers of the 1990s.
Anblick (1938) by Ferro out of Antonia, by Herold, was of an earlier generation than Cottage Son and Ladykiller, and stood in Holstein from 1953 to 1964, after having stood for eight years in Hanover. His main influence on modern show jumping pedigrees is through some daughters and granddaughters, most notably the dams of Landgraf I and Joost. Anblick was a full brother of the German Derby winner Abendfrieden (1934), who has also made some impact on show jumping pedigrees, and whom I will mention elsewhere.
There is no doubt that the Holsteiner experiment of the 1960s and '70s, much criticized at the time, has worked. Nowadays, the bloodlines of Ladykiller and Cor de la Bryère have come to dominate the pedigrees of stallions licensed by the Holsteiner studbook to an extent that pedigrees without these progenitors are becoming rare, whilst linebreeding to them is becoming the norm. This is due to the association's clear policy of concentrating on a few proven sires,
allowing the gene pool to consolidate after each infusion of new blood.
Holsteiner sires are used extensively by other studbooks, most notably in Holland and throughout Germany. It is particularly interesting that the old Achill line, going back to the Yorkshire Coach stallion Brillant, has all but died out in Holstein, while it thrives in Holland with representatives like Nimmerdor (1972), whose grandson De Sjiem (1989) won the Olympic Gold medal in 2000.
Holland
The Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook (Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland, or KWPN for short) is the result of the amalgamation, in 1969, of the North Netherlands Warmblood Studbook (NWP) and the Association for the Advancement of Agricultural Horse Breeding (VLN). Most of these studbooks' broodmares were of Groninger and Gelderlander stock. Starting in the early 1960s, all manner of outside stallions were imported to Holland, and mated with local mares. By 1969, about 70 outside stallions had been used in Dutch sport horse breeding, with thoroughbreds, Trakehner, Holsteiner and Anglo-Normans the greatest in numbers. Even today, of the leading sport horse studbooks, the KWPN has been the least concerned with pedigrees, on the basis that each stallion candidate has to prove his own worth by conformation, performance testing, and his first crops. Thus the door is always open to outsiders, as long as the candidate for a stallion licence succeeds on his own merits.
Among the thoroughbreds used in Dutch sport horse breeding, a good number have produced excellent stock, including Millerole (1956), Erdball (1956), Abgar (1958), Gag (1966), Swap (1968), Wahtamin (1969) and Apple King (1970).
From a long-term perspective, the thoroughbreds Courville and Lucky Boy have had the greatest impact.
Courville | | Courville (1952) (Left) by Fair Trial out of Plouvien, by Chateau Bouscaut. Like Furioso and Cottage Son, Courville descended from Son-in-Law and Marco, although they were, respectively, in the third and fifth remove of his pedigree. His son Little One (1968) was a successful show jumper, and won the prestigious Hamburg show jumping Derby in 1977. Once retired from competitions, he was re-named Jasper and became one of the world's leading show jumping sires. Other sons of Courville who have done particularly well at stud are Notaris (1972) and Renville (1975). The success of these three is particularly impressive, given that only five of Courville's sons received a stallion licence. His best-known descendant is Legato (1986), with whom Peter Leone won a team Silver medal at the 1996 Olympics, and Hickstead (1996), with whom Peter Leone won Olympic Gold in 2008. |
Uppercut (1960) by Fighting Don out of Thrilled, by Niccolo dell'Arca, had 16 licensed sons,but today his greatest influence is through daughters, namely the dams of Triton (1977) and Aram (1982), sire of the Olympic Gold medal winner De Sjiem.
Lucky Boy | | Lucky Boy (1966) (Left) by Compromise out of Sejane, by Ksarinor, was bred in Holland. In the World Cup winner Calypso (1973) and the Olympic team Gold medalist The Freak (1976) he sired two of the best show jumpers of the 1980s. More importantly, though, Lucky Boy's reputation rests on the steady production of many good, reliable show jumpers. Twenty-seven of his sons were licensed as sires, and there is every likelihood that his name will live on through them or through his many daughters. | |
The following leading show jumpers descend from Lucky Boy in four or less generations:
- Arko III (1994) Oldenburg, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Authentic (1995) KWPN, World Championship Silver
- Calypso (1973) KWPN, World Cup winner and Olympic team Gold
- Endeavor (1986) KWPN, European Championship team Silver
- Hickstead (1996) KWPN, Olympic Gold
- Judgement (1991) KWPN, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- MacKinley (1994) KWPN, Olympic Team Silver
- Mr. Blue (1988) KWPN, European Championship team Silver
- Plot Blue (1997) KWPN, European Championship team Bronze
- S'Blieft (1989) KWPN, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Seldana (1999) KWPN, European Championship team Silver
|
One cannot ignore a Trakehner bloodline which has done exceedingly well in Holland,and which has very recent thoroughbred origins. These are the descendants of Marco Polo (1962) by Poet out of Mirakel, by Altan. His German thoroughbred sire Poet (1941) by Janitor out of Priska, by Herold, covered thoroughbred mares as well as Hanoverian and Trakehner mares. In Hanover, he acquired the reputation of siring horses who were hard as nails, but with a will of their own. Marco Polo came to Holland in 1964, where he was an outstanding success, with twelve of his sons being licensed as sires, of whom Irco Marco (1971) was the most successful. However, arguably the most successful of his offspring was an entire who was not licensed in Holland. This was Marius (d.o.b. unknown), who was sold as a sport horse to
England, and who is believed to be the sire of Milton (1977), one of the greatest show jumpers of all time.
Dorette
The most potent influence on modern Dutch showjumper breeding is the Holsteiner Farn (1959), by Fax I, out of Dorette, by Monarch, but his is a special story. Through Farn, the old Holsteiner Achill line thrives in Holland, white it has all but died out in Holstein, with the leading sire Nimmerdor its main representative. However, Farn's sire, Fax I, did not have a good reputation in Holstein, where he was labelled a performance break. On the other hand, the legacy of his dam, Dorette (1945), a member of the illustrious family 18B1, lives on not only through Farn, but also through her son Ronald, by Ramzes, and her daughters, Adrette, by Heilbutt, and Ella, by Colt, who have all left their mark on the Holsteiner studbook.
The following leading show jumpers descend from Dorette in four or less generations:
- Aldato (1982) KWPN, European Championship team Gold
- Brillante (1987) Holstein, European eventing Championship Silver
- Calvaro V (1986) Holstein, Olympic Silver and dual European Championship Bronze
- Cantus (1995) Baden-Württemberg, European Championship team Silver
- Capriol (1988) Holstein, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- Chin Chin (1978) Holstein, leading showjumper
- Classic Touch (1984) Holstein, Olympic Gold
- Cöster (1993) Holstein, European Champion
- De Sjiem (1989) KWPM, Olympic Gold and Grand Prix of Aachen winner
- Extreme (1987) KWPN, Olympic team Silver
- Felix (1980) KWPN, European Championship Bronze
- Händel II (1989) KWPN, leading showjumper
- Hickstead (1996) KWPN, Olympic Gold
- It's Otto (1986) KWPN, World Championship team Bronze
- Judgement (1991) KWPN, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Legato (1986) KWPN, Olympic team Silver
- Libero H (1981) Holstein, World Cup winner and leading sire
- Mac Kinley (1994) KWPN, Olympic team Bronze
- Miss Independent (1996) KWPN, World Championship team Silver
- Ninja La Silla (1995) KWPN, Olympic Silver
- Queen of Diamonds (1980) KWPN, dual Gran Premio di Roman winner
Anglo-Arabs
In France Anglo-Arabs are registered in a separate studbook. Especially in the decade following World War II, French Anglo-Arabs did particularly well in international competitions, the high point being the Gold medal which Ali Baba (1941) won under Pierre d'Oriola at the 1952 Olympics.
The most prolific Anglo-Arab show jumping bloodline goes back to Dadji (1934) by Asterus out of Perle d'Orient, by Buchan. He was an excellent racehorse, with wins in the Prix du Cadran and the Grosser Preis von Baden-Baden to his credit. Dadji's grandson Nithard (1948) sired a number of good stallions and broodmares, and his name can be found in some good show jumping pedigrees.
Today Anglo-Arab blood is often just a component in the best show jumping pedigrees. One such example is the outstanding Euro-sire Nurzeus (1972) by Arlequin AA out of Urielle, by Matador AA, who did extremely well in Hanover, Oldenburg, and Holland. He was a Selle Français, but more than three quarters of his pedigree is made up of Anglo-Arab blood. Both his sire and dam trace back the thoroughbred Ex Voto (1900) by Le Sancy out of Golden Rod, by Bend Or, who sired three winners of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, and to whom Nurzeus was linebred 6 x 6 x 6. Nurzeus sired Michael Whitaker's top horse Midnight Madness (1983), and was the dam's sire of Tinka's Boy (1989), with whom Markus Fuchs won the World Cup in 2001.
Rittersporn | |
However, the greatest world-wide Anglo-Arab influence on leading show jumping pedigrees comes not from France, but from Poland, in the form of Ramzes (1938) by Rittersporn (a grandson of Le Sancy) out of Jordi, by Shagya x-3. He was brought to Germany in 1948 by Baron Clemens von Nagel-Doornick, one of the great names in the history of German horse breeding. Ramzes was a well above average show jumper, and competed successfully under Hans-Heinrich "Micky" Brinckmann, later the coach of the German team and long-time course builder at Aachen. |
Ramzes was used at stud both in Westphalia and Holstein, and produced outstanding dressage horses, as well as show jumpers. As far as dressage is concerned, it should suffice to say that at the 1966 World Championship both the Gold medal winner Mariano (1955) and the Silver medal winner Remus (1955) were his sons.
In the show jumping sphere Ramzes can be found in eleven pedigrees of the 100 leading show jumping sires of the 1990s, including those of the top ten sires Ramiro Z, Polydor and Pilot, while Number 11 in the list, Capitol I, was inbred 3 x 3 to Ramzes. His thoroughbred sire Rittersporn (1917) by St Saulge out of Molly Clarke, by St Angelo, was bred in Belgium and is said to have raced over fences.
The following leading show jumpers descend from Ramzes in four or less generations:
- Aspen (1982) Brazil, Olympic team Bronze
- Butterfly Flip (1991) SWB, World Championship team Silver, Olympic team Bronze
- Calvaro V (1986) Holstein, Olympic Silver and dual European Championship Bronze
- Cantus (1995) Baden-Württemberg, European Championship team Silver
- Capriol (1988) Holstein, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- Cardento (1992) Holstein, World Championship team Silver, Olympic team Bronze
- Caridor Z (1991) World Championship team Bronze
- Carthago Z (1987) Holstein, leading showjumper
- Cathleen (1986) Holstein, King George V Gold Cup winner
- Cento (1989) Holstein, Olympic team Gold (linebred 4 x 4 x 6 to Ramzes)
- Classic Touch (1984) Holstein, Olympic Gold
- Corso (1979) Holstein, dual European Championship team Bronze
- Escado (1986) KWPN, European Championship team Gold
- Gitania (1992) Holstein, European Championship team Gold
- Goldika (1972) Westphalia, European Championship team Bronze
- Kanebo (1997) KWPN, European Championship team Silver
- Lugana (1982) Holstein, World Championship team Bronze
- Mynta (1988) SWB, World Championship team Silver
- Oki Doki (1996) KWPN, World Championship team Gold
- Operette la Silla (1984) Bavaria, leading showjumper
- Queen of Diamonds (1980) KWPN, dual Gran Premio di Roma winner
- Radiator (1987) Hanover, leading showjumper
- Ralph (1988) Hanover, Olympic team Bronze
- Ramzes (1976) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Ratina Z (1982) Hanover, World Cup winner and Olympic Silver
- Retina (1952) Holstein, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- Rio (1976) Bavaria, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Robin (1963) Westphalia, Olympic team Gold
- Romanus (1953), Holstein, European Championship Bronze
- Royal Kaliber (1993) KWPN, Olympic Bronze
- Sioux (1963) Westphalia, eventing Olympic team Silver
- Up and Down (1997) BWP, European Championship team Gold
The following leading show jumpers descend from Ramiro aka Ramiro Z (1965, died 1995) Holstein, by Raimond out of Valine, by Cottage Son TB, in four or less generations:
- Armanie (1997) NRPS, European Championship team Gold
- Butterfly Flip (1991) SWB, World Championship team Silver, Olympic team Bronze
- Check Mate (1995) Hanover, European Championship team Gold
- Collin (1994) Holstein, Hamburg Derby winner
- Corrada (1989) Oldenburg, triple Hickstead Derby winner
- Curtis (1995) Holstein, World Championship team Gold
- Escado (1986) KWPN, European Championship team Gold
- Freestyle (1985) Holstein, Grand Prix of Aachen winner
- La Toya III (1995) BWP, European Championship team Silver
- Lando (1988) DWB, Olympic Silver
- Libero H (1981) Holstein, World Cup winner
- Miss Independent (1996) KWPN, World Championship team Silver
- Monaco (1991) Holstein, European Championship team Bronze
- Montender (1994) KWPN, Olympic Bronze and European Champion
- Mynta (1988) SWB, World Championship team Silver
- Nairobi (1995) KWPN, European Championship team Bronze
- No Mercy (1995) KWPN, European Championship Silver
- Oki Doki (1996) KWPN, World Championship team Gold
- Opium (1996) Westphalie, leading show jumper
- Radiator (1987) Hanover, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Ralph (1988) Hanover, Olympic team Bronze
- Ramzes (1976) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Ratina Z (1982) Hanover, World Cup winner, Olympic Silver, European Champion, etc.
- Rio (1976) Bavaria, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Royal Kaliber (1993) KWPN, Olympic Bronze
- Up and Down (1997) BWP, European Championship team Gold
- Waterford Crystal (1991) Holstein, Olympic Gold (disqualified)
Hanover and Westphalia
Neighbouring Hanover and Westphalia have the largest German studbooks. They also share similar performance horse gene pools, because in 1920 the Westphalian breeders' association made a decision that it would align its policies to that of its neighbour. Thus the classic Hanoverian bloodlines are just as prominent in Westphalia as they are at home. These early bloodlines are still significant,
unlike those of most other sport horse studbooks, because Hanover and Westphalia have used outside blood only sparingly. For many years the Hanoverian breeders' association actively discouraged the mating of thoroughbred sires with daughters of thoroughbreds. Therefore, while in France, Holstein, and Holland the transition from utilitarian horses to sport horses was achieved primarily with the help of thoroughbreds, in Hanover and Westphalia such outside blood only contributed to the studbooks' successes.
To find the main thoroughbred sources of Hanoverian breeding one has to go back to the 19th century. In essence, traditional Hanoverian breeding was focused on the production of horses that were suitable both as draught horses and remounts. By 1841, Seventy-three thoroughbred stallions were stationed in Celle, out of a total of 207 sires; this was the highest ratio of thoroughbred to other sires the studbook was ever to use. In the following decades the use of thoroughbred sires decreased, but from that point on, any new thoroughbred sire would meet mares who already had a substantial proportion of the blood.
In the second half of the 19th century, some bloodlines evolved which have dominated Hanoverian breeding until this very day. Because in-breeding and linebreeding to members of the same few bloodlines was common,a fairly consolidated gene pool evolved in the following decades.
The oldest of these extant lines traces back to the Pommeranian Zernebog (1845), who was seven/eighths thoroughbred. His putative sire was a thoroughbred called Jupiter, a grandson of the Matchem line progenitor Comus, but older versions of the Hanoverian studbook question whether Jupiter was, in fact, Zernebog's sire.
Kingdom | | More importantly, the modern line's fountainhead, Fling (1911), was inbred 3 x 4 to the English thoroughbred Kingdom (1879) (Left) by Kingcraft out of Light, by Prime Minister, while Fling's most prolific son Feiner Kerl (1919) was inbred 4 x 4 x 5 to Kingdom. In the years between World Wars I and II in-breeding and linebreeding to Fling was very common in Hanover, so that Kingdom's blood is replicated many times over in some of the most prominent Hanoverian pedigrees. This is particularly interesting because Kingdom shared two close common ancestors with the outstanding Grand National winner Cloister (1884), namely Melbourne and a mare by Venison, each in the third remove. Moreover, King Tom and Voltigeur are, respectively, in the second and third remove of Kingdom's pedigree, as they are in St Simon's pedigree. |
Examples of important sires who had Kingdom more than 10 times in their extended pedigrees are:
- Frühling (1960), the Westphalian star sire of the 1960s and 70s, a line founder in his
own right and grandsire of the World Champion Fire (1973) - 13 times,
- Flügel van la Roche (1956), a cornerstone of Belgian warmblood breeding - 11 times,and
- Lugano van la Roche (1963), another mainstay of Belgian warmblood breeding and Number 9 of the world's leading show jumping sires of the 1990s - 11 times.
An excellent representative of the line's leading show jumpers is Warwick Rex (1966), with whom Alwin Schockemöhle won the European Championship in 1975 and the Olympic Gold medal in 1976. Their Olympic Gold was the first ever with zero faults, a remarkable achievement, especially because the Silver medalist, Canadian Michel Vaillancourt and his mount, Branch County, had twelve faults. A giant of 17.2 hh, Warwick Rex resembled a steam train when cantering round a course. He was linebred 4 x 5 to Fling, and had Kingdom 13 times in his
extended pedigree.
This bloodline is still strong, and, apart from Hanover and Westphalia,
has good representatives in Oldenburg and Belgium. An example is the leading sire Feo de Lauzelle (1980), who stands in Belgium, and who is linebred 5 x 5 x 5 x 6 to Feiner Kerl.
Adeptus | | The second of the classic extant bloodlines traces back to the German thoroughbred Adeptus (1880) (Left) by Adonis, out of Liane by Blenheim, who was inbred 4 x 4 to Orlando. His male line meandered a bit over the years, but has managed repeated comebacks, with the dual World Cup winner E.T. (1987) its most prominent representative. E.T.'s sire, Espri (1981), and his grandsire, Eiger I (1975), are, respectively, at Numbers 21 and 39 of the leading show jumping sires of the 1990s. | |
The third line founder was the English thoroughbred Devil's Own (1887) by Robert The Devil out of Ambuscade, by Camerino. Robert The Devil (1877) was one of the best racehorses of his generation, having won the St Leger and the Grand Prix de Paris, and coming second to Bend Or in the Derby Stakes. Among the line's recent leading show jumping sires are Diskus (1970), Dynamo (1974) and Don Juan (1975). The line's more remote key ancestors, at least as far as show jumping is concerned, were Duellant (1943), to whom E.T. is linebred 5 x 5 x 5, and Dömitz I (1944).
The following leading show jumpers descend from Duellant (1943) by Dolman out of Forstweihe, by Foliant, Hanover, in four or less generations:
- Anka (1991) Oldenburg, World Cup winner
- Air Jordan (1996) Oldenburg, World Cup runner-up
- Airborne Montecillo (1986) USA, World Championship team Silver
- Arko III (1994) Oldenburg, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Asti Spumante (1995) Oldenburg, European Championship team Bronze
- Bugatti Pedro (1980) Westphalia, Olympic team Gold
- Chef (1980) Westphalia, World Championship team Gold
- Dollar Girl (1980) Hanover, World Cup winner
- Donald Rex (1959) Hanover, European Championship Silver
- Dönhoff (1985) Westphalian, leading show jumper
- Graf Grande (1982) Hanover, Olympic team Silver
- Grande (1958) Hanover, line founder
- Grandeur (1978) Grand Prix of Aachen and triple Hamburg Showjumping Derby winner
- Gute Sitte (1966) Hanover, Olympic team Bronze
- McLain (1974) Westphalia, World Cup winner
- Oleander van de Herkkant (1991) BWP, World Championship team Bronze
- Pamina (1981) Westphalia, World Championship team Silver
- Pau A Peu (1996) Westphalia, European Championship team Gold
- Pialotta (1991) Westphalia, European Championship Bronze
- Pilgrim (1995) Westphalia, European Championship team Bronze
- Pirol (1979) Westphalia, W orld Championship team Bronze
- Pozitano (1989) Rheinland, Olympic team Silver
- Priamos (1982) Westphalia, dual World Championship team Gold (linebred 4 x 5 to
Duellant)
- Special lEd (1994) Oldenburg, Olympic team Silver
- Two Step (1983) Westphalia, European Championship Bronze
- Waterford Crystal (1991) Holstein, Olympic Gold (disqualified)
The following leading show jumpers descend from Dömitz I in four or less generations:
- Akrobat (1963) Hanover, World Cup runner-up
- Chef (1975) Westphalia, World Championship team Gold
- Denizen (1984) Hanover, leading showjumper
- Dollar Girl (1980) Hanover, World Cup winner
- Dulf (1988) Hanover, Olympic team Silver
- Fidelitas (?) Hanover, Olympic team Gold
- Genius (1980) Hanover, World Cup winner
- The Natural (1977) Hanover, World Cup winner
Of more recent origin is the line of the Mecklenburger Goldschläger I (1909), a grandson of the thoroughbred Goldschaum (1891) by Chamant. Until the mid-1970s this line was numerically small, but today it is one of the most important sources of show jumping blood, thanks to sires such as Gotthard (1949), Grande (1958) and Grannus (1972). Indeed, Goldschläger I's grandson Goldfisch II (1935), the line's modern fountainhead, can be found in the pedigrees of twenty-three of the top 100 show jumping sires of the 1990s, with high incidents of linebreeding to him among leading show jumpers.
The following leading show jumpers descend from Goldfisch II (other than through Gotthard or Grande) in four or less generations:
- Dollar Girl (1980) Hanover, World Cup winner
- Gladstone (1969) Hanover, World Cup winner (inbred 4 x 4 to Goldfisch II)
- Goldlights (1983) Westphalia, World Championship team Bronze
- Walzerkönig (1979) Hanover, Olympic team Gold
The following leading show jumpers descend from Gotthard, (1949) by Goldfisch II out of Ampa, by Amateur I, Hanover, in four or less generations:
- Apricot D (1984) ZwB, Olympic team Silver (linebred 3 x 5 to Goldfisch II)
- Bonita (1989) Rhineland, European Championship team Gold
- Butterfly Flip (1991) SWB, World Championship team Silver, Olympic team Bronze
- Corrada (1989) Oldenburg, European Championship team Gold
- Curtis (1995) Holstein, World Championship team Gold
- Denizen (1984) Hanover, leading showjumper (linebred 4 x 5 to Goldfisch II)
- Finesse (1987) KWPN, leading showjumper
- For Pleasure (1986) Hanover, dual Olympic team Gold, World Cup runner-up, etc.
- Gammon (1977) Oldenburg, Calgary Grand Prix winner
- Gazelle (1981) Westphalia, World Championship team Silver
- Genius (1980) Hanover, World Cup winner, Olympic team Silver
- Gipfelstürmer (1982) Hanover, leading showjumper
- Goldfever (1991) Hanover, Olympic team Gold (linebred 5 x 5 to Goldfisch II)
- Gran Corrado (1993) Oldenburg, European Championship team Bronze
- Grand Slam (1979) Oldenburg, leading showjumper
- Grannush (1979) Hanover, leading showjumper
- Lady Weingard (1987) Oldenburg, World Championship team Gold (inbred 3 x 3 to Gotthard)
- Landdame (1991) Hanover, Hamburg showjumping Derby winner
- Mynta (1988) SWB, World Championship team Silver
- Peppermill (1997) KWPN, European Championship team Bronze
- Portofino (1994) KWPN, World Cup Runner Up
- Ramzes (1976) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Royal Kaliber (1993) KWPN, Olympic Bronze
- Ramzes (1976) Holstein, Olympic team Bronze
- Seldana (1999) KWPN, European Championship team Silver
- Shutterfly (1993) Hanover, World Cup winner
- The Natural (1977) Hanover, World Cup winner, World Championship team Gold (linebred 3 x 5 to Goldfisch II)
- Top Gun (1982) Olympic team Gold, European Championship team Gold, etc. (linebred 4 x 5 x 5 to Goldfisch II)
The following leading show jumpers descend from Grande in four or less generations:
- Bugatti Pedro (1980) Westphalia, Olympic team Gold
- Corrada (1989) Oldenburg, European Championship team Gold
- E.T. (1987) Hanover, dual World Cup winner
- For Pleasure (1986) Hanover, dual Olympic team Gold
- Gladdys S (1992) Westphalia, European Championship Gold
- Goldfever (1991) Hanover, Olympic team Gold (linebred 5 x 5 to Goldfisch II)
- Graf Grande (1982) Hanover, Olympic team Silver
- Gran Corrado (1993) Oldenburg, European Championship team Bronze
- Grand Slam (1979) Oldenburg, leading showjumper
- Grandeur (1978) Hanover, triple Hamburg Derby winner (linebred 4 x 5 to Goldfisch II)
- Grannush (1979) Hanover, Calgary Grand Prix winner, World Cup runner-up
- Gute Sitte (1966) Hanover, Olympic team Bronze
- Pall Mall (1997) KWPN, King George V Gold Cup winner
- Pialotta (1991) Westphalia, European Championship Bronze
- Pirol (1979) W estphalia, World Championship team Bronze
- Priamos (1982) Westphalia, dual World Championship team Gold
- Ralph (1988) Hanover, Olympic team Bronze
- Top Gun (1982) Hanover, Olympic team Gold (linebred 4 x 5 x 5 to Goldfisch II)
- Weihaiwej (1984) Oldenburg, World Champion (linebred 6 x 6 x 6 to Goldfisch II)
- West Side (1999) BWP, European Championship team Gold
Of course, thoroughbreds have been used in both Hanover and Westphalia since World War II, and the following have had the greatest influence on modern show jumping pedigrees.
Der Löwe (1944) by Wahnfried out of Lehnsherrin, by Herold. A winner of the Grosser Preis von Baden-Baden, Der Löwe was at stud from 1951 to 1973. He was popular, but his offspring had the reputation of being difficult to handle. His sons Lugano I (1954) and Lugano II (1958) were successful sires. Today the strongest representation of Der Löwe's bloodline is in Belgium, through his grandson Lugano van la Roche (1963).
The following leading show jumpers descend from Der Löwe in four or less generations:
- Darco (1980) BWP, leading showjumper
- Egano (1981) BWP, Olympic team Gold
- Grannush (1979) Hanover, leading showjumper
- La Ina (1983) BWP, European Champion
- Leroy Brown (1984) Oldenburg, leading showjumper
- Pluco (1969) KWPN, World Championship team Silver
- Porsche (1963) BWP, Olympic team Bronze
- Otterongo (1991) BWP, European Champion Silver
- Top Gun (1982) Hanover, Olympic team Gold
Pik As
Pluchino | | The thoroughbred Pik As (1949) (Left) by Abendfrieden out of Pechfackel, by Mirza II, was at stud from 1952 to 1969. He was a son of the German Derby winner Abendfrieden (1934), whom I have mentioned already as being a full brother of Anblick. Pik As had some influence on show jumping pedigrees, with the World Champion Mr T (1976) and the World Cup winner Aramis (1977) among his descendants. However, this influence has diminished in recent years.
Pluchino (1949) by Niccolo dell'Arca out of Flush, by Holywell, succeeded against the odds, because he stood as a private stallion in Westphalia, at a time when privately owned stallions were not encouraged by the studbook. While his bloodline has been numerically small, it has produced outstanding show jumping sires in his great grandsons Polydor (1972) and Pilot (1974), respectively the Numbers 4 and 6 among the leading show jumping sires of the 1990s. Pluchino shared the ancestors Hurry On and Double Life with the previously mentioned Furioso.
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The following leading show jumpers descend from Pluchino in four or less generations:
- Bugatti Pedro (1980) Westphalia, Olympic team Gold
- Opium (1996) Westphalia, leading show jumper
- Pamina (1981) Westphalia, World Championship team Silver
- Peu A Peu (1996) Westphalia, European Championship team Gold
- Pialotta (1991) Westphalia, European Championship Bronze
- Pilgrim (1995) Westphalia, European Championship team Bronze
- Pirol (1979) Westphalia, W orld Championship team Bronze
- Pozitano (1989) Rheinland, Olympic team Silver
- Priamos (1982) Westphalia, dual World Championship team Gold
- Two Step (1983) Westphalia, European Championship Bronze (inbred 4 x 4 to Pluchino)
Other thoroughbred sources of show jumping blood
There still are plenty of thoroughbreds who sire decent show jumpers. Thirteen of the 100 leading show jumping sires of the 1990s were thoroughbreds, which is not at all bad by comparison with other studbooks. However, the majority of these earned their place in the rankings due to one or two offspring, rather than the steady production of reliable jumpers which has made the reputation of the great sport horse sires. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify a thoroughbred who can be deemed a show jumping progenitor in the manner of Furioso or Cottage Son.
This has nothing to do with an inherent lack of jumping ability in thoroughbreds, but, rather, that most thoroughbred entires are bred to race on the flat. The concentrated breeding of thoroughbred show jumping sires does not make sense economically in the same way as it does in sport horse breeding, because the money which can be made in flat racing is much more attractive than what is offered in equestrian sports. Even in steeplechasing, the jumping element tends to be only half of the equation, since the speed and stamina infused by sires who were bred for the flat does matter a great deal.
However, that a thoroughbred jumping dynasty can be established was clearly demonstrated by the descendants of Bonne Nuit (1934) by Royal Canopy out of Bonne Cause, by Elf II, one of the great show jumping progenitors of the past. His sons Night Owl (1949) and Riviera Wonder (1950) and his grandson Good Twist (1960) were among the best show jumpers of the 1950s and '60s. Good Twist in turn sired Gem Twist (1979), with whom Greg Best won the individual Silver medal and team Silver at the 1998 Olympics, and who was the best horse in the 1990 World Championship finals. Whether such a bloodline emerges in the future remains to be seen.
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