The Danish Warmblood Society invites four and five-year old licensed stallions back to the licensing for re-inspection after they have finished their 30- or 70-day test in order for them to be fully approved. The society will also proclaim the licensing champion of the 4-year old heat and of the heat of the 5-year old and older stallions.

Best 4-year old dressage stallion became Gagarin, a black colt by FBW French Kiss out of Ginger (by Michelangelo x Worth). Bred by Mikkela Bagge, owned by York Stutteri and ridden by the Dutch Anke ter Beek, Gagarin showed a good presentation in hand but under the saddle he was tense and did not display his full potential at all.

Best "foreign" 4-year old stallion was the Hanoverian Damsey, a Dressage Royal x Rubinstein offspring owned by Leatherdale Farm in the U.S.A. and standing at stud at Jens Meyer's in Dorum, Germany.

Damsey is a big dark bay stallion having a quite compact conformation. His biggest forté is without a doubt his walk. Damsey has a very large, relaxed and ground covering walk with large overstep.

His trot was in hand as well as under saddle not enough over the back. Damsey tensed up quite frequently and did not really move loosely, and supple and with good self carriage.

The young stallion has only recently been "thrown" into the breeding circuit and seems quite overwhelmed by all that is happening. Let's reevaluate him again later on.

Winning the 5-year old and older stallion division was Blue Hors Leredo, by Leandro x Rafa L, owned by Blue Hors. Two years ago, Leredo was the 3-year old licensing champion and now recaptured the champion's sash.

Text and Photos by Astrid Appels/Eurodressage

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