KWPN Breeding News

U.S. Homecoming Planned for Hilltop Rousseau

April 26, 2006

The KWPN breeding stallion and 2002 Reserve World Young Horse Champion Hilltop Rousseau will be moving to his owner's base Hilltop Farm in the United States this summer. Purchased by Hilltop Farm for 300,000 guilders at the 2000 KWPN Select Sale, Rousseau has been standing at stud in Holland and Germany, but never set foot in his owners' country. This will change now as a final U.S. homecoming has been planned for Rousseau.

"We are very excited to bring Rousseau home, at last!," Susanne Hassler told Eurodressage. "After we made the initial decision to allow him to breed in Europe, our aim was to build him up with large foal crops in Europe to further his name and influence. He has produced outstanding results in The Netherlands already, with six licensed sons to date, top mares (Violetta was third at the KWPN Paardendagen), and many foals for elite auctions each year."

Rousseau has been standing up for stud at Ingo Pape's in Germany since 2005. "When he was approved by the Hanoverian, Westfalian and Oldenburg verbands, our decision to move him out of the Netherlands was a difficult one, but in the end, it has helped him access top mares in these very successful breeding regions of Germany," Hassler explained. "We have chosen to bring him home now that he has had ample opportunity to cover large groups of mares. It is finally time to bring Rousseau home for North American breeders, who have had limited access to him over these past years."

Rousseau will stay in Germany until the end of the 2006 breeding season. Susan Pape is currently preparing him for small tour level and the bay Dutch warmblood stallion will return to the show ring before his homecoming. "Rousseau will go his first show in one month," Susan Draper-Pape told Eurodressage. "He is much more relaxed, more confident and more consistent, I love him!!"

Hilltop Rousseau is by Ferro out of a Roemer dam. Under Nicolet van Lierop he became the 2002 Reserve World Young Horse Champion and 2002 Pavo Cup Champion. At the 2006 KWPN Stallion Licensing, a Rousseau son (Wamberto) became the Licensing Champion.

Related Links
KWPN Licensing Champion Wamberto Sold to the U.S.A.
Wamberto, Champion of the 2006 KWPN Stallion Licensing
2005 Oldenburg Althengst Parade in Christmas Atmosphere
Rousseau, Polansky and Rubels Win Second Leg of Stallion Competition
Hilltop Farm and Harmony Sporthorses Share Hilltop Rousseau
Hilltop Rousseau In Training with Susan Draper-Pape
KWPN Stallion Competition Finals Won by Rosseau, Paddox and Rubels