2004 Oldenburg Stallion Licensing

Sandro Hit Multiplicity: Ein Hit und Viele Voltreffer

"Le Moment Supreme" of the 2004 Althengst Parade in Vechta was the appearance of the Sandro Hit offspring, concluded by a royal appearance of his grand majesty Sandro Hit.

One by one announcer Jan Toenjes welcomed the Sandro Hit progeny into the arena: Sagnol (Sandro Hit x Landadel), San Remo (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall), Show Star (Sandro Hit x Feinbrand), Smetana (Sunny Boy x Donnerschwee), Sir Wilson (Sandro Hit x Canaster) and Sandro King (Sandro Hit x Calypso I) appeared. It became a multiplicity of Sandro Hit babies. Hardly knowing where to look first and which horse to keep an eye on, this Sandro Hit parade was a surreal experience.

Definitely standing out in the crowd was Gestut Wiesenhof's Sandro King, a massive dark bay-blackish dressage horse with much length in his neck and back without being too long.

Those who claim that Sandro Hits can not do the FEI movements will be proved wrong in the future. Sandro King showed remarkable potential for the highest collection in trot and canter.

Worth mentioning is that rider Fie Skarsoe is one of the few riders in Germany (and the world) who has the "Lisa Wilcox diva glow" to her. Always smiling and shining on her horses, Skarsoe is an anchor figure for the promotion of the Wiesenhof stallions.

The 2004 Althengst Parade closed with a breath taking finale in which Sir Donnerhall (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall) and his sire Sandro Hit (Sandro Song x Ramino) appeared in the ring while dramatic church music playing.

Team P.S.I./Paul Schockemohle performed the same act in February 2004 on the Schockemohle Hengstvorfuhrung, where Sandro Hit and Poetin did a pas de deux.

Sir Donnerhall placed third in the premium ring at the 2003 Oldenburg Stallion Licensing, but he has become the most successful 3-year old breeding stallion for Oldenburg, covering more than 500 mares last year. In Vechta, Sir Donnerhall was only in the spotlight for five minutes, because as soon as Sandro Hit entered the ring, all eyes turned to this grand foundation sire His "little" son immediately fell into Sandro Hit's shade.

Sandro Hit's appearance at the Vechta Althengst Parade was the cherry on the cake. Since the black stallion's major 1999 world break through -- winning the World Young Horse Championships and the Bundeschampionate -- the black was hardly seen in public. In 2000 he won a couple of M-level classes, but that was it. From then on, Sandro Hit's life only meant one thing: breeding.

When you visit Paul Schockemohle's barn in Muhlen, Germany, you will find Sandro Hit covered in a layer of dust in a dirty stall in a dirty, dusty stable standing there with twenty other world class breeding stallions. Talk about an anti-climax. This king deserves a royal box, airy and spacey, layered with gold.

Fortunately, Sandro Hit's rider Dr. Ulf Möller brought the best out him again. The stallion looked shiny and fit and it was a true joy to see this lovely star in the show ring once again, bringing back memories of the glorious days in Arnhem, where Sandro Hit stole the hearts of crowd by winning the World Championships.

Text and Images copyrighted Astrid Appels/Eurodressage. No reproduction Allowed

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