The best mares of the year chosen

Prestigious Oldenburg mare families set an exclamation mark in Rastede. The Oldenburg Elite Mare Show once again thrilled spectators in the impressive setting of the Rasteder Schlosspark. The champion mares come from highly successful dam lines – a recipe for success à la Oldenburg.

First Vaiana, born in 2020, by Lord Europe out of Vienna by Vitalis - First Dance - Weltruhm, bred and owned by Christine Arns-Krogmann, Lohne, was crowned the celebrated champion mare of the Verband der Züchter des Oldenburger Pferdes (OL). The outstanding mare achieved an overall score of 9.13 in her mare performance test. Dam Vienna is highly successful under the sport name ZINQ First Vienna FH. In 2022, she placed third at the Bundeschampionat for six-year-old dressage horses with Lucie-Anouk Baumgürtel. The pair is currently celebrating victories in Prix St. Georges.

Silver in the lot of dressage mares went to Edwina Gold, born 2020, by Best of Gold out of Edwina by Sandro Hit - De Niro - Seydlitz, bred and owned by Heinz Ahlers, Hatten. Dam Edwina also produced the licensed Bugatti Gold OLD by Best of Gold. Granddam Elisa produced the licensed Special Gold by Sandro Hit and Sterngold by Sungold, as well as the Grand Prix successful Bellini Gold by Belissimo M. Edwina Gold comes from the renowned Edoste dam line.

The bronze medal went to Sazou, born in 2021, by Zenon out of Salsa van de Wulfsdam by Bordeaux - Sandro Hit - Feiner Stern, bred and owned by the still young up-and-coming breeder Jan-Eric Wempe, Cappeln, who convinced with his first breeding product Sazou. The mare received a score of 9.5 for her rideability from the guest rider.

Lady Grande, OS, born in 2021, by Casino Grande out of Lady Heida II by Landor S - Contender - Calypso II, bred and owned by Gerd Sosath, Lemwerder, took the title of champion mare of the Springpferdezuchtverband Oldenburg-International (OS). The powerful jumping mare received an overall score of 8.60 in her performance test. The OS champion mare comes from the famous Heida dam line. Dam Lady Heida II herself paraded at the Brillantring in Rastede in 2004 and has already produced four licensed stallions with Cador by Catoki, Diamant de Landor by Diamant de Semilly, Calandor by Casalido and Comanchero by Comme Prévu as well as numerous successful jumpers, including the 2014 OS champion mare Lady Cadora OLD by Catoki.

The silver medal among the OS mares went to Copacabana, OS, born 2021, by Comme il faut a.d. Carrica by Carrico - Lavallo - Wodan, bred by Alfred Herbig from Donnersdorf, Bavaria, and owned by Irena Westerholt, Löningen. Copacabana was discovered in Vechta in 2021 as auction price highlight. Sire Comme il faut was one of the most successful stallions in the world under Marcus Ehning. Dam Carrica is sister to the 1.60 m winning Silver Exchange by Landjunge/Ben Maher, GBR, and the licensed Carson M&M by Carrico.

Also bred and owned by Gerd Sosath is Lady Columbia, OS, born 2019, by Catoki out of Lady Heida II by Landor S - Contender - Calypso II, who was awarded the Ic premium. Like the champion mare, the top dam Lady Heida II is responsible for Lady Columbia.

Numerous mares started their careers at the Elite Foal Auction in Vechta. You too can secure your future champion mare on August 10 at the Oldenburg Horse Center Vechta.

Here you can find the results of the Brillantring:

Brillantring Verband der Züchter des Oldenburger Pferdes.

Brillantring Springpferdezuchtverband Oldenburg-International.

Photo: The celebrated OL champion mare First Vaiana by Lord Europe. (Beelitz)