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After taking silver last year, Viva Romantic OLD has now claimed gold, winning the OLD Masters final—powered by DERBY—at the Oldenburg Horse Center in Vechta.
In the Class S dressage test on a curb bit, the eight-year-old Oldenburg by El.H. Vitalis out of El./Vb.Pr.St. Weissena’s Diva by Don Romantic, bred by: Josef-Ludwig Brinkhus, Westerbakum, breeder: Sandra Nuxoll, Dinklage, under his rider and owner Sandra Nuxoll, and secured victory in the OLD Masters Final.
As a sire, Viva Romantic OLD also boasts a distinguished maternal line: His dam, the Elite/Association Premium mare Weissena’s Diva, produced the Oldenburg Grand Premium mare Weissena’s Beau when paired with Sir Donnerhall I. His granddam, the Elite/State Premium mare Wild Rose, was the champion mare at the 1997 Elite Mare Show in Rastede and produced, among others, four auction horses for Vechta, including the 1c-Premium stallion from the 2004 licensing, Dark Fire by Donnerhall, who was sold for 140,000 euros at the 2013 Winter Mixed Sales. Wild Rose is also the dam of Wilde Orchidee by Don Romantic, who has achieved success at the Intermediaire I level.
Silver went to the Elite and Oldenburg Grand Premium mare Dalma Sia Ballante OLD, born in 2018, by Secret out of the Elite/State Premium mare Dalma Tia Ballante by Diamond Hit – Eklatant, bred and owned by Stefaan van den Elsen, Belgium, presented by Sina Aringer. Dalma Sia Ballante competed at the 2022 Elite Mare Show in Rastede.
The bronze medal went to Juwel OLD, born in 2019, by Janeiro Platinum out of Safira by Sir Donnerhall I – Arpeggio, bred by Mirjam-Mathilde Drenth, Netherlands, owned by the Lodbergen Dressage Performance Center, ridden by Linda Strutz. Last year, the licensed stallion had already attracted attention with a top-ten finish at the National Championships in Warendorf. His dam, Safira, is also the dam of the licensed stallion Dynamic Dream by Dream Boy.
OLD Masters Head into the Next Round in 2027
This year’s OLD Masters series, powered by DERBY, reached its sporting climax with the final in Vechta. Launched by the Oldenburg Förderverein, the series aims to highlight the development and sporting careers of talented seven- and eight-year-old Oldenburg horses and to strengthen their connection to Oldenburg breeding.
And even beyond the finals, there is reason to celebrate: Anne Haase and Wilhelm Sieverding will once again serve as the OLD Masters’ main sponsors in 2027. This ensures that the series will continue next year.
Special thanks also go to DERBY, which, as a reliable partner, accompanied and supported the OLD Masters 2026 throughout the entire season and at all qualifying events.
The Oldenburg Association and the Oldenburg Support Association extend their heartfelt thanks to Anne Haase and Wilhelm Sieverding, DERBY, as well as all the organizers of the qualifying tournaments, breeders, owners, and riders who supported the 2026 OLD Masters and made it possible.
Photo: The winners of the 2026 OLD Masters Final: Viva Romantic OLD with rider and owner Sandra Nuxoll, as well as his breeders, Christiane and Josef Brinkhus ©Beelitz
