DE 
Six Oldenburg dressage horses among the world’s twelve most successful horses, four breeders in the top ten, and second place in the international stud book rankings: The latest rankings from the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) confirm the leading position of Oldenburg dressage horse breeding. Oldenburg show jumping breeding also shines with a World Cup victory and a top-ten placement in the breeders’ ranking.
With 12,893 points, the Oldenburg Horse Breeders’ Association (OL) takes second place in the final 2026 WBFSH stud book ranking, making it the most successful German breeding association in dressage. Only the Dutch KWPN, with 13,375 points, ranks ahead of the Oldenburgers. The Hanoverian Association follows in third place with 11,596 points.
Particularly impressive: no fewer than six Oldenburg dressage horses rank among the twelve most successful horses in the global WBFSH rankings. Their competitive performances form the basis for the Oldenburg Association’s second-place finish.
Six Oldenburg Horses Among the World’s Best
Leading the successful Oldenburg sextet is Viva Gold OLD by Vivaldi – For Romance I, ranked sixth. The stallion, bred by Christine Arns-Krogmann, enjoyed an exceptional season under Isabell Werth. At the German Championships in Balve, the pair won the title in the Grand Prix Freestyle and were nominated as the reserve pair for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen. Numerous international victories underscore the stallion’s impressive development.
In eighth place is Zantana RS2 OLD N.O.P. by Zonik – Sir Donnerhall I, bred by Gestüt Lewitz. Ridden by Marieke van der Putten, the mare represented the Netherlands at the World Championships in Aachen, placing eighth in the Grand Prix Special and sixth in the Freestyle. At the World Cup opener in Herning, the pair impressed with a second-place finish in the Freestyle and a personal best score of 86.235 percent.
Denoix PCH by Destano – Pik Noir, a newly crowned team world champion, ranks ninth. The Oldenburg, bred by Friedrich Kuhlmann, won team gold under Katharina Hemmer at the World Championships in Aachen, as well as the bronze medal in the Grand Prix Special. A special success story from the Oldenburg auction program: Denoix PCH was sold in 2016 at the Oldenburg Fall Elite Auction in Vechta.
Tenth place went to Maxima Bella by Millennium – Christ, bred by Renate Hormann. Ridden by Polish rider Sandra Sysojeva, the mare impressed at the World Championships in Aachen. With a score of 80.175 percent, the pair placed ninth in the Grand Prix Freestyle, marking an outstanding achievement for Polish dressage.
In eleventh place is Bluetooth OLD by Bordeaux–Riccione, bred by Lewitz Stud. Ridden by Frederic Wandres, the Oldenburg stallion won team gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the 2025 European Championships, and also took gold with the German dressage team at the 2026 World Championships in Aachen. Bluetooth OLD thus holds three of the most prestigious team titles in international dressage.
Rounding out the top six is Total Hope OLD by Totilas – Don Schufro in twelfth place. The stallion, bred by Christine Arns-Krogmann, represented Norway under Isabel Freese at the World Championships in Aachen. There, the pair placed eighth in the Grand Prix and qualified for both the Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle.
Two breeding farms, each with two horses among the world’s best
Particularly noteworthy is the record set by Christine Arns-Krogmann and Gestüt Lewitz. Both breeding farms are represented by two horses each among the world’s twelve most successful dressage horses: Christine Arns-Krogmann with Viva Gold OLD and Total Hope OLD, and Gestüt Lewitz with Zantana RS2 OLD N.O.P. and Bluetooth OLD.
The separate WBFSH breeder ranking also underscores the high quality of Oldenburg horse breeding. No fewer than four breeders rank among the world’s ten most successful dressage horse breeders: Christine Arns-Krogmann in sixth place, Lewitz Stud in eighth, Friedrich Kuhlmann in ninth, and Renate Hormann in tenth.
OS Mare Greya Wins World Cup Final
Oldenburg show jumping breeding also shines on the international stage. The OS mare Greya by Colestus–Contender won the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas, in April 2026 under U.S. show jumper Kent Farrington.
In the current WBFSH show jumping breeder rankings, her breeder, Wilfried Sandmann, holds eighth place. The breeder, who passed away in 2025, laid the foundation for this exceptional mare’s international career through his work. Grey’s successes thus also serve as a special tribute to his life’s work as a breeder.
International Success Starts with Our Breeders
The current WBFSH rankings are an impressive testament to the quality and breadth of achievement in Oldenburg horse breeding. Behind these successes are breeders who, with passion, expertise, and foresight, lay the foundation for top athletic performance.
The Oldenburg Horse Breeders’ Association warmly congratulates all successful breeders, owners, and riders on these achievements and thanks its entire breeding community for their dedication.
The complete WBFSH rankings can be found at:
https://wbfsh.com/studbook-rankings
Photo: ©www.sportfotos-lafrentz.de / Stefan Lafrentz
