We hear and read so much about expensive imported horses, auction horses and large breeding establishments that seem to have unlimited capital that I think that sometimes the small breederespecially the small domestic breeder gets lost in all the hype. North America is full of small breeders who only have two or three mares each at their disposal, and most of them have to work extra hard just to keep up with what seems to be everyone else's recognition. Here is the story of one small breeder who not only has kept up, but also over the past 20 years has had some great success with domestic bred Oldenburg horses.
I started Derby Farms in 1980 in the small town of Woodinville, Washington, located 23 miles from Seattle in the great Pacific Northwest. Although this part of the country is known mainly for software and salmon, it is also home to a large and very talented group of dressage riders, trainers, and enthusiasts. My farm is a 10-acre facility where I teach, train and breed Oldenburg horses. Before I had my own place, I taught in the riding school at Evergreen Equestrian Center in Kirkland, Washington. Although mainly a hunter/jumper barn, Evergreen owner Phyllis Crooks appreciated the value of dressage as a schooling tool for her young horses and students, and she employed a full time dressage master by the name of Klaus Albin. During my tenure as a teacher at the school, I was greatly influenced by the late Mr. Albin, as were as were many of my colleagues.
Mr. Albin was especially fond of Trakehner horses, and he knew the breed well, having been trained in the German cavalry between the wars. He imported a few nice horses each year from Polish stock and these were my first introduction to the European warmbloods. It was the early '70's and I was hooked. When I first began breeding in the early '80's it was to a stallion from this group of Trakehner horses. I crossed to Thoroughbred mares and had some success. One gelding has done Young Riders twice and shown thru Intermediare.
There was, however, a problem with my breeding program in that it was not approved by any legitimate society, and since I've always felt that credibility is at the heart of any worthwhile endeavor, I set out to educate myself about the various warmblood breeds, their recognition, and associated verbands. It was at that about this point in time (the mid- 80's), I met Weisswein.
Weisswein was bred by Heinrich Engelke in Brebber, Germany, and foaled in l978. This striking grey Hanoverian colt by Weingraf (who was himself a son of the classic Weingau and out of a Steinpilz mare), was known for his extravagant movement and extremely kind temperament. He was imported into the U.S.A. by Ana Hanoverian's of Santa Rosa, California, and was sold in 1982 at the age four at their auction to the late John Ledgerwood of Vancouver, British Columbia. Mr. Ledgerwood and I often crossed paths in the Northwest at various dressage shows and I always admired his striking young stallion that was doing so well. A twist of fate caused Mr. Ledgerwood in 1986 to seek a breeding partnership and new home for his talented horse. I jumped at the chance. That autumn, Weisswein moved to Derby Farms to begin a long and rewarding breeding career.
In the meantime, I had been hard at work educating myself about the European breed organizations that were available to North American breeders. Through my various avenues of research, I learned that Weisswein was eligible for inclusion in the Oldenburg stallion book. I was currently showing at the FEI level and he was doing quite well, so in the fall of 1989 I presented Weisswein at the Oldenburg inspection hosted by Jenny Lucianna at her Half-Trak farm in Arlington, Washington. Weisswein was approved and given a lifetime breeding license based on performance in dressage.
My next task was to find a few suitable mares for my new horse. Mares are the backbone of any breeding operation , and because Weisswein was large boned and rather "old fashioned" in his looks, I was lucky to find some Thoroughbred mares that refined his stout frame. Our best mare was also our first. May She Win was a little mare that went back to Gallant Man and Bold Ruler. We got her for a song at a winter mix sale. In all, this Main Mare Book mare produced 14 foals, nine of which were by Weisswein. The first, Wayland, is a striking grey gelding that was Training Level Champion in 1992 and Reserve Champion, Second Level in 1994 at the Yakima Dressage Classic. He continues his winning ways for his amateur owner/rider Val Stouffer, who balances a busy career as the KIRO NewsRadio anchor in Seattle with a busy show schedule. Val and Wayland will be seen at Second Level this year at the Region VI Championships. Wayland's full sister Winnie, a 1991 filly, received the Sylvan Award at the 1999 USDF Region VI Championship. This award is a perpetual trophy presented each year by Judy Hedreen and Sylvan Farm to the highest scoring domestic bred Hanoverian or Oldenburg competing at First through Fourth Level. Winnie, an Oldenburg mare, won this trophy at Second Level with a score of 67%, ridden by her owner, Stephanie Waterman. May She Win went on to produce three more premium foals including a stallion prospect, before she died at the age of 25 in 2001.
I did not confine myself toThoroughbred mares, though. I had much success with Diora, a Hanoverian/Thoroughbred cross by Diamont. This Oldenburg Main Mare Book mare was gifted to me after a severe injury almost ended her life as a two-year-old. She currently has two striking daughters in the dressage ring. Wawona, owned by Derby Farms, is a beautiful and elegant bay mare who went premium at her foal inspection, began her dressage career in l995, and averaged 70% in her first season of competitions (total shows = seven). In l998, she placed fourth nationally at Second Level for the USDF All Breeds (Oldenburg), and in 2001 made her Fourth Level debut with a win at 67%. Her full sister Wisteria, owned by Kathy Mathena, is wrapping up a great debut season as a four-year-old, placing third in the Whidbey Equestrian Center Championship Series at Training Level and continuing on to the Region VI Championships with a 68% average.
In 1991, I bred Wycliff, a grey gelding from a small Hanoverian mare named Avant-Garde who was Oldenburg Main Mare Book approved. She was by Achat, who goes back to Archimades and (like Weisswein) back to Steinpilz. This double Steinpilz gelding shows very expressive gaits and in l997 was fourth nationally at Training Level for USDF All Breeds (Oldenburg). In l998, he was 3rd nationally for USDF First Level freestyle. In 2001, Wycliff had a very impressive Fourth Level season under the ridership of his owner Michael Osinski, a dressage trainer and AHSA 'R' dressage judge from Olympia, Washington.
When I started breeding 20 years ago, I never dreamed I would come so far. I've had lots of help along the way. Roland Ramsauer encouraged me and got me started on the right track with the Oldenburg Verband. Dr. Evelin Vollstedt provided expert advice and candid, honest answers that have been the very best of help. Holly Simensen has been a great liaison between myself and Germany. And finally, the many wonderful horses who have made me so proud.
About the Author:
Pamela T. Pentz and her husband Peter Storey Pentz live in Woodinville, Washington, where they run Derby Farms, a dressage training and breeding facility. Pam is also an AHSA "R" dressage judge, while Peter operates an antique business specializing in early American furniture. [Reprinted with permission of the author and "The Oldenburg Horse" magazine.]