Oldenberg North America Inspection

Pamela T. Pentz

All photos courtesy of Photos by Scarlett

Derby Farms once again hosted the Oldenburg North America/International Sporthorse Registry mare and foal inspection on August 27th. The inspection was large, with a total of 22 horses presented and several more who had to cancel at the last minute. Located just outside of Seattle, Derby Farms is in a very active sport horse breeding area. It was good to see so many returning faces from years past and to see how their breeding programs have progressed.

Christian Schacht was the inspector and he brought with him from Germany a very warm and positive attitude along with a wonderful, dry sense of humor. His obvious love of the foals and their cute antics gave this inspection a warm, family feeling. Mr. Schacht praised the overall good quality of mares and was happy to see the mare base has improved over the years. The foals were outstanding.

Ten mares were presented to the Registry, representing eight breeds (Arabian, Dutch, Holsteiner, Hungarian, Oldenburg, Swedish, Thoroughbred and Westphalian). Of the 10, three mares were awarded Premium status.

Wawona (pictured above), an Oldenburg mare by Weisswein, owned by Sheryl Burnham, was the oldest horse at the inspection, an 18 year-old mare bred by Derby Farms and shown through Fourth Level dressage, went Premium with 105 points. She was praised for her lovely head, neck and type. A bit stiff in gaits now, due to advancing age, she is due to foal her third foal in the Spring by Rodioso.

Isabella (pictured above),, an Oldenburg mare by Ideal, owned by Paige Ruhl, was also praised for her lovely head and neck and nice way of going. She was also awarded 105 points and therefore Premium.

Daydream (pictured above), a four year-old Westphalian mare owned by Shawn McLaughlin, was First Premium mare with 108 points. This stunning mare had 8’s for head, neck and sex type. Her beauty and lovely way of going and her youth promise a wonderful future for this fine horse.

Next to be examined were the foals. There were 12 bouncing foals, all trying to be cuter than the previous one. They were represented by seven stallions: Benvolio (deceased Hanoverian); Briar (Swedish); For Paragon (Hanoverian); Palladio (Dutch); Rapture R (Hanoverian); Rodioso (Oldenburg); and Sempatico M (Oldenburg).

Ninety percent of the foals received overall scores of 8 or above, and Christian Schraht praised their consistent high quality. He spoke to the crowd and explained why the premium mark has now been raised. In order to achieve a Premium status for a foal all three basic marks—(conformation/type, movement, overall impression) must be 8 or above. In the past the total just needed to be 8 or better and that resulted in some inspections having almost 90% Premium. By making all scores an 8 to qualify for Premium or “raising the bar,” so to speak, it keeps the Premium really special, which is its purpose. That having been said, Christian praised every foal as being outstanding. . . especially in gaits. Painted, by Palladio, received an 8.5 on gaits —the highest movement score of the day. Rainier, by Rodioso, received an 8.4—second highest score and was praised for his extraordinary looks and modern type.

Belle de Jour, filly by Benvolio (deceased) and owned by Rod Gregg and Tekla Jungaro, earned an 8 on face, neck, and had powerful hindquarters. She was a wonderful type and of good size.

Paragon’s Prinzessin, a filly by For Paragon owned by Jean King, was Reserve Premium and was praised for her impressive shoulder, nice face, and correct stance.

Brealante was Champion Premium filly, by Briar and owned by Laurie McLaughlin. She had a “super neck and nice face…movement is powerful and nicely balanced…you can not fault this filly anywhere.”

As a sort of half-time entertainment, the resident stallion at Derby Farms, Rodioso, was run around the ring by the capable Michael Boggs. Rodioso showed his extraordinary movement and lovely conformation to the crowd. He was represented at the inspection by three colts, all of whom achieved an 8 or better in overall score.

The day ended with branding and good cheer by all who attended. Derby Farms and staff are looking forward to hosting this event next year. Congratulations to all!