American Trakehner Association
Left: Stiletto ridden by Andrew Palmer. Right: Imminence ridden by Erin Brinkman. Photos by Shannon Brinkman
for amateurs. As a result Jean continues to place on the USEF lists for dressage, eventing and hunter breeding long after the loss of both Martini and Hailo. Jean’s successful
in his dressage shown to Intermediare. He’s now schooling all the Grand Prix. Imminence is also talented and is technically her daughter Erin’s next FEI horse, fondly known as Erin’s “dream horse.” The newest, top competition stallion Jean acquired is Platinum vom Rappenhof which she leases in order to cross with Martini daughters.
Awards Galore Jean’s determined adherence to her breeding goals led her to great personal success in the show ring and as a breeder of competitive horses. She earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals and rode both Preussenwind in Baton Rouge and Martini in Houston at the Olympic Sports Festivals (this U.S. event closed in 1995) where Martini and Jean earned a Team Silver Medal. By 1998, Martini was the leading dressage sire and with Jean as his rider, competed at Grand Prix for six years. From 1994-2001 Martini stood either first or second on the USDF dressage sire list. He produced three approved stallions, and is the grandsire of three more. With humility Jean comments, “I think perseverance
might be my strongest asset along with my deep love for horses. I set goals for myself, both in riding and breeding. But I have to admit, I was pretty astonished when I found myself at the top of the breeding world. After all, there are big name barns out there with all the money in the world, bringing in some of the best bloodlines from all different breeds, yet my horses were bringing in more points. Martini taking the lead so early in his career was another happy, amazing surprise. My love for Trakehners has evolved into a national success.” For several years, Jean was named the top breeder of
dressage horses, all breeds, and placed first in the USEF. Since 2004, when the USEF started keeping the statistics on dressage sires, Martini and Hailo placed in the top fifteen every year from 2004–2008. In 2007, the USEF National standings for leading dressage sires, all breeds, listed Hailo as third and Martini as 13th
.
Jean has never wavered from her goals of breeding horses talented enough for professionals but easy enough
42 July/August 2011
business is definitely a family affair. In addition to Roy’s enormous contributions, she admits, “The girls were a rather huge part of my success in the later years as they matured and developed huge talents. Erin continues to train and show. Through Shannon’s photography, fun, beautiful shots bring buyers when I advertise.” In the last few years, Jean has decided to scale back
on her breeding business to start a transition to the next generation. She made the painful decision to sell a few of her stallions to farms where they would have more influence on the breed, leaving her with only two approved stallions at Valhalla. Some of her mares have gone to other farms as well. But, Jean recently leased a new stallion and bought a couple of young colts. She has only three foals this year, but for next year, there are seven really good mares to breed, too good to be left open. With sheer determination and dedication, Jean
Brinkman and Valhalla Farm have been instrumental in building the Trakehner breed in America, overcoming many challenges, such as changes in market conditions as well as rebuilding the breed’s reputation. Jean continues to openly share her knowledge and experience with other breeders. “The better the breeding, the easier the training,” she touts. And hopefully, other breeders as well as riders are listening.
Erin and Jean Brinkman with Herzenfürst, a 2006 gelding by Donaufurst Ps*E*. Under Erin, “Herzie” debuted in dressage with a score of 80%. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
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