“When I sat on Apollo I knew he
was special… It was that same athletic
Trakehner jump that I had loved with my last horse.”
Wishing Well (Oldenburg) by Weltstar) and even though he was eight when I bought him, I went ahead and did the paperwork necessary to register him with the American Trakehner Association. It was a great decision to register him and I encourage everyone to register. It certainly helped his resale as he sold to the first person that tried him.” Apollo Star came into her life when she wasn’t
time. The three kids play sports, swim competitively, play travel soccer and have their own busy schedules. I don’t want them to have to sacrifice a lot for my horse hobby. I probably don’t get enough sleep, but I feel so fortunate to step out my back door and ride. They are wonderful kids that keep me motivated because I am always busy laughing, carpooling, learning and cheering them on in life. My family makes my life complete and I thank God for the opportunity to be a wife and mother and a rider.”
Finding Apollo Apollo is Liz’s second Trakehner. “My first Trakehner was I W
Valor (1998 Part-Trakehner gelding by Impressionist, out of
Opposite top: A jubilant Liz pilots Apollo Star in the victory gallop at the American Eventing Championships. Photo by Josh Walker/USEA Opposite bottom: Liz and Apollo Star competing in cross country at the championships. Photo by Josh Walker/USEA Above: Apollo Star’s sire, Abdullah *Pg*E*, an Olympic and World Cup medalist in show jumping. Photo courtesy of USA Today
looking. “I was showing Valor and we had just won the Indiana Adult Equitation Medal in November 2009, when my hunter trainer, Amy Tilson, called me and said she had seen a horse for me,” she continues. “Apollo’s previous owner was moving to Africa to become a missionary and had to sell her two beloved pet horses. I was lucky enough to have Amy think of me when she saw Apollo. I think the exact quote from Amy was, ‘You have to trust me. I found a horse for you. He can win the hack and do the 3’6” division, no problem…but
he’s eleven and really fat.’ When I sat on Apollo I knew he was special. I only jumped him over a two-foot vertical, but when I felt him push and round over the jump, I knew. It was that same athletic Trakehner jump that I had loved with my last horse.” She ended up selling Valor where he went on to be ATA year-end reserve champion in the hunter divisions for his new owner, Dr. Katrina Seitz, in 2010. Apollo Star was bred by Carmen Armstrong of Sycamore,
Illinois, who purchased two breedings to the Olympic jumper stallion Abdullah *Pg*E for her two Avignon II daughters, one being Apollo’s dam Angelina vom Castell (bred by Ricarda Barton Wall who also owned Avignon II, a full brother to the German stallion E.H. Arogno). Carmen eventually consigned Apollo to the ATA’s Select Sale held in Columbus, Ohio, when he was two and a half. His buyers were a mother and daughter from northeastern Indiana. When the daughter grew up and took a different path in life, Apollo and his stable mate were turned out in a field for five
SPECIAL TRAKEHNER SECTION Warmbloods Today 69
American Trakehner Association
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