iding Ponies
zle ER RING
By Ann Daum Kustar
U.S., first for Scott Stewart, then for Chad Keenum. Chad has imported several German ponies that were licensed as stallions in Germany before making the trip across the ocean as geldings to star in the hunter ring. The drawbacks of the German ponies? Chad says the size can be tricky. Unlike in
the U.S., German ponies are measured in centimeters, and the maximum height for the pony divisions is 148 cm—the equivalent of 14.2 and ½ hands, which is just oversize for our hunter pony regulations. Also, some of the ponies have too much knee action for the hunters, although Chad and other successful U.S. hunter pony trainers have found that even some of the bigger moving German ponies can be made into hunters by switching shoes, letting their heads go and schooling over trot poles at home. Despite those relatively small changes, he says the basics are the key to success. “I
used to think that I could change a lot of things, and do them better,” Chad says with a laugh. “But the Germans really are smart in their breeding and training, and I’ve learned to appreciate how they do things. It all comes down to choosing the right ponies, and bringing them along the right way.” Finding trained ponies in Germany is getting easier for Americans, thanks to the
popular Pony Forum sales, which showcase the best made show ponies from dressage, jumpers and eventing, as well as young riding prospects, stallions and foals at auctions held across Germany. Their professional team is devoted to promoting and selling only ponies. Eckhard Scharf, one of the forum’s founding members, says that some German pony breeders are starting to realize the potential in the U.S. pony hunter market. “First, when I saw videos of hunter ponies in the U.S., I thought they must move flat,
flat flat, and not have too big of a jump. But this was not true—they must be elastic.” Eckhard explains. “The German ponies can make top hunters for Americans. The only problem is that
so many disappear! We hear they are successful hunters, but their names change, and we get no pictures back,” he adds. “We love that they are winning, but we think everyone should know where these great ponies are coming from!”
A German Breeder’s Perspective Sabine Meiners, owner of Hilkens Studfarm in Lower Saxony, Germany, bred the well-
known and successful pony stallion Hilkens Black Delight (Branduardi M x Morbidelli), as well as a colorful shopping list of other popular licensed stallions. “Dreamcatcher is only one of quite a few stallions that were originally licensed in
Germany and then had a second career as a hunter in the U.S. I have used (the stallions) Branduardi M and Dreamcatcher quite a bit, and rather successfully. I wasn’t happy when they both got sold to the U.S., because that also usually means they’ll be gelded due
Warmbloods Today 83
Three top ponies: Mentano K, Valentino, and Caramel FH—all sold through Pony Forum sales (
www.ponyforum-online.de).
www.reit-bilder.de
www.reit-bilder.de
Pony-Royal
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