assigned to their horses generations earlier. Te AHHA follows the lead of tracking mare families by assigning its own stem numbers to the foundation mares which enter the studbook in North America, allowing breeders in North America to develop and nurture their own performance families here.
Game Change: The Blood Influence
Te career of the early Holsteiner horse was to pull a plow or a carriage. Trough industrial progress, the automobile soon replaced the carriage and tractors replaced the reliable and sturdy workhorse breeds in the years following the end of World War II. Te number of broodmares inhabiting the Holstein countryside dropped precipitously as the 1950s rolled on until in 1961 there were only 1,322 mares left from a population of nearly 10,000 just a decade earlier. Yet, devoted Holsteiner breeders were determined to find new uses and careers for their hardy and steadfast servants. Te sport of riding simply for pleasure and competitions for
the rank and file were surging in popularity by the mid-1900s, so Holsteiner breeders set out to reinvent their horse as a top sport model. To a large degree, the Toroughbred and the Selle Français breed deserve credit for the transformation of the Holsteiner from farm laborer to international competitor. Approximately sixty different Toroughbreds and French horses were brought into stud service during the 1960s. While many achieved some degree of success in producing sporty types from the existing mare population, a smaller, select group went on to produce dynasties of unimaginable proportions which formed the basis of what is the modern Holsteiner. One or more of these foundation stallions can be found in the pedigree of nearly every Holsteiner living today. Even though the Holsteiner Verband has seemingly
restrictive rules on the use of outcross genetics, they have always wisely recognized the value of their use in the refinement and improvement of their horse.
Holsteiners Inspire Us
Elizabeth Houtsma and her husband Greg, who is a large animal vet, own and operate Hillside H Ranch in Warrensburg, Virginia. Teir focus has been on producing foal prospects for top-level jumpers utilizing high-quality performance mares. Houtsma states, “Holsteiners consistently bring incredible jumping ability to the table. I don’t think there is a more consolidated, proven source of jumping genetics to be found anywhere else.” She brings up the fact that in 2012 the World Breeding Federation of Sporthorses ranked Holsteiners number one in show jumping rankings, while the number one show jumper in the world was and is currently Richard Spooner’s Cristallo, a Holsteiner. “Tat inspires me!” she says. As a breeder, Houtsma is most proud of the success of her home-bred mare Andoctra HH at the approvals in 2011. “She
34 July/August 2013 SPECIAL HOLSTEINER SECTION
Teo Genn riding Andoctra HH (Indoctro), bred and owned by Elizabeth Houtsma/Hillside H Ranch. She’s currently showing and winning in the 5-Year-Old Young Jumper Classes, is a premium Holsteiner mare and produced a premium foal before going into sport.
ended up being the highest scoring North American bred mare on the inspection tour, with the second highest free jumping scores on the entire tour! She has since gone on to produce her first foal, which was a premium foal, and is currently showing and winning in the 5-Year-Old Young Jumpers,” she says. “Anytime you can watch a horse that you’ve bred, foaled out and raised go on to accomplish what you have hoped for, it is a great experience!” Houstma views the inspections process as a valuable tool for
breeders, helping them to focus on consistently improving the quality of the horses they produce. “Inspections give me valuable feedback on the quality of my
mares and foals—their strengths and weaknesses. It also allows me to get an idea of how my horses compare to those produced by other programs. My perception, from what I’ve seen at inspections since I’ve started breeding, is that the quality of horses presented is consistently increasing,” she continues. “I recommend attending an inspection, since it’s a fun way to really get up close and personal with the breed.” Te versatility of the Holsteiner is another of its many virtues. “My experience with Holsteiners has been that you can find a
Bellagia HH (Contendro), bred and owned by Hillside H Ranch, at her mare inspection as a two-year-old. She earned reserve champion of her large inspection site and premium mare.
Flashpoint Photography
Terrie Tatcher
American Holsteiner Horse Association
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68