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Contender


A Look Back


at a Legend


Detlef, a breeder in Schleswig-Holstein, wanted a Ramiro mare and asked the Holsteiner Verband for help in acquiring one. The first horse they showed him was Gofine. “It was love at first sight!” he recounts and he bought the mare as a three- year-old in foal to Laertes (by Ladykiller xx). “Her canter was outstanding,” recalls Niko’s wife Gisela


Detlef. “Her offspring have all inherited her fantastic canter. Also her character was very special, very friendly to people.” “Gofine became the foundation broodmare for us. With


By Adriana van Tilburg


ated a dynasty of sport horses, putting his mark on Warmblood breeding for more than a quarter century. Thanks to his offspring—and to the availability of his frozen semen—his influence will continue for many years to come.


N


MARE LINE MATTERS Contender’s dam Gofine (by Ramiro x Ladykiller xx) was, many breeders say, the basis for his own success. Niko


ot many stallions reach the age of thirty, but the famous Warmblood stallion Con- tender by Calypso II, who died in January, did. This legendary German stallion cre-


her we started the success of stamm 2472. She produced 17 foals, among them Contender,” Niko explains.


MOVE TO OLDENBURG The Holsteiner Verband bought Contender from Niko Detlef as a young colt. As a two-year- old, he was approved at the Holsteiner stallion inspection and greatly impressed the audience. In fact, he was so impressive that (some say with the help of a bit of alcohol) some members of the board of directors promised a stallion owner from Oldenburg that Contender would go there. This resulted in Contender moving to Oldenburg to start his ca- reer at the stud farm of Werner Schockemöhle in Mühlen.


Calypso II, Contender’s sire. Warmbloods Today 43


Janne Bugtrup


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