sport horse snippets
Ode to Escudo II (1992–2014) by Edgar Schutte
Prior to joining us at Rainbow Equus Meadows in 2006, Escudo II was pictured on the cover of the Celle State Stud DVD as the star of the stallion parade. His dressage tests without rider, unattached in an open field with pylons earned him the title “World Champion Freiheitsdressur” (at liberty horse). His incredible type, conformation, move- ment and jumping ability also earned him the title of 1994 Hanoverian Licensing Champion. His offspring propelled him to high breed values and he made the German top lists for both jumpers and “riding horse type.” Escudo II was one of only two U.S. stallions to appear in both top lists. Escudo II was in a class of his own. Often bred to old- fashioned jumper mares to modernize their offspring, Escudo II always managed to improve type. Amongst all Hanoverian jumper stallions worldwide, he enjoyed the highest “riding horse type” breed value for eight consecu- tive years. He completed his testing at Adelheidsdorf with a score of 125.63, placing fourth out of 43 stallions (117.56 dressage and 125.73 for jumping). Escudo II produced ten licensed sons and several show jumpers up to Grand Prix level, 13 SPS mares and 47 offspring selected for German Hanoverian auctions. Escudo II, Hanover’s poster boy for learning ability,
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could perform many tricks and entertained thousands, gaining admirers from all over the world. When we first brought him to California he received fan mail—but we also received hate mail from Europe for stealing him away from them! Little did I know that he was quite famous both for being a champion Freiheitsdressur and for all the tricks they performed with him during the stallion parades. They could not teach these things to any other stallion, so he was not replaceable. Acquiring Escudo II wasn’t easy. We had been in search
for a Hanoverian jumper-bred stallion with decent move- ment and versatility and a good desirable type. Espri and the Escudos were pretty much the ultimate in that regard and caused a resurgence of the E-line. Knowing that the Celle state stud also had his highly successful brother, I fig- ured it would be okay for them to sell Escudo II to me. After pressing to buy him for a year, I went over for the licensing and met with Dr. Bade, the director of the stud. We made a sale minutes before the stallion auction took place and sat
60 September/October 2014
n July 8th we lost a true legend: our Hanoverian stallion Escudo II (Espri x SPS Athene/Arkansas), a most endearing friend and family member.
between the Leatherdales, Paul Shockemöhle and others with hundreds of thousands of dollars in bids flying around us, and had big smiles on our faces. In just six years Escudo II became one of the most pro-
lific producers for the American Hanoverian Society (AHS) with 114 registered offspring, as well as many more regis- tered in other registries. At age 21, last year was his biggest breeding year and this year he covered about 50 mares already, so there will be many more progeny to come. Escudo II loved people! He once had 20 4-H kids crawl-
ing all over and under him and he loved every minute of it. His upbeat, smiling personality and positive attitude to- wards anything in his life endeared him quickly to all who knew him. In the end, an infection in his leg deteriorated his ten- dons so quickly that he could no longer walk outside his stall. We made the decision to not let him suffer anymore. He will be missed very much—such a unique, smart and brave soul he was. We will forever be blessed to have been his people.
Courtesy Rainbow Equus
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