“I’ve been breeding horses since the 1980s and I consider
my current breeding stock the pinnacle! I breed for the average rider who wants to excel in the sport of dressage. I look for the best temperament first, since I breed for a horse I would want to ride. Temperament and rideability, then movement, then looks. With that in mind I have been pretty consistent with the “F” line—Furst Piccolo, Furst Romancier, Florestan. We had two fantastic foals born in 2017 by Florestan I,” Marilyn says. “Since all of the stallions I prefer live in Europe I use mostly fro- zen, as this gives me the choice of any stallion on the planet that suits my broodmares. When choosing mares I look for temperament and
Marilyn Gilligan’s Florestan filly with Rousseau dam at inspection.
movement. I particularly love my Matcho Son mare—she is just so perfect. She was imported and trained to Intermedi- ate,” she continues. “Where I’d like to see the breeding direction go? I per- sonally would love to see horses not so huge. I love a super 16–16.2 hand horse. I have owned many a 17+ hand horse and now am preferring the lighter, more agile horses.”
Melissa Mulchahey RoseLane Sport Horses and Ponies Melissa Mulchahey of RoseLane Sport Horses and Ponies in Livermore, California first discovered German Riding Ponies on scouting trips to Germany for Westfalen horses. Impressed by how well they were ridden by amateurs, profes- sionals and children alike, she began to think about them for herself. “Tey really were ‘small warmbloods,’ with all of the gaits, conformation and work ethic of the 16.2 to 17.2 hand horses. I also discovered riding them was more fun, less stress and easier on my body,” Melissa says. She expanded her role in ponies when she became not just a rider but also an international pony stallion owner. She currently stands two Westfalen pony stallions at her farm as well as a third stallion in Germany. Golden State NRW was Bundeschampion in 2012 and USDF First Level Horse of the Year 2014. “Goldi from the beginning has been the stallion of my dreams. A superb athlete as well as the most honest and gentle horse I have ever known, all wrapped up in a palomino golden coat.” In 2016 Golden State had his first sons licensed in Germa- ny with all three earning “premium” stallion. One of his sons, Golden Grey, was named Reserve Champion of the Westfalen
46 September/October 2017 SPECIAL Westfalen SECTION
pony stallion licensing. Golden Grey has since gone on to become 2017 Reserve Champion three-year-old pony dres- sage stallion of Westfalia and is one of several Golden State offspring who qualified this year for the Bundeschampionat. In 2013 Melissa acquired the cremello stallion Golden
West from the Westfalen pony stallion licensing. Tough she was the first American owner in 2012 to win in any division at the Bundeschampionat with Golden State, she was more nervous the second and third times around with Golden West. “I didn’t think I could be so lucky as to win more than once,” she says. With top German pony rider Wibke Hartmann-Stommel in the saddle, once more for Melissa, “Westi” made it through the first two rounds of the three- year-old pony stallion division and into the final where he won a tiebreaker to take the championship. It was a feat that he repeated in 2015 to make Golden West a rare two-time Bundeschampion. “I was absolutely stunned when the results were announced!” Melissa has big goals too on the breeding side and hopes to help boost dressage pony popularity in the U.S. She be- lieves the biggest difference is that in Germany and Hol- land the FEI pony scene is hotly contested, with almost all children under the age of 16 primarily showing ponies, only after which they move up to the big horse divisions. But this country may have its own niche for pony power. “I do believe that we will see a rise in the use of ponies for smaller adults in the next ten years,” she continues. “Speaking from personal experience, I believe that a rider of any age can learn to
Two-time Bundeschampion Golden West.
ride more effectively and correctly on a horse (or pony) that is appropriate sized. I also think that the level of confidence that a rider stands to gain by being mounted appropriately can’t be quantified.” She truly believes in the great qualities of the German Riding Pony as a mount for children and small adults like. “Tese ponies have personality, physical hardi- ness and super rideability. Tey are sensible and have good instincts when you are riding them. Tey are self-confident, very smart, very quick to learn, but they don’t have the in- famous pony ‘attitude.’ In short I believe German Riding Ponies are the ideal mount for aspiring dressage riders and adult amateurs looking for a great competitive mount in a smaller package. Everyone who meets my ‘boys’ falls in love with them and they are great ambassadors for the Westfalen/ GRP breed.” v
Westfalen NA
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
