Hampton Green Farm's Idilio II to Retire from Competition
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Hampton Green Farm and Kim Boyer announce the retirement of[nbsp]Idilio II [nbsp]from formal Dressage competition. Idilio is a coming 17 year old PRE stallion who was one of the first PREs to compete in FEI-level Dressage in the United States and as of this year is the oldest PRE horse competing at the International levels in this country. In September, Idilio was selected by his rider's native Argentina to represent that country in the 2011 Pan American Games.[nbsp]
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Over the years, Idilio's competitive career has helped to pave the way for other PRE horses in this country by his correct and impressive performances in the show ring, not to mention his exceptional beauty which has attracted many riders to the PRE breed. His legacy lives on in his offspring which have won National Championships in Open Breed divisions, are consistently scoring over 70% with their amateur and professional owners, as well as topping large fields of FEI [nbsp]four and five-year old classes in Germany and Spain.
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Idilio II was born in the Huelva region of Spain, close to the Portuguese border. His sire was a full-brother to two-time Champion of Movement of SICAB, Spain's national breed competition. Idilio's dam was the daughter of one of Spain's early Grand Prix competitors, Flamenco XII (who is also sire to France's 2011 National Champion Helio II), and derived from much-desired lines for movement from the Yeguada Marin Garcia. Idilio was first discovered in Spain in 1999 by US rider David De Wispelaere who approached Hampton Green Farm with an investment proposal. When the horse arrived in Florida in 2000 as a five year old, HGF owner Kimberly Boyer decided to buy out De Wispelaere's portion and keep the horse, a decision which eventually led to the exclusive focus of HGF as a PRE breeding and showing operation.
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Idilio was trained to Prix St. George level by De Wispelaere who competed him successfully at the national levels in Wellington prior to David's move to Europe. Afterward, Pati Pierucci took over the training of Idilio. During this period, he was shown at Grand Prix and competed with very promising scores in national classes in both Michigan and Florida. In 2006 German Olympian Martin Schaudt worked with Pati and Idilio and was so impressed with his nature, trainability and athleticism that he purchased one of Idilio's foals, Icono HGF--currently competing with great success at the Five Year Old level in Germany with his wife Jasmin Schaudt.
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In 2008, Maria Lithander of Wellington Florida took over the ride on Idilio and the decision was made to return to the Small Tour to work out some training issues that had developed following an injury. Maria's work with Idilio eventually saw him ranked in the USDF Top 15 Small Tour horses in the country in 2009.[nbsp]
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Currently Idilio is ridden and competed by long-time Lendon Gray student and former international Young Rider Mica Mabragana who, following a year of hard work and excellent riding, received the crowning honor of Idilio's career--the invitation from a national federation to represent a country at an international championship.[nbsp]
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"Now is the right time to take Idilio out of formal competition," says owner Kimberly Boyer. " Mica, Lendon and I feel that Idilio has put in many years under the pressure of multiple riders and lots of competitions, and now he has earned the right to move to the next chapter. Idilio is still very energetic about his work and Mica hopes to play around again with the Grand Prix movements. She is planning to prepare several freestyles for him to be able to perform for exhibition. He is the kind of horse that will want to be worked until his last day, but now without the tension of showing. We are hopeful to showcase his beauty and abilities for many years to come, if he wants it. And of course, he will continue to be a breeding stallion for HGF mares."
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Idilio did not achieve his full potential at Grand Prix due to many factors, not the least of which was his being one of the first Spanish Horses in the United States to enter the top competitions. There were both ups and downs in Idilio's career, but to all who have seen him or who have had the privilege to sit on him or train him, he is unforgettable.
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Career Highlights:
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Over 25 FEI-Level Firsts or Second Placings, 6 at Grand Prix
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8 Show or Association FEI High Point Awards
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In the Ribbons at 3 USDF Regional Championships at FEI-Levels.
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Multiple USDF All Breeds Champion for PRE Horses at Prix St. George through Grand Prix.
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Ranked in Top 15 National Prix St. George horses in 2009.
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Top 20 Adult Stallions at SICAB, 2002.
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Multiple Breed and Functionality Championships in Spain and US.[nbsp]
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Offspring:
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Idolo Americano (2003) --Dressage at Devon Born in the USA Champion Stallion, 2007. Reserve Second Level Regional Champion, USDF Region 2, 2010. Now in training in Spain.
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Vaquero HGF (2007)--Top Ten Four Year Old at 2011 National Young Horse Championships in Spain. Top 5 PRE nationally.[nbsp]
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Icono HGF (2006)--Multiple First and Second Placings at FEI-Five Year Old Tests in Stuttgart Germany with Jasmin Schaudt.
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Watch for upcoming offspring of Idilio II, all scoring over 70% in their first year:
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Icaro HGF--owned and ridden by Annie Morris
Infanta HGF--owned by Mary Magee and ridden by Mica Mabragana
Innato HGF--owned and ridden by Adult Amateur Suzanne O'Brien
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