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News Articles
HGF's Ataturc and Mejorano Bring Home the Medals at SICAB World PRE Championships 2017
Hampton Green's two entries in the Copa ANCCE Finals at SICAB 2017 topped their classes of world-class PRE young horses from the best breeders worldwide. For a second time, HGF competed a Michigan-bred PRE in the SICAB 6 year old finals, and for the second time brought home the Bronze Medal. Our last time to compete at the World Championship of PRE Horses was in 2013, when Jose Daniel Martin Dockx and Vaquero HGF were bronze medalists in the 6 Year Old division. This year, Dani returned to the 6 Year Olds with Mejorano HGF, son of Grandioso III and Ibiza, bred in Michigan. A close scoring level, juried by 6 international judges over two days, finished with the HGF pair again taking the Bronze with scores of 77.8 and 75.2 in the Preliminary and Final tests respectively. Mejorano HGF was sent to Spain from the US in 2015 for training with Dani and we expect him to continue to improve and strengthen as he moves up the levels to the more technical tests. There was no question, however, who would bring home the Gold in the 7 Year Old Division. HGF's Ataturc was the clear favorite of the two days of competition. With scores of 74.79 and 76.41, Ata and Dani topped a class of high quality, well-trained 7 year olds PREs. Ata has only just begun his show career and has won each of the 6 classes he has entered to date. He was purchased in 2016 as a 6 year old from his breeder, Yeguada Ducal--a PRE breeder in Germany. The horse had been backed at the three gaits but little else, having been used for breeding prior to coming to Mijas. Ata quickly took to his new career in dressage, and Dani decided he was ready to go into the show ring for the first time just two months ago at the Dos Lunas CDN in September. Ataturc is from the bloodlines of ANCCE Elite Stallion Ermitano on his dam's side, and the son of Activo VII, known to riders from the days of the CAR-ANCCE program. One note on the Doma Clasica (Dressage) competition as a whole--the presence of high-quality and competitive mares! Mares are now the choice of many of the breeders and riders in Spain for dressage and are making their ascension to the top placings in each class, from 4 year old to Grand Prix. With changes to the selection process for the World Championship of Young Horses (Ermelo) planned for next year which will give preference to qualifed PREs in Spain, the path is now wide open for both mares and stallions to be recognized for their quality at the young horse levels. Hang on for the ride! Photos by Lily Forado
Hampton Green Farm's Encanto XI Sold
Hampton Green Farm is pleased to announce that Encanto XI has been sold to an Adult Amateur rider in Wellington, Florida. Encanto XI was the first foal to be born with the HGF brand. His mother, the late Cantora XVI, was purchased in Spain in 2001, and covered at that time by one of Spain's most famous dressage horses--Evento. Evento had been Ignacio Rambla's mount for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and is credited for sparking the sport world's interest in the PRE horse. In 2001, some of the great horses that define the PRE in dressage today--such as Invasor, Distinguido, Fuego, etc.--had yet to appear in the international dressage scene, but HGF had a vision for the PRE horse and its potential for competition in the highest levels. Cantora was bred to Evento in late 2001 and remained in Spain to foal in 2002. After one year, both dam and foal were brought back to the United States where they were taken to HGF in Fruitport, MI. Cantora went on to produce many top-quality foals for HGF prior to her passing in 2010. Her daughter, Ibiza, is the dam of Robert Dover's Fiero HGF and Martin Schaudt's Genio HGF and Mejorano HGF. Encanto spent three years in the large grass fields of the Michigan farm, turned out with the colt crop of 2003. In late 2006, as a four year old, he came to Wellington Florida to be started, at which time he was first seen by Daniel Martin Dockx. An agreement was made and Daniel became part owner of the horse, who was flown to Malaga shortly after. The pair did not enter competition until 2009, when both horse and rider seemed to come out of nowhere to top many national Developing Horse (Young Horse PSG) classes, and finished as Reserve National Champion Developing Horse. The horse's gaits were exceptional, with a relaxed scopey trot, very good walk, and a flawless canter tour. In 2010, they were Champions of Andalucia--a Small Tour championship--but were prevented from finishing the Spanish National Championships at Small Tour that year due to an infected cut in the coronary band that occurred at the show. Nevertheless, within dressage circles in Spain, Encanto was considered a top young horse for Spain's future. In 2011, Daniel debuted Encanto in his first Grand Prix--in an international class at Sunshine Tour, no less. The pair scored a surprising 67% and finished 7th in a class of over 20 seasoned Grand Prix horses. They were invited to travel to Saumur with the Spanish federation. This being only their second Grand Prix, their score in France showed their inexperience, but they quickly rebounded, scoring well in the Consolation class and then coming home to Spain to win several national Grand Prix classes. By this time, the international press had noticed Encanto, calling him one to watch for Spain and comparing his movement to that of Satchmo. Last year, 2012, was focused on the Olympics with Grandioso, but Encanto quietly obtained his two qualifying scores at Sunshine Tour, and then traveled with Daniel and Grandioso to Germany to train. After a year out of the show ring, Daniel and Encanto once again went down the centerline at Sunshine Tour last month and showed a stronger, more polished, more mature Grand Prix test--taking 2nd in the Grand Prix Special. Now, Encanto's career starts its next chapter. He will be coming back to Wellington, to a story-book beautiful farm, to work with his new owner and her training team which includes former US Team rider Diana Rankin. All of us who have loved Encanto and have believed in him are extremely happy with his new situation, and expect to see him bring his new owner the thrill of successful competition as well as the unparalleled joy of equine companionship.
Where Are They Now? HGF Fiero and Robert Dover
Over the course of the next few months, we will feature short updates on HGF-bred horses who are in the hands of professional riders and their progress. Robert Dover, 6 time US Olympian, purchased HGF Fiero in the fall of 2010, and since October his 2008 bay colt (by Grandioso III out of Ibiza) has been stabled at Stillpoint Farm in Wellington where Robert has been handling and managing the young stallion himself. This spring, with the assistance of Oded Shimoni and his staff, Fiero began his training under saddle. A recent visit to Stillpoint Farm produced these photographs, with Robert actively involved in starting his young horse. Fiero is already working off the lunge--hacking around the farm, as well as trot and canter in the open and covered arenas, with other horses present. On this week's blog atwww.doversworld.com , Robert says this about his PRE prospect from Hampton Green: "I am thrilled with the progress of my coming 3 year old PRE stallion, Hampton Green Farm Fiero! He has gone from being turned out and groomed daily to broke under saddle and ridden with other horses going in the covered arena at Stillpoint Farm in less than one week. Thanks to his trainer, Nicolas Fyffe, who is doing a masterful job of bringing him along, Fiero was so simple that he seemed to want nothing more than to be ridden and played with. But beyond the fact that he displays the perfect temperamant for training, he also has 3 truly lovely and balanced gaits and already shows his father’s ( Hampton Green Farm Grandioso) super ability to extend and collect without even being asked. I could not be happier!" We will keep you updated on Fiero's progress, and check back here weekly for more updates from professional owners of PRE horses, including Beth Baumert, Martin Schaudt, Annie Morris, Cindy Ramirez and Daniel Martin.
David and Ulla Sonshine Are New Owners of Iliado II
Congratulations to new owners David and Ulla Sonshine, who have purchased 2005 PRE Stallion Iliado II, by Idilio II out of Ibiza. Iliado is revised in the Spanish PRE Studbook, and was awarded Best Movement (Mejor Movimiento) for 3 Year Old Colts by the Spanish ANCCE Judge at Fiesta Midwest in Ohio in 2008. He has started his dressage training with Maria Lithander this past summer. He has three impressive gaits that are easily recognized as the product of his sire, Idilio, who is also sire to Devon Champion Idolo Americano and German Medalist Martin Schaudt's Icono HGF. David and Ulla live in Ontario, Canada and David trains with Canadian Team member Belinda Trussell. He currently has an Iberian stallion and enjoys traditional riding along with classical dressage training. His wife, Ulla, is a competitive Ballroom Dancer who also enjoys the traditional music and dance of Spain. Iliado will spend the winter in Wellington working with both Maria and Belinda, and then will return to Belinda's barn in Ontario in the spring. We look forward to hearing more of Iliado's success in Canada! For more information about viewing HGF sale horses in Wellington this winter , please contact our office at 231-865-6000.
In Memoriam Cantora XVI, 1995-2010
Hampton Green Farm sadly announces the passing of one of our dearest foundation mares, Cantora XVI. A sudden and catastrophic colic claimed her life on Saturday morning. Cantora is the dam of Encanto XI (Evento) and Conquero HGF (Cosaco XI), Luz de Luna HGF (Idilio II), and also Ibiza (Galan XVI), who is the dam of Martin Schaudt's Genio HGF (Grandioso III) and Robert Dover's Fiero HGF (Grandioso III). Cantora was integral to our early breeding program and she lives on through her children.