Flax Lion Stud’s Samaii (pictured) is believed to be the first British-bred coloured stallion to pass a 30-day performance test in Germany. Owner Cheryl Mitchell bred the 16.2hh three-year-old by Sambertino out of the elite Hanoverian mare Berolina, who is by Brentano II.

 

Samaii completed his 30-day test at Neustadt recently, achieving an overall dressage score of 8.18, a 9 for character and temperament, 8 for canter and 8.5 for his walk.

 

Cheryl said: “Considering the Germans generally don’t like coloured horses, it has been quite an achievement and I am amazed that we’ve had an enormous amount of interest in him as a sire. He will continue his dressage career in Germany and go forward to the 70-day test next year.”

 

In 2005, Samaii was shown successfully in-hand, taking second place in the yearling colt class at the British Dressage Breeding Championships. In the same year, he was also the first British Equestrian Federation (BEF) Premium winner and third overall in the BEF owner/breeder section.

 

Two British-owned stallions – the Kilbees Farm Stud Beltoni and Donaugold – swept the board in their 30-day performance tests. Sarah and Tony Pidgley’s Beltoni was the overall winner with marks of 9 for trot, 9.5 for canter, 8.8 for walk, 9.35 for character and a magic 10 for rideability.

 

The Trakehner stallion Donaugold was a close second and demonstrated his versatility by gaining the highest score of the day for his jumping ability.

 

Kilbees Farm Stud will be presenting five of their stallions, including Beltoni and Donaugold, in partnership with Paul Schockemöhle, German international judge Christop Hess and the Westphalian State Stud at Olympia.

 

The display entitled “Breeding for Success” is sponsored by The Berkeley Group and will take place on Tuesday 18 December before the FEI World Cup qualifier.

 

For more info, go to www.olympiahorseshow.com.