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2007 RESULTS Girls Rule
at the ISR/Oldenburg N.A. 2007 Mare
and Foal Evaluation For the past 17 years, the annual ISR/Oldenburg N.A.
at the Ultimate Piaffe has ended with an after party.
The August 19th event, known as the Day of the Fillies,
would be no exception. The
back deck of the Lake Oswego, Oregon residence of Carol and Victor Ives
fills with breeders, handlers, volunteers, family and friends.
The rose bushes and Koi pond set the scene for the celebration
while the hostess, the Ives’ youngest daughter Melissa, makes sure the
libations flow and the shrimp platters, the guests favorite fare, never
runs low. Judge and CEO Ekkehard Brysch uses the opportunity to
both toast to success and respond to questions.
While emotions sometimes range from soaring highs to just plain
soaring, Brysch’s genuine interest in North American breeding programs
provide anyone willing to listen a push in the right direction. Reviewing the day’s results proved the breeders are maintaining their high premium foal percentages that has made this site one of the most successful in the country. The day began shortly after a welcome shower settled the dust and cooled the air for the handlers who presented mares and foals in the largest inspection in the 18-year history.
The first Premium of the day went to the four-year-old Oldenburg mare Gauguin’s Impression. The grey, bred by the Ultimate Piaffe, earned 109 points matching the site record earned just last year. By the Swedish Grand Prix dressage stallion Gauguin de Lully and out of the Premium Oldenburg mare, Isabeau by Ideal, Gauguin’s Impression has two full sisters, both Premium Mares themselves. The black dressage mare Gauguin’s Ideal, known locally as “Boo” has won state and USDF Championships. Gauguin’s Idea, the bay mare owned by Shadysprings farm of Portland, Oregon, produced the country’s highest scoring Premium Foal of 2004, Bravo (Born Ali Koa). The Bugatti son owned by Chris Misita of Cloverdale, California, is currently participating in the 100-Day Stallion Testing in Ohio.
Next up the crowd favorite was the presentation of the foals. After the first five foals in a row were considered premium candidates, it seems last years uncharacteristic “slump” if one can call meeting the national premium foal average a “slump” seemed to be over. Ekkehard Brysch turned to the spectators in the bleachers and said, “someone asked me what my mood was coming here today” he paused and then cheerfully added, “I am happy to say we are back on track”. The audience themselves play a roll in the experience providing cheers and applause can often give a boost of energy to a distracted foal or tired handler, while the foals delightful antics fill the air with laughter. Observing from the sidelines is more than entertaining, it’s educational. Brysch pointed out the importance of breeders following the goals and direction of the sport horse industry. He said that breeders serious about the quality they produce continue to attend evaluations and sport horse breeding competitions. During the presentation the audience showed favor to one flashy colt, but were surprised to find that Brysch did not include him in the growing premium candidate list. Well aware of the unpopular decision, Ekkehard addressed the issue explaining that a weakness currently in the foals limbs affected the correctness of his movement however animated it was and that it was more easily observed from his prospective. It wasn’t the sheer volume of premium candidates, 11 out of 20 foals that made this evaluation interesting, but rather the domination of fillies. In fact, only one colt made the premium candidate list Jomoke by Juventus.
The 10 Premium filly candidates were split into two groups. Of the five candidates in the first group, two were by Fabuleux, a popular stallion choice in this area and two by the legendary Dutch stallion, Flemmingh. Three went on to receive Premium status starting with the 3rd place foal Falina by Fabuleux. 15 years earlier, Falina’s dam, Elfin Delight, UN Beerenauslese x Miss Grey Lene, was presented at this inspection site as a foal. Her filly scored 8.0 and was bred by Kristyn Sherman of Beaverton, Oregon. Scoring an 8.1 and Premium Award was Willow Springs Farm’s Flemmingh daughter Felicia who earned the second position with an individual score of 8.3 in the movement category. Fleur de Lys, the top foal in the first group, was the second Fabuleux filly to earn Premium status with a final score of 8.2. Out of Iron Maiden by Impresario, Kathleen and Roger Ebbage of Creswell, Oregon bred Fleur de Lys. Recognizing that the second ring would contain the highest scoring fillies of the day, people situated themselves around the arena in anticipation. As Brysch worked his way towards the filly championship, all five of the fillies in the ring would earn Premium status. The beautiful bay Oregon State University bred Izolde, by Ideal earned 8.2 in all three categories which gave her a final score of 8.2 Donna Longacre of Longview stables of Longview, Washington, was certainly glad she and her children made the trip South when her filly, Regazoni’s Love, also earned the 8.2 and Premium foal award. By Regazoni and out of Lover, Longacre purchased the mare in foal from the estate of the late Joan Corsberg of Nampa, Idaho. Oregon State University’s highest scoring foal for the day was the LA Baltic Inspiration filly, Baltic Adelaide. This stunning foal earned an 8.2 in type and 8.3 in movement and an 8.1 in overall impressions which gave her a final score of 8.2. Despite the success of the sport horse breeding program and the efforts of Michelle Kustler, DVM and her students, this was their last group of foals. They certainly went out on a high note. The two remaining fillies shared the connection of the same sire, the Ultimate Piaffe’s Oldenburg stallion, Ideal. Both the breeders have produced champion foals at this site as well as a deep appreciation for their mares. The Reserve Champion went to Isabella bred by Holly Scribner of Wilsonville, Oregon and is out of her elegant TB hunter mare, First Dove. Isabella’s individual scores of 8.3, 8.3 and 8.2 provided her a final score of 8.3.
Event rider Dede Moore understands the requirements needed to make champions in her discipline. Moore is known for her wins on her homebred mounts including her grey gelding, Instigator by Ideal. The Premium Filly Championship went to the two month old foal, Isadora who is out of the multi titled event champion mare, Artemis. Claiming the highest movement score of the day with an 8.4 and flanked by 8.3’s, the final score of 8.3 marked her as the “diva” of the day of fillies. Brysch picked up the microphone and spoke, “the quality here today was most impressive” then he added “more than half the foals made it into the premium ring which is far above average” he chuckled then said “although there is a bit of a disappointment that the boys are loosing ground” As the Ultimate Piaffe’s 22-year-old imported
Oldenburg stallion made his way past all the mares and foals, heading
towards the ring for his annual presentation, Brysch once again addressed
the gathering. “And now
comes the very important one who has a lot of impact on the ISR/Oldenburg
Registry….the stallion Ideal.” Michelle Ives-Purdy
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One of the
four eligible foals bred by the Oregon State University sport horse
breeding program, Jomoke out of the Dutch bred mare Amathea, stood alone
in the premium colt ring.