Der Graf

Noblesse Oblige… Der Graf offers American breeders a special opportunity to breed to the very best bloodlines Europe has to offer. From the celebrated Donnerhall x Pik Koenig cross, with the powerful heritage of Graphit as well on his mother's line, Der Graf offers his own brand of royalty for American breeders.

Der Graf's foals have been topping the ranks of the nationwide RPSI keurings year after year. Der Graf has produced a higher percentage of Gold Premium foals per foal crop than any other Zweibrucken stallion that we know of in America. In 2007 SIX of his foals scored Gold Premium, with FIVE of those scoring 8.2 or above! In 2005, 100% of the Der Graf foals presented for scores earned Gold Premiums! Now his foals are entering the show ring as well -- and with superior results! Der Graf's 2005 colt Dublin was the Great American Insurance/USDF Breeders Series Champion colt in 2006, and his 2004 filly Dolce Vita finished the season as Reserve Champion filly!

  

  

Modern in type, leggy and elegant, Der Graf promises to follow in his famous sire's footsteps in the dressage ring. Imported from Germany in the fall of 2000, Der Graf was the sale topping foal, sought after by all, at the 2000 Rheinland Pfalz-Saar Elite Foal Auction in Zweibrucken, Germany. Der Graf's pedigree reads like a who's who of the sporthorse world. His sire, Donnerhall, could be the most successful dressage stallion of all time. Not only was he a many time champion at the Grand Prix level, but he was German National Champion in 1994, a World Cup champion, a member of the Gold medal German team in two World Championships, as well as the bronze medal winner individually. He retired sound and strong at 17 years of age, and his recent death was mourned by the worldwide dressage community. Donnerhall's breeding career, like his show career, is too long for me to list fully, but he has produced more than 50 approved sons in Europe, and many States Premium daughters, as well as numerous successful offspring in sport. Der Graf's dam's sire Pik Koenig is a foundation sire for the Hanoverian breed, producing the world famous Pik Bube, among many other highly successful offspring. Graphit, too, is a legend in his own right, siring a long line of horses successful in sport.

  

  

  

  

  

Der Graf lives up to his heritage in his movement, temperament and athletic ability. His gaits are powerful and swinging, his talent for dressage evident in every step he takes, and his conformation as well is elegant and correct. Standing over 17.1 hands, Der Graf offers size as well as substance for American breeders. Der Graf is showing great potential for the upper levels of dressage, and also shows great scope and power free jumping. Der Graf has placed first or second every time out in 2007, First Level dressage, with scores from 66-68%, under trainer Missy Fladland of LaRiata Ranch of Council Bluffs, IA! Under his former trainer Jim Eldridge of Noble Champion Sporthorses, Der Graf was Reserve Champion stallion in-hand with a score of 72.5% and won his materiale class at the Texas Dressage Classic held April 15th and 16th, 2005.

  

Der Graf is now in training with Missy Fladland of LaRiata Ranch, in Council Bluffs, IA. We are excited about this pair -- and have a number of shows planned for spring and summer, 2007, both in California and the Midwest. Watch for them in the dressage and sport horse breeding classes!

Der Graf is approved for breeding and licensed to Stud Book I by the Rheinland Pfalz-Saar International. He successfully completed his 30-day performance test at the first annual RPSI stallion testing in December 2005 at Kasson Ridge Farm in Bethlehem, CT. He has had excellent conception rates both by fresh and fresh cooled shipped semen. If you are looking for unparalleled foundation performance bloodlines from Germany and spectacular movement, keep Der Graf in your breeding plans for 2007. His foals are consistently impressive!

Download/Play a video clip of Der Graf under trainer Missy Fladland