Wolkenstanza

Wolkenstanza showing off her trot in hand

Wolkenstanza aka Stanza is Rohanna's third foal and third daughter, born in 2004. We were lucky enough to be smart enough to keep this one. As a baby she was extremely feminine and sweet and would do anything for a scratch or a rub. All of our babies have had very good temperaments, but this one has been truly exceptionally easy going and willing to please. At the age of three weeks she was showing an uphill trot with much suspension, as well as a very correct walk. She has proven herself as one of the best fillies we have ever bred.

Please click here for Wolkenstanza's pedigree.

Stanza being judged

Photo credits: Alicia Frese Photography

Wolkenstanza being judged as a three year old at her American Hanoverian Society inspection where she earned an overall 8.5, highest score given in 15 years!

She has developed into the sort of mare that we like to use for breeding, with a lovely conformation, excellent gaits with a very strong hindleg and lots of suspension. Her temperament could not be better. We presented her for inspection in August 2007, as a three year old. She had injured a hindleg in May playing in the fence at my trainer's farm and had been in stall rest until only two weeks before the inspection. Thanks to miles of hand walking and hand jogging with Andrea Hayden of Prosperity Farm, this setback did not stop our Stanza from shining. Her overall score was an 8.5, which the judging committee pointed out was the highest score given by AHS in fifteen years. I have believed in this particular filly since she was tiny and having my beliefs bolstered is truly a joy. This incredibly high score won the Bari Von Buedigen Perpetual Trophy seen below.

Bari Von Buedigen award

Stanza trotting in hand

Photo credits: Alicia Frese Photography

Showing off the trot that scored a 9 in hand without being turned loose

Stanza a winner

Photo credits: Alicia Frese Photography

The look that made me always believe that this daughter of Rohanna was special!

She went to her first DSHB show in September 2007 (actually two shows on one weekend) at Pennock Point Sporthorses. On the first day she was judged by Kristi Wysocki in the 2004 fillies class, where she received a fabulous score of 83.5%, winning by a wide margin. She then went on to beat the colts to win the Young Horse Championship. Worth mentioning were her individual scores of 8.5 for walk and general impression and 8.7 for trot. Later in the day, she won her Hanoverian class with another fantastic score of 82.9%. The following day, with judge Carter Bass, Wolkenstanza repeated wins in the 2004 fillies class (80.9%) and once again won the filly championship and young horse championship.

The next month Stanza went to the GAIG/USDF Breeders Championships DSHB SE Series Final October 20th. She had qualified for the Fillies Final in September. The judges were Lilo Fore and Hilda Gurney of California. The fillies class was the biggest of the finals with nine really high quality fillies. Stanza did it again, this time winning with the highest scores yet — an average of 83.95! See her with her handler Sterling Graburn at the top of this page.

Judge Fore gave her an 84.6 % and Gurney an 83.3%. Fore gave her an 8 for conformation, 8.5 for walk, 8.8 for trot and 8.7 for overall impression. Gurney gave her 8.2 for conformation, 8.6 for walk, 8.2 for trot and 8.3 for overall impression. Wow!!

Stanza is in foal to Fidertanz for a March 2008 foal. After foaling and weaning, Stanza will go back under saddle for several years. I feel that she has the talent, willingness and mental capacity to shine in the FEI Young Horse dressage tests. Time will tell.

Stanza had been started under saddle in March 2007. Her willingness under saddle is just as good as we had expected and her gaits and balance are simply outstanding. Here are a few pictures of Stanza about six weeks after she was started under saddle.

Wolkenstanza ready to go