Held in early September in Warendorf, the national young horse championships offered a glimpse into the next generation of champions, while also reaffirming the strength of established bloodlines. Many stallions from IHB’s extensive catalogue of Warmblood sires featured prominently among the 2025 podium finishers.
Viva Vitalis OLD claims six-year-old championship
The six-year-old dressage final went to the impressive Viva Vitalis OLD, a striking chestnut stallion — very much in the mould of his sire, Vitalis — who stands at Schockemöhle Stud.
From his first public appearance, Viva Vitalis presented himself with exceptional quality. Harmonious in conformation, with powerful, active hindquarters that consistently worked under his centre of gravity, this stallion demonstrated the attributes of a top sport horse and was a winning stallion at licensing. Viva Vitalis has now begun a promising competition career with Lukas Fischer in the saddle; at Warendorf, the pair scored 89.6 in the final (91.6, prior to a penalty).
Viva Vitalis OLD is available through IHB, along with his influential sire Vitalis and damsire, Fürst Romancier.
Lord Europe & Benicio impress
The influence of Lord Europe (Lord Leatherdale x Boston) was particularly evident this year. He sired the five-year-old champion Lodovico (Lord Europe x Don Frederic) and two third placegetters in the four-year-old classes: Lord Löwenherz (Lord Europe x United) in the mares and geldings championship, and Louis Löwenherz (Lord Europe x Don Index) in the stallion championship.
Benicio also proved his continuing strength as a sire, producing Be My Sunshine (Benicio x For Dance), winner of the three-year-old mares and geldings class, as well as Be My Dancer (Benicio x Vivaldi), who finished third in the six-year-old championship.
Sir Donnerhall still influential
Alongside fresh names, established sires once again made their mark. Sir Donnerhall appeared as the damsire of four placegetters, including the seven-year-old champion Sky (Sezuan x Sir Donnerhall) and the four-year-old mares and geldings winner Weihe’s Happiness OLD (Dynamic Dream x Sir Donnerhall).
Fürstenball was also present, siring the seven-year-old reserve champion Fides (Fürstenball x Sir Donnerhall). He remains one of IHB’s most popular stallions this year.
Other IHB-linked stallions also shone:
Dynamic Dream produced a notable result, siring four-year-old mares and geldings champion Weihe’s Happiness OLD.
Londontime – damsire of three-year-old stallion champion Soxx.
Londonderry – damsire of third-placed three-year-old stallion Beck’s in Black.
Foundation – damsire of the four-year-old mares and geldings runner-up, New Balance OLD.
Royal Blend – damsire of the four-year-old stallion runner-up, Benjamin Franklin.
Vitalis – sire of the five-year-old runner-up, Veni Vedi Veci.
Stolzenberg a mainstay in jumping
In the jumping arena, Stolzenberg once again underlined his influence by siring Supergirl PvB, winner of the seven-year-old championship.
Based at Germany’s State Stud Celle, Stolzenberg (Stakkato x Sandro) is a proven sire with nearly 400 successful offspring in national and international sport, as well as the title of 2019 Hanoverian Stallion of the Year. His name was once more prominent in this year’s Bundeschampionate.
Other notable jumping sires included Ogano Sitte, sire of six-year-old third placegetter Oberon 67 (Ogano Sitte x Furioso II), and Chacoon Blue, sire of seven-year-old third placegetter Chacboy Blue BW (Chacoon Blue x Sandro Boy).
IHB stallions shine beyond Warendorf
IHB stallions also continue to deliver results at elite international competitions.
Schockemöhle’s Total Hope OLD (Totilas x Blue Hors Don Schufro) has proven himself at the highest level, placing 10th at the Paris Olympic Games and more recently finishing 8th at the FEI Dressage European Championship in Crozet with Norway’s Isabel Freese. Not surprisingly, he is among IHB’s most sought-after sires this season, alongside Fürstenball, Proud James, V-Power and Escaneno.
In eventing, jumping sire Diarado continues to wield influence. His son JL Dublin, ridden by Tom McEwen, secured team and individual bronze at the FEI Eventing European Championship in Blenheim – proving his consistency and quality at the top end of the sport.
Breed for Success – Breed with IHB
Contact Glenis Dyason
Phone: 0427 400 357
Email: sales@ihb.com.au
To find out more about stallions available via IHB this season, click here to visit their website.
