Trakehner Stallion Carino Celebrates 30th Birthday

May 31 - St-Lazare, QC --- May 2006 marked the thirtieth birthday of the well-known trakehner breeding stallion Carino (Liguster X Kobalt). For this special occasion, Rappenhof Trakehner Stud, the stallion’s home for the past twenty years, hosted an array of festivities in honour of the German born stallion.

Originally approved for breeding in Germany by the Trakehner Verband, Carino went on to be approved by the American Trakehner Association (ATA), Canadian Trakehner Horse Society (CTHS), Canadian Sport Horse Association (CSHA), Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association (CWHBA) as well as the International Sport Horse Registry (ISR/Oldenburg), producing numerous halter, dressage – up to FEI levels, hunter, jumper, endurance and driving champions across North America. It is estimated that Carino has produced some 200 winning competition horses out of an estimated 400 offspring produced in both Europe and North America.

The stunning black stallion is widely known for producing beautiful performance horses. So eye-catching are his noble trakehner features, he has made it to the front covers of several magazines. In 2000, Carino was recognized by the CSHA for his ability to pass on his attractive conformation and movement by being presented with the “Carolin Sifton Award,” awarded to the top CSHA stallion based on the points accumulated by his offspring at breed shows. That same year, Carino was also runner up behind the hanoverian Rio Grande for the “Brickenden Stallion Award,” awarded to the top CSHA stallion based on the success of his performing offspring – proving that beauty and performance can coexist.

Through his offspring, Carino once again proved that breeders can strive for beauty, intelligence, athletic ability and work ethic - all in the same horse. What’s more is that nearly all his halter champion offspring went on to attain glory in sport, many even winning simultaneously in two or more disciplines.

Since Carino’s attractive and correct conformation, cooperative attitude, trainability, great movement and good jumping skills were reliably passed on to his get, he quickly became one of most desired trakehner stallions on the continent. In fact, based on the number of mares bred, he was the most popular ATA stallion in 1993. Today, Carino’s valuable blood is still very desirable and can be seen be seen in the quality offspring of his daughters and approved sons.

“This German born stallion has earned our ‘Elite’ status by virtue of his exemplary offspring including a ‘model mare’ and four approved sons”, commented Allen MacMillan, President of the American Trakehner Association. “Known for passing on his lovely temperament and producing exceptional partners for amateur riders in many disciplines, he is an excellent ambassador for the breed.”

“If you ask me and people who know Carino personally, his most important achievement is what he did for the improvement of temperament and character,” commented Carino’s proud owner, Connie Kempter. “With his good-heartedness and his sense of humour showing in his kind big brown eyes, he became an ’institution’, conquering hearts first in Quebec, then in other provinces and over the years more and more in all parts of the States. He is special not only to his friends and fans at home, but also to many happy owners of ‘Carinos’ on both sides of the Atlantic. At Rappenhof we pray that we may share the special bond with this true gentleman and partner, whom you can really trust with your life, for more years to come.”

On a daily basis, the youthful stallion can be seen showing off his above average movement in his paddock as he looks over five small groups of trakehners at Rappenhof. He loves rolling in sand or snow and talking to his neighbouring ladies and babies in the stable. Carino shows few signs of old age and has clean legs, a rather good topline and not a white hair in sight. His good health and soundness requires no special maintenance nor does he require shoes or bandages.

Source: Dave Thind

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Ishoy & Proton Achieve Strong Performance at CDI3* Hagen

Ottawa, Ontario --- Only days after the World Cup Final in Amsterdam, NED, Canada’s Cindy Ishoy and Proton headed to Hagen, Germany to put in a strong performance at the CDI3* held April 27-30.

The competition saw many of the previous week’s World Cup competitors taking part. Ishoy of Jerseyville, ON and her Olympic Mount Proton, took on a field of 46 top riders competing in the Grand Prix which included many top international dressage riders such as Kyra Kyrkland, Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff , Hubertus Schmidt and Isabel Werth. Ishoy and her 12-year-old dark bay Baden-Wurttemberger gelding were awarded a score of 68.625 %, with one member of the international judging panel giving them a 70.000%, to finish in a tie for eleventh position. The class was won by Germany’s Isabel Werth and Satchmo on a score of 74.417% with country mate Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Renoir Unicef in close second with 73.750%.

Ishoy’s strong performance in the Grand Prix qualified the pair for the Grand Prix Special where only the top 10 horse/rider combinations declared for the Grand Prix Special proceed. Their ride was awarded a score of 66.92% and placed them in 9th position. The class was again won by Germany’s Isabel Werth and Satchmo with 75.120%

Ishoy and Proton (Patriarch I x Rosenkavalier) have returned to Canada where they will be gearing up to earn a berth on the Canadian Dressage Team who will be taking part in the upcoming World Equestrian Games being held August 20 – September 3, 2006 in Aachen, Germany.

For more info, please visit: www.dressagequebec.com