Our journey into breeding began in 1990 when Linda desired to breed her beloved Thoroughbred mare, Another Gel. We were fortunate to win a breeding to the highly successful Thoroughbred hunter stallion, Tex The Man, owned by Cheryl Francella. Cheryl proved to be a kind and patient mentor and our desire to breed and develop young horses only grew greater. We realigned our breeding efforts to cross Another Gel with warmblood stallions as Linda’s riding interests transitioned from hunters to combined training and dressage.
We were so very fortunate to meet Scott and Susanne Hassler who encouraged us to have Another Gel approved by the ISR/Oldenburg N.A. registry. We participated in the first inspection hosted by Hilltop and in doing so Gel earned entry into the Main Mare Book. She gave us five beautiful ISR/Oldenburg N.A. approved foals, two of whom earned Premium status. Under the Hassler’s mentorship, we expanded our mare base to include the imported Hanoverian mares, St.Pr.St. Danina and Ariane. We also acquired the domestically bred Holsteiner mare, Bit of Luck and the Dutch performance mare, Kroniek. Our mares produced thirty-one foals of which 18 are registered with the ISR/Oldenburg N.A., 8 with the American Hanoverian Society, 3 with the KWPN, 1 with Rheinland Pfalz-Saar and 1 with the American Jockey Club. Of the ten offspring that went on to dressage careers, four are very successful at F.E.I. Although our program yielded primarily colts the two fillies (BW-Callista and BW-Raina) that were later presented as mares both became MPT and Inspection Site Champions. We were Dressage at Devon’s Breeder Group Champions in 2004 and 2006 as well as Reserve in 2002, 2003 and 2005. We are also Star Award Breeders with the Oldenburg N.A. registry.
OUR MARES
BW-Raina */-/* (2005-2023) Chestnut, 16 H, Hanoverian,
BW-Raina */-/*, is the beautiful daughter of Royal Prince and St.Pr.St. Danina. In 2018, Raina was MPT Champion at her ISR/Oldenburg N.A. inspection hosted by Hilltop Farm. She also became the highest scoring mare in the United States and Canada with a near record setting score of 110 points. In 2020 we welcomed her first foal by Sir Sinclair Keur, USEF’s #1 dressage sire for the past five years. BW-Sir Samuel shows all of the attributes we love to see for future top performance! He was awarded Premium status by Oldenburg N.A. with a score of 8.2. This special fellow is offered for sale. You can learn more here.
St.Pr.St. Danina (1996-2021) Liver Chestnut, 16H, Hanoverian, Oldenburg N.A. and A.H.S. approved
St.Pr.St. Danina was imported from Hengstation Pape. With superstars Donnerhall, Pik Bube, Werther, and Wendekreis, filling out her pedigree, it’s not surprising that Danina herself achieved remarkable scores of 8’s and a 9 for her gaits and rideability in her performance test in Germany. Danina has had eight offspring which are successful in both dressage and the hunters. This proven rideability, as well as Danina’s powerful hind leg, beautiful topline, and correct conformation, are shared by her offspring. BW-Forte (by Festrauch) has shown successfully through Intermediare 1.
Ariane –/*/* (1996-2016). Bay, 16.3H, Hanoverian, Oldenburg N.A. approved
A daughter of A Jungle Prince, Ariane was imported in 1997. Her sire line brought to our breeding program, the tremendously successful pairing of Argentinus and Pik Koenig. This genetic pairing has resulted in numerous international champions in dressage and show jumping. Her dam line includes the extremely influential Romadour II and Matcho, both prolific producers of States Premium mares and licensed stallions in both show jumping and dressage. All seven of Ariane’s offspring earned Premium awards, inspection site honors and Dressage at Devon wins. Her daughter BW-Corabelle (by Contucci) won multiple Devon Championships earning a record-setting score of 89.5%. Her full sister, BW-Callista is a Premium Mare and MPT Champion who went on to become the 4-Year-Old National YH Champion in 2006 then competed successfully to Intermediare 1. Callista owned by Leslie Valente, is retired at our farm and one day may be bred. Ariane herself won Dressage at Devon, Produce of Dam, in 2004 and Reserve in 2003.
Bit A Luck –/*/- (1987-2013) Chestnut, 16.3H, Holsteiner, Oldenburg N.A. approved
Bit A Luck was by Holsteiner Sire of the Year Le Santo, who proved himself as a talented jumper before going on to win Championships at Prix St Georges and Intermediare I. Le Santo was by Landgraf I, sire of over 130 approved sons. The dam side of Bit A Luck’s pedigree was equally impressive. She was out of Shine My Luv, whose Rheinlander grandsire My King was both a Grand Prix jumper and Grand Prix dressage horse on the Canadian Olympic team. Granddam Shine-O-Bit was shown through Grand Prix by Linda Larisch and was her mount at the Pan American Games. Shine-O-Bit’s sire, Bit-O-Shine was an extraordinarily successful Grand Prix and exhibition horse with dressage legend Chuck Grant. An injury as a yearling kept Bit A Luck out of competition, but was confirmed through 3rd level and had exceptional ability to perform collected movements. She was an extravagant mover, which she passed on to her foals. Bit A Luck gave us four wonderful foals all of whom earned Premium status with ISR/Oldenburg N.A. Her first daughter, O’Shining One (by Cabaret) was the 2011 Reserve Champion at Intermediate I in Region 2 and is now training at Intermediate II with her owner, Linda Larisch. Another daughter, BW-Royal Princess (by Royal Appearance) was a Materiale champion. Bit A Luck produced a colt for WillowMay Farm that is being raised as a stallion prospect.
Kroniek U (1992-2012) Liver Chestnut, 16.2H, Dutch keur, KWPN approved
Kroniek came to us in 2006 after a distinguished performance career through 4th level, with Cindy Mattern, who earned her USDF Bronze medal and Kroniek, her Sports Predicate. Kroniek’s sire, Democraat, is one of a handful of stallions who performed to the highest levels in both jumping and dressage and was champion of his SPT in Warendorf. Kroniek quickly became a beloved schoolmistress in our teaching program. In 2008 Kroniek was leased to Lazy J Sport Horses and where she produced three beautiful sons; one by Contango and two by Harmony’s Rousseau. Her oldest son, Faberge Blue (by Contango), has entered the Developing Grand Prix program under Michael Bragdell. Fabs is owned by William Mitchelson. Cindy is the proud owner of both Rousseau sons.
Another Gel (1981-2010) Bay, 15.3H, Thoroughbred. Approved Oldenburg N.A.
Another Gel (Tilt Top-Guava Jelly-Bob Wag) had an excellent racing career prior to her transition to combined training. Her sire was the influential Thoroughbred sire, Tilt Top, who’s lineage included Princequillo. She gave us six beautiful foals, two of whom earned premium status with ISR/Oldenburg N.A. Two of her offspring by the dressage sire, Tantris are successfully competing in dressage. BW-Titus and his adult amateur owner enjoyed success at 3rd level. BW-Tristan under professional trainer, Colleen Gray, racked up wins at PSG and together earned Colleen’s USDF Silver medal. Gel’s other offspring are very successful in the hunter and jumper rings.
Blue Waters Farm 