Congratulations Traynham Family!

Highland Empress as a two year old

Congratulations to the Traynham Family of Timber Ranch on their selection of Highland Empress as their foundation broodmare for their breeding program. There simply aren't better bloodlines than hers for the purpose of eventing and this proven producer of champions will certainly be the cornerstone of a very successful program.

Highland Empress is by MASTER IMP, OUT OF A CAVALIER ROYALE/CLOVER HILL MARE,  a combination of Ireland’s very best blood, with close up relations including William Micklem’s stallion, Jackeroo, Zara Phillips’ High Kingdom,  Karen O’Connor’s Mandiba, Clayton Fredrick’s Ben Along Time, Mary King’s Imperial Cavalier, and Tiana Coudray’s Ringwood Magister.

She is currently in foal to The Twain, our Nation’s best bred Thoroughbred stallion for Eventing. The Twain is by Green Dancer, who was a stakes winner in France, winning the French Classic before retiring to stud. He went on to Kentucky for breeding, where he sired many million dollar winners, as well as steeplechase stars. Green Dancer was named the French Leading Sire in 1991. The Twain brings the blood of NIJINSKY to the front of his papers as his grandsire. During Nijinsky’s brilliant career, he became an English Triple Crown winner, set a European earnings record, was Europe’s Horse of the Year in 1970, and was syndicated for a world-record price. He was historically important for establishing the international reputation of his sire, Northern Dancer. Retired to stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, Nijinsky was the Leading Sire in Great Britain, Ireland and eventually the Leading Broodmare Sire in North America. Sir Tristram, sire of The Twain’s dam, was the greatest Thoroughbred stud in New Zealand racing history. He was Irish-bred and raced in Ireland, England, France and also in the U.S. in the Kentucky Derby. He was then bought and retired to stud in New Zealand, where he sired over 140 stakes winners and an extraordinary 45 group one winners, including three Melbourne Cup winners. One of the most sought after performance sire lines of modern day breeding, Sir Tristram’s influence has been incredibly widespread, particularly in International Show Jumping and Eventing. THE TWAIN IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO OVER 40 RECENT WEG, OLYMPIC, AND 4**** TOP TEN FINISHERS.

We are very pleased to be a part of this mare's future and the breeding program at Timber Ranch. We know that there will be exciting years ahead for Young Rider, Megan Traynham, and the future super stars her family will be bringing along!

Video Update: Fürstenshine DF

Got CANTER? Fürstenshine DF has plenty!

We are excited to bring you this video update of Fürstenshine DF. This 2016 Oldenburg colt is by the one and only Fürstenball and out of Lady's Comet xx by the famed Thoroughbred stallion, Comet Shine.

Fürstenball´s pedigree enjoys an influx of blood further down in the pedigree with Holstein and thoroughbred genes. He won his licensing and stallion performance test, was regional and national champion of Germany, sire of champion stallions, winner of S level dressage classes, 2013 VTV stallion of the year, and number 1 of the FN breeding valuation throughout Germany in 2015 - it is hard to do better at such a young age! With his first crop, Fürstenball had already produced the champion stallion and top price (400.000 euros) of the 2012 Oldenburg Stallion Days, Follow Me. Up to now, 34 sons of Fürstenball have been licensed, often awarded with premiums and some of them sold for record prices. He was champion of his licensing, with a sensational154.98 points in the dressage index (16 x 9.0 and better, as well as 10.0 for rideability) and with a jumping score of 113.65 to best the field of 44 stallions.  He was Champion of the German national championships of five-year-old dressage horses in 2011. He won the Championship with top marks: 9.5 for trot and overall impression, 10.0 for walk. 9.0 for canter and suppleness. Prior to that, he became Oldenburg regional champion with a mark of 9.1. In 2012, he put his quality again to the test with high placings at the regional and German national championship and at the World Championships of six-year-old dressage horses. In 2013, he won his first advanced level/ Prix St. Georges competitions.

Fürstenshine's dam, Lady's Comet,  was a winning USEA YEH Four Year Old before beginning her career as a broodmare. Although, it is her famous brother, Courageous Comet, that makes this cross so exciting. One of America's best and brightest eventers of all time, Courageous Comet, came from the track and  propelled himself to international fame with Becky Holder. The team represented the Untied States in both World Equestrian Games and the Olympics, as well as winning the American Eventing Championships. Lady's Comet was just recently accepted into the American Holsteiner's Main Mare Book as a Premium Mare.

Owned by Elizabeth Thieriot, this truly special individual combines the very best of his winning family before him, and exudes the class it takes to be dominate in today's sport world.

Dragonfire Breeding Program Excels at The 2016 Northern California AHHA Inspections

Dragonfire was proud to host this year's Northern California American Holsteiner Inspections, where the top two young horses bore the DF suffix, and several Premium and Merit Mares and Foals from Dragonfire were recognized. Many of the area's breeders presented their stock and it was a delight to see the diversity in foals and mares within this beautiful breed.

Chosen One DF with his dam, Colombia

Chosen One DF was the highest scoring foal of the day and was named a Premium Foal, with the comment from the judge that "this is the exact type we are trying to breed for". By Coconut Grove xx and out of a Diarado/Cassini II mare, "Uno" has a plethora of Grand Prix Show Jumpers behind him and will no doubt be an impressive jumper as he matures. He is beautifully smooth across the top line, and has a balanced and expressive way of going. His temperament is kind and respectful, making him a very exciting prospect for the future.

Chosen One DF

Incantare DF

Incantare DF boasts superior bloodlines for world class Eventing with a very high dosage of Thoroughbred blood. Her sire, Mighty Magic is 3/4 blood, being by the full TB sire, Mytens xx, and out of a Holsteiner mare by the legendary Heraldik xx.  "Candy" is out of the full Thoroughbred mare Crimson Twain DF xx, who is by the very impressively bred Thoroughbred stallion, The Twain. In fact, Incantare DF, has very similar lines to Eventing legend and two time Olympic Gold Medalist, La Biosthetique Sam, ridden by the incomparable Michael Jung. This Merit Filly has a heart the size of Texas and will certainly have the fortitude to contest the world's toughest tracks in the future.

Incantare DF

Hallelujah DF

Hallelujah DF was the only other youngster of the day to match the high score of Chosen One DF. Her larger-than-life personality makes her a real eye catcher, as she takes full command of any ring she is in. This yearling filly was recognized as a Premium and was highly admired by the judge and spectators. She is a half sibling to both Chosen One and Incantare, being by Mighty Magic and out of Colombia. Her floating movement, confidence and style,  and jumping background should make her very successful in any sport she enters.

Hallelujah DF

Lady's Comet xx

Lady's Comet xx was presented and entered into the American Holsteiner's Main Mare Book as a Premium. By the late and great Comet Shine, she has several members in her family that have been highly successful as eventers. She was shown with her Oldenburg colt, Fürstenshine DF, at her side, who will be presented later this month at the Oldenburg testing.

Lady's Comet xx with her Oldenburg colt, Fürstenshine DF

Colombia

Also receiving Premium status in the Main Mare Book, was Colombia (aka Cheerleader DF). By Diarado and out of a Cassini II mare, "Kitty" showed just how strong her family lines are by quietly but very easily jumping out of the arena, twice! She showed a great natural eye and impeccable form during her impromptu jumping display.

Colombia

Crimson Twain DF xx

Another full Thoroughbred that entered into the Holsteiner's Main Mare Book was Crimson Twain DF. Dam of Incantare DF, "Cherry" offers very valuable blood through her sire, The Twain, to improve and lighten lines.

Vanity

The successful former 1* Event mare, Vanity, also entered into the Main Mare Book. By Liostro and out of a Sabotage mare, Vanity has the "greats" of Holsteiner breeding up close in her pedigree.

Ducati

The Merit foal, Ducati, is purpose bred for eventing and has the willing attitude required for the rigors of upper level training. By Dolany and out of the newly minted Premium Mare, Apple of Sam's Eye xx, this colt is smooth, balanced, and very good natured. He has a bright future ahead of him with owner, Cori Davis. 

Photos by Nancy Dein

Video Update: Impress DF

We are very pleased to bring you this video update of Impress DF. This 2016 filly is out of Highland Empress is by MASTER IMP, OUT OF A CAVALIER ROYALE/CLOVER HILL MARE,  a combination of Ireland’s very best blood, with close up relations including William Micklem’s stallion, Jackeroo, Zara Phillips’ High Kingdom,  Karen O’Connor’s Mandiba, Clayton Fredrick’s Ben Along Time, Mary King’s Imperial Cavalier, and Tiana Coudray’s Ringwood Magister.

Her sire is The Twain, our Nation’s best bred Thoroughbred stallion for Eventing. The Twain is by Green Dancer, who was a stakes winner in France, winning the French Classic before retiring to stud. He went on to Kentucky for breeding, where he sired many million dollar winners, as well as steeplechase stars. Green Dancer was named the French Leading Sire in 1991. The Twain brings the blood of NIJINSKY to the front of his papers as his grandsire. During Nijinsky’s brilliant career, he became an English Triple Crown winner, set a European earnings record, was Europe’s Horse of the Year in 1970, and was syndicated for a world-record price. He was historically important for establishing the international reputation of his sire, Northern Dancer. Retired to stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, Nijinsky was the Leading Sire in Great Britain, Ireland and eventually the Leading Broodmare Sire in North America. Sir Tristram, sire of The Twain’s dam, was the greatest Thoroughbred stud in New Zealand racing history. He was Irish-bred and raced in Ireland, England, France and also in the U.S. in the Kentucky Derby. He was then bought and retired to stud in New Zealand, where he sired over 140 stakes winners and an extraordinary 45 group one winners, including three Melbourne Cup winners. One of the most sought after performance sire lines of modern day breeding, Sir Tristram’s influence has been incredibly widespread, particularly in International Show Jumping and Eventing. THE TWAIN IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO OVER 40 RECENT WEG, OLYMPIC, AND 4**** TOP TEN FINISHERS.

Owned by Dayna Lynd-Pugh, we are eagerly looking forward to what the future holds for this super star of a filly!

 

Congratulations Tanni!

Freedom Twain DF at her new home

Congratulations to Tanni Griggs on her recent acquisition of two year old mare, Freedom Twain DF. This full Thoroughbred is by The Twain and out of Warbird Commander, a paternal sister to Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird. "Frankie" is as beautiful as her namesake, Frankie Theriot, and has the level temperament that we have come to expect out of The Twain foals. She has an extravagant movement that will likely make spectators wonder what kind of warmblood she is on Dressage day, but there will be no doubt about her heritage come Saturday when she is blazing around the cross country course, and has plenty left in the tank for Sunday.

Tanni herself is a newly converted Eventing enthusiast, though she is no stranger to working with young horses, and will certainly do a fine job bringing Frankie along. We are so excited for this team and can't wait to cheer them on in their adventures together. Congratulations!!!

Dragonfire To Host The AHHA Northern California Inspection

Dragonfire is proud to be the Northern California host of the American Holsteiner Inspections on September 6, 2016. Please join us at 9:00 A.M. to view the best mares and foals this beautiful breed has to offer in our area.

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the American Holsteiner and see first hand what you can expect from the Association. In the fall of each year, the AHHA conducts an approvals tour at sites across the United States and Canada.  The approvals events are gatherings of  Holsteiner horses and studbook eligible Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds for evaluation by judges.  Successful evaluations will enable stallions and mares to enter the breeding books of the AHHA and thereafter produce fully registerable offspring with AHHA papers.  In addition, the sites also provide scoring and branding of foals and valuable feedback for breeders.

We hope you can join us for this exciting event.

Chosen One DF (Coconut Grove x Diarado/Cassini II)