Exciting New Stallion for Australia - Prestige VDL

Prestige VDL is an exciting new addition to the stallion ranks this season, for dressage and jumping breeders, and indeed all fans of quality Warmbloods!

This KWPN licensed, 1997 stallion, bred in Europe (Silvano N x Lavendel Keur - Prestige's lineage includes Goodtimes, Ahorn Z, Ronald, Cor de la Bryere and Anblick xx) has been imported to Australia and will be standing at Guanaba, Queensland, this breeding season.

Sheridyn Ashwood recently purchased Prestige VDL from New Zealand and is very excited to have her wonderful stallion at home, commenting, "He's been in the country for a week now and I just can't get over how well he's settled in! Mr P, as he's known at home, is amazing - it's like he's been here forever".

The stallion was formerly owned by Lisa Blackbourn, who only decided to sell him due to a tragedy in her family. Prior to deciding on the purchase of Prestige, Sheridyn, with her parents Terry and Lauren Ashwood, travelled to New Zealand and spent a week with Lisa and Prestige.  Sheridyn worked him every day - it was important to everyone involved that they showed signs of being compatible.  After it was apparent from early on that Sheridyn and Prestige were a dressage match made-in-heaven, it was decided that he should come to Australia.

Lisa Blackbourn is full of praise for the stallion, saying, "Prestige is an international quality Grand Prix horse. Australia is very lucky to have him. He's not only talented, but one of the nicest, most obliging and genuine horses you would ever meet. I was incredibly lucky to have him for four years and I've learnt so much from him."

"He's left some fantastic foals over here and will be missed. He stamps his progeny with his amazing temperament and good front end. He gives them a strong hind leg and lots of knee and hock action."

"I've sold both my foals from this season already. His progeny sell very well as they are sensible and easy young horses."

Terry Ashwood is also extremely impressed with Prestige, saying, "He astounds me!  That is the best way to put it.  Prestige is a magnificent horse - he not only has presence and ability, but also an amazing temperament. It was the temperament that really sold me on him.  He's so kind on the ground and under saddle. He's just a really placid horse.  We're currently housing Mr P in a paddock, enclosed with temporary electric fencing and he's so calm and relaxed, even when mares are walked past, he doesn't mind.  We're now hoping he passes his wonderful temperament, as well as his formidable ability, along to his progeny!"

Breeding is not all the Ashwoods have in mind for Prestige VDL - Sheridyn has high expectations of the impressive stallion in the dressage arena and is endeavouring to qualifiy for the 2012 London Olympics.  As Terry says, "Prestige certainly has the right equipment to get there and Sheridyn and the stallion work well together.  We'll now be campaigning him selectively for the remaining part of his year."

So it looks like an extremely busy second half of 2011 for Sheridyn and Prestige VDL with the breeding season and dressage competitions dominating their time.

Stay tuned to Horsezone for more information about breeding to Prestige VDL, meanwhile, if you do have an enquiry, please contact Sheridyn Ashwood at ashwoodparkstud@optusnet.com.au or on 0416 262 055.

Did you know?

Prestige was champion of his stallion test in Sweden with the following scores for basic gaits; eight for his walk, eight for his trot and 10 canter.  From the test riders he received a nine for gaits and nine for his dressage capacity.  He was KWPN approved in 2003, again with high gait and talent scores.

Aged five, Prestige VDL received sixth place in the finals of the Breeders Trophy, winning all five qualifications. In 2004, he was champion of the KWPN Stallion Competition at 3rd level and then moved to Edward Gale for FEI Training.  Although he has only had a few starts at Prix St Georges level he has already scored 70% plus in international Grand Prix and is described as a dressage sensation in the making.

His foals have a good front, powerful gaits, correct conformation and move uphill with a lot of power from the hind leg with a strong canter.  They are known for their beautiful exteriors, willingness to work and unrivaled temperament and character.

Amongst his progeny is the Approved Stallion Penthagon and many Premium and First Premium mares.  His daughter, Beatrice VDL (Prestige VDL/Lorentin1) was awarded First Premium at the inspections in Holland and was selected out of approximately 1000 fillies of 2006 to compete in the KWPN National Foal Championships, finishing in third place.  His daughter Ballerina (Prestige VDL/Flemmingh) earned Premium Status at the KWPN keuring and was named top foal of her inspection. Bling (Prestige VDL/Krack C) was awarded First Premium and made the USA top ten foal list!

Prestige VDL's oldest progeny in Australia are six year olds, Dee Potter bred to him using frozen semen. One of her two foals born in 2005, is now her stud stallion Lourdes Park Protege and another born in 2006 is ACE premium mare classified.

Christa Laarakkers on Prestige:
"I always called him my little bear. Because he is so strong in his hind legs and he loves to hug. Already when he was young you could see his talent for all the difficult exercises like piaffe and passage and pirouettes. Maybe his greatest talent is his character even when it is tough he works always for you."

Christa prepared and presented Prestige for the KWPN Stallion Championships in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Due to his high demand as a breeding stallion, Prestige was not in work for the majority of the year. Prestige would be sent to Christa only six weeks before the KWPN competition each year. As most of the other stallions were in full time training, it was remarkable effort to be in the placing's each year and even winning over all the big names in 2004 at Z (medium) level.

Edward Gal on Prestige:
"Prestige is a talented stallion with very powerful and big movement.  He has an excellent temperament.  Prestige has lots of potential for Piaffe & Passage".

Prestige was in training with Edward Gal for two years.  During this time they scored 70% plus at PSG.

Brett Parbery on Prestige:
"Prestige is an absolutely outstanding horse.  Over the years I have ridden some of the best stallions in the world and Prestige is up there with them, and undeniably the best stallion to enter the Southern Hemisphere.  All I can say is watch this space...."