From the March 2014 Issue of Local Horse Magazine

View Lauries As Stallion At Stud listing on STALLIONZONE

The imported Hanoverian stallion, Lauries As, is known in the Australian dressage scene as one of the up and coming rising stars. He is jet black, 17.1hh and is the epitome of the ‘dream horse’ for many, attracting many admirers wherever he goes.  ‘Ace’ as he is known around the stables, was purchased by Remi Stud at the Hanoverian Elite Auction in 2008 in Germany. After competing in the 6yo class at the Bundeschampionate in Warendorf under German trainer, Joern Kubelke, Ace travelled to Australia in time to commence breeding duties for the 2008 season. Upon his importation into Australia, Lauries As was paired with the Queensland based Grand Prix rider, Tor Van Den Berge, who had the ride on another Remi Stud Stallion, Fishermans Friend. 

Tor says that when he first started riding the stallion, he was ‘really impressed with how light off the ground he was. He has always had such a beautiful soft temperament combined with the necessary sensitively for the higher level work. Over the past few years he has gained in strength and confidence and is physically and mentally ready for the more difficult work now.” Tor and Ace have been successful at every level they have competed at up to Small Tour Entry level. Lauries As has been super competitive, with many titles to his name, including: NSW Elementary and Medium Champion 2009, Australian Advanced Champion 2010, HHSA Advanced Horse of the Year 2010, Brisbane CDI Inter 1 Champion 2013 and Australian Intermediate 1 Champion 2013. Tor has set his sights on achieving some big goals with this horse, namely making the team for the Olympic Games to be held in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

The next two years will be critical in ensuring that the pair are ready to peak in time to qualify for a nomination into the Australian Team. This means that Tor and Lauries As will need to make the step into Grand Prix relatively soon. Tor says that “we will spend most of this year in the baby Grand Prix tests to gain his confidence, so that when he steps up to Grand Prix, he is 100% ready for the level”. 

Tor and Lauries As have started the season boldly, winning the Big Tour Entry Level test at the CDI held at Boneo Park in Victoria in January this year. Lauries As is not only a star in the dressage arena; he is also a popular choice as a breeding stallion. Lauries As has produced some super progeny, with foals awarded Australian Titles in Hanoverian classification tours (Remi Lord Darcy, Remi Lord of the Dance), and the oldest Australian bred youngsters are just commencing their competition careers under saddle. The first of the Lauries As progeny to be started was the chestnut colt, Remi Lauries Star, who is owned by Tor in conjunction with the owner of Lauries As, Cheryl O’Brien. ‘Tiger’ was first seen at the 2012 QLD Dressage Festival as a just broken 2 and a half year old , following his father in the stallion display demonstration in front of a full crowd; a true testament to the temperament, talent and trainability that Lauries As is stamping his progeny with.