Passage Magazine October 2014 | Page 11

F erguson brings new blood into the Dutch dressage horse breeding. He received his Hanoverian stud certificate in Autumn 2013. Since then he has very successfully completed the KWPN performance test and is now also KWPN approved. He received two nines for suppleness and balance. Ferguson has a fantastic build and his attitude is superb. His sire Floriscount (Florencio x Donnerhall) was born in 2005 and is currently already performing at Small Tour-level. Ferguson’s beautiful color gives away the fact that his pedigree is strengthened Donnerhall blood. He is a wonderful dark chestnut. The direct damline that is strengthened with Lauries Crusador has produced several Sdressage horses. The KWPN report states that Ferguson can broaden the blood spread in the breeding of dressage horses. He can also contribute movement technique and correct use of the body to dressage horse breeding. Ferguson is on the brink of a splendid sports career. His canter is characterized by its long stride and scope. With his powerful quarters and beautiful front leg action he ensures that all eyes are focused on him. While still young, Ferguson has managed to gain the trust of experienced breeders like Suzanne Smeeing of Unlimited Stables from Lunteren. Together with her husband, she annually breeds three to four foals. They choose Ferguson for their three-year-old prok mare Galinja (Contango x Vivaldi) out of the damline of Tuschinski. Suzanne explains her choice for the young stallion: “We went to see all three KWPN viewing rounds. He immediatly drew our attention. The spreading of blood, his good conformation and his nice character made us choose him.” She continues: “We enjoy using young studs for our breeding. Cur- rently we have an offspring of Forty in our field which we bred last year. This is a product of his first year of covering. It is more exciting than if you would use a stallion that has prooven itself already. Another breeder who agrees is Adri Zekveld of Stoeterij Sollenburg from Almere city. He explains his choice for Ferguson: “I do not like to fall behind. With the blood of Ferguson, I bring something new into my damlines. I know that these bloodlines fit my mares well. We have flushed an embryo from my best mare. Her name is Astrid Sollenburg (007 x Metall). She is currently being ridden by Floor Dröge on Intermediaire I level. Just think: the mare is only eight years old. I really think she could be a future dam of an approved stallion. We have to be pacient if everything works out with the embryo but I have a lot of confidence that is will succeed”, according to Adri. Left: Platinum's Ferguson Passage Magazine 11