DvZ Stud - breeding athletic warmblood sport horses in Australia

Exciting sponsorship finalised!

Last Friday the 8th June was an important day when I handed over the lead rope (not yet the rein) of rising 2 year old filly DvZ Tiffany as a future eventing star to well known eventer Natalie Hibbert.
Nat had her eye on this filly since September 2011 and I decided that I would help her and give her this well bred filly. Tiffany is by the well know sire Capone and out of DvZ Tenacity, the dam of Lucy Spittles eventing prospect DvZ Toshka. Another daughter, DvZ Terika is in the hands of Rachael Andrews. We have to be patient, of course, but late next year she will be old enough to get some baby lessons.
We are both very excited with this sponsorship smile

Posted on 10 Jun 2012 by Dolly

At long last an update

I have been neglecting the News on my website. That is not good, of course. So here goes!
The breeding season has been mixed with trying to put 10 mares in foal and we needed at long last with 7! Not bad, but most had to be done several times. We lost the wonderful DvZ Desiree, the grey mare by Dutchman, who was only days of foaling, due to internal bleeding. Nothing could have been done about that. Breeding is wonderful but can be so heart breaking at the same time. You need to have a clear vision what you want to achieve to keep going at times. The many successes I've had over the years make it all worth while.
Going to the events and see sometimes not one but even two DvZ horses compete with their proud owners, is just awesome!
2012 is shaping up to be exciting and interesting!
At the dressage champs we had DvZ Parzival and DvZ Fantasia, at the eventing DvZ Debonaire and at jumping DvZ Funtimes. We also have DvZ Toshka and DvZ Fellini out there strutting their stuff. Some of these are young horses, like DvZ Quintara and DvZ Janou. Being warmbloods they take time, the first couple of years under saddle is more education and one needs to be patient, but then...watch out, they really show what they are bred for.
It is great to talk to the owners and see how proud they are of their DvZ horse and the plans for the future they have. It is great to keep that relationship and I value it very much.
Don't forget, There is a DvZ horse for you sitting in my paddock, all you have to do is come and see them :)
Till next time!! smile

Posted on 29 Apr 2012 by Dolly

Some more news

Apart form the European champs we had Wooroloo eventing weekend, always a super event. Unfortunately I could not go and see DvZ Debonaire go cross country due to expecting a prospective client.
However his wonderful owner and rider Rebecca Thomas keeps me up to date and I got the news last night that the two got second in the 1*!!! Fantastic!
Debonaire is by the imported and now deceased Dutchman, a Le Mexico horse who produced horses dressage, jumping and eventing.
Debonaire has a full sister here at the stud DvZ Desirée who this year expects a foal by Bundeschampionat and eventing star Grafenstolz!

The rains have been fantastic and the dam is almost full already and pasture is finally getting away. The springtime season is looking good!
Ciao!!

Posted on 22 Aug 2011 by Dolly

European Dressage championships ...

Well, what a weekend, I was glued till midnight for two days at my screen to try and follow the European Dressage Championships held in Rotterdam. Dressage was never this exciting and nail biting. For years it was 'only' a tussle between the two dames of dressage Anky and Isabel, then the last couple of years it was Edward Gal and Totilas who stole the show all by themselves, but this year it got very exciting as out from left field came the Brits, and a little to their own surprise they are the new champions of modern day dressage. Carl Hester and his pupil Charlotte Dujardin both seated on KWPN horses showed what you can achieve with relaxed soft contact full of expression.
It was truly a delight to watch the videos (not till next day, but worth the wait).

A a breeder I am of course interested in the bloodlines of the horses. I realise that riders really don't care about the way their horse is bred, all they want is one with a trainable temperament and super world class paces regardless of its bloodlines. However... someone bred these champion horses and I can guarantee you that that did not come about by accident! Careful planning and in many cases for several generations to come to todays champions like Carl's Uthopia (Métall) and Charlotte's Valegro (Negro) and of course Adelinde's Parzival (Jazz), Patrick Kittel's Scandic and also Totilas (Gribaldi). these 5 horses are all bred in The Netherlands with the KWPN studbook.
And maybe it is not just the breeding of these horses that make them super stars but the way they are trained.
One of the most striking examples of two different training and riding methods is in the worlds wonder dressage horse Totilas. When we all fell in love and in awe of this horse was when he was ridden by Edward Gal who mentioned that Toto was sensitive and most of the time you just have to sit there.
With his new rider German Matthias Rath, Totilas makes a different picture. Gone are the softness and the schwung. The brilliance is still there, but Toto is protesting a lot more now, being cramped and a lot of the time you can see the curb perpendicular to the ground.... a big no no and a sign of force, which this intelligent sensitive horse does not need or deserve.
I am sure with time the two will find synchronistic. Matthias is apparently a real nice young man and is more the 'victim' of the money marketing machine of PS. Maybe it would have been better if they kept quiet, got to know the horse, paid Edward to come and teach them how to ride the horse.
Like the Brits did, they came across the channel with humility and no fanfare and won everyones heart and admiration and took home a swag of medals. The London Olympics will be super exciting!!
Ciao!!!

Posted on 22 Aug 2011 by Dolly

Horses in training

Yesterday I visited Sagamore horses owned by Alfred and Martine Fitzi to see my two mares work: DvZ Fruehling and DvZ Jewel. When you visit every few months then you can see such an improvement in their work. So great to see the progress in both horses, especially Jewel as she is only green. The last time I saw her I picked her up from Adam Sutton who had only just backed and started her in 2 weeks. Fredi continued on from that and now Jewel is learning to go forward in the 3 paces. Not easy when you are already 16.3 and only 3.5 yrs old! This taller horses take time. Jewel is such a pretty horse with this great uphill frame and already shows her future potential. She is definitely a horse for the serious rider/competitor. Jewel is for sale.
Fruehling is really improving and learning the counter canter and half pass. She is not the easiest horse and really, we all know that the true top sport horses are not all easy and the ones with some attitude are usually the ones that take you to the top.

Posted on 30 Jun 2011 by Dolly

Team Work

Although I run DvZ Stud on my own, in reality I get help from lots of people because in the end you are never on your own. I breed the DvZ sport horses for you to ride and compete. Most are sold before they are two years old. Some are purchased young and stay here to grow up in a herd environment.
Every year I might have a youngster I think either is special or needs time to mature and those I keep. Some fillies are never for sale as they are an important addition as a broodmare.
On the farm I get help from travellers, some of whom come especially here to work with me for up to three months. Right now I have the Italian young horse specialist Sabi Beckmann. She was here last year and decided, quite unexpected, to come back for another two months, this time to train some more horses. Sabi is working the stallion Tchaikovsky, the gelding Irocco and a few more for clients. As Sabi is here only temporarily i also need help with the older horses for training. This is where Alfred and Martine Fitzi from Sagamore horses ( www.sagamorehorses.com ) fit in. Alfred, or Fredi, and his wive Martine have many years experience in Europe and have competed internationally at the highest levels in jumping and dressage. Currently they have DvZ Fruehling and DvZ Jewel in training, plus a 4 year old by DvZ Infini and Fredi purchased DvZ Destiny (by DvZ Infini) from Sophie Tedeschi to train and campaign.
The Fitzi's are professional trainers and Fredi also is a well known coach for both jumper and dressage riders. They have regularly horses for sale, both jumping and dressage. Contact them on 0400217816.
At DvZ Stud we currently have weanlings and a yearling for sale and not all are expensive! Your visit is always welcomed. smile

Posted on 17 Jun 2011 by Dolly

International trainer in residence!

Well she is here! Sabi Beckmann the Italian expert young horse trainer is at the stud till late July. Sabi was here last year and trained several horses. She must have liked her stay as she asked, quite out of the blue, to come over before she is starting at a new stable in Italy. I was delighted of course, and she is straightaway back into the daily routine here at DvZ Stud.
Here is your opportunity to take advantage of her expertise to start your young horse, whether that is breaking to saddle or one that needs basic training.
Sabi has began with our stallion Tchaikovsky, plus a young Sir Donnerhall mare, and one of my broodmares. Several horses have already been booked in, thank you owners :), and some are arriving this weekend.
Agistment is in save spacious paddocks, they are fed daily.
I also welcome Laurie Larock, from Belgium, who is here also to look after all the horses including the visiting ones.
Contact me direct for further information and details.

Posted on 27 May 2011 by Dolly

We welcome Tchaikovsky!

Since a week DvZ Stud is once again home to a stallion. Not this time one bred by the stud and not even a warmblood, but a really interesting Thoroughbred stallion. For years I have been looking for a good thoroughbred stallion that is suitable to go with warmblood mares. Only one I found in WA who would tick all the boxes that I find important, but he was not standing to any other mares but thoroughbreds. There are some over east advertised for warmblood breeding, but there was always something missing.
A chance posting on Facebook of some very nice photos of a lovely bay stallion attracted my interest. The short spiel revealed enough to warrant a trip to see him. I was taken with him immediately. His ASB name is Destructive Action, a totally inapt name for this handsome 16.2 hh (168 cm) stallion. A kind eye, relaxed demeanour, and when put in the round yard he turned out to be surprising good mover with really good use of his powerful, hindquarters. So far he ticked all the boxes.
I researched his bloodlines and that really sealed the deal.
His sire Stravinsky himself an excellent stallion sired the WA sire of the moment Oratorio. Stravinsky's sire Nureyev is the 3/4 brother of USA champion stallion Sadlers Wells. In the 4th generation is Mr Prospector who is known to produce jumpers.
Destructive Action's New Zealand dam, Wildn'sensuous, is by the champion US stallion Unbridled, a winner in excess of $4 million. This dam line is full of tall (16.1 - 17 hh) horses who not only raced but produced sport horses and jumpers in particular. Also in the 4th generation is Mr Prospector again.
By now I was convinced that TCHAIKOVSKY (much better name than Destructive Action) was the right horse not only physiologically but genetically as well.
His bloodlines on both sides have been handy over all distances from sprinters to milers.
TCHAIKOVSKY is bay and born 28 september 2006. A younger full brother was sold for $ 270000 at the yearling sales. I feel lucky to have Tchaikovsky in my possession and will be using him over two of my warmblood mares.
He will be standing at public stud for the modest fee of $ 1100 (incl GST ex handling/vet costs)
He can be viewed at any time to your convenience.
TCHAIKOVSKY: excellent conformation - super walk - excellent hind quarter - outstanding temperament and.... shows jumping ability.
Your visit is expected :)

Posted on 07 May 2011 by Dolly

Four horses in four weeks...

Four DvZ youngsters have changed ownership in the last four weeks!
From a 4 month old filly foal to a 2.5 year old: two all-rounders and two show jumpers.
It is so gratifying to see the people so excited by their choice and decision. Three of the babies stay at the stud for awhile, which means that I get to see their development and assist with their education. The oldest one, DvZ Irocco, is at his new home, which he was not at all happy with! He sulked for days, but step by step he is turning the corner. You just never know how some of them take it to be moved. But he is in good hands as his owner, Diana, is very knowledgable and has the right approach.
The four month old filly, DvZ Aster, is now owned by a very enthusiastic show jumper, Renae, who plans to compete and breed with her. A few years wait here!
The yearling filly DvZ Fleurica has found an adoring owner and friend in Melinda, who is coming back to horses after a few years away from them. As we all know too well, once horses get in your blood, you can never quite give them up.
DvZ Valdi, the rising 2 year old gelding's new owner, Chrystie, is making the change from thoroughbreds to warmbloods. Valdi is her first warmblood. Chrystie and her husband Shane cannot get over Valdi's legs! So funny for me, as I am so used to warmblood legs, but to them them were just 'huge' in bone and length.
It will be great to see them develop and assist in their education, before we know it they will be out competing, just like DvZ Fruehling and DvZ Debonaire this coming weekend at the State dressage Champs and Brookleigh ODE!
See you there!
Dolly
smile

Posted on 12 Apr 2011 by Dolly

Well done DvZ Horses!

DvZ Goodwill: the 2011 Tasmanian Prelim and Novice State Champion! Owned and ridden by Karen Allen they also won a trophy for highest percentage of the championships!

DvZ Debonaire: March 2011, at Capel ODE he finished 8th in his first 1*. Rebecca Thomas was very pleased as he went around keen and finding it relatively easy.

Posted on 12 Apr 2011 by Dolly