HISTORY

Warmblood horses have been bred in Namibia for over 60 years. All these years of breeding experience and dam lines - definitely a proven track record!

The pioneers in warmblood breeding, Voigtland Stud, imported the Trakehner stallion “Ermanerich” in 1936. This was the beginning of warmblood breeding in Southern Africa. Around 1952 Voigtland Stud imported the ”Shagya” stallion “ShagyaXXV-12”, a stallion with profound influence to  the warmblood breeding. His son “Amboss” won the Rand Show high jump over a height of about 1.90 meters.

The next milestone in Warmblood breeding was the importation of two stallions: The Hannovarian “Alba” by Voigtland Stud, and the Westphalian “Raban” by Onduno Stud.

"Alba" by “Almjaeger” was a huge stallion, a horse this size had never been seen before. Black, big and strong, he complimented the Namibian Warmblood horses perfectly, as they were light and thoroughbred-like. His best progeny was “Goya”, ridden by Astrid Albat in the big shows of that time. He was most influential as sire of dams, giving size, movement and jumping power. “Raban” was a son of the great “Ramzes”. Had the importance of “Ramzes” for European breeding been known at that time, “Raban” would certainly never have found his way to Namibia - what a gain for Namibian breeding! He is still found in the pedigrees of most horses of Onduno origin!

The Namibian breeders soon realized that it was important to keep the thoroughbred blood in their horses, and accordingly thoroughbred stallions were imported regularly and so are still today.

Another very important thoroughbred stallion entered Namibia:
“Atty Perse xx” by “Noble Chieftain xx”, who is mainly found in the bloodlines of Claratal Stud, and whose important son “Seducer xx”, with  off-spring throughout the country.

Thouroughbreds used and licensed for Namibia

Colonel pickering – Voigtskirch

D’Artegan – Voigtskirch

Seducer – Voigskirch

Rampaging Native – Neu Heusis

Military Song – Claratal

Moss Cable – Dune Side

Man of Space – Dune Side

Still alive today and covering….

(Nile Game xx,  Hold the Hostage xx)

 Ermanerich
 

An outstanding thoroughbred imported into Namibia was “Safe Conduct” by “Giafar”, the “Tourbillon” line from Broadland Stud, standing at Voigtskirch Stud. Every “Safe Conduct” had a good movement, jumped and had a wonderful temperament! One of the great stallions of Namibian breeding!

The next generation of warmblood stallions that were imported from overseas laid the foundation of modern Warmblood breeding in Namibia.

Through very close ties Namibia always had with the Hannoverian Warmblood Society, several stallions of great importance followed:  
“Graveur” by “Grande” came to Bodenhausen Stud - a stallion bred similar to “Graphit”, the sire of “Grannus” and “Gralsritter”, sire of “Grandeur” and grandsire of Ludger Beerbaum’s mare “Gladys”. His influence on local breeding was as profound as his pedigree. Many of his offspring showed their superb  jumping ability, and as sire of dam of horses like ”Davetsaub Lombard” he was as successful.

“Bodenhausen Ceasefire” was exported to France;  “Voigtskirch Navajo” became the S.A. Eventing Champion, just to mention a few.

Onduno Stud imported the “Don Carlos” son “Dolerit”, who up to very recently remained the stallion which produced the most A grades in South Africa!  He first stood at Onduno Stud, then later at Davetsaub. Many of his mares are still to be found at Davetsaub/Seeis and  Onduno Stud. “ Onduno Billy” won about everything that could be won in the 70's, “Davetsaub Lombard” participated in the World Cup in Helsinki 2002, and was later sold to Spain.

Anschluss

Voigtland Stud imported “Admiral” by “Abermals”, bringing size, movement and good temperament into their offspring. He was later sold to Gerrie du Toit, Alzu stud,RSA,.

“Midgard Stud” imported “Eichbaum” by “Eisenherz”, closely related to ”Espri” and “Eiger”, a stallion that today still has its offspring competing in the big classes, i.e.”Midgard Grannus”,

Other Warmblood stallions followed:

“Attache” by “Aderlass” (Bodenhausen stud) known particularly for good temperament and type; “Anschluss” by “Absatz”(Voigtskirch Stud) producing International A grades such as  “Voigtland Astor” and “Voigtskirch Maestro”, who won the SA Eventing Championships six times!!

“Diavolo” by “Discostar”(Davetsaub/Seeis) producing the SA Dressage Champion  “Davetsaub Alba”, and the Trakehner “Koenigsruf”, with progeny at several studs, including the stallions “Claratal Staccato”, standing at Claratal Stud and “Loriot NH”, at Neu Heusis Stud.

“Glueckscup” by “Glueckspilz” (Midgard), “Gourmet,” and “Galapogos” by  “Grenadier” (Bodenhausen). ”Magnet” by “Matrose” (Onduno/Neu Heusis) assured a wide   variety of Bloodlines.

In the beginning of the 90's two more stallions were imported to Namibia, “Menotti” by “Matcho AA”, and “Drosselklang I” by “Don Carlos”, whose full brother “Drosselklang II” is one of the best jumping stallions of Hannover and was chosen stallion of the year in 2005. Namibian breeders have been fortunate to have had “Wunderbar” by ”Wachmann III” covering at Seeis and Davetsaub for some years.

Graveur

Today again a new generation of stallions stands at stud and represents the latest trends in European breeding, giving Namibian breeding a distinct turn to performance-orientated horses: “Grand Chasseur” by “Graf Grannus/Chasseur” had a profound influence at Bodenhausen , but dying too early , leaving only  his licensed son “Bluff”.
“Conti” by “Çontender/Airport” (Seeis Stud), a stallion with unlimited jumping ability, unfortunately also dead;
“Saliner” by “Sandro Song/Gebard” shows potential in dressage and jumping at
Midgard Stud; close family to “Sandro Hit”.  In the meantime he has 2 licensed stallions
“Midgard Godhardt” at Micosi Stud and “Locarno Shogun” at Locarno Stud.
“Pepino “ by “Paquiri/Aktuell”out of the “Pik Bube” line introduces best dressage blood at Okangava Stud;
“Consuelo” by “Corofino/Landgraf- Corrado” (Zonjati) is used regularly by other studs; also “Cameron” by “Contender –Schampus xx”
“Solid Gold” by “Rabino (Ramiro) –Dollar” (Seeis),
“Realist” by “Regazzoni (Rubinstein/Werther”(Bodenhausen)
“Caprivi” by “Indoctro (Capitol)/Lord” (Locarno).
“Connoisseur Neu Heusis” by “Consuelo” – Seducer”(Seeis)
“Bingo” by “Attache and “Bluff” by “Grand Chasseur” (Bodenhausen).
”Manitou” by “Moss Cable xx/Gourmet” (Buellsport)

Namibian breeders already started using ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION years ago, and you will find a wide range of horses from imported semen at various studs.

The very good and traditional relationship that the Namibian Warmblood Society has with the Hanoverian Horse Society ensures that a lot of know-how and advice reaches Namibia still today , particularly in the selection of new stallions.

 The Namibian Warmblood Horse Society was found in 1994 with Mr. C.H. Cordes (sen.) as Founding Father.