Press release by Trakehners UK 8th January 2013
A Trakehner for the Queen
This image is the property of Eva Zielinska-Milla and
cannot be copied or reproduced.
Trakehners UK are delighted to welcome Queen Elizabeth II as an honorary life member of the Trakehner Breeders Fraternity following the presentation of a Trakehner mare in foal as a Jubilee gift from Heinrich Donatus Prince of Hessen.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated greatly in 2012, not only in Great Britain, but also in the entire Commonwealth and in many parts of the world. Gifts and Congratulations arrived from all parts of the world. That the Trakehners joined the wide circle of well-wishers, has historical reasons.
The Hessian House Foundation operates in Panker, Germany for more than half a century one of the oldest and most successful Trakehner stud farms in the world. Heinrich Donatus Prince of Hessen, a descendant of Queen Victoria, is deeply involved in Trakehner breeding. It seemed that a Trakehner Mare as gift to the English Queen Elizabeth II for the anniversary would be the right thing. The English Queen is regarded as an excellent horse woman, enthusiastic rider and successful breeder of English Thoroughbreds, with an international recognition. In December 2012 DOLCE LUCIANA, the four-year old State Premium and Premium Mare, moved into the Royal Stables as the first Trakehner.
The choice was not easy for the Prince, because finding the right mare, took him several months. In the Wiesenhof Stud Donatus von Hessen finally found what he was looking for; Dolce Luciana impressed him right away with her charm, her friendly and relaxed nature and her high-quality movements.
She was born at Veronika von Schöning‘s Stud: "She had something very special as a young foal, charmed me with her kindness and her feminine attributes; just a real ‘little girl‘. She always said ‘Yes’ to everything you wanted from her" remembers the breeder.
At the Summer auction 2007 in Hanover, called DOLCE LUCIA at the time, she was discovered by Beate Konle-Huettner of the Wiesenhof Stud and was sold with one of the top prizes in this auction. Henceforth, she grew up on the beautiful pastures of the Wiesenhof Stud at the lower Rhine.
This image is the property of Eva Zielinska-Milla
and cannot be copied or reproduced.
Her career started at the age of three: she made it onto the end ring of the central registration of the Region of Rhineland on the Domselshof, now as Dolce Luciana with 57 points. A few months later she stood as Champion Mare of the Trakehner section and was in the spotlight of the Rhenish Elite Show in Wickrath. She also secured her Premium with the outstanding score of 8.08 in her performance test in 2011. At that time she was already pregnant by the Grading Champion Stallion KENTUCKY.
Looking at her Breeding she presents herself also as something special: her Sire LORD LUCIANO celebrates currently with Terhi Stegars achievements as a serial winner in Prix-Saint Georges and Intermediate Dressage. The paternal grandfather ENRICO CARUSO is almost symbolically for intelligence, elegant personality, exemplary work ethic and high rideability values.
Her proven mother was recently declared Elite Mare, already considered a breeding institution during her lifetime and was celebrated as mother of the impressive Champion Stallion DONAURUF in 2012. A year earlier it was her son DÜRRENMATT, second Reserve Champion, who with his athleticism and good temperament pointed to the inheritance safe mother. Dolce Luciana emerged from one of the best mare dynasties carrying the genes of the English Thoroughbred, the Anglo-Arab and the Arabian horse. Exorbitantxx, Habicht and his Sire Burnus AAH, Pregel, Poet xx, Cancara and Nana Sahib x, Jasir ox and the ancient Weil-Marbacher Line of the legendary Murana I show the value of this precious blood that here connects to good equity and high performance.
When Donatus of Hessen looked at the mare for the first time, she had an elegant well moving strong filly sired by Kentucky by foot. In the usual way the mother led her filly to weaning until a few months ago and was sent - again immediately taking a pregnancy by Kentucky - on her trip to the British Isle on the 3.December, the Royal Mews being the destination.
Taken here for the ceremonial handover on the 8th of December by the Prince of Hessen, who had asked Association President Petra Wilm to be there. In the days before the Lord Luciano daughter had already taken the heart of the Royal Stable Master and his team by storm. Her sensitive and intelligent way with which she looked all set tasks with equanimity inspired her new carer. -But also for her beauty and nobility!
With these attributes she also captured her new owner Queen Elizabeth II.. But not only in such way...but let us hear Donatus Prince of Hessen report for himself: "we met the Queen in best mood and in an unmistaken way she expressed their joy at the unexpected gift. She was highly impressed by the beauty and the great Character of the mare. At the presentation, the Queen instantly recognised her fabulous walk, which she had demonstrated in her performance test as well as the grading. She specifically requested the pedigree-documents and the Trakehner literature for intensive study before they find their place in the Royal Offices and Archives. High levels of English Thoroughbred blood / anglo arab blood is of high interest to her. She is now already considering whether the mare’s breeding career should take the path of the dressage or eventing with their new Trakehner. I think we gained a new lover of the Trakehner with the Queen of England."
Good luck, Dolce Luciana, on all other steps up the career ladder as an Ambassador of the Trakehner breed in the Royal Stables of Queen Elizabeth II.
Erhard Schulte