June 17, 2008 Lessing and Fürst Patrick both feature in the July issue of Horse & Pony magazine. Lessing appears on the cover, and the article "Berny's little punt", about Fürst Patrick's arrival in New Zealand, appears on page 54. Click here to read the article.

New articles have been added to Vollrath, on Lessing's sire Londonderry, and his damsire Prince Thatch.

Ricky's big smile: test rider Ricky MacMillan scored Lessing's rideability 9.2. Lessing was crowned the National Champion of Champions Young Dressage Horse for 2008 at the NZ Dressage Championships. © Joan Gilchrist

We have done it (again)! Jutta rode Lessing to the National Grand Champion "Young Dressage Horse 2008" title. I share this success because I spotted the 'little' fellow when he was 18 months old and brought him back to NZ from Germany. He was a rough diamond which Jutta polished with great ability to a nice shining one now. The Judges were from Australia (Maria Schwennesen), Canada's FEI international "O" Judge Kara Whitham.

Lessing's prizes from the weekend

During Ricky's test ride Canadian judge Cara Whitham used the following keywords about Lessing:

• beautifully naturally balanced -
• breathtaking -
• horse of a quality to go to the World Breeding Championship -
• like a metronome in his rhythm and balance with incredible work ethics -
• a true quality horse
• and that we better should 'padlock his stall' tonight !

With an eye to our future superstars, several of our young horses impressed Australian national judge and previous Grand Prix representative rider Ricky MacMillan, who said she enjoyed the opportunity of riding them.
"The Young Horse Class is the kindergarten of our horses of the future and there's a number of horses here I would be very excited to see in the future," she said.
Hanoverian stallion Vollrath Lessing, owned by Vollrath Stud and ridden by Jutta Rosenblatt, took MacMillan's eye in particular.
As winner of the Five Year Old Astek Stud Young Horse Class, Vollrath Lessing was awarded the highest score of the day for his rideability with an impressive 9.2.
MacMillan said she could not recall having awarded such a high mark previously but that his rideability was outstanding.

Ricky MacMillan scored his
walk = 8.3
trot = 8
canter = 8
rideability/willingness to work = 9.2 (she wanted to give more but she said to be too 'timid' to do so)

We have all of this on video/audio recording.

Our Fürst Patrick (Filou as a paddock name) arrived 17-02-08 at Vollrath. He looks in 'light' condition right now, which is not surprising after 5 weeks in transit at his tender age of 11 months. Look at his 'haircut' he received in UK to cope with the climate change down under. After a little welcome feed we led him into the paddock and he had after 5 weeks in boxes his first free run. What a power movement - Jutta is besides herself = she claims she has never seen a foal move like him. Berny reckons he saw this already when he bought him. Fürst Patrick will be a very valuable addition to Vollrath's breeding programme. More pictures and information

He received repeatedly "8" for 'working trot' and 8 & 7 for his 'paces'.

His worst score was a '6' being a little 'unbalanced coming down the centre line for the final salute'.

Needless to say that Jutta was very pleased with their 'team performance' and in particular as Winnetou showed his perfect temperament and willingness to work!

The weather at Tielcey Park was actually disgustingly hot and humid. Compliments to all the riders coping so well!

We are ever so pleased that Worldwide P.B. left two wonderful offspring before he went to Australia. We consider ourselves very lucky having the chance to get Giselle with her colt Weltweit back for Sarah Neilson/Mackenzie.

Our "World" is a very strong foal with a royal pedigree. What a future mare to have for Lessing and/or Fürst Patrick who arrived on 02.02.08 in NZ and spends 14 days in quarantine at Karaka. He is scheduled to be at Vollrath on 17. Feb '08.

Lessing's stud season has been very good and all mares he served (Nat & AI) are in foal. Jutta is over the moon with his rideability and his temperament. He qualified on his first outing with a score by one judge of 87.5 % for the 'Power Young Dressage Horse 2008 in Taupo'.

It is not surprising at all to us that there is strong interest in Lessing and his offspring.

Finally ... oh boy - what a summer - absolutely fantastic for the 'Townies' but look at our paddocks. One could think we are in Canterbury and not in normally moist Wanganui. If it wasn't for the good store of hay and a flowing water supply .... we would be in trouble!

After all, it won't be long and I can hear me say 'when will it stop raining!?'