Black 17.3 hh gelding, born 27.2.93, (Dynamit-Cherry Ripe xx [Star Wolf xx / King's Troop xx]) Doppelganger is a spitting image of Dynamit and from his first crop -- hence the late foaling date.

Doppelganger is a full brother to Drachenfels.

Initially we thought Doppelganger was a typical "jumper". But now we realise his tremendous potential for dressage and he will now be trained by Jutta Rosenblatt to complement the education Edward Bullock gave him in showjumping and hunter classes during 1999.

Doppelganger performed very well at the Dressage Tournament at the Taranaki Dressage Championships in Hawera on 6-7 January 2001.

This was Doppelganger's first time out in dressage competition. As we had no idea how he would perform, Jutta entered (although flying changes & haunches in are established) him in preliminary for a win and three second placings.

The results:

• 1:2 = 73.75 % 1st (comments by the judge "what potential! well balanced for a large horse in a small arena")
• 1:5 = 73.26 % 2nd ("even paces, could show a little more impulsion at times, calm & nicely ridden")
• 1:3 = 70.58 % 2nd (no comment)
• 1:4 = 69.80 % 2nd (Championship) ("active & calm accepts aids")

Second competition weekend out for Doppelgänger was at Tielcey Park - Central Districts Champs - where Jutta rode him in the Prelim tests 1:3 (1st) & 1:5 (1st) and in Novice tests 2:1 & 2:6 (qualifier) Doppelganger qualified for the Nationals at Taupo by coming 3rd in the 2:6 with 61.89 % (the winner had 62.92%).

He was just out of the placing (5th) with 66% in the 2:1 & a bit hard done by after doing a beautiful test.

Doppel won his Prelim starts with ease and each over 70% going through the test like clockwork, getting 8s for his paces.

  The big fellow has accumulated 50 points in just two outings including novice tests. He is going better each time and he's a real fun horse to take out to the show and compete as he is absolutely cool, good to travel and handle - no wonder that he quickly established a large fan club at the shows.

26 Feb 2001

Results from the Wellington Area Dressage Champs over this weekend:

• Jutta Rosenblatt riding Vollrath Doppelgänger won the Novice Dressage Championship tied with Kalista Field on Maxx Vettori.
• The individual test results for Doppelgänger are:
• Novice 2.1 - 4th with 67.00 % (judges comment "lovely horse")
• Novice 2.4 - 1st with 68.87% (scored '8' for paces)
• Novice 2.5. - 2nd with 65.38% (runner up to joint Champion Kallista Field)
• Novice 2.6 Challenge - 1st with 69.81% ( "lovely easy test")

In March Doppelganger became Novice Reserve Champion at 2001 NZ National Dressage Championships, in Taupo.

Doppelganger and Edward Bullock at Taupo (18.12.99), pictured jumping 1.10m.