So far this year, Sondheim OLD has had two fillies born – the first is co – owned by Hilda Gurney and Carrie Treadway. The mare is a horse that Sheryl Stein imported as a 4 yr. old from the German Oldenburger Elite Auktion, and showed quite successfully in lower level dressage. Unfortunately the mare had to be retired from showing, and eventually found her way to Carrie Treadway.

This filly is Sondheim OLD – Wolkentanz ll.

The second filly is bred and owned by Bonnie Vezain. Bonnie purchased this breeding through the GOV Stallion Service Auction last year, and this filly was just recently born!

Congratulations to all owners, and we look forward to seeing these foals end up in the show arena!!!

Sondheim OLD has been working hard these days… looking pretty good!

Congratulations to Hilda Gurney on her success at today’s GOV Mare and Foal Inspection at Keenridge Farm.

Her colt ‘Splendid’, by Sondheim OLD out of her lovely Winter’s Eve (Winterprinz), was named Premium, AND ELITE.

This is Hilda’s 5th foal from this breeding, and ALL 5 have been named Premium AND ELITE!! Clearly this is a successful combination – we look forward to the future!

It is always fun to watch the change in young horses… here are two photos one year apart – Vin Noir (Van Vivaldi – Don Gregory), German Oldenburger Elite Auktion mare born 2014, owned by Marta Kauffman and Jaye Cherry.

Sovereignty, a 5 yr old German Oldenburger by Sondheim OLD out of Love Quest, schools with Mark Farndale before heading up to the Sacramento International Horse Show for the 5 Yr Old Jumper Finals.

Owned and bred by Carrie Treadway and ridden by Ashley Barrett, Sovereignty WON last year’s 4 Yr Old Jumper Finals at the same show.  As Sondheim is by Sandro Hit, the jumper breeding comes through from Sandro, as well as the mare line. Love Quest is a Landadel / Quattro jumper mare from the Oldenburger Elite Auktion.

It’s interesting to see that Sondheim produces BOTH competitive dressage and jumper foals!

After a VERY successful GOV Mare and Foal Inspection, Tommy Rhinow had time to give me a lesson on Santana – BIG FUN!!!

Congratulations Marta F. Kauffman and Santana!!
I just found out (I know, sometimes I’m slow) that at the L. A. Chapter Summer Dressage Show recently, Santana (Show Star – Donnerschwee) finished the show as FEI Reserve Champion! This was based on his 2 day successes at Prix St. Georges… Ridden by Jaye Cherry, Santana was purchased as a 3 yr old at the German Oldenburger Mixed Auktion, and over the years has had much success – it’s great to see he’s back at it again!!!

Recently, Sondheim was well represented at the El Sueno Dressage show, by two of his daughters.

Hilda Gurney bred both mares – Springtime and Stunning – who are FULL sisters! By Sondheim OLD and out of a Winterprinz mare, Hilda also owns Springtime.  Adrienne Bessey owns Stunning, and actually won ALL of her classes this weekend with scores ranging from 70+5 to 80.4%!!

At the prestigious Flintridge Dressage Show 2019, over the Memorial Day Weekend, once again breeder Hilda Gurney and owner / rider Adrienne Bessey showed what a great partnership they have – Adrienne showed her 4 year old German Oldenburger mare Stunning (Sondheim OLD – Winterprinz) in Training Level classes… and WON THEM ALL!!

It is a PLEASURE to watch Hilda and Adrienne work together with such great success – I can’t wait to watch the future of this threesome!!