On a glorious Sunday afternoon on July 3^rd, not even the Wimbledon finals or The Royal Show put visitors off the Holme Trakehner Open Day. In this purpose built Holme Park Stud the show was kicked off, under the impressive brand new arena roof, by the breathtaking stallion Holme Grove Prokofiev. The 10 year old stallion is owned by Barbara & Chris Watkiss. He is as sleek, athletic and black as they come and was ridden by his trainer Julia Wetton showing work at Prix St George level with great extravagance and flair.

A selection of his offspring followed, all displaying the same athletic abilities of their sire. One foal, Holme Grove Sayan (by HG Prokofiev out of Holme Grove Santa Fe by Kostolany), a stunning black filly foal is an absolute ‘mini me’ version of her father.

Holme Trakehners Annual Performance award, now in its second year, is open to any successful competition horse in any sphere, worldwide, bred by Holme Trakehners. This year Holme Grove Merlin (by Holme Grove Solomon out of SPS Holme Grove Marcella by Postmeister) owned by Nikki Green trained and competed in dressage by Debbie Lush to Intermediere 1 level. As Debbie was competing another horse on the day HG Merlin was ridden in a Prix St George display showing harmony and softness by Stephanie Heron . It is the first time this coupling have performed in public as Stephanie is only 16 year old, but the hope is that this exciting new combination will enter Young Rider Dressage competitions in addition to HG Merlin’s current competition career with Debbie. The 19 year old sire Holme Grove Solomon (by Fernando out of Holme Grove Schlobitten by Malachit) joined HG Merlin for a photo shoot. Although HG Solomon is now retired to stud Liz Attew jumped on him bareback for a couple of circuits, he behaved immaculately (despite not having being ridden for a year) and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the attention.

There is a real sense of pride with which these promising young horses are shown by the Holme Trakehner team. Tanya Hübbe , the stud manager at Holme Park Stud works the young horses from the ground with great skill and her charges Holme Park Venus and  Holme Park Legacy both long reined in a surprisingly calm and relaxed way in such an electric atmosphere.

The final section was for the offspring of Holme Park Krug. These foals all similar in their sweet natures and chocolate box looks showed lightness and extravagance in their movements. Holme Park Vee (by Holme Park Krug out of Holme Park Vabanque by Consul) made a beautiful moving picture as did Holme Park Lucy and Holme Park Hidalgo. Lina Stankunaite rode the recently backed Holme Grove Devaux in a wonderful relaxed display showing the outstanding temperament of this young mare.

Holme Park Krug closed the show ridden by Debbie Watts. This new partnership has enabled HP Krug to stay at home full time much to the delight of his owners Sue and Paul Attew. HP Krug looked soft and happy with his new partner; this has very recently been mirrored in the dressage arena with wins in their first couple of Medium tests together.

All enjoyed the BBQ in the garden serenaded by the fantastic live Celtic fiddler duo, Dermot and Clive.

Photos of all the horses shown are shown by clicking this link

Holme Trakehners/8^th July 2005