The Canadian-bred Fabian DSF (Freestyle x Hierarch), claimed top honours in the 70-Day Test at the 2013 North American Stallion Testing. The reserve championship went to Horses Unlimited’s Gallant Reflection HU (Galant du Serein x Rohdiamant) of the US.
Held at Silver Creek Farms, a facility outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on September 7th, a collection of stallions bred in Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Canada and the US were trained, tested and judged by a panel during the event.
During the testing, candidates were evaluated on a series of universal criteria including gaits, jumping, rideability and character. This process allows stallions to show their versatility without emphasizing any one style or discipline. They received marks from multiple judges during both the “training phase” and “test phase” of the event.
The 70-Day Test began with a veterinary inspection of a large group of 18 stallions, aged four to eight. Additionally, two ponies and a three-year-old joined the group on November 7th for the 30-Day Test portion of the event.
“This is the first time we had a perfect finish. All of the stallions that were presented completed their testing,” explained Summer Stoffel, owner of Silver Creek Farms.
Fabian DSF was bred in Canada by Jennifer and Armin Arnoldt, and prepared for the test by his owner Martha Diaz at her Red Wind Farm in El Paso, Texas. “I knew early on that Fabian was so smart, smart as a whip,” she said. “During the breaking process, he was very kind and I hoped he would do well in rideability.” Fabian DSF did her proud by besting the field with the highest overall score in that category.
The Oldenburg stallion will return to Diaz’s farm and begin his career as her dressage mount. “My plans for him are primarily focused on performance. He’s a blast to ride. He’s always looking for you to tell him what you want him to do.”
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