Thoroughbred and Trakhener Influence in the Hanoverian
by Linda Caroff

Last time we looked at the old foundation sire lines and their influence in the Hanoverian. But the modern Warmblood would surely not exist if not for large infusions of "outside" blood. These types of sires were necessary for facilitiating the transition from farm horse, to army remount, and ultimately to the sport horses we see today.

From the very beginning, Thoroughbreds were used extensively by Hanoverian breeders. Several ancient sire lines were in fact founded by a Thoroughbred stallion. The following horses, however, were ones used after WWII to lighten and refine horses previously used as war and farm animals. They were to found sirelines of their own and help create a "new breed" of athletic, rideable horses for a new pastime: riding for sport and leisure.

Influential Thoroughbreds

Der Lowe (1951-1973) was a successful racehorse who sired only a handful of approved stallions (6). However, these were able to carry on his male line exceptionally well. Most notable were the brothers Lugano I and Lugano II. Lugano I (1954 chestnut) sired 30 approved stallions and 70 States Premium mares. Both Luganos were known as dressage producers, however Lugano II's best son, the black Lombard (1969), made his mark in a big way as a sire of show jumpers.

Pik As, a bay stallion who stood 1953-1969, sired 4 approved sons and 82 registered mares. His best son, Pik Koenig, sired 19 stallions and 22 States Premium mares. His foals were mostly excellent jumpers, however his world famous and influencial son Pik Bube (brown, 1973) excelled at both this and Grand Prix dressage. As a sire he was versatile as well, but his foals show a clear talent bias to the dressage arena. To his credit are 16 stallions and 28 States Premium mares in several German breeding zones.

The big black Waidmannsdank (1966-1980) sired an impressive 21 approved stallions and 278 mares! Along with his color he passed on diverse talents to his descendants. His son Waldhorn (1968 black) was out of a Lugano II mare. He is most often seen on the dam side of pedigrees, but a few stallions still exist in Germany who are male descendants to him.

Marcio (1953-1965 bay) sired 6 state stallions and 90 registered mares. He was above all an important dressage influence. His son Marconi sired the short lived but influential Matador. Also by Marcio xx was the excellent Matrose (1966) who has several sons currently standing.

Cardinal was a dark bay horse foaled in 1964. He also sired only a few stallions but still made a significant impact on the breed. Even out of very average mares, his foals were exceptional. All of his male descendants are described as "dark, noble throughout, strong in movement and with many-sided talents." The line continues as a strong dressage influence through his lovely, elegant state stallion son Cardinal (1970-1976, out of a Ferdinand mare) and his own several approved sons like Cordoba and Cordial.

Worthy of special mention here is the 3/4 Thoroughbred Bolero. Foaled in 1975, this chestnut stallion died at the all too early age of 12. He has founded a phenomenal "B" line known for superior rideability, elegance, and suspension. They excel at dressage. Bolero sired over 40 stallions and is extending his influence to several countries.

Influential Trakheners

Semper Idem (1934 chestnut) was the progenitor of the very important S line. Big, elegant movement and correct conformation more then makes up for the somewhat short height of this line. Semper Idem's son Senator (1954-1973) was the most influential. Senator was a small, light stallion and breeders were at first reluctant to use him. Only 6 foals were born in his first crop; amazingly, 5 of them became state stallions! He went on to sire a total of 14 approved sons. His son Sesam was the sire of the great jumper and dressage producer Servus (1961).

Perhaps the most well known of all these sirelines is the Abglanz line. This line is often confusingly called the "A line", in fact the true A line now carries the initial E. This one is better called the Abglanz, or Absatz, line. Abglanz was a chestnut foaled in 1942. He sired 19 approved stallions and 64 mares. He gave his foals a refined, expressive head and neck and a correct shoulder. Far and away his most influential and famous son was Absantz (1960 chestnut). This is where the term "Absantz type" comes from - he endowed his foals with light, free action, superb conformation and an unparalelled disposition which made them extremely easy to train. He truly found a legacy through his over 40 sons and 68 States Premium mares. Among his sons are Aktuell, Argentan, Akzent I & II, and Admiral I.

-----Flamboyant
----Wahnfried
-----Winnica
Der Lowe xx (1944)
-----Herold
----Lehnsherrin
-----Lapis Electric

-----Ferro
----Abendfrieden
-----
Pix As xx (1949 bay)
-----Mirza II
----Dechfacke I
-----

-----Nearco
----Off Key
-----Key
Cardinal xx (1964 dark bay)
-----Prince Chevalier
----Chevalier's Star
-----Nova Puppis

-----Ticino
----Neckar
-----Nixe
Waidmannsdank xx (1959 black)
-----Alchimist
----Waldrun
-----Walburga

-----Djebe
----Blast xx
-----Gale Warning
--Black Sky xx
-----Court Martial
----Madrielene
-----Marmite
Bolero (1975 chestnut)
-----Pinza
----Bleep xx
-----The Satellite
--Baronesse
-----Athos
----Atlastaube
-----Fliegerheil

-----Teddy
----Aventin
-----Abbazia
Marcio xx (1947 bay)
-----Janus
----Mainkur
-----Makrone

-----Dampfoss
----Semper Idem (Trak.)
-----Semendria
Senator (1951 bay)
-----Alljeder
----SPS Allerweltkleid
-----Dolmade

-----Dampfoss
----Hyperion
-----Hypothese
--Termit
-----Tempelhueter
----Technik
-----Tageskonigin
Abglanz (1942 chestnut)
-----Pirat
----Poseidon
-----Polanka
--Abendluft
-----Pirol
----Abfahrt
-----Appam

-----Hyperion
----Termit
-----Technik
--Abglanz
-----Poseidon
----Abendluft
-----Abfahrt
Absatz (1962 chestnut)
-----Lanzer
----Landeck
-----SPS Alexine
--Landmoor
-----Schlingel
----SPS Schlinka
-----Calka

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