Westphalian Dressage Horses Are New Addition

For Immediate Release

Wellington, FL – January 8, 2015 – Equestrian Sport Productions, management company of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), is pleased to announce the date of its fourth annual WEF Sport Horse Auction in 2015. The event will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.

Held during week eight of the 12-week WEF circuit, the WEF Sport Horse Auction will feature the next generation of premium sport horses. This year, in addition to selling some of the finest progeny of VDL Stud bloodlines from The Netherlands, the auction will also present two ‘select’ dressage horses sponsored by the Westphalian Studbook e.V. in Germany. Presented in an exciting auction, it is a rare opportunity to view such an array of talent in one setting.

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For the fourth year, Equestrian Sport Productions is thrilled to present horses from VDL Stud, 2009 KWPN Breeder of the Year and home to some of the most talented show jumpers around the world. VDL Stud has produced a long list of champions winning at the highest levels including the Olympic Games, World Cup Finals, and World Equestrian Games.

In 1972, Wiepke van de Lageweg bought his first horse for breeding. What started for him as a hobby with only one breeding mare expanded into an international operating family company: the VDL Stud (located in a little village in the north of Holland). The Preferent stallion Nimmerdor is the founder from the VDL Stud.

The VDL Stud is active in 3 divisions: the Stallion Stud, with more than 50 approved stallions who are stationed all over the world; the Breeding Farm – the VDL stud has a breeding facility with approximately 70 breeding mares; and Sporthorses: The VDL Stud has a modern facility to train young horses and sport horses from starter level until Grand Prix level. With this, the VDL Stud is one of the few in the world who combine all of these activities in one farm.

The main goal of VDL Stud is breeding top sport horses for the highest level. The subgoals are to give the best advice to client breeders for breeding top horses, to match a horse with a rider to get the best possible combination (at all levels), and improving the equestrian world by providing sport horses for every level.

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Along with the incredible horses of VDL Stud, the WEF Sport Horse Auction will be presenting two talented and classically trained dressage horses from a member of the Westphalian Studbook this year. The Westphalian Studbook e.V. has been producing outstanding German bloodstock for over 100 years, breeding champions for the international dressage and show jumping arenas around the world. With over 3,000 foals bred each year, the Westphalian Studbook is one of the largest breeding associations in Germany. These horses have been hand-selected for this event and are well-suited for the U.S. market with superb talent and temperaments ideal for international competition success.

“The Westphalian Studbook is thrilled with this opportunity to oversee the import of these excellent dressage horses to the WEF Sport Horse Auction. One of our Member Owners have chosen from their own collection, dressage horses which they know will be well suited to the U.S. market with superb talent and temperaments ideal for international competition success,” says Director of Sales for the USA, Mrs. Rhegan White.

Based in the Westphalian Studbook U.S. office, Mrs. White will be overseeing client testing of the horses and will be happy to answer any and all questions. Each horse will have a complete set of 36 x-rays and a full clinical report provided by Wellington Veterinarians B&W Furlong & Associates, which are available on request to be emailed to interested parties.

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Famous dressage stallion Damon Hill, currently ranked second in FEI World Cup standings, exemplifies the excellence of the Westphalian world-class caliber. Westphalian Stallions such as Florestan I, Belissimo, Rock Forever, Sir Heinrich and Furst Piccolo are synonymous with international dressage success, their bloodlines being found throughout many European and American breeding programs.

You will be able to see the VDL jumping prospects and Westphalian Dressage horses in action, test ride them, and choose your favorite prior to the auction.

For those who can’t make it to Wellington, Tuesday’s presentation and Thursday’s auction will be live streamed at www.shownet.biz for free. Don’t miss the unique opportunity to view and acquire the next generation of champions. Horse photos, videos, and the online program can be found at www.wefsporthorseauction.com.

The fine VDL horses will be available for viewing at Ossian Ventures on February 16-25 from noon to 6 pm. The dressage horses will be available for viewing at The Stadium at PBIEC during the same time.

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The Veterinary Repository is available to veterinarians who would like to inspect the radiographs and exam information on behalf of their clients. Please contact Melanie Peterson at 561-870-6587 for access.

On Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 4 pm, there will be a presentation of the VDL horses under saddle and jumping, in the International Arena on the main grounds of PBIEC (WEF show grounds) with a reception in The Wellington Club. On Friday, February 20, the dressage horses will be presented during the CDI at The Stadium at PBIEC. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Jarvis Insurance Agency.

On Wednesday, February 25, 2015, from 9 am- 5pm, the VDL horses will be available for trials by appointment at Ossian Ventures. Please contact Mr. Janko van de Lageweg at 561-324-0256 or +01131651815225 to set up an appointment. The dressage horses are also available for trial by contacting Mrs. Rhegan White at 912-257-0064 or white@westfalenpferde.de.

The live auction will be held at The Stadium at 7 pm on Thursday, February 26, 2015. Gates open at 6 pm. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Ramard, Inc.

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To register as a bidder for the auction, please contact Melanie Peterson at 561-870-6587 or melanie@horsemls.com.

Equestrian Sport Productions invites you to this unique opportunity to view and acquire the next generation of champions. Please join in an exciting evening that is sure to raise the bar on sport horse auctions in North America.

Horse photos, videos, and the registration information can be found at www.wefsporthorseauction.com.

For more information please contact the ESP main office at 561-793-6587. The Stadium is located at 13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington FL. For more information on Equestrian Sport Productions, please visit www.equestriansport.com

Photos copyright Mancini Photos and Elena Lusenti Photography.