Dezember

Dezember brings together much of what inspires us about Trakehner breeding: a sport horse family developed over generations, strong performance test results of his own and offspring that have already attracted attention at major breeding events. Born on 25 March 2015, the grey stallion is by Herakles TSF out of Donauweise by Imperio – Induc – Mahon. He was bred by Dr Eckhardt Lehmann at Warnhof Riepe.

Currently under saddle

Dezember is currently ridden by 16-year-old Anna-Maria Locher, who also competes our mare Biennale.

From premium stallion to performance testing

In 2017 Dezember was licensed and awarded a premium at the Trakehner Stallion Market in Neumünster. Even then, the assessment highlighted the quality of all three paces and natural balance. He backed up that early promise the following year: he achieved a dressage final score of 7.91 in the 14-day test at Schlieckau, with 9.0 for character and temperament.

His results in the 50-day stallion performance test in autumn 2018 were particularly impressive. The German Equestrian Federation reported a dressage final score of 8.65 for Dezember. His 9.5 was the highest rideability score in that test group. This result is particularly valuable to our breeding work: a good pedigree carries special weight when a stallion demonstrates his own qualities under saddle.

Achievements and milestones

• 2017: licensed and awarded a premium at the Trakehner Stallion Market in Neumünster.
• 2018: 14-day test at Schlieckau, dressage final score 7.91.
• 2018: 50-day test at Schlieckau, dressage final score 8.65 and rideability 9.5.
• 2022: son Tanzfürst named a premium stallion; daughter Special Emotion becomes reserve champion at the Central Mare Registration in Hanover.
• 3 March 2024: approved by the Westphalian Studbook in Münster-Handorf.

Grand Prix performers close in the pedigree

Sire Herakles TSF carries the blood of Gribaldi and Michelangelo. His career includes Grand Prix success: in 2021 he won the Grand Prix at Wedel with Wieger de Boer on 71.67 per cent. Dezember's sire has therefore proved himself at the highest level of dressage as well as becoming an important sire.

Damsire Imperio combines his titles as Bundeschampion and reserve World Champion of young dressage horses with an international Grand Prix career under Hubertus Schmidt. In 2016 he was the reserve horse for Germany's Olympic dressage team in Rio de Janeiro. The next generation includes Induc, who became Bundeschampion of four-year-old stallions with Hans-Jürgen Armbrust in 1994.

A family with history and offspring with promise

Dezember's dam line belongs to the A3A Donna family. Through Donauwelle and Donauliebe it leads back to the longstanding breeding programme at Warnhof Riepe. Its successful sporting representatives include Donnersberg TSF, who competed successfully in advanced dressage with Christoph von Daehne.

Dezember's own offspring have also reached notable milestones. Alongside Tanzfürst, his first crop includes the premium mares Orestina B and Victory and our own Special Emotion. At Sieberthof, his award-winning daughters and young foals are carrying that family history into the next generation.