Ahorn Z
Born 1979 172 cm

Breeder - Leon Melchior, Zangersheide

Almé, the great French sire, also played a key role in the development of showjumping horses throughout all of Europe.
By 1989, his approved stallion sons, Alexis, Almeo, Athlet and Ahorn Z, were in the German top 10 sires rankings of their respective age classes, according to the winnings of their progeny.
Ahorn inherited his extraordinary movement from his dam sire, Ganeff, who was the maternal grandsire to Leander, winner of the Holstein approvals in 1973, and an excellent sire of performance horses. Ganeff’s most famous foal however was the mare, Heureka (pic below).
Heureka was born 1960 out of the Holsteiner mare line 8145. Under Hermann Schridde she was one of the most successful international jumpers in the period 1969-71, where she had many wins in Hamburg, Aachen, Brussels, Vienna, Berlin and Nörten-Hardenberg. After having won the Grand Prix in Aachen, she was sold to Leon Melchior, founder of the Studbook Zangersheide. For Mr Melchior, she won the Grand Prix in Berlin before becoming a foundation mare in Zangersheide. As a broodmare, she was a sensation.
Her male offspring aside from Ahorn Z, include Goliath Z (by Graf Gotthard Z) who sired Grosso Z, the producer of Goldfever.
Heureka Z produced four daughters for breeding, and they founded a whole dynasty of show jumpers. The first daughter Argentina Z, by Alme Z (1977) is legendary for her crosses with Ramiro Z: Rebel I, II and III, Ratina Z, Roxan Z and Renomee Z. The last three sisters are now proving themselves excellent broodmares. For example, Ratina Z's daughter Calipa Z and her son Chicago Z (a new stallion at Stud in Zangersheide) or Roxan Z's daughter Cayleigh Z who placed second in the World Championship for Young Horses in the 6 year old class in 2002!
The second daughter Ganeffa Z, by Graf Gotthard Z (1978) was first successful in sport herself before she produced: Amarillo Z (Aladin), Rebound Z (Rebel II Z) and Al Capone Z (Atlantus Z).
The third daughter Reureka Z, by Ramiro Z (1982) is the dam of the stallions: Faust Z, Samson Z, Lauriston Z as well as her daughter Cleopatra Z, whose son Carpediem Z placed third in the World Championships for Young Horses, 6 year olds division.
The fourth daughter Romanze Z by Ramiro Z (1983) was exported to Canada, where again she has been an important brood mare.
Ahorn Z was an immediate success at stud, producing state premium mares and a string of stallion sons, as well as successful competitors.
Ahorn Z competed internationally as did his graded sons Acord I, Amaro, Antares and Aar. He also has a number of other progeny which have jumped with success such as Lord Arico, Acapulco and Dobel’s Gettina.
One of his first sons, Acord I was a noted sire in Bavaria before moving to the United States, his full-brother Acord II was reserve champion of the 5 year olds at the Bundeschampionate in 1992. In 1996 Acord III’s youngest full-brother became the Brazilian champion stallion.
As a broodmare sire, Ahorn has also been very successful. The international jumping star – and top sire – Lux Z, is out of Apocalypte Z, a daughter of Ahorn Z. While the exciting stallion, Lordanos is out of W-Ashely, by Ahorn.
Some measure of the influence of Ahorn Z may be seen in the latest issue of Jacob Melissen’s Dutch directory, The Leading Stallions of 2007. Here we find Acapulco, by Acorado by Acord II by Ahorn Z; Broere VDL Atlantic, again by Acord II, Cartano, by Carthago but out of E-Dream Girl by Alasca by Ahorn Z; Casantos, by Cantos out of the Ahorn Z grand-daughter, Cassima; VDL Indorado is by Corrado out of Aida, a daughter of Ahorn Z; Numero Uno, by Libero H out of Jolanda, a grand-daughter of Ahorn Z; VDL Prestige, by Silvano, out of a grand-daughter of Ahorn Z and VDL Sydney is by Goodtimes out of a grand-daughter of Ahorn Z.
Ahorn Z will continue to shape the future of jumping breeding for many years to come!