Caletto I

Born 1975, 175 cm

Breeder - Klaus Martin Both, Herzhorn

He stood at Vornholz, 1978, Elmshorn, 1979, Wöhrden, 1979, in competition 1981-85, Langenhagen 1986 to 1999. Put down 1999

Approved sons: Cabochon, Cabrol Amicor, Calero, Call Him Top, Calmero, Calvaro Z, Camaro, Cambridge, Canini de Lobo, Canizzaro, Cantus, Capito, Cartusch, Cassandro I and II, Celio, Charmant, Cockney, Concetto Famos, Cornetto and Cyber Space

Caletto I was approved in Neumünster in 1977 and passed his performance test at Medingen the following year. It was a vintage year for the Holsteiner Verband - Capitol I was also licensed that year.

According to the Stallion Book of the Holsteiner Warmblood Breed by Dr Dietrich Rossow, he was "tall, important sire with the smooth topline of a modern riding horse. Good face, rather heavy neck and a thick throatlatch. Prominent withers, rather flat through the loin, sharply dropped croup.in which the muscle doesn't carry down well. Strong bone with mild crookedness in front and faults behind, somewhat base narrow. Good trot, absolutely marvelous canter. Extraordinary jumping ability with fantastic form over fences."

And the progeny? "Sires perfomrance horses of his type with his strong points and faults. Very energetic individuals with great jumping ability."

As is so often the case, Caletto is the product of one of those mares that 'make' a breeder - Deka. Bred by Holstein breeder, Klaus-Martin Both, she produced eleven living foals before she died at the age of 23 - the eleventh being Caletto III. Deka is by Consul, the best son of the influential Thoroughbred, Cottage Son.

Amazingly all Deka's foals have competed at the highest level. All but one of her sons went on to become licensed stallions, and her daughter, Nathalie is the dam of a KWPN approved stallion! In 1973, Deka was bred for the first time to Cor de la Bryère, producing Cordeka who with Herbert Bloecker competed successfully in showjumping and eventing competitions. Bred to Cor de Bryère the following year, Deka produced the first of the three stallion full-brothers, Caletto I, II and III. There was a fourth product of the cross, born in 1976 who never made it to licensed stallion status. Caletto II was born in 1978 and Caletto III in 1984.

Caletto I was selected by the master breeder, Baron Clens von Nagel to stand at his Vornholz Stud in Westphalia. According to Claus Schridde in the 2006 edition of Bernd Eylers German Stallion Book, the Baron 'was a great authority on horses. He instinctively did the right thing in horse breeding over several decades. Baron von Nagel had internalized the credo 'breeding is equivalent to thinking in terms of generations.' His horses had a high perecentage of noble blood on the one hand, and on the other hand, Holstein bloodlines played a great role in his breeding planning. He had destined the bay Caletto I as the successor to Ramzes aa, Krol Walca, Herold, Pernod xx and Kallistos aa, as a Vornholz sire. This decision was to be the last 'great success' of the ingenious hippologist. Baron Clemens von Nagel had however pased away by the time that the first Caletto I foals were born."
For details on this wonderful publication go to www.horse-gate.com.

It was this first crop that produced the stallion, Cartusch, who stood in Westphalia and Oldenburg, as well as the dams of two successful international stallions, Aldatus (Junior European Champion under Christian Ahlmann) and Iberio (Derby winner with Soren von Rönne)

Posted to the Woehrden stallion station, Caletto I had almost completed his breeding duties for his third season, when he was kicked by a mare in the genitals, and despite the best of veterinary attention remained infertile for months afterwards. The Holsteiner Verband sold him to the showjumping rider, Michael Rüping and he went on to earn DM101,693, as well as a team bronze at the 1983 European Championships. In 1985, Caletto I was the most successful German Nation's Cup horse- it seemed his breeding days were over!

But then his little brother Caletto II was killed in an accident (see below). The distraught Holstein breeding authorities contacted Michael Rüping and persuaded him to test Caletto I once again - after a break of five years, the stallion was now producing fertile semen! Caletto I resumed his successful breeding career in 1986 and in the 1991-2000 WBFSH standings was represented by 12 progeny who had taken him into 28th place - finishing 5th in the 1999/2000 standings. His most successful jumper has been Calvaro. He has also been a successful sire of stallions, most notably Camaro, Cantus and Cartusch.

Caletto II

Born 1978, died 1984, 169 cms Breeder Klaus Martin Both, Obendeich

Stood at: Woerden 1981-1983, Wellinghausen 1983

Despite only standing for four seasons, Caletto II is shaping as the most important son of the jumping supersire, Cor de la Bryère. In the WBCSH top fifty rankings for 1991-2000, Caletto II ranks 16th thanks to the jumping efforts of 14 progeny - the most highly ranked being Operette la Silla and Jewel's Classic Touch.

Caletto I's younger full-brother Caletto II was a sensation right from the start and was acclaimed Champion of his stallion licensing in 1980 - he was considered the perfect Holsteiner type. He also showed wonderful jumping technique, and later proved this in the showjumping ring with Herbert Bloecker, where the stallion won many tests for riding horses. At a regional show in September 1984, after being proclaimed best in the show, Caletto II was waiting to go into the arena, when he reared up, fell over and broke his neck!

He was described thus in the Stallion Book of the Holsteiner Warmblood Breed by Dr Dietrich Rossow: Significant stallion of Thoroughbred, performance type. Harmonious and deep bodied. Smooth topline, Slightly herring gutted. Muscling not well let down through the haunches. Clean, correct legs and feet. Good walk and trot, absolutely marvelous canter. Very good jumper. Extraordinary form over fences, brillaint with knees. Good temperament."

As a sire, Rossow was equally enthusiastic: "Improvement sire! Offspring mainly of his type with Cor de la Bryère hindquarter. All are performance horse. Five approved sons, 91 approved daughters."

Just how great a loss wasCaletto II has been is shown by the fact that he is ranked 16th in the standings for 1990-2000, with his two megastars, Operette La Silla and Jewel's Classic Touch contributing the bulk of the points. Calletto II's son Caretino jumped internationally with Bo Kristoffersen and later with Ludger Beerbaum, and is himself the sire of Caretano Z, who was leading the 2000 TNT Sires of the World Standings, when he tragically died following colic complications.

A third full-brother, Caletto III was born in 1986. He too embarked on a dual career - in the competition arena and the breeding barn, but he has yet to emulate the feats of his two famous brothers.