Espri

Born 1981Chestnut 164 cm
Breeder – Rolf Deerke

There are jumping stallions that have made a name (even a World Breeding Federation ranking) on the basis of one freaky foal, and this might easily have been the case with Espri, since he certainly sired one ‘freak’ – ET FRH – a horse that when in form was seemingly unbeatable in the showjumping arena.
But Espri is no ‘one hit wonder’, while ET is obviously his star, he has bred a number of serious jumping horses. His progeny have won 1,854,650 Euros in jumping competition as recorded in the 2007 Hannoverian stallion book. ET is the standout with almost a million euros but there are other handy performers like Explosiv with 95,620, and Elwood with 114,433. The same yearbook records that he has sired 352 jumping horses that have placed in competition and 113 dressage horses. His FN jumping index is 122 compared to a dressage rank of 99. His breeding values on the basis of mare test and auction examinations, tell much the same story, a dressage score of 84 as a against a jumping mark of 128.
Espri’s dam Diplomatin, a state premium mare, was bought by Rolf Deerke’s family as a foal. Although she was on the small side, she was a consistent winner in conformation classes. Under saddle she was not so successful, except in removing her riders, and so she was bred at the age of three to Eiger I. She did not get in foal, but bred the following year to the same stallion produced Espri, and that was it, her place in history as a broodmare rested on that one successful pregnancy since despite a great deal of effort, she never managed to successfully produce another foal!

Diplomatin represents an exciting cocktail of three of the most successful Hannoverian jumping lines – Duellent, Lugano I and Semper Idem, with the added refinement of the Thoroughbred Valentino. Back in 1997, Hanoverian breeding director, Dr Wilkens called for greater use of the Semper Idem bloodline for ‘type and conformation’. More recently the line has experienced an upsurge in popularity through Stakkato.
Espri’s sire, Eiger I was one of the most important producers of jumpers in Hannover, but he also produced a number of successful dressage competitors. As of 2004, he had 146 dressage competitors (10 to Advanced level) and 170 jumpers (18 at the highest level) for an FN dressage score of 112 to a jumping score of 114.
Aside from Espri, Eiger sired the stallions Edinburgh, Elute and Evergreen.

As a baby, Espri followed in his mother’s footsteps, winning conformation classes, and going on to be the champion stallion of his licensing - under saddle, Espri was of similar temperament to his dam, and claimed a number of victims during his 100 day test. He finished 7th out of 34 in the performance test with a score of 118.80.
Espri has proven himself an important sire of stallions, particularly the full brothers Escudo I and II, who are breeding foals of great type, movement AND jumping ability.He is the sire of 62 States Premium mares.
Espri is also the sire of Nadine Capellmann's international Grand Prix dressage star and mount at the 2006 WEG, Elvis who has won Euro 113,077.
In 1995 Espri was crowned Hannoverian Stallion of the Year.

As of 2007, he has produced 601 competition horses with winnings of Euro 1,854,650. 113 dressage horses and 352 jumping horses. He has a 2007 FN jumping ranking of 122, and a dressage ranking of 99. His Hanoverian dressage ranking is 84 and his jumping ranking, 128.