Top of the Rankings Sandro Hit – Points 17,745
In second, Johnson
In third, Johnson’s sire, Jazz
Fourth, Sir Donnerhall I
Fifth, Quaterback
Sixth, Fidertanz
Seventh, Totilas
Eighth, Spielberg
Ninth, Ampère
And rounding out the Top Ten, Desperados
I know that I am not the only breeding commentator to venture the opinion that Sandro Hit (Sandro Song / Ramino) might produce very attractive young horse competitors, but he would never breed Grand Prix dressage – too much Holstein, too out behind, too tricky in the mind, too dodgy in the walk. But now I am happy to eat my share of humble pie, as the black stallion emerges on the latest WBFSH sires rankings as World Number One and he is joined in the top ten by a son, Sir Donnerhall I (Donnerhall) and a grandson, Spielberg (Sunny-Boy / Rosier).
Sandro Hit – world number one – Kiki Beelitz image
Once dressage breeding was billed as a battle of the big three: Donnerhall, Rubinstein and Weltmeyer.
De Niro bloodlines, helping make Donnerhall still a force
Donnerhall is still a force (dam sire of Sir Donnerhall amongst others) with his leading representative, Desperados (De Niro / Wolkenstein II) in 10th, joined by Dimaggio (Don Primero / World Cup I) 14th, Don Frederico FRH (Donnerhall / Consul) 16th, Diamond Hit (Don Schufro / Ramino) 24th, De Niro (Donnerhall / Akzent II) 25th, and Don Schufro (Donnerhall / Pik Bube I) in 26th.
Romanov, the only R line representative
The Rubinstein star is fading rapidly, his only representative, a grand son, Romanov (Rohdiamant / Grundstein II) in 30th, while the glitter of the W line has disappeared entirely…
Fidertanz – representing the F line
The F line of Furioso II largely through his grandson, Florestan, was never quite so fêted but continues to produce sires, aside from Hanoverian of the Year, Fidertanz, there is Florencio I (Florestan / Weltmeyer) in 19th, Fürstenball (Fürst Heinrich / Donnerhall) 56th, then four each with only one representative, Falsterbo (Fidermark / Brentano II) in 62nd, Fassbinder (Fürst Heinrich / Caprimond), Fidermark (Florestan / Werther) 74th, and the grand old man himself, Florestan (Fidelio / Rheingold) just hanging in at number 89.
Showtime – Sandro Hit’s top competitor
I am well aware that the mass cancellations caused by the Covid Pandemic have distorted the recent season, with many top horses simply staying at home, but it is notable that six of the top ten sires have their best competitor some way out of the top ten competitors in the world. Sandro Hit’s best on the dressage competitors list is 17th placed Showtime FRH (Rotspon), while number two sire, Johnson (Jazz / Flemmingh) is represented by Hexagon’s Double Dutch (Rubiquil) 36th, fourth ranked Sir Donnerhall I, Samhitas (Abanos) 86th, the 6th ranked Fidertanz (Fidermark / Ravallo) is represented by Fiderdance (Don Schufro) 45th, Ampère (Rousseau / Flemmingh), in ninth, by Abegglen FH NRW (Carabas) 29th, while tenth placed Desperados has Destano (Brentano II) in 41st.
DSP Quantaz – Quaterback producing Grand Prix competitors
Some of the top ten sires do have highly ranked progeny. Fifth placed Quaterback (Quaterman / Brandenburger) has DSP Quantaz (Hohenstein) in sixth, seventh ranked Totilas (Gribaldi / Glendale) has Glock’s Total US (Sir Donnerhall I) in fifth, Spielberg ranked eighth has Suppenkasper (Krack C) just out of the ten, in eleventh.
Total US – Totilas makes the top ten
Usually examining the world standings is a bit like watching grass grow, but this time around there’s movement afoot. Sir Donnerhall I leaps from 14th to 4th, Totilas from nowhere to 7th, Spielberg from 26th to 8th, Ampère from 20th to 9th and Desperados from 21st to 10th.
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