
Landgraf.



Foaled 1966, breeder: Graf von Kielmansegg, height 16.3 hds
When you visit Elmshorn, Germany, these days, and you stop at the century-old "Riding and Driving School", then you are where the heart of the Holsteiner Horse Breeding is beating. And there you meet that characteristic shape of Landgraf I in front of the complex, the symbol of the modern Holsteiner Sport Horse and performance sire. The original himself died in 1996 at the age of 30.
Thanks to A.I., 85 foals by Landgraf I are expected this year. For many years, Landgraf has lead the list of sires of sporthorses. His offspring have won more than seven million dollars by now, mainly in showjumping, and in this respect he is the top sire in the world today. The runner-up is more than two million dollars behind, and Landgraf's children are still as successful as ever, and the prize money they win is still growing fast. It will take a long time to surpass Landgraf's record. Born in 1966, Landgraf I belongs to the first vintage of his sire, Ladykiller XX, who produced another hero one year later in Lord, another of the most influential stallions in Holstein. Ladykiller XX was a very popular thoroughbred stallion, born in England, and a descendant of the very famous stallion line of Phalaris - Fairway - Blue Peter - Sailing Light, combining with Hyperion. His dam also carried Phalaris-blood, as well as Son-in-Law.
In spite of his famous ancestors - Ladykiller was a failure as a racehorse. His performance genes were still there, of course, but they substantiated not as speed but mainly as jumping talent with the occasional good dressage horse as well. All of Ladykiller's offspring could easily be recognized as such, and Landgraf was no exception. These horses have beautiful noble faces with large bright eyes, bay - brown coats - and they could jump!
Landgraf has a very good temperament, which he passes on dominantly, together with excellent movement. His dam, Warthburg, came from the stem No. 275 and accumulates the performance genes of Ethelbert, Aehill and Cicero, who are responsible for laying the foundation of the Holsteiner Sporthorse as the world's leading jumping stud book.
Landgraf was chosen to represent the Holsteiner breed at the 1972 German National Agricultural Show - and finished last. And that says it all about the value of lead classes at Ag Shows, in respect of performance. At various events, like the Equitana, the world's largest equestrian fair, Landgraf jumped fences higher than two meters with ease.
And jumping is the field where he excels most as a sire. The list of his showjumping offspring is endless. A few names for example: Freestyle (formerly Lalique) won Aachen Grand Prix, Libero won the Dutch National title five times (!) and also the 1994 Volvo World Cup. The licensed stallion, Lacros, is another along with top performers: Lucky Luke, Lanciano, Landlord, Lausbub and Taggi.
Nearly sixty colts by Landgraf I have been licensed for the Holsteiner studbook, like the champion of 1991, Linaro, and the dressage talent, Loutano. Some of his sons have already achieved top positions as performance sires, for example, Letus II, a jumping sire, and the versatile Landadel, who produced three champion stallions for the Oldenburger breed alone, and also the outstanding international showjumper, Le Cou Cou, a licensed stallion.
So far, 340 broodmares by Landgraf I are registered in the Holsteiner stud book, 260 of these are in the Head Stud Book, 70 have been awarded the State Premium, and a considerable number have been champion mares at shows. Landgraf I is a legend already during his life time. His genes are securely recorder in the breed of the modern sporthorse. His descendants, together with his monument in Elmshorn, will remind future generations of the horse lovers of this truly great personality.