Sonnenberg Farm I News

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Sonnenberg Farm just awarded/recognized as a Top Ten Breeder for the United States Dressage Federation Dressage Sporthorse Breeding

December, 2011 - The 2011 USDF rankings are in and Sonnenberg was ranked in the Top Ten breeders of the USDF Dressage Sporthorse Breeding in the USA. We are excited to have been awarded and recognized within this division with very limited showing of our young horses.

Fair Rosa S - Champion Horse of the Year for USDF Yearling Fillies

November, 2011 - The United States Dressage Federation just announced it's Horse of the Year national rankings and Fair Rosa S, (Ampere x Farrington x Jazz) is the USDF DSHB Yearling Fillies Champion Horse of the Year. Fair Rosa S' average score was 81.6% - for a yearling and she was decidedly the top yearling in the USA. Additionally, Fair Rosa S was the USDF All-Breeds Champion Yearling for the KWPN.

Just Imported from Holland
Go Vowendy

November, 2011 - Sonnenberg just imported a filly for our future breeding program. Go Vowendy was bred by our good friend from Holland, Loucky Hagens-Groosman and comes from one of the best dressage breeding lines in Holland - the "Wendy" line. The Wendy line has produced some amazing KWPN National Champion mares and a number of KWPN approved stallions in the past few years such as Charmeur (Florencio x Jazz), Zhivago (Krack C x Jazz), and Zuidenwind (OO Seven x Jazz). Go Vowendy is sired by Zambuka (Scandic x Biotop), a young stallion whose sire AND dam sire has competed/is competing in Grand Prix dressage. In addition to one of the best pedigrees on US soil, this filly has unbelievable movement and long legs. We couldn't be more pleased to have acquired this oustanding filly. Pictured left in Holland, prior to importing at 3.5 months.

2011 KWPN-NA "Top Five" for the North American Tour announced:

Downtown S - DG Bar Cup Reserve Champion for the entire North American KWPN Tour

October, 2011 - Just announced - Downtown S, (Johnson x Zeoliet x Oldenburg) is the KWPN North American Reserve Champion for the DG Bar Cup (Young Horse Dressage Competition for the KWPN-NA) for the 2011 KWPN North American tour.

2011 North American KWPN Keuring for the Pacific Northwest
September 18th, 2011

September, 2011 - The 2011 North American KWPN Keuring tour made it's stop in Oregon on Sunday, September 18th. Hosted by Sonnenberg Farm, LLC and held at our neighboring Wild Turkey Farm, LLC, we had a successful keuring drawing horses from Canada to Northern California. These keuring horses demonstrated why the KWPN (Royal Dutch Sporthorse) is the TOP studbook/registry in the world once again in 2011 for both Dressage and Jumping horses by the FEI/WBFSH (World Breeding Federation of Sporthorses).

Before announcing Sonnenberg Farm's results, we want to thank Barb Ellison of Wild Turkey Farm, LLC. She was kind enough to offer her beautiful farm for the inspection. Wild Turkey Farm is only a couple of minutes from Sonnenberg, and it is one of the most beautiful equestrian facilities through out North America. Here's a link: http://www.wildturkeyfarm.com/

Sonnenberg's 2011 KWPN-NA Keuring Results Highlights:

2011 KWPN-NA Dressage Foals Keuring Site Champion
Gabridona S

- Gabridona S, (Sir Sinclair x Ferro x Notaris) KWPN-NA Keuring Site Champion for the Pacific Northwest Dressage Foals and also won the keuring award - Top Young Horse for Dressage. The judges comments were: "The best dressage foal at this keuring was the Sir Sinclair daughter Gabridona S (out of Tamora, keur by Ferro pref x Notaris keur), bred by Dan and Gina Ruediger of Sonnenberg Farm, LLC and owned by Andrea Marek. This elegant filly has a supple trot with good suspension. Gabridona S also shows a balanced canter."

2011 KWPN-NA DG Bar Cup Keuring Site Champion
Downtown S

- Downtown S, (Johnson x Zeoliet x Oldenburg) was the Three year-old KWPN-NA Keuring Site Champion for the Pacific Northwest DG Bar Cup (the KWPN-NA young horse dressage competition). Ridden by Brooke, the judges comments were: "The elegant 3-year old gelding Downtown S bred and owned by Dan and Gina Ruediger of Sonnenberg Farm LLC, scored a 76 in his DG bar cup. Downtown has an active walk, a supple trot with good suspension and a well-balanced canter. You could see the dressage potential in this 3-year old."

Brooke Wins Multiple Championships at 2011 ODS Championship Show and 2011 USDF Region 6 Championship Show

September, 2011 Brooke rides multiple horses to Championships and Reserve Championships in both the 2011 Oregon Dressage Society Championships and USDF Region 6 Dressage Championships:

2011 Markel/USEF FEI Young Horse Nat'l. Championships
Allure S

August, 2011 - Lamplight Equestrian Park, Chicago, Ill. Allure S (Rousseau x Farrington x Hierarch), owned by Dr. KC Dunn and ridden by Angela Hecker-Jackson scores 77% in the preliminary round of the 6 Year Old Division at the 2011 Markel/USEF FEI Young Horse Championships! This score put Allure in sixth place of the 15 horses that came from throughout the nation, qualified and attended the National Championships. In the finals round, Allure increased her score to a 81% to place 7th! Overall, Allure finished in the 8th spot and we couldn't be more proud of Allure, Angela and KC. Congratulations for all of the success at one of the most prestigious competitions in the US.

Home Bred Allure S - On Her Way to the Markel/USEF FEI Young Horse 6 Yr. Old Nat'l Championships in Chicago

August, 2011 - Allure S (Rousseau x Farrington x Hierarch) has qualified for the Markel/USEF FEI Young Horse National Championships! Under the impeccable stewardship of her owner, Dr. KC Dunn, Allure was thoughtfully started under the guidance of Grand Prix rider, Liz Austin, who did a super job with "LuLu". Then as a five year old, KC moved Allure moved closer to home and put her with the accomplished rider, Angela Hecker-Jackson. We will be watching the competition from afar and reporting results as we have them. Good luck, KC, Angela and Allure and congratulations to all people who have had a role in Allure's life, helping her to be the successful horse she has become.

Downtown S - Colt Champion and Reserve Grand Champion of ODS Breeder's Showcase

August, 2011 - ODS Breeder's showcase was a successful show for Sonnenberg bred horses when Downtown S (Johnson x Zeoliet x Oldenburg) won his three year old colts class with an 81.25% and then went on to be Colt CHAMPION. Finally, in the final Grand Championship class, he was awarded RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION of the show. We are so proud of this youngster and are delighted to watch him now under saddle. Pictures coming soon!

Fair Rosa S - Another Spectacular Performance

August, 2011 - Fair Rosa S (Ampere x Farrington x Jazz) scores another huge score of 81.25% in her yearling fillies class for the win and again wins the USDF DSHB Filly Championship at the Oregon Dressage Society's Breeder's showcase. Fair Rosa S has been to three USDF DSHB Breed shows this season and at two of the three shows, she was the highest scoring horse of the show.

Brooke wins Pan Am Challenge - Dressage at Devonwood

July, 2011 - Brooke and the beautiful KWPN mare Pauletta Parina, owned by Keith and Cindy Larson wins the Pan Am Challenge held at Dressage at Devonwood under the careful judging of Axel Steiner, Lilo Fore and Cara Whitham. The Pan Am challenge is a competition in honor of the upcoming Pan Am games that combines the Prix St. Georges score, the Intermediare I score and the Int. I Freestyle score. Brooke scored a 69.56% at PSG, a 67.38% at Int. I and a 70.42% on her freestyle. These super scores put Brooke in the top position to win the challenge and the cash. Congratulations to the Larsons on their wonderful KWPN mare and to Brooke for a super competition. Pictures to come.

Fair Rosa S - HIGHEST Scoring Horse of June USDF Breed Show

June, 2011 - Fair Rosa S (Ampere x Farrington x Jazz) scores a whopping 84.6% to win her yearling fillies class and was awarded the highest score of the day for the entire show. Fair Rosa was also the filly champion of the show. Pictures forth coming.

A Third Filly for Sonnenberg! Generosa S

June, 2011 - Another wonderful filly born on June 18th, 2011. Generosa S, (Uphill x Farrington x Jazz) is out of the elite mare Zen Rosa and is half sister to the North American KWPN Champion Dressage foal in 2010, Fair Rosa S. This filly's name translates to "generous" in spanish and generous she is - with her suspension, movement, uphill direction and beauty. We have never seen a young foal move like this filly - such lift - such technique. We couldn't be more pleased with our "Uphill" filly - she is special for sure. Pictured right at 10 days.

Another Filly for 2011!
Galadancer S

May, 2011 - Another wonderful filly born on May 29th, 2011. Galadancer S, (For Compliment x Zeoliet x Oldenburg) is out of our special ster/prov. keur mare Raindancer. "Gala" is supple, strong with expressive movement and a chiseled perfect face. Her personality is relaxed and kind. Pictured right at two and a half months old.

First Foal of 2011 - A Filly!
Gabridona S

May, 2011 - A beautiful filly born on May 24th, 2011 out of our keur mare, Tamora. Gabridona S, (Sir Sinclair x Ferro x Notaris) was up and nursing within a half an hour. Her name, Gabridona comes from her well predicated mareline named "Dona". A strong yet beautiful and refined filly, "Gabi" was sold to our good friend and client, Andrea Marek. Andrea is an FEI rider that has another KWPN mare at our farm - and with Gabi's personality and movement, we are confident Gabi and Andrea will go far. Gabi pictured right at five weeks.

2011 KWPN-NA Annual Meeting at DG BAR

March, 2011 - The KWPN of North America had a super annual meeting this March that featured Steffen Peters both riding and lecturing and Cor Loeffen from Holland. We also had a tribute to Olympic Idocus that was fantastic. Another educational and informative meeting and great to see friends gather from around the nation. Pics below:

Brooke, Gina and Dan - the "Sonnenberg Contingent" at the KWPN-NA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet.

The KWPN of North America Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting's Awards Banquet, (listed from left to right) Pieter Ruig, Willy Arts, Christine McCarthy, Judy Reggio, Susan Taylor, Allison Hagen and Dan Ruediger.

The United States Olympic Team Member, World Cup Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist, Steffen Peters at the KWPN-NA Annual Meeting.

Olympic Idocus with Ashlyn DeGroot.

Two of Sonnenberg's Coming Three-Year Olds Being Started

February, 2011 - Downtown S, (Johnson x Zeoliet), who was a First Premium and Champion Dressage Foal at the 2008 NW KWPN-NA Keuring and Dolce S, (Quaterback x Idocus) also First Premium and Mutliple USDF Champion have been brought to the training barn and are being started lightly under saddle. We'll post videos of their development in the next few months - so check back for those. This summer we will be starting our other coming three year old filly, Dimora S, (Sir Donnerhall x Ferro). We are patiently waiting to start her as she develops from a young filly in the fields to a beautiful mature horse. It should be a fun year with all the young horses starting their careers and the excitement that they bring.

Fantastic New Footing by Footings Unlimited

January, 2011 - New footing for a new year! Footings Unlimited and Dave Martin just finished installing a sand with felt and rubber footing in our indoor arena. Dave has done this same footing for most of the West Coast Olympic riders which include Steffen Peters, Sue Blinks and Guenter Seidel amongst others. We couldn't be more pleased to have his expertise in installation and materials for our horses too. The footing rides really fantastic with super support, firmness and grip yet a lightness as it gives a feeling of riding on air. Our horses love it too. http://www.footingsunlimited.com/

2010 - Sonnenberg's Successful Year

December, 2010 - Looking back on 2010 - we had quite a successful year. Our young horse and breeding program produced sensational results with 1 international champion foal and 2 two year old national champions (see below). Brooke had another amazingly successful year with the expressive Fresian stallion Rembrandt whom she has trained from 1st level to PSG in a few seasons while only having him part of each year. Many of the Sonnenberg riders won multiple ODS/USDF Regional championships in their respective levels of riding. We couldn't be more pleased with the results and we look forward to 2011 - when we'll be starting 3 of our talented young horses. Keep checking back here for upcoming news and pictures.

Dimora S - Champion
USDF Horse of the Year

November, 2010 - The United States Dressage Federation just announced it's Horse of the Year national rankings and Dimora S (Sir Donnerhall x Ferro x Notaris) is the confirmed USDF DSHB Two Year Old Fillies HOY Champion. Dimora's average score was a huge 84.6% and she was decidedly the top two year old filly in the nation for 2010. Additionally, Dimora was USDF All-Breeds Champion for the KWPN.

Dolce S - Champion
USDF All-Breeds - KWPN

November, 2010 - Dolce S (Quaterback x Idocus x Boreas) is the 2010 USDF All-Breed Champion in the Two Year Old Colt division for the KWPN. Dolce had an average score of 80% and was the top KWPN two year old colt in the nation. Additionally, Dolce was USDF DSHB Reserve Champion Horse of the Year. Watch for this colt in the riding arena next year - he is spectacular!

Fair Rosa S - Top KWPN Dressage Foal throughout the US and Canada for 2010

October, 2010 - Fair Rosa S is awarded Champion Dressage Foal for the entire North American KWPN Keuring tour for 2010. She scored an impressive 82 for conformation and an 84 for movement.

Brooke and Rembrandt win multiple Championships

September, 2010 - Congratulations to Sonnenberg's trainer Brooke Voldbaek and the exciting Friesian stallion Rembrandt for winning multiple championships at the 2010 ODS Championship show and the USDF Region 6 & NWDC Championships. Brooke has successfully and carefully brought Rembrandt up from a first level horse to a top FEI competitor in the last couple of years and we are all excited to see what 2011 brings for this pair. (pictures coming soon)

- Brooke and Rembrandt - 2010 ODS 4th level Champion
- Brooke and Rembrandt - 2010 USDF Region 6 Prix St. Georges Champion
- Brooke and Rembrandt - 2010 NW 4th level Champion

Top Young Horse 2010 KWPN Keuring at Donida

September, 2010 - Fair Rosa S is Champion of the Pacific Northwest KWPN keuring for dressage foals.

Fair Rosa S, is by the KWPN stallion Ampere' (Rousseau x Flemmingh), out of our elite KWPN mare Zen Rosa (Farrington x Jazz). We couldn't have asked for a nicer filly - and the KWPN jury agreed by awarding her with huge scores in both conformation and movement.

August, 2010 - Oregon Dressage Society Breeder's Showcase, a two day USDF Dressage Sport Horse Breeding show was held and Sonnenberg had great success with it's horses. Pictured right, Dimora S, (Sir Donnerhall x Ferro x Notaris) was First place in the two year old filly class both days. The first day of the show, Dimora scored over 84% and was also Filly Champion. On day two, Dimora scored an unbelievable 91%, was again FIlly Champion and was Grand Champion of the show.

Dolce S, (Quaterback x Idocus x Boreas), (pictured left) was also successful. Dolce won his two year old classes both days with an 82% and an 80%. Additionally, on day one he was Colt Champion and Grand Champion of the show.

Two days, two shows, and two different Grand Champions - Dolce was Grand Champion on Saturday and DImora was Grand Champion on Sunday. We couldn't be more pleased with our two year olds.

July, 2010 - A picture of our home bred Allure S, (Rousseau x Farrington), now age five and developing well under the training of Liz Austin. Allure S was purchased as a foal by Dr. KC Dunn and is being developed by Liz for the six year old young horse FEI division.

June, 2010 - Updated pictures of For Freedom S (For Compliment x Zeoliet) taken at three weeks old. He is still on stall rest, but is getting stronger.

June, 2010 - Updated pictures of Fair Rosa S (Ampere x Farrington x Jazz) taken at just over one month old. This filly is both sweet and super talented!

June, 2010 - For Compliment (the sire to our incredible colt For Freedom S) won the Wolfsburg, Germany 2010 Bundeschampionate Qualifier in the six year old division with a huge score of 8.3. His highlighted scores include a 9.5 for his trot and a 9.0 for his canter. See link for more details:
http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2010/06/14/wilson-pickett-and-compliment-win-2010-wolfsburg-bundeschampionate-qualifier

May, 2010 - A handsome and proud colt named For Freedom S came right before the Memorial day weekend at Sonnenberg. Our special Zeoliet mare Raindancer, (ster, prov. keur) had a leggy, modern and chromy chestnut colt by the six year old German stallion For Compliment, (Fidermark (Florestan) x Compliment (Calypso II)). Even though this colt had some challenges at birth, For Freedom is getting stronger and bouncing back quickly. Pictured right at ten days, this colt has remained on stall rest due to an umbilicus infection and surgery, but is recovering well and getting closer to a full recovery. For Freedom is built like he can move, so we can't wait to turn him out to see what he's got. More pictures to come as he develops.

For Freedom S (For Compliment x Zeoliet)

May, 2010 - Fair Rosa S is born. Our elite mare, Zen Rosa (Farrington x Jazz x Purioso), had a beautiful filly by the exciting young KWPN stallion Ampere, (Rousseau x Flemmingh x Amor). Ampere was the champion of the KWPN stallion show in 2008 and later went on to be the champion of his stallion testing where he achieved his approval. We are very excited about this cross and from what we've seen thus far, this filly hasn't disappointed. Fair Rosa's conformation is excellent and we've already seen exceptional movement from her.

Fair Rosa S (Ampere x Farrington x Jazz)

May, 2010 - Heart of the Valley Dressage Shows I & II. Sonnenberg trainer, Brooke Voldbaek and all of her horses and riders had an overwhelming successful show the weekend of May 15th & 16th. Additional results will be posted soon - but we wanted to highlight Brooke's success with Donna Carina, owned by the McKallip family, at Intermediaire 1 with scores of 67.5% and 69.5%.

March, 2010 - We just returned from Wellington Florida where the 2010 KWPN-NA Annual Meeting was held. I think all of the KWPN breeders who attended would agree that it was another fantastic meeting with great clinicians, exhibitions, education and of course - lots of late night parties and friends. The annual meeting has become a "Don't Miss" event for KWPN breeders (and breeders of other sporthorse registries) across North America and Holland too.

This year, our keynote speaker was the internationally successful Paul Hendrix from Stal Hendrix. Paul breeds, buys and sells horses all over the world and discussed what he looks for in stallion prospects, sales horses and international jumpers and dressage horses. In addition to Paul, Arie Hamoen, the head of the KWPN Stallion committee lectured about this year's jumpers and dressage stallions from the 2010 stallion show and what the KWPN is looking for which included discussions on line breeding and pedigrees.

For the jumper breeders, we attended the Wellington Grand Prix and watched a fantastic competition. For dressage breeders, we went to the farm of International competitor Michael Barisone. Michael, his wife and team rode many fantastic KWPN horses from young horses to Grand Prix. Liz Austin also did a clinic with her newly approved KWPN stallion Olivier, whom she has been successfully competing Grand Prix on the international circuit. A special treat was to see our home bred "Allure S" (Rousseau x Farrington x Heirarch), who is owned by Dr. KC Dunn and and is under the training of Liz Austin. Liz has big plans for our home bred girl.

The parties, the awards ceremony and friends throughout North America and Europe made this another wonderful meeting. We look forward to seeing everyone next year again.

News Archives

2008
2009

Clinics
We have regular clinics with the following clinicians for 2008:


Michael Etherly - contact Brooke at brooke@sonnenberg.us
Ernst Hermann - contact Andrea at amarek@pamplincorporation.com

12933 SW Westfall Road Sherwood, Oregon 97140 503.582.1986
Email: info@sonnenberg.us
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