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California Riding Magazine • August, 2010 Flying Changes |
Photo © Kimerlee Curyl Contester Passes Golden Oak Farm, LLC, announced the passing of its beloved stallion Contester, on June 23, following an unsuccessful colic surgery. The award-winning 11-year-old Holsteiner stallion leaves a legacy of many Premium and Elite offspring who are just beginning to show their talents in both dressage and show jumping. Contester competed successfully in the FEI levels and claimed numerous breed show and competition awards including ranking top in the nation in the Dressage Sport Horse Breeding awards, Stallion Champion of the prestigious Devon Breed Show, National Reserve Champion FEI Young Horse, and AHHA National All “Contester was a rare combination of heart, strength, and character,” says Dara Rip, managing director of Golden Oak Farm, LLC in the Bay Area’s Woodside. “He sired exceptional offspring who are proving to be champions at both dressage and as jumpers. His kind eye and generous heart drew everyone to him. He had a fan club no matter where we went.” Contester was imported in 2001 by Willy Arts of DG Bar Ranch and acquired by Adara Partners (which became Golden Oak Farm) in 2002. Contester was trained and ridden to the FEI by Nicole Perry. Willy Arts said, “He has the look of a sire” and those kinds of stallions tend to pass on their traits. Among some of his top offspring are Valonia (Premium AHHA mare and top jumping prospect) Woodwind (Elite KWPN-NA mare), Dream Catcher (DSHB Champion and stallion prospect), Confident Z (Premium Zangershiede foal and stallion prospect), Ducati (RPSI Gold Foal and stallion prospect). In the past three years 92 percent of his foals received a Premium rating.
Whitethorne Ranch hunter/jumper trainer and stable manager Georgy Maskrey and her newborn daughter Sophie Grace, who arrived June 23.
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