Carl Hester purchases British-bred foal

Carl Hester has invested in some new horsepower. The dressage rider, a member of the silver medal-winning team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (26 August) — has bought a British-bred Oldenburg foal from the Devon-based Newton Stud.

“I’ve always supported British breeding,” said Carl. “This foal is a prime example of that and seems to have all the qualities I look for in young horses.”

The foal is by the Dutch warmblood stallion Charmeur (Florencio x Jazz) out of the Rubinstein mare Grandiosa (pictured left).

Newton Stud’s owner, Lorna Wilson, has trained with Carl for several years. She is thrilled he is the new owner of the colt, a chestnut called Newton Credential.

“It’s such a boost for breeders in the country when our top riders choose British horses,” she said.

“Credential’s dam, Grandiosa, is a phenomenal

mare who keeps on producing the goods; she’s back in foal for 2015 to the Vivaldi son Dream Boy.

“It’ll be so exciting watching Credential progress in the future with one of the best dressage riders in the world.”

Grandiosa’s four-year-old daughter Newton Feronia, by Floriscount and now ridden by H&H’s blogger Chloe Vell, was the first mare assessed in Britain by the Oldenburg verband to be

awarded the state premium candidate title (Horses in the News, 4 September). Grandiosa also produced a licensed son in Germany before being imported to the UK some years ago.

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