This month, it is once again an up-and-coming horse that holds the title of "Holsteiner of the Month": Viva Las Vegas W by Vagabond de la Pomme-Cancara, bred and owned by Matthias Wittke (Marienheide). Viva Las Vegas W was born at Peter Reimer Janßen's in Kattrepel, just like all of Matthias Wittke's foals.

Before "Vivi", as the nine-year-old mare is called at home, gained her first sporting experience under Wittke's partner Anke Reininghaus in young horse classes, she produced a colt foal by Clarimo. Now five years old, the gelding is stabled with Richard Vogel, who has secured a 50 percent share in the future prospect. Viva Las Vegas W, who descends from Holsteiner dam line 318D2, went into the training of Sophie Hinners in Pfungstadt, southern Hesse, at the end of her five-year-old year. In 2022, the pair won the bronze medal at the German Bundeschampionat for six-year-olds. As seven-year-olds, they placed in two classes in Warendorf and, a year later at the same venue, won a class at the so-called "reunion meeting" over 1.40 metres.

Since the beginning of 2025, Richard Vogel has also been in the saddle of the grey mare. At various shows in Ocala (USA), the Holsteiner has already celebrated several successes with both Sophie Hinners and Richard Vogel. Her biggest successes to date are two victories in 1.45-metre show jumping classes, one of them in the 85,000-dollar Grand Prix. One can look forward to seeing how "Vivi's" career develops further.

Photo: Stefan Lafrentz