For the first time, the Holsteiner Mare of the Year was honoured as part of the Elmshorn Horse Days. This award was presented to Online IX by Quinar-Corofino I, line 3401. 

She was born in 1999 at Paul Heinrich Paulsen’s stud in Sonnebüll; Margit and Thomas Petersen (Sollwittfeld) purchased her as a foal at the auction in Behrendorf for their breeding programme. At the 2002 Elite Mares Show, she was named second reserve champion and, having already passed her performance test, was awarded the title of State Premium Mare. Among her 17 offspring to date are the three licensed stallions Pikeur Carre by Cassini II (Markus Brinkmann/GER), Canon by Canto and the premium stallion Conrato by Caretino (Hikari Yoshizawa/JPN). However, the now 24-year-old Holsteiner mare has not only produced licensed stallions, but also a whole host of very good show jumpers. Alongside Conrato, who competed at 1.60-metre level, it is currently, in particular, the large-framed grey mare Greece by Mylord Carthago who is enjoying international success under Teike Carstensen and who, just a few weeks ago, won the Hohen Wieschendorf Grand Prix over 1.60 metres. And with Online’s daughter Zürich by Caretino, the Petersen family has a mare in their breeding programme that was herself successful in competition up to 1.50 metres.

The title ‘Holsteiner Mare of the Year’ may be awarded to mares who are still alive and active in breeding, and who have distinguished themselves through outstanding performances both as individuals and through their offspring. Online IX certainly meets these criteria. With 35 stars, she is currently the most successful Holsteiner mare active in breeding. 

The mare Online IX was presented with a Holsteiner parade rug, whilst the Petersen family, her owners, received the
FN Gold Medal from First Chairman Ulrich Steuber.

Photos: Janne Bugtrup