Back in 2002 there weren’t a lot of auctions yet. The organizing committee could not have foreseen that two decades later the auction would be the place where champions and even Olympic contenders began their careers. “We have always focused on selecting the best young jumpers for this auction. Horses with top level potential for the future. That has not changed”, Michel Hendrix begins. “The selection committee initially concentrated on 3- and 4-year-olds. Over the years we’ve seen the market demand change, and we’ve shifted the focus on finding 5-, 6-, and 7-year-olds for the collections.”
Growing success
“The first edition was already successful, and we are very glad that all the editions that have been organized since were equally if not more successful. Every year there are memorable horses auctioned off but even the horses that do not make headlines in their later careers have given their new owners and riders fantastic moments and memories to cherish. We are fortunate that early buyers have been pleased and continue to visit our auction, but we are also happy to welcome new interested parties that trust our vision and see the same potential in the horses as the selection committee does.”
A year-round effort
“Just to highlight that the search for horses is not a seasonal thing it is a continuing process. Once the auction is over, we immediately begin scouting for new potential young talents that would be suitable for the next auction. The DSHS is one, if not the highlight, of our yearly event calendar and we understand presenting a collection with absolute top-talents is on the minds of everyone on the selection committee all year round. We are proud that also this year’s collection is very versatile and has something in store for every equestrian, from top-level riders to pro-amateurs.”
Globally sourced and home-schooled
This year’s collection in a fine mix of horses globally and locally sourced horses. Some youngsters have been with Stal Hendrix since they were foals and there is even one horse that has been bred from a HX-mare. “ All the horses in the collection are exceptional with a few youngsters that stand out especially. For example, Nirvana G, this six-year-old gelding has been bred by a mare (b. Quasimodo) that Stal Hendrix’s owns paired with one of our stallions Gaspahr. Nirvana G has been creating attention ever since he started jumping, He’s been standing out with Giampiero Garofalo in the national young horse classes quite a bit so far.”
Future winners
“Also homebred is Nadia HX by Valmy de la Lande x Bustique. This 6-year-old- mare has exceptional quality. She is careful and has a fantastic character and mind. She has been doing very well with Stephanie Withworth in the HX-competition and young horse classes and I am confident this is a horse that we will hear more from in the future. Also, a special mention goes to Coocoo’s-Fire Z. Stal Hendrix bought this 7-year-old gelding as a foal and he has been trained within our system with the intention to save him for the DSHS. He is a real powerhouse with unlimited potential and excellent scope. He has already shown his ability at international level, and we foresee he will do great things in the future.”
To view all the horses in the 20th anniversary collection, please visit: www.dutchsporthorsesales.com.