Wolkentanz II

Wolkentanz II has competed successfully at Advanced Level dressage and has the offspring that are following in his footsteps. 12 Approved sons, 21 State Premium mares, offspring competing & winning & commanding top prices at the most prestigious sales and auctions. Wolkentanz II was owned by Mr. Johannes Westendarp in partnership with Böckmann’s & stood at stud at the Hengststation Böckmann in the Oldenburg area of Germany.

He has been ranked among the top stallions in Germany for both Type & Riding Horse Qualities and for Dressage Values. 

Wolkentanz II’s famous sire Weltmeyer, hardly needs an introduction, and is currently ranked third in the world for producing dressage horses, according to the 2008 World Breeding Federation statistics.

Wolkentanz II’s dam, the State Premium mare Lovely, produced his full brother, Wolkentanz I, owned by the Celle State Stud in Germany as well as the full sister, WeiBe Rose, Champion of the 1994 Louis Wiegels Show. 

Source: Crooked Creek & Woodhaven Farms.

Why Wolkentanz II?

I had always wanted to use Weltmeyer blood; as it is noted for its powerful hind end. However, I knew the W-blood also came with a certain tendency for rearing, although they were known for their good rideability. I had to have the “right” mare, which is always the case anyways. 😉

Wolkentanz II was imported to Canada in 2009 and I jumped at the chance of breeding to this Weltmeyer son. Wolkentanz II has great breeding values, he is known as a sire of broodmares (I wanted a filly, which I got!) and was known for having a great rideability as well. He very reliably improved type and was a stellar match for my mare, Curcuma.

Curcuma is an eventer-type, with more emphasis on the jumper side of the discipline. I felt Wolkentanz II, despite his breeding, wasn’t all that much of a dressage specialist. Indeed, his offspring figures indicate that have somewhat below average jumping ability. However, this is no surprise to me given his pedigree; that is, he probably has been bred more often to strictly dressage mares, thus the (lack of) jumping ability might not be limited to him. Although Weltmeyer is a known “jump-killer”; it would have been interesting to have access to a more detailed inventory of his foals.

In any event, I thought the worst case scenario would be more a dressage specialist, but as long as it was a good one, it would make it to a pretty decent level.

I learned afterwards that some foals showed a lack of willingness to work once of under saddle age, which is not a problem with my mare, and that he didn’t have a great walk. Great canter, great trot, but very average walk. Unfortunately, my mare has a good walk, but not an above-average-wow walk. Thus, my filly shows a definite improved in the trot and canter, great hind leg action, easy flying changes at liberty and above average athleticism, but her walk… is correct, no more, no less.

Conclusion

I would breed back to Wolkentanz II in a heartbeat. The filly is extremely sensible and smart. She is bold, yet has good self-preservation instincts. Of course, being a 2011 model, I have not seen her jump at liberty yet. I will have to report back when I have solved that part of the equation… and when she’s under saddle. 🙂

Wolkentanz II has competed successfully at Advanced Level dressage and has the offspring that are following in his footsteps. 12 Approved sons, 21 State Premium mares, offspring competing & winning & commanding top prices at the most prestigious sales and auctions. Wolkentanz II was owned by Mr. Johannes Westendarp in partnership with Böckmann’s & stood at stud at the Hengststation Böckmann in the Oldenburg area of Germany.

He has been ranked among the top stallions in Germany for both Type & Riding Horse Qualities and for Dressage Values. 

Wolkentanz II’s famous sire Weltmeyer, hardly needs an introduction, and is currently ranked third in the world for producing dressage horses, according to the 2008 World Breeding Federation statistics.

Wolkentanz II’s dam, the State Premium mare Lovely, produced his full brother, Wolkentanz I, owned by the Celle State Stud in Germany as well as the full sister, WeiBe Rose, Champion of the 1994 Louis Wiegels Show. 

Source: Crooked Creek & Woodhaven Farms.