It was an evening replete with numerous highpoints at the fifth edition of the Excellent Dressage Sales auction. With sales totaling almost € 2.4 million and an average of more than € 55,000 per horse, the edition was deemed very successful. Exactly half way through the auction, Charming Lady of Tinus Naber uit Vredenheim (NL) caused a sensation under Jeanine Pleijte-Nieuwenhuis. The mare sold for a record sum not only for Excellent Dressage Sales but also for the Netherlands: € 700,000. Charming Lady’s new home will be in Germany. Earlier this year, the duo impressed at Jumping Amsterdam in their first U25 performance.
Six-Figure Sums
However, Charming Lady was not the only lady in demand. The Franklin daughter Kavira also attracted buyers, with Andreas Helgstrand investing € 210,000 in the super dressage talent. When For Gribaldi came on the auction block, a fierce bidding war ensued. Given that the gelding had recently made his Grand Prix debut, buyers in Hooge Mierde were prepared to pay good money for him. He ultimately sold for € 170,000 and will have a new home in America. Kaboom (s. Johnson) likewise commanded a six-figure sum, selling for € 130,000; while the Grand Prix mare Cynosa sold for exactly € 100,000.
A New Breed and Young Horses
For the first time in the history of Excellent Dressage Sales, the auction collection included a Friesian: FHS Rienk. He changed hands for € 29,000. The young horses of the collection also attracted the buying public, with the Dreamboy offspring Leac selling for € 46,000. The Franklin son Let’s Play went under the hammer for € 70,000; and the coveted Milli Vanilli fetched € 44,000.
Charity
EDS showed its support for the charities Para-Horse and Liliane Funds by auctioning a number of beautiful items. All the proceeds will go to the charities. In addition, Addy van den Krommenacker and his team put on a haute couture fashion show during the intermission, which was well received by the audience. Also on the program was the prestigious EDS Award, which was received by Sjef van Rijswijk. The award is presented annually to persons who have made a significant contribution to equestrian sport. The EDS team commends Sjef for his contribution to breeding and sport.
