The 2011 Hanoverian Mare of the Year was honored on the occasion of the Gala Evening of the 125th Elite Auction; the award went to the Wanderbursch II/Derrik daughter Wanda, bred and owned by Weert-Arnold Sweers, Krummhoern. She is the fifth mare to be rewarded with this prize for her breeding accomplishments.

Wanda was born 19 years ago on the farm of her breeder Weert-Arnold Sweers in Krummhoern/East Frisia where she is still living today. The chestnut mare belongs to the damline of Juka that produced many successful stallions such as the Celle State Stud stallion Dürkheim. Wanda has delivered 10 foals to date. She was bred to the dressage stallion De Niro 10 times, and she is again in-foal to him for next year. A more than perfect combination. Her second foal was particularly successful – D-Online is to date one of the most interesting stud stallions with the Hessen National State Stud at Dillenburg.

In regards to sport, D-Online's accomplishments are even topped by his two-year younger full brother Dablino, who became well-known at the age of six when he participated at the World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses under Holga Finken. The duo finished fifth in the Final. Dablino was then ridden by Anabel Balkenhol. Both won with the German team the Bronze medal at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky last year; Anabel Balkenhol's biggest success up to then. This year, the duo belonged to the victorious German Nations Cup team in Aachen.

Since 2007, the Hannoveraner Verband has been honoring the Mare of the Year with the support of the insurance company R+V/VTV Versicherungen. This award, combined with well-endowed prize money, is meant to highlight the importance of mares for the Hanoverian breed.

Photo: Courtesy Hannoveraner Verband