Chris von Martels and Zilverstar. Photo by Jessica Mendoza.
Chesapeake City, MD – June 18, 2015 – The offspring of Harmony’s Rousseau are achieving success around the world in both breeding and sport, and now Rousseau’s son Zilverstar has added another accomplishment to the list. Zilverstar and owner/rider Chris von Martels have been selected to represent Canada in dressage at the upcoming Pan American Games in Toronto.
An 11-year-old KWPN gelding (Rousseau-Hutricia, Rossini), Zilverstar put together a fantastic 2015 winter season in Wellington, Florida, after competing in Europe during the summer and fall of 2014. Under von Martels’ guidance, Zilverstar consistently earned scores in the 70s at the small tour level and collected numerous top three finishes on the competitive Wellington circuit.
The pair capped the season by contributing to a team silver medal for Canada at the Stillpoint Farm Nations Cup CDIO3*. After returning from Florida, they competed at CDIs in Palgrave and Ontario, racking up additional top three placings.
“He’s a very quick learner and a very willing horse who wants to work with you,” von Martels said of Zilverstar. “He’s a very intelligent horse, and he’s aware of everything that’s going on. One of the best things with him at the moment is that he’s extremely consistent.”
Like his sire, Zilverstar combines character and intelligence with a great deal of athletic talent. His excellent gaits help him stand out in competition, and according to von Martels, he knows when the spotlight is on him.
“Zilverstar is a very, very quality mover, and nowadays you have to have that type of quality,” von Martels said. “He has many, many highlights throughout his performances; it’s hard to single out one thing that he’s exceptional at over the next. I do think he’s a real performance horse. He loves to compete. Every time he’s in the arena, he knows it’s show time.”
Show time for Zilverstar and von Martels will be July 11, when dressage at the Pan American Games kicks off with the Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix. Team medals are awarded July 12 after the Intermediaire I and Grand Prix Special, and the individual competition wraps up July 14.
Limited opportunities remain to breed to Harmony’s Rousseau (Ferro-Zsuzsa, Roemer). The stallion is now enjoying his retirement, still based with Hassler Dressage at Riveredge in Chesapeake City, Maryland. A small amount of frozen semen is being carefully managed by Susanne Hassler to make the most of this precious commodity and perpetuate Rousseau’s legacy. Rousseau is owned by Harmony Sporthorses.
For more information, please contact Susanne Hassler at (410) 885-3824 or susanne@hasslerdressage.com.
Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
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