Story by Julia Wentscher.

As white as snow, bursting with energy, self-assured and radiating a noble appeal, Capitol I looked like a horse out of a fairy tale. This monumental stallion is justly deemed one of the best Holstein jumper-makers in Germany if not in the whole world. His off-spring have earned well over 2.5 million Euro at competitions in the north and south, in Europe, in America and Australia – at Championships, World Championships and Olympic Games. At the Olympic Games in Sydney alone, four of his off-spring participated. Only the off-spring of Landgraf I, Pilot, Polydor, Furioso II, Grannus and Lord have won more prize money. "Capitol has been the best advertisement for Holstein. He is esteemed for his exceptional jumping traits, enormous ability and his uncomplicated willingness to perform – characteristics that he unconditionally passes on to his children", is the way Dr. Thomas Nissen, the breeding director of the Holstein Verband, expresses it. This blossom-white stallion was 24 years old when he had to be put down on September 28, 1999 because of a severe kidney ailment.

As practically no other stallion, Capitol I was able to draw whispers, thunderous applause and astonishment from crowds. He was always shown free jumping as a climax at the Holstein Verband's stallion presentation which takes place in February each year. "The poles were as high as the jump stand would allow and Capitol easily jumped over more than two meters," remembers his breeder, Harm Thormählen. No matter how cold it was, no one wanted to miss Capitol's impressive final presentation at the end of an event that had already gone on for several hours.Capitol was purchased as a foal by the great horseman, Maas Johannes Hell, from the Thormählen breeding station. At that time, Mr. Hell was the manager of the Holstein Verband. At the approval, Capitol was just one among many. "A large framed horse, a little awkward, not particularly spectacular but with a highly interesting pedigree – somewhere in the middle of the 1977 crop", is how Dr. Nissen, who was just a spectator in Neumünster at that time, remembers him. In 1978, at his stallion performance test in Medingen, nothing particular about the stallion stood out. He received a final score of 82.56, putting him on 26th place among the 30 participants. "Although his rideability was below average, his great talent for jumping was obvious, even if it was a problem for him to jump into water," says Dr. Nissen.

Herbert Blöcker, an Olympic event rider, was one of the first to have this gray stallion under saddle. "Capitol had enormous ability and his rideability was okay. He was just one of these somewhat heavier types, maybe he grumbled a bit, but lots of stallions are like that when they cover a lot of mares and are not ridden often", says Herbert Blöcker. But he remembers one of the show evenings in Neumünster in which the Nation Cup rider, Sören von Rönne, rode Capitol in a jumper quadrille. "He sure made a big impression there."

The stallion was sent to the Langenhagen Station located in the eastern part of Holstein his first breeding season and he remained there until 1984. "Because of his excellent pedigree and the enormous ability he demonstrated in free jumping, he was popular with breeders right from the beginning", remembers Hans Fehrs, owner of the station which is one of the three oldest Verband stations in Holstein. Founded in 1938, Langenhagen had some of the greatest stallions in the Holstein breed: for example, Caletto I, Calypso I and in the earlier days the Thoroughbred, Marlon. "Capitol was pretty lazy when it came to covering mares and you needed a lot of patience", remembers Hans Fehrs with a smile. "But all of the Ramses (Anglo-Arabian) sons had this trait and Capitol had this stallion in his pedigree." Well, good things take time – and Capitol took his time doing his job. His first crop was excitedly awaited: 35 foals – 20 colts and 15 fillies – were born in 1979, most of them in the eastern part of Holstein. "Capitol had a base of mares there that was already quite sport oriented", reflects Dr. Nissen. But not all of his off-spring were convincing: "There were good-looking foals with beautiful faces and good movements among them, but the one or other was on the heavy side", is the way Mr. Fehrs, who is also the chairman of the approval committee for the Ostholstein district, characterized it. Capitol needed refined bloodlines. According to Dr. Nissen, "Capitol made the best horses with highly refined mares or mares with Cor de la Bryère in their pedigree". The probably most convincing example of Capitol's hereditary power was in the year 2000 at the CHIO in Aachen: Cento, under Otto Becker, won the Grand Prix in a breath-taking jump-off, closely followed by a half-brother on his sire's side, Carthago, who had to be satisfied with second place. It is pretty unique in such a difficult test to find the first two best horses by the same sire and both of them also approved sons. Only a short time later, Cento became a member of the gold winning team at the Olympics in Sydney. Two years later, Cento, also a gray stallion, made the headlines again by winning the World Cup finals in Leipzig after sensational rounds. "Cento behaves when he really needs to and wants to do everything right. He's a very intelligent, cautious horse and sometimes he sees things faster than I do", is the way Otto Becker describes the star in his stables. But it is not only his own performance that continuously makes this gray stallion so convincing, Cento also passes on his exceptional jumping ability to his off-spring: In 1999, at the Bundeschampionat in the class for five year old jumpers, the unbelievable number of four Cento off-spring reached the finals. Most of his off-spring, which have earned more than 125,000 Euro in prizes and many of which are already at advanced level, have a Baden-Württemberg brand. Breeding in the opposite direction – Cor de la Bryère as the sire and a Capitol mare as the dam – has also produced successful horses. The best example is Corrado I, ridden by Franke Sloothaak, who won the World Cup twice, two Grand Prix in Aachen and Frankfurt in 1993, became German Champion a year later and has won many Nation Prizes. "Corrado is one of these truly rare geniuses", says Franke Sloothaak, putting it into a nutshell.

Carthago  -  Cassini  -  Campione  -   Capitol I

But Capitol's hereditary power was obvious long before the exceptional jumpers, Cento and Corrado, came on the scene. One of the first comparisons of a young stallion's performance is carried out privately by Holstein breeders. When the first colts are two years old, they are loaded onto a trailer and brought to a central location for a free jumping test. "The ability that was in Capitol colts was enormous – all of them jumped very well", says Mr. Fehrs. Among the conspicuously large number of gray colts was Corso who became one of the first internationally successful Capitol off-spring. Ridden by the Swiss rider, Willi Melliger, Corso entered Puissance and Jump Off, leaving many Nation Cups with the best ribbons. In 1989, the pair belonged to the Swiss team in Aachen where they took third place. "Corso practically blazed a trail for Capitol. The stallion had always been the source of controversy before Corso became successful, but after Corso there was a real run on Capitol's off-spring. A great number of Swiss riders came to Holstein to look for one", says Norbert Bolay, the marketing director of the Holstein Sales Center in Elmshorn. Capitol then became all the more popular with breeders. Horses such as Verelst Goliath out of a Caletto I mare showed the enormous willingness to perform so typical of Capitol off-spring. In 2001, under Marc van Dijck, Verelst Goliath took second place in both the Nation Prize and the Grand Prix in Madrid, was a member of the winning team in the Nation Prizes in Dublin and Aachen that same year and also placed with the best at the shows in Arnheim, St. Gallen, La Baule, Berlin, Oslo and Helsinki. Charlottenhof's Charisma, a Capitol daughter born in 1991, collected World Cup points under Sören von Rönne and the Swedish rider, Charlotte Lund. The stallion VDL Cardento won the 2001 Preussag Championships in Hanover under Peter Eriksson and was a successful participant in the Nation Prizes in Falsterbo and St. Gallen. "A self-assured horse who knew what he wanted", is the way Hans Jochen Asbahs characterizes the stallion. Capitol lived the last years of his life at his station in Bokel. "But sometimes he wanted to go through the wall head first. He could be unbelievably aggressive when another stallion that he didn't like stood next to him. Then he continuously reared up next to the bars, put his ears back and kicked with all his might against the walls. We didn't have any choice but to take the other stallion away and replace him with one Capitol liked", remembers Mr. Asbahs. Capitol just hated Landgraf I, Germany's most successful sire whose off-spring have earned 3.5 million Euro in prizes. Both stallions spent their last days in Bokel where they were put out to pasture so they could enjoy the fresh Holstein breezes across their backs. Capitol moved to the station in Bokel, which is located between Itzehoe and Elmshorn, in 1995 when he was 20 years old. "Even in his old age, Capitol was still highly popular with breeders. Unfortunately, the quality of his semen continuously declined with age", explains Mr. Asbahs. After all this time, this gray stallion was covering mares naturally again – and he could hardly control himself." As soon as he came out of his stable he stormed off, pulling whoever was supposed to lead him across the whole arena, in spite of a chain. But he took his time when he actually covered the mare." Mr. Asbahs admits that the stallion was a bit sluggish when handled. "He was missing real elegance. And he was probably a bit too heavy as well, just not refined enough." But he sure gave his off-spring great characters. "Capitol off-spring are easy to handle, uncomplicated horses that don't make problems" is the way Mr. Bolay characterizes them. This was also reflected at the Holstein Verband auctions. In 1994, a fantastic jumper mare named Cecilia caused a sensation: this jumper out of a Latus II mare brought 250,000 DM. That was not only the highest price at the auction, it was also the highest price ever paid up to that date at an auction in Neumünster. A large number of Capitol off-spring changed hands at the Holstein auctions and many were purchased by internationally successful riders. For example, Caprera out of a Lagano mare, sold in 1996, was highly successful under the Sydney Olympics winner, Jeroen Dubbeldam. Or Cardinale, a Capitol-Lord daughter sold in 1991 for 200,000 DM and is now ridden by Willi Melliger.

Capitol's exceptional standing in Holstein breeding is hardly a coincidence. His pedigree joins lines 104a and 173, two of the most performance oriented lines in all of Holstein. This good sized gray was born on May 2, 1975 at Harm Thormählen's farm in Kollmar. Capitol's dam, Folia, who carries the refined bloodlines of Maximus-Ramses (Anglo Arabian), has achieved her own merits in breeding. Along with Capitol I and his full brother, Capitol II, she is also the dam of the Landgraf I sons, Latus I and II, as well as Cellebrio by Caletto II, all of which were approved. Bundeschampion Latus I, who stood at Paul Schockemöhles's station before he had to be put down in 1993, received the fabulous score of 9.5 under Franke Sloothaak in a jumping horse test. His full brother, Latus II, whose off-spring have already earned more than 330,000 Euro, now stands again in Holstein after several years in Baden-Württemberg's Main State Stud in Marbach. He has also produced internationally successful horses.Folia's first daughter, Kausa, a successful sporthorse herself, produced the approved stallion, Cadillac. This Caletto II son was stationed in Baden Württemberg, during which time he won nearly 10,000 Euro in advanced level jumping. Folia's daughter by the "stallion of the century", Cor de la Bryère, called Lektion, became the European Champion in eventing under Imke Dehn. Folia's daughter, U-Capitola, who is Capitol I and II's full sister, produced three approved stallions: Lord Capitol by Lord, who is now in America after having been stationed in Denmark and Holstein, Cevin by Calando I, approved by the Zangersheide Stallion Register, and Landcapitol by the trademark stallion, Landadel, who stands at Anton Böckmann's station. Landcapitol, who was born in 1994 and was a successful advanced level jumper, has produced two approved sons. At the 2002 Oldenburg Special Auction in Vechta, a gelding by Landcapitol out of a Trouble Maker (Anglo-Arabian) dam called Lovemaker, was sold for 27,000 Euro, the highest priced horse at the auction. U-Capitola is not only the granddam of Landcapitol but also two other approved stallions by her Landgraf I daughter, Birte: Casir Ask by Cor de la Bryère, stationed in Denmark and the highly esteemed Quidan de Revel son, Quite Easy, who was the 2001 second Holstein Reserve Champion. Folia was really an exceptional mare with her five approved sons, four approved grandsons and, so far, she is the great granddam of two more. If you just add the total earnings by the off-spring of just these eleven stallions, the result is unbelievable: Folia's off-spring have won far more than three million Euro. Folia herself is by the half-Thoroughbred stallion, Maximus, who participated in international jumping under the Olympic riders, Kurt Jarasinski and Manfred Kloes. Folia's dam, called Vase who was born in 1961, has numerous prominent relatives: her full brother, Romanus, was one of Germany's best jumpers from 1959 to 1965 under Hans Günter Winkler, winning the bronze medal at the 1961 European Championships in Aachen and the silver medal a year later in London. In 1963, he belonged to the silver medal winning team in Rome, Two years later, after the gray had won the Puissance in Stockholm and was retired from sport, Vase's breeder and owner, Rheder Thormählen, was offered 30,000 Euro for the mare. But he refused to sell her – which was an invaluable service to the Holstein breed. Vase's dam, Rappel, the granddam of Capitol, was purchased by Mr. Thormählen when she was 20 years old. The reason he bought her was really simple – she enraged her former owners by ignoring the traditional pasture "enclosures" that are found in Holstein consisting of ditches and hedges. When she was bored, she fell into a canter, taxed the ditches and over she went – off at a gallop. When her owner came to get her for work in the morning, he had to follow her trail first. Her adventurous nature was even stronger than her maternal sense of duty – her poor Romanus was found in a ditch more than once because she took off and he couldn't keep up with her. Rappel changed hands several times because of these traits and was once just barely saved from the slaughter house. Mr. Thormählen had this Heinzelmann daughter covered again by the Anglo-Arabian, Ramzes – and Vase was the result. Rappel's last foal was born when she was 25 years old – at 23 she was still showing in elementary level jumping tests. Longevity runs through the 173a line like a red thread – Capitol's dam, Folia, lived to the age of 29. But not only is the dam's side of Capitol's pedigree considered to be the best that is found on the Holstein peninsula. Capitol's ancestors on his sire's side were also successful. His sire, Capitano, is the grandson of the highly esteemed Thoroughbred stallion, Cottage Son and the refined bloodlines of the Anglo Arabian, Ramzes, are found in the pedigree of his dam's sire.Capitano, whose off-spring earned the respectable sum of 360,000 Euro, was also bred by Rheder Thormählen in Kollmar. His dam is a perfect illustration of the Thormählen breeding concept: "My father bought mares that had proved themselves in sport and then used them to breed. His selection was even stricter than that of the Holstein Verband: In this breeding area, only mares who proved their strong willingness to perform and fight and could work in front of a plough were good enough. The soil in the Kollmar marsh area was not called "minute soil" for no reason. Within the shortest period of time, depending on the weather, the soil was either bone dry or extremely muddy. This kind of soil demanded everything a horse could give", explains Rehder's son, Harm Thormählen. In 1973, Harm Thormählen, a successful rider in international jumping himself, took over the farm. But let's get back to Capitano's dam, Retina. This gray mare caused a sensation when she was seven years old. Under Fritz Thiedemann she won the world famous Hamburg Derby in the fastest time ever recorded in the jump-off. "She's one of just two horses that not only won both qualifications for this difficult test but won the Derby as well", reports Harm Thormählen proudly. Interestingly, Retina's great grandson, Capriol, was the only one to follow in her footsteps. This Capitol son was decorated with the winner's laurel wreath in 2000 under Holger Wulschner and received thunderous applause during the prize giving ceremony.The brown stallion, Capriol, is one of Capitol's most famous sons. Under his permanent rider, Holger Wulschner, who runs a stallion station in Passin, Mecklenburg, he has placed many times in 3-star advanced level tests, beginning his international career in 1996 after winning the bronze medal at the German Championships in Balve. That same year, Capriol took fourth place in the Grand Prix at Hickstead. In 1997 and 1998 he participated in the World Cup Tour, became German Vice Champion in 1999, and in 2001 he took fifth place overall in the Riders Tour. Capriol can look back on a series of off-spring that have been successful at advanced level. Among these is the approved Sachsen-Anhalt stallion, Degenhardt's Caprioso, who took place in the 1999 Bundeschampionat in the class for five year old jumpers and was successful in Grand Prix with Holger Wulschner. One of the first Capitol sons to be approved was also his most successful, at least in regard to the life time earnings of his off-spring. The off-spring of the gray stallion, Carolus I, who was born in 1986, have won more than 500,000 Euro all together. Carolus I, out of a Roman dam, was internationally successful with the Swiss Nation Prize riders, Stefan Lauber and Hans-Peter Konle. Six approved sons, among which was the 1998 Champion stallion of Baden-Württemberg, Carlsson G, have been sired by Carolus I so far. Where Carolus I's off-spring were heading was demonstrated by Carlsson G at the approval: scores of 9.5 and 10.0 were the logical consequence of his exemplary jumping talent.

There were also numerous Bundeschampionat participants, including the mare Carinena, who won the 1996 finals for jumpers with a top score of 9.6. Carolus I's son, Clinton, ridden by the Holstein rider, Thomas Voss, consistently proved his aptitude for big time sport on difficult courses: this stallion, born in 1990, earned more than 100,000 Euro. Carolus I's off-spring are, without a doubt, highly popular. In 2001, the Carolus I son, Carlos, brought 170,000 Euro at the P.S.I. auction in Ankum. In 2002, Carolus I was the dam's sire of the Champion mare named Only You at the Holstein Verband broodmare show, who certainly attracted the interest of breeders. The Capitol son, Calato, sired two really top horses, the gray Cöster who qualified for the 2003 World Cup finals under Christian Ahlmann, and Callistro, who took second place at the Junior European Championships under Janne-Frederike Meyer. Calato, out of a Landgraf I dam, is probably also one of the best Capitol off-spring. Another great Capitol stallion in sport is Carthago Z, who participated in both the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics. With Jos Lansink, the chief trainer at the Belgian Stud Farm, Zangersheide, which has become one of the world's leading jumper breeds under the ambitious direction of Leon Melchior, Carthago Z has been very successful in Nation Prizes and other championships. His daughter, HS Europa, drew attention twice in 2000: after her famous victory against very strong competitors at the Bundeschampionat in the class for five year old jumpers, she brought the sensational price of 2.3 million DM at the P.S.I. auction. And Carthago Z had another iron in the P.S.I. auction fire with Charly, a Bundeschampionat participant. This gelding was sold for approximately 225,000 Euro to Italy. Carthago Z's off-spring have won more than 350,000 Euro and his nine approved sons have made him one of Capitol's most elite off-spring. Only Franke Sloothaak's successful stallion, Cassini I, can beat Carthago Z's number of approved sons: eleven Cassini I sons have received an OK from mare and stallion committees, mostly in Holstein. Cassini started his own career under Bo Kristofferson, who at that time was the chief trainer at the Holstein Verband and in the meanwhile is now the national trainer for the Danish team. In 1999, Cassini and Franke Sloothaak were members of the winning German team for the Nation Prize in Modena, Italy and that same year they were just barely beaten in the Puissance at Mauberge, France, finishing second. They had also won the Grand Prix in Arnheim in 1998. This gray entered the World Cup Tour twice before retiring from sport in 1999, after which he was used exclusively for breeding. "Cassini had unbelievable potential and his jumping technique, which was absolutely exceptional, was envied by many. In the meantime, I have some of his off-spring under saddle that are proving to be very positive", says Franke Sloothaak. In 1997, Cassini's auction horse, Callistro, was sold for 70,000 DM, after which he was ridden by Achaz von Buchwaldt and Jessica Kürten. Among Cassini's approved sons, Candillo won the 1996 stallion performance test in Medingen. Another highly successful gray stallion out of a Lord dam who is now doing very well in the Netherlands, is Celano. Celano's first years in breeding were spent in Sachsen where he spread the Capitol bloodline. And as it turns out, very successfully: particularly his off-spring from Sachsen have helped him reach one of the top slots in the FN's predicted breeding value list. Highly placed in Grand Prix in Arnheim and Leeuwarden with his rider, Bob Ehrens, Calano was awarded the coveted title "Best Stallion" in 2000 at the International Stallion Show in Zwolle, Netherlands. Another stallion called Champione, born in 1988, is one of five Capitol off-spring that have taken part in Olympic Games. He carries a lot of Thoroughbred bloodlines on his dam's side through Sacramento Song and Cottage Son, and is the sire of the Bundeschampionat finalist, Camporado B. This Holstein stallion now makes sure that the Capitol bloodline is spread in Bavaria. Christian Ahlman's mare, Comtessa, who won the 2003 Grand Prix in Braunschweig, was also sired by Champione.

Capitol passes on his valuable genes through more than 21 approved sons and 273 registered mares. With a breeding value of 154 points, he stands among the top ten jumper sires in Germany. Brilliant jumping ability, in all probability a gray coat, fantastic willingness to perform – these are the traits that distinguish true Capitol off-spring. They are an honor to their sire.

CAPRIOL (by Capitol I – Ladykiller xx, breeder: Kalus Rathjen, Bokel) and Holger Wulschner wrote Derby history in Hamburg-Flottbeck in the year 2000. No one had ever before been able to win both of the Derby qualifications and then win the Derby too. This pair was also highly successful internationally, but the Derby was a special milestone in their history.

After consistently good performance in international competitions, VDL CARDENTO (by Capitol I – Lord, breeder: Reimer Witt, Wellinghusen) and Peter Eriksson joined the Swedish team in 2001. They made a major contribution in the Swedish team towards winning the silver medal at the European Championships in Arnheim. In 2002, this pair was successful in Grand Prix in Stockholm.

VERELST GOLIATH (by Capitol I – Caletto I, breeder: Wolfgang Colmorgen, Meldorf) and his rider, Marc van Dijck, have been members of the Dutch team for several years, participating in World and European Championships. He was one of just five horses with a double, no-fault round on the final day of the European Championships in Arnheim. Goliath changed hands the beginning of 2003 and is now owned by the American, Alison Firestone.

CAPITAL (by Capitol I – Caletto I, breeder: Wolfgang Colmorgen, Meldorf), a full brother of the still more prominent Goliath, and his rider, Thomas Schepers, are still creeping up the last rungs in international jumping. The two were members of the German team in 2002, taking third place in the Nation Prize at Lummen.

Through numerous achievements, CAROLUS H (by Capitol I – Roman, breeder: G. Hartmann, Rendsburg) aided his former rider, Thomas Voss, in reaching the top of the international jumping elite. Sold to the USA several years ago, he fulfilled expectations there with his new rider, winning the American Gold Cup, a high prize money show.

CHARLOTTENHOF'S CHARISMA (by Capitol I – Lord, breeder: Johann Vollersen, Sterdebüll) has been one of Sören von Rönne's top horses the last couple years: In 2001 she took second place at the World Cup in Aarhus under the Danish rider, Charlotte Lund, and ever since then this horse has been the center of attention: successful completion of numerous international competitions, including the 2003 CSI in Neumünster, confirm the hopes that have been pegged on her.

BULL'S CHEASEPEAK BLUE (by Capitol I – Caletto I, breeder: Otto Junge, Edemannswisch) and his owner and rider, Connie Bull, are continuously found on the list of international event winners. This pair also participated in the 2001 European Championships and at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez the following year.

Because of CORSO's success (by Capitol I – Maximus, breeder: Willi Howe, Kabelhorst), the demand for off-spring by Capitol increased significantly, particulary among Swiss riders. Born in 1979, this gray stallion with the enormous ability to jump won many Grand Prix and participated successfully in international championships with his permanent rider, Willi Melliger.   Capitol Bloodlines Have Been Successfully Integrated in the Holstein Breed

Calato by Capitol I, out of Vanessa III HSP by Landgraf I – Calypso. Breeder: Haidkoppel Pferdehof Hohenlockstedt One of the strongest Capitol sons in the Holstein breed who successfully competed in advanced level jumping competitions. His off-spring inherit this talent. His dam won numerous broodmare shows and was also a successful advanced level jumper with Thies Luther.

Colman by Carthago, out of Rosenquarz by Lord – Marlon xx. Breeder: Kalus Meyn, Wesseln. Colman is a strikingly good-looking Capitol I grandson with a unique bloodline combination who comes from an excellent mare line. His first competitions and his first foals are very promising, indicating a successful future in Holstein.

Cassini I by Capitol I, out of Wisma by Caletto I – Mahmud. Breeder: Hermann Claussen, Neuenkirchen Cassini is one of the most popular sires in Holstein. Under Franke Sloothaak he was successful in Grand Prix and is able to pass on his performance genes. Many of his off-spring have already proved themselves in big time sport.

Quite Capitol by Quidam de Reval, out of U-Capitola by Capitano – Maximus. Breeder: Harm Thormählen, Kollmar. 2001 Premium stallion in Holstein with an exceptional pedigree. The breeding value of his pedigree is fully justified when you see him at the fence. His sire, the Jalisco son, Quidam de Reval, is deemed one of the best jumper-makers in France. His dam is one of Capitol's full sisters.