The best of Danish sport horse breeding is represented at the Danish Warmblood KRAFFT Elite Show which takes place every year at the end of August at the Danish Warmblood head quarters. Top quality foals, 2-year-old fillies and young saddle-graded mares have been selected at regional foal shows and mare gradings all over the country during summer to meet in the finals at Vilhelmsborg outside Aarhus.

A total line-up of Ask mares
Among the saddle-graded mares only four show jumping mares took part at the Elite Show; all of which were bred and owned by Ask Stud. Two were by Ci Ci Senjor Ask and two by Favorit Ask, and two were full sister. Two were awarded a breeder medal in bronze and two in silver. The coveted title Show Jumping Mare of the Year 2018 was appointed to the one of the sisters, Tatiana Ask by Ci Ci Senjor Ask x Cayado that was also 2-year-old champion mare last year. She proved herself through great capacity and a very good hindleg technique. The judges praised the mare for her many positive features but also stated that she did not quite possess what it takes to achieve a gold medal.

Outstanding collection of dressage mares
In the outstanding collection of 33 newly saddle-graded dressage mares that were invited to take part at the Danish Warmblood KRAFFT Elite Mare Show 19 were awarded breeder medal in bronze, 10 silver and four gold. The judges described the four gold medal mares as modern, elegant and very functional, and breeding consultant Karina Christiansen stated that it was a difficult job to choose one above the others.

However, the very feminine and expressive Grevens Fakina by Blue Hors Farell x Jazz impressed under saddle with three very supple gaits and high rideability. The breeders and owners of this very graceful mare, Dorit Greve and Svend Skov Poulsen had also bred two mares that were awarded bronze.

The other three gold medal in the final ring were the former DWB foal champion Schwarze Schwalbe Macohl by Sezuan x Schwadroneur, bred by Frank Jensen and Thomas Bach Jensen and owned by Anne Lyngbye, Gozzip by Sezuan x De Noir bred by Bente Michaelsen and owned by Ditte Gilkær and Åtoftens Zehavia by Blue Hors Zack x Benetton Dream bred by Annette Bugge and Claus Hansen and co-owned with Andreas Helgstrand.

In the past, several of the best mares from the Danish Warmblood Elite Mare Show have made their way to the FEI/WBFSH world championships for young horses. Only the future will tell if these young mares have what it takes to become internationally successful sport horses.

The future generation
Danish Warmblood breeder medals are only awarded to stallions and mares aged 3 years or older that have passed a riding test with a very good result and meet the quality requirements for conformation and gaits etc. However, it is a popular tradition to present 2-year-old filles for evalution on conformation and gaits or free-jumping, and the best from all over the country gather at the Elite Show to compete for the champion titles.

Pretty Pi'que de'Luxe by Party Dance x Come Back II, bred and owned by Elmo & Andersen, is a well-developed filly that jumps with much scope and caution. She now carries the title Best 2-year-old Show Jumping Filly. In the category for 2-year-old dressage fillies the beautiful chestnut Diva Holmklit, bred and owned by Trine Udklit Sørensen, stood out in a league of her own. Her flawless type and elastic and supple gaits earned her the champion title.