Covering history: 1970-1976 Schmidt-Ankum, perished in December 1976

The dark tan thoroughbred Cardinal xx was at stud at the Artland private stud of Schmidt-Ankum from 1970 to 1976. When one considers that he only covered for seven years, at a time when private stallions were largely still shunned by the breeding establishment, which resulted in him not having access to the best of mares, then his successes are sheer phenomenal. Cardinal xx was homozygotically dark and transmitted his nobility and outstanding rideability strikingly. At first critics and those grudging him his success exclaimed: “He only produces cute romping dolls” but Cardial xx who on the 4th of December 1976 exited the breeding stage far too early, soon posthumously silenced his critics. His two grey sons Colorado 17 / Monica Theodorescu and Cortino 4 / Petra Epping are only two of a great number of outstanding dressage horses whose career paths led into the highest classes. The Cardinal xx progeny were also able jumpers, even though the majority of them went into dressage because of their type, excellent rideability and quality of basic gaits. Frozen Cardinal xx sperm was available for many years, which was utilized by the breeders to the end. Insemination by deep frozen sperm resulted i.a. in the approved full-brothers Calderon and Cardinar. The grey Calderon became a much frequented sire at the Hessian state stud of Dillenburg. His younger full-brother Cardinar covered for a year at the Schmidt-Ankum studfarm in 1989 and following a moderate stallion performance test, changed over to Britain. The most important Cardinal xx sons in breeding are undoubtedly the Westphalian Carrera (Warendorf state stallion) and the Hanoverian Cavalier (Celle state stud). Carrera covered at different covering stations (South Kamen and Lügde) in the NRW breeding area and was not recognised for a considerable period of time, so that he was even used as a riding school stallion for a number of years. His approved son Calypso, who was not utilised as a sire in Germany came to great honour in top international showjumping under the name of “Starman” with the American rider Anne Kursinski. Carrera was hereafter reactivated as a sire, but had to be put down in 1990. Whereas the Cardinal xx blood was not able to prevail in Westphalia, the prospects look quite good in Hanover. The much sought after Cavalier in 1975 initially stood in Grethem, a station that was somewhat off the beaten track of horse breeding in the Hanoverian breeding area. Cavalier transmitted himself exceedingly well: Great sports horses for dressage and showjumping, good broodmares, a number of auction horses but no male successors. This did not change during his stud service at the South Lower Saxon station of Spannbeck from 1984 to 1987 either, a studfarm that was not known for any significant breeding impulses. Spannbeck was sorry to see him go, but the reasons for his re-stationing to Landesbrück in the selective breeding area on the Elbe river were obvious: Cavalier was to procreate stallions! In the aftermath it must be said that the plan was successful. He produced the extraordinarily elegant chestnut Cordoba for the Celle state stud whereas Camaran and certain were put to stud as private stallions and Cointreau became a state stallion in Schwaiganger. Caracas who had also been recruited for the Celle state stud was infertile and the invaluable Cordial, who had already produced the handsome Charmeur, sank into oblivion.