SPIRIT MB, Chestnut Stallion, *1992 (Pobeg / Daicha).
Breeder: MB Arabian Horses. Owner: Claude Tomberg.
Strain: Kehailan Rodan (Rodania 1869).
The Belgian Arabian Horse Registry has announced that the stallion Spirit MB has been awarded their 2006 WAHO Trophy. This stallion’s pedigree combines a high percentage of Russian lines with old English and Crabbet lines.
Since his early years, Spirit has competed in open dressage competitions against other breeds. He was the winner of his first open competition (E4) on the day of his fourth birthday. Thereafter, Spirit was successful at the Belgian Championships for Young Dressage Horses of 4 years. After these results, Spirit and Claude have been trained by the well known Patrick Le Rolland. They also went to Germany, the kingdom of dressage, to perfect themselves. Despite the long journey, they travelled regularly to Germany for training and competing. Now that they have reached a good standard, Spirit and Claude are going to a very high level trainer, Wolfgang Grattop, who has worked with some of the best German team horses and the Olympic champion, Salinero.
Mr. Windandus Bijnens, BAPS Registrar, presents the 2006 WAHO Trophy for Belgium to Spirit MB
and his owner, Mrs. Claude Tomberg.
Photo credit: Jan Kan
Spirit is now competing at “S” level in the official competitions of the Belgian Federation for Equestrian Sports and he has competed up to Intermediaire I level.
In ECAHO sport horse competitions, Spirit won the bronze medal at the last European Championships. He has also for several years helped Belgium to win third place at the Sports Nations Cup at Aachen.
For an Arabian stallion to compete and succeed against other breeds on the highly competitive European dressage circuit is not common, and Spirit MB is therefore a real example of what can be achieved by talent and determination from both the horse and the rider. Belgium is very proud of his achievements and consider him to be an excellent ambassador for the Arabian breed.
