I have to brag on Dahlia’s grandma

This past winter while in the Netherlands I was able to meet the grandmother of my mare Dahlia. Grandma’s name is Wilmaa B and she is 16 years old now and has had 8 foals. Wilmaa B’s mother recently died. Her name was Hillie B. and she was a daughter of the famous stallion Hearke. Hille B. had a rating of Model + Preferent. Less than 2% of all mares will make the Model rating. Perhaps one half of those could also achieve Preferent. Wilmaa B. is also rated “Model”. The damline is unbroken (ster, Model, and/or Preferent) back to 1948. Most breeders in Friesland know of Hillie B, and Wilmaa B. For mares, they are pretty famous.

Wilmaa B. was amazing when I met her in January. Unlike Dahlia, she is a big mare, but maybe she just seemed that way because she is so spirited. Her owner, Mr. Bruggen, brought her out so we could see her. Even though it was nearly dark and cold/wet, when Mr. Bruggen took Wilmaa’s halter to lead her to the paddock, she got so excited that he had to dig in his heels to slow her down. Once he let her loose, Wilmaa trotted a huge trot, then snorted a huge snort, then did it all over and over again. I never stopped grinning – what a sight! Though Mr. Bruggen has four model mares in his stable, when people come to visit, it is always Wilmaa B. that he puts into the ring. He told us that this is because she loves to make an impression.

After searching for the “perfect” mare for two years, my parents imported Wilmaa’s daughter, Matsje Br., in 2002. Matsje was four years old, pregnant, and a 1st premie ster. She gave birth to Dahlia that spring. As it turned out, Dahlia was her only foal. Tragically, when Dahlia was two Matsje died after a c-section. Dahlia is now with me and she made ster at age 3. Dahlia’s first foal was Tara, a 1st premie foal and champion filly.

So, why am I bragging about Dahlia’s grandma, Wilmaa B., now? Last Saturday Wilmaa B.’s 3 year old daughter, Murkje Br. (Folkert x Jurjen) made ster at her keuring. This is Wilmaa B’s fourth foal to make the coveted ster rating, and thus Wilmaa B. is now Preferent. Model + Preferent, same as her mom Hillie B. As a breeder I cannot imagine producing a mare who achieved the celebrated status of Model. Nor one who has four ster foals and is thus Preferent. But having a mare who achieves *both*…. That is almost unheard of.

Unfortunately, I did not get a good picture of Wilmaa B. It was too dark. Maybe next year. But below there are pictures of (left to right) Matsje, Dahlia, and Dahlia’s daughter Tara. I chose this picture of Matsje because she looks just like her mom here.

Model + Preferent. What a huge achievement. Congratulations, Mr. Bruggen. And congratulations Wilmaa B and Dahlia (and even little Tara). If Matsje were alive today I think she’d be proud of all of you.