The following article (reprinted with permission) appeared in the February 2008 quarterly newsletter from the ISR-Oldenburg Registry North America:
Rubinstein — A Jewel in Breeding
by Christian Schacht
Rubinstein 1986 |
Rosenkavalier 1980 | Romadour II | Romulus I |
| Gunda* | |||
| Diva* | Dilettant | ||
| Axtelfe* | |||
| Antine 1972 | Angelo xx | Oliveri xx | |
| Antibes xx | |||
| Dodona | Donar | ||
| Mieze |
Rubinstein himself died at the age of 14 after a toxic hoof disease. It was a great tragedy for the world of breeders. His beginning as a nice, friendly and dark coated youngster was not so successful. He was a little bit small and the breeding committee found some weaknesses in the conformation of his hind legs. For these reasons he was not licensed by the Westfalian Breeders Society. Because his pedigree was so interesting, Rubinstein was presented to the stallion committee of the Oldenburg Verband. Thank God he was licensed! Now everyone who is involved in German dressage breeding knows the WDR (Weltmeyer, Donnerhall, Rubinstein). WDR is also a television show in the west part of Germany, but breeders use it for the most successful dressage stallions of the world.
Rubinstein is by Rosenkavalier, who is by Romadour II. Romadour II is the sire of the unforgettable dressage horse, Rembrandt, who twice won the individual and team gold at the Olympic Games. His famous rider was Nicole Uphoff, who was the youngest winner of the Gold Medal in dressage, and who captured the world record with a Grand Prix result of more than 1500 points. Rubinstein and Rembrandt share a connection through the Dam's side as well. Adone, by Angelo xx, the mother of Rembrandt, is a full sister to Antine, Rubinstein's dam. Of course Rembrandt is a legend in this dressage business but what about Ahlerich? You know him as the most successful dressage horse in the world, winning with his rider, Dr. Reiner Klimke, the Olympic Games in L.A. (individual and team gold) and was also member of the winning team in Seoul. The took the Gold twice at the World Championships and 4 times at the European Championships—a result that has not been duplicated. Ahlerich is Adone's and Antine's full brother! Let's not forget about Amon, also a full brother to Ahlerich. Amon took part in 3 Olympic games (including Rotterdamm 1980—the "Olympic" competition in the year of the Moscow games). With his rider Mrs. Annemarie Sanders-Keyzer, he was for a long period the unbeatable Dressage King of the Netherlands, winning 7 National Championships. The breathtaking thing...all of these horses (Rembrandt, Rubinstein, Ahlerich, and Amon) were bred by the same person—Mr. Herbert de Baey.
After being licensed, Rubinstein passed his stallion performance test with outstanding results. He achieved very high points for rideability. His high scores in the dressage performance were to be expected considering his pedigree. With a show jumping index of 124.82 Rubinstein solidified himself as a versatile stallion.
His first year of offspring was a real sensation. Several premium foals and the highest price for a foal at an auction—what a beginning! Not only in breeding, but also in competing he was starting an oustanding career as well. He was the winner of the young horse class in Munster and second at the German Bundeschampionat in Verden in 1992 in the six year old dressage class. Also in 1992 his first offspring were presented for stallion licensing, as usual winning with top quality. Four were licensed, two were premium, one of them was the winning stallion Rohdiamant. Rohdiamant was later the winner of his stallion testing, winner of the German Bundeschampionat, and under Lisa Wilcox, member of the long list for the US Olympic team.
Under his rider Martina Hannover, Rubinstein won 40 Grand Prix and belonged to the long list for the German Olympic team. For a short time he was under saddle with Heike Kemmer and then Nicole Uphoff, who lived in Cappeln near the breeding station of Rubinstein's owner. Gudula Vorwerk was his last rider. He finished his career with a total of 240,000.00 DM in prize money.
Rubinstein is still present in the world of dressage. His offspring like Royal Dance, (winner of his stallion licensing) Rotspon, Roman Nature, and so on are nearly always a guarantee for high quality dressage horses. Only dressage horses? No! Remember Rubinstein was 4th at his stallion licensing in show jumping and only 5th in dressage. His great rideability and willingness to work together with a nice style also creates nice show jumpers and hunters.
The former dressage trainer of the German team, Johann Hinnermann once said, "Rubinstein is a CenturyStallion. His influence to the rideability, the comfortable sitting, the character and willingness to work is unique."
Reading this you will agree, that we need this exorbitant genetic potential in our breeding program—and of course we have them:
Rapture R*, Richmond HL, RenoirWF, Furst Impression, Royal Prince*, Regazzoni*, Redwine, Devon Heir, Bugatti Hilltop*, Ragtime, Rolex, Resonanz, Rolling Stone, Rodioso, Rosall, Davidoff Hit, Routinier, Bravo, Reuben SF, Royal T, Royal Ruby CEA, Kamuela, and Rockefeller.
(bold typed stallions are still active)