OFFSPRING

Rienzi was in training from 1998 through 2002, and was never actively promoted for breeding during that time. Consequently, the number of his progeny is small. Of that group, those who have attended official inspections form an even more exclusive club. Nearly one-half of his first crop were from Marefield dams and were branded on farm. This group turns five in 2004.

Bob Orton and Sherra Kosch made a selection from that first crop of weanlings in the autumn of 1999. Bob had successfully guided Rienzi through his inspection and both he and Sherra had ridden the young stallion from the time he completed his SPT and returned to Virginia. Their experience of the horse had so recommended his foals to them that they couldn’t settle on just one; the two they chose–Racine out of EM Windham and Rufio out of a Fabriano mare–are now progressing nicely under saddle.

Two others from ’99 started their training with Erin Sweeney–Rimer (out of EM Winterset) and Rafferty (out of EM Electra). Erin believes the former to have true FEI potential and Stacy Donnelly, who takes Erin's horses in jumper training, thinks Rimer could make a top show hunter. Rafferty has already sold as a show hunter and is rewarding his new owners with early competition successes.

Daughter Raphaea (out of SPS Galatee), also crop of ‘99, proved herself when she became Young Horse Champion, Raleigh 2002, and won the Hanoverian Young Horse IBC–the latter with a score of 81.1% from judge Hilda Gurney. Earlier that same year, Raphaea passed her AHS/VhW Inspection with a score that made her elite eligible.

Rounding out Marefield’s 1999 Rienzi foal crop is Raili (out of a Wanderer/Windhuk/Pik Koenig dam). A 296-day premie, Raili wasn’t given much chance of survival by the veterinarians at the equine medical center to which she was rushed after delivery; they didn’t even want the mare to accompany her. A born fighter, Raili surprised her caretakers and by the end of the filly’s first week at the facility, the dam was reintroduced. By then, the mother would not accept her daughter and Raili had to be raised as an orphan. Given her rocky start and the strange relationship to humans that was set up by her rearing, Raili again wasn’t given much of a chance to grow into anything but a cute, if quirky, pasture ornament. Once again, she is beating the odds. Now in training with Stacy Donnelly, Raili is quickly showing her potential as a hunter/jumper. We’re quite certain there will be more to read about her as this first training season progresses.

In 2000, Racine’s full sister, Rani, was named “best type” while Reese (out of December) was cited as the “best mover” by Dr. Jochen Wilkens at their AHS/VhW Inspection. These were two of only five Rienzi foals that were known to go to inspections that year. A filly of 2000 bred by Christie Severin out of Layla RF (Lucid) went on the following year to qualify for the USDF Breeders series finals at Devon. In 2003, Reese earned EMC status at her AHS/VhW Inspection.

In 2001, Judy Hedreen’s Remington (out of EM Pikante by Pik Solo) was the only Rienzi foal to go to an inspection and he carried the banner for his siblings who stayed at home. The comments from the judging commission were: “Beautiful foal. Forward, upward, ground-covering. Good topline. Full of expression. Very nice head; good neck position.” By 2003, Remington had earned one reserve colt champion and three champion colt titles in the USDF Breeders Series.

All four of the Rienzi foals that went to official inspections in 2002 received special attention from the judges. Vanessa Carlson’s Roccoca (out of Turteltaubchen by Tin Rocco) was named top foal at her Oklahoma site. Rhadius, bred by Mo Swanson out of Ghloria (Gold Luck), was reserve champion colt at his PA inspection and Rara Avis (out of EM Windhover) was named reserve champion filly at the same site.

Cheryl Ainsworth’s filly out of her Gonzo I mare, Garland’s Gal, was cited as an improvement on the dam–a goal to which all breeders aspire. Marefield’s Romy (out of EM Europa), didn’t go to an inspection. We assess her as an improvement on her dam, as well.

Given the number of foals viewed by the judging commissions, we think Rienzi’s record has been a good one. In our own judgment, Rienzi produces better than he is and generally improves on the dam. His foals are fairly consistent in their modern and charming type and in their lifting, uphill movement. They also are extraordinarily friendly and people-oriented. Rienzi has matched well with the few Thoroughbred mares he has covered, producing what their owners hope will be competitive show hunters and 3-day prospects.