Mare and Son Among 2013 Merit, Member Award Winners

Newark, OH, February 09, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The American Trakehner Association is pleased to announce its 2013 Merit and Member awards, which annually recognize Trakehner horses having superior performance accomplishments, and the ATA member who has made significant individual contributions to the organization. This year, the elite mare Tanzania *E* and one of her foals have each received an award.

Donated in 1975 by Gerda Friedrichs, the first major importer of Trakehner breeding stock into North America, the “Gerda Friedrichs Memorial Award” is presented to recognize the outstanding breeding success of an ATA studbook-registered Trakehner broodmare and her foals. Winning for 2013 is the mare Tanzania *E* by Avignon II, out of The Princess Condé by Ricardo. Bred by Marie-Louise Barton and last owned by Anissa Cottongim of Alford, Fla. the mare produced 9 foals, including two approved ATA stallions, one of which is the winner of the this year’s Cäsar Memorial Cup.

The “Cäsar Memorial Cup” is a perpetual trophy presented annually for the ATA approved Trakehner stallion with the year's highest score in 3-Day Eventing. Tatendrang *Pb* by Onassis *E*, out of Tanzania *E* by Avignon II is the 2013 winner of this trophy. The stallion, competing at the Intermediate/FEI level, was bred by Pam Norton, is owned by Anissa Cottongim of Alford, Fla. and is ridden by Andrew Palmer of Eufaula, Ala.

Named in honor of the best Trakehner broodmare and champion broodmare of all warmblood breeds in Germany prior to World War II, the “Palmenblüte Award” was donated to the ATA by Eugen Wahler of Germany’s Klosterhof Medingen in 1978. This perpetual trophy merit award goes to the purebred Trakehner who has contributed the most in competition to promote the breed in North America. Winning the 2013 award is the gelding Friedensfürst, by Donaufürst *Ps*E*, out of Feodamee von Krotenbach by E.H. Hohenstein, bred by Erin Brinkman. Owned and ridden by Lindsey Holleger of Whigham, Ga., Friedensfürst took Holleger to the Junior Individual Gold Medal in Dressage at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in 2013.

The “Karl-Heinz Barton Memorial Trophy” is a perpetual trophy awarded to an individual who has provided exemplary service to the ATA. The 2013 recipient of this singular member award is Kim Hunter of Argyle, Texas, in recognition of the volunteer hours she contributed, and the professionalism she has brought to the ATA Stallion Service Auction and the Advertising Committee over several years.

The “Trakehner Forderverein Award” was donated to the ATA by the German organization that helps to promote Trakehners in international sport. Awarded annually to the most successful ATA purebred Trakehner in 3-Day Eventing, the 2013 award is won by Copycat Chloe, by Stiletto *Ps* out of Copy’s Dancer xx by Alezan Dancer xx. Bred by Riley Farms, Copycat Chloe is owned by the Copycat Chloe Syndicate LLC, competing at the Advanced/FEI level and is a two-time recipient of this award.

Mitras, by Bütow *E* out of Moét by Martini *Pg*E*, bred by Vernon Parker, owned and showing at the Grand Prix level by Gail Redinger of Sandpoint, Idaho, wins the “Trakehner Verband Award” for 2013. The award was donated by the German Trakehner Verband to recognize the most successful ATA purebred Trakehner competing in Dressage.