Armitage

2005 VTV Show Jumper of the Year

Breeding

His sire Argentinus, a successful advanced (S) class showjumper, acquired a reputation as a versatile hereditary transmitter of the very highest quality at a young age. Awarded main premium champion stallion in Oldenburg in 1984, his progeny’s life winnings sum amounted to almost Euro 3 million in 2004, thanks to jumping aces like Arko III/Nick Skelton/GBR, Anka/Marcus Ehning, Adlantus As FRH/Lars Nieberg, Air Jordan/Edouard Mathé/FRA, Asti Spumante/Thomas Mühlbauer, Acajou/Toni Hassmann, and dressage specialists like Albano/Heike Kemmer, August der Starke/Victoria Max-Theurer/AUT, Achill/Benjamin Werndl and Sibylle Ull, St. Ludwigs Aquilino/Eva Senn/SUI and Fabiola/Hannelore Brenner. The great names of Oldenburg horse breeding are listed in Armitage’s pedigree, including Grannus, Inschallah AA, Furioso II and Condor. The damsire Grannus was victorious in S level showjumping, and passed on his qualities as a showjumper innumerable times, particularly as a damsire. This is impressively illustrated by Marcus Ehning’s For Pleasure and Sandro Boy, Toni Hassmann’s Lolita H, Ludger Beerbaum’s Couleur Rubin, and the federal champion HGF Can fly/Gilbert Böckmann. Mated with Caprilli, Armitage’s dam also gave birth to the premium association mare Freestyle, and to the successful S level showjumper mare Falina. Her full-sister Falida was placed up to S*** showjumping events. Armitage represents the Oldenburg mare bloodline of Ballkrone. This line currently has many highlights at the Vechta auctions as well as in the mare sector. The stallions Donnerloh (private stallion Rhineland), Royal Star (private stallion AUT) and Wenz (private stallion Bavaria) also stem from this line.

Performance

Armitage has proved to be highly versatile with convincing basic paces and jumping qualities that are in a class of their own: lightning clean technique, exemplary ability and bascule. Armitage passed his 30 day test in Vechta in 2001 with far above average scores. He won series of jumper tests from novice to medium level. At the 2003 Bundeschampionat for German jumpers he placed with the best and landed on an outstanding fifth place in the finals. 2004 was another successful year at the Bundeschampionat. In 2005 he has had top 5 placings at Dortmund, Arezzo, Hachenburg and Gera . in 2006 he wrapped up the season by taking second place in the final of this year's Youngster Tour in the Olympic indoor in Munich . All these placings where achieved with clear rounds this stallion really does have a fantastic future ahead of him on the International circuit

Progeny

Armitage's off-spring are decidedly sporty with a pleasing, energetic movement sequence. Two foals from Armitage’s first foal crop reached the finals of the German Foal Championship in Lienen and in 2006 his first son was licensed.

Pedigree

Silvio I- Castro