Rhinelander Belissimo M and his team entering the arena for the Hanoverian Stallion of the Year 2018 ceremony. (Photo: © Petra Kerschbaum)

The Rhinelander bred Belissimo M has been named the Hanoverian Stallion of the Year 2018. The 19-year old liver chestnut was celebrated in a special ceremony at the Hanoverian Stallion Licensing on Saturday 27 October 2018.

Through the fusion of the Hanoverian Verband with the Rhineland society (which was previously collaborating with the Westfalian society), this honour was given to a horse from the Rhineland for the first time.

Belissimo’s breeder Dieter Niesar from Kranenburg received the prestigious award during the show program of the stallion licensing.

Belissimo M (by Beltain x  Romadour II) is one of the most sought-after dressage sires. The expressive chestnut presents himself from the crown to the sole as an athlete. His sire Beltain also demonstrated his extraordinary talent with his rider Leonie Bramall at various competitions. He is a representative of the dam line of Alferate, which makes him a direct relative of the legends Brentano I and II as well as Wolkenstein I, II and III. His dam is the full sister of the important State Stud stallions Garibaldi I and II.

Read the full story at Eurodressage.com