Balou du Rouet. Photo provided by (c) Paul Schockemöhle Pferdehaltung.
Balou du Rouet occupied rank seven on this year's WBFSH sire rankings, thanks to many of his fantastic offspring. Himself a son of Rodrigo Pessoa's legendary Baloubet du Rouet, Balou du Rouet had a lot of success in Germany where he won the finals of the Bundeschampionship - achieving the highest mark of 9,2 - as well as recodring several victories. Balou du Rouet's dam Georgia also produced the licensed stallion Cornet's Balou. It's time to look at how far the apples fell from the tree in the case of Balou du Rouet.
First Class van Eeckelghem finished 2016 as Balou du Rouet's highest ranked offspring. Together with Daniel Deusser, the 11-year-old BWP-gelding jumped home the team bronze at this year's Olympics in Rio and he was also a part of the winning German Nations Cup team at the finals in Barcelona this summer. During the year, First Class was also runner-up in the five-star Grand Prix competitions in Doha, Chantilly and Treffen. First Class van Eeckelghem is out of the mare Paprika van't Steenputje by Feinschnitt I van de Richter.
Bianca is one of Balou du Rouet's most impressive offspring. The 10-year-old Swedish bred mare out of Coco by Cardento has jumped to fame this year with Steve Guerdat in the saddle, finishing second in the five-star Grand Prix of Brussels, second in the five-star World Cup in Stuttgart, fourth in the five-star World Cup in Oslo and fifth in the five-star World Cup in Helsinki.
Balou Rubin R is a 9-year-old Oldenburg-son of Balou du Rouet, out of the mare Calimera by Couleur Rubin. This year Balou Rubin R won the CSI3* Grand Prix of Rabat with Pius Schwizer in the saddle, and also recorded a win at the five-star event in St. Moritz.
Bisquet Balou C is an 11-year-old stallion by Balou du Rouet, seen under Nicola Philippaerts. Bisquet Balou C has several good Grand Prix placings this year, and finished second in the three-star Grand Prix of Knokke as well as fourth in the four-star Grand Prix of Zandhoven. In addition he had some successful Nations Cup appearances for Belgium, jumping double clear in Sopot. Bisquet Balou C's dam is the Polydor-mare Philippa.
Balou de Coeur Joy is a 10-year-old Oldenburger stallion by Balou du Rouet out of the mare Sanara by Argentinus. With Lorenzo de Luca in the saddle, Balou de Coeur Joy competes at international five-star level with several top-three finishes this year.
Balloon had a lot of success under Shane Breen competing at the 2013 European Championships in Herning as one of his highlights, before he was sold to Mexico in 2015. Now, Jos Verlooy has taken over the reins on the 13-year-old Oldenburger gelding showing him at Grand Prix level. Balloon is out of the mare Eyleen by Landcapitol.
Baloubet 4 is a 12-year-old Oldenburger gelding out of the mare Werbina Girl by Grandeur. He competes with Mario Stevens in the saddle, and has several top results at international Grand Prix level including wins from St. Gallen, Oldenburg and Neustadt Dosse.
Mario Stevens is also the rider on the Balou du Rouet-son Brooklyn 17, that is out of the mare Annecy by Arpeggio. Brooklyn 17 has been very successful under Stevens; he was on the winning German Nations Cup team at CSIO5* Falsterbo in 2015 and the same year he won the CSI3* Grand Prix in Lanaken. This year, he finished third in the CSI4* Grand Prix of Münster.
Bacardi won the Sires of the World in 2015 together with his then rider Marc Bettinger. The 12-year-old stallion has several top results at international Grand Prix level, with many wins to look back at. Bacardi is out of the mare Jovena by Argentinus.
Balance is a 9-year-old Westphalian-bred mare by Balou du Rouet, out of the mare Luisa by Landadel. Balance competes successfully under Felix Hassmann, and has several wins from her time on the international youngster circuit while this year she has recorded top three finishes all the way up to five-star 1.50m level.
Balzaci is another Balou du Rouet-offspring competed by Felix Hassmann, The 13-year-old chestnut stallion is the full brother to Balance. In 2014, Balzaci won the CSI3* World Cup in Poznan and he also has several other international wins on his record.
Grand Balou is a 13-year-old Hannoveraner gelding out of the mare Gracy Sunshine by Grandeur. He has had a lot of success with Norway's Geir and Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen, and before that with Alex Duffy.
Balounito is a 13-year-old Oldenburger gelding that has been competed successfully on the international circuit by Lars Nieberg, Andreas Kreuzer, Johannes Ehning, and more recently by Nicole Persson. Balounito is out of the mare Annette by Widolan.
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