Toulon (Heartbreaker x Jokinal de Borvinal) started his career under Wilm Vermeir, and was one of the most talked about 7-year-olds in Belgium in 2003. Under French rider Hubert Bourdy, Toulon went on to become one of the world's best horses, and in 2007 he was crowned Horse of the Year in Belgium after winning the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Sao Paulo as well as finishing second in the CN International Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows in addition to recording several other top results. In 2008, Jonella Ligresti took over the reins and Toulon continued his international career under the Italian rider. Today, Toulon has several offspring competing at the top of the sport and more are coming up. Here is another part in our series ‘Does the apple fall far from the tree?’. Photo above (c) Dirk Caremans / Hippo-Foto and photos below (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.
Toulago is probably one of Toulon's most well-known offspring. The now 11-year-old gelding jumped to international fame under Pius Schwizer (SUI), winning the 2014 CSI5* World Cup in Zürich as well as the 2014 CSIO5* Nations Cup in Lummen. Later on, Toulago went on to have lots of success with Daniel Deusser (GER) as well, who won this year's CSI3* Grand Prix of Offenburg with him before he was sold to America. Toulago is out of the Carthago Z-mare Grand Clou, and is bred by Gestüt Lewitz.
Fine Fleur du Marais is another hugely successful Toulon-offspring. This year she competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio with Cassio Rivetti (UKR) in the saddle, and the mare was also on the winning Ukrainian team in the CSIO5* Nations Cup in Sopot as well as taking the victory in the CSI3* Grand Prix in Arezzo. Fine Fleur du Marais is out of the mare Cento's Candide, that's by Cento.
Elky van het Indihof HDC is a 12-year-old Toulon-daughter seen under Kevin Staut (FRA). This year she won CSIO5* competitions in Rome, Paris, Doha and Basel. Before Staut started to ride the mare, she had much success with Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) who also picked up several international wins on her. Elky van het Indihof is by the mare Ballade van het Indihof, that herself competed successfully at international Grand Prix level under Brianne Goutal (USA).
Another well known Toulon-offspring is Living The Dream, who jumped to international fame with Alex Duffy (IRL) in the CSI4* Grand Prix of Amsterdam in 2014 before his compatriot Cameron Hanley took over the reins. Last year, Living The Dream was sold and Doda de Miranda (BRA) took over the ride. Originally named Fideel van't Prinsenveld, Living The Dream is out of the mare Bijou van't Prinsenveld that is by the stallion Flamenco de Semilly.
Edesa S Banjan is a 15-year-old gelding that can be seen with Geir Gulliksen (NOR) in the saddle. Last year the two jumped at the European Championships in Aachen, and they have many good results at international Grand Prix level together. Edesa S Banjan is out of the mare Sigrid van de Roze Weide, that is by the stallion Lys de Darmen.
Fou de Toi vd Keihoeve is an 11-year-old Toulon-son, out of the mare Edition du Sapin by Melkior du Montois. Fou de Toi vd Keihoeve competes successfully under Gilles Dunon (BEL), and this year the two won the CSIO3* Grand Prix of Samorin while last year they recorded victories in Lier, Odense and Lummen.
The 7-year-old Toulon-daughter Think Twice 111 Z just jumped into the spot light as she won the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships in Lanaken. Think Twice 111 Z is a half sister to Luciana Diniz’s success horse Winningmood. The two share the same mother – Unellie 15 – and come from the same breeder – Harrie Theeuwes who runs Stud 111 in Belgium.