Laurin - Rapphengst basierend auf originalen Oldenburgern

Laurin

The breeding of the Oldenburg horse was established by Count Anton Günther of Oldenburg in the 17th century. The breeding goal was to produce a noble yet powerful horse.

These horses were so highly sought after that Count Anton Günther managed to keep the small Oldenburg region out of the devastation of the Thirty Years' War by gifting his horses to other regional rulers.

This type of the original Oldenburg was once the foundation for some of the finest modern sport horses, such as Donnerhall, Nimmerdor, and even Weihegold, which traces its dam line back to Weissena, descending from the original Oldenburgs Folkert and Goldengel.

Contrary to some modern claims, these were not simple workhorses. They were warhorses for princes, kings, and military leaders, and thus highly valuable.

These horses were a guarantee of maximum security and combat readiness—brave, fearless, stable, yet swift and agile. The best stallions could reach a value equivalent to up to 50 dairy cows.

Johann Pinter von der Au describes in his 17th-century book "Pferd-Schatz" that, despite their robust build, Oldenburgers always executed high and wide jumps with safety, unlike any other German horse. Pinter von der Au refers here to the jumps of classical military horsemanship, such as the capriole, which was once used to unseat opponents from their horses.

However, these genes—stability and health paired with powerful elegance—have been nearly completely lost in modern sport horse breeding.

Laurin is one of the last representatives of this type.

With his successes in combined driving and under saddle, Laurin has proven that these horses are still relevant today, even among modern sport horses. In fact, quite the opposite.

Laurin has achieved victories in dressage up to Grand Prix level and has high placements in international competitions. He also earned a reserve placing in cone driving at an international event. Under saddle, he demonstrates his versatility and temperament as a mature stallion, competing successfully in dressage up to L** level with amateurs.

He is also very skilled over jumps and is an absolute reliable partner, able to compensate for rider errors through excellent coordination, vision, sure-footedness, and load acceptance.

All of these qualities—once essential for survival in battle—are equally vital for good and reliable modern sport horses but have unfortunately been lost over time.

Crossbreeding Laurin with modern mares produces offspring with a solid foundation, good temperament, and health, suitable for leisure riding as well as intermediate to advanced sport disciplines.

This over 1,000-year-old breeding history of these knightly horses, as depicted by Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer, has roots in regions now known as Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Thuringia. Laurin demonstrates that these warhorses, upon which the development of sport horse breeding was originally built, can still stand their ground successfully alongside modern sport horses and are especially suitable for alternative equestrian disciplines.

Laurin was the premium stallion at the 2017 licensing of the Oldenburg and East Frisian horse breeding association. He achieved his performance testing (HLP) score of 8.3 through open competition. In 2024, Laurin was licensed by the Weser-Ems association for the studbook of the German Baroque Riding Horse with the predicate of breeding improvement. For this studbook, he also fulfilled his performance test with five wins and top-three placements at M level. In 2025, he was licensed for the AES.

Horses of this type adorn the Berlin Quadriga; Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer drew "The Great Horse," and the fresco of Sir John Hawkwood’s tomb from the 14th century depicts this appearance. The breeding history dates back to the Middle Ages, when the Teutonic Order bred the so-called "Great Horse," beginning in East Prussia in the 13th century, based mainly on horses from present-day Thuringia and Northern Germany. Even the Trakehner breed descends from this line. It was a selection process spanning over 1,000 years, and Count Anton Günther of Oldenburg incorporated this into the first Oldenburg studbook. Reconstructions based on images and bone finds of these once highly sought elite horses across Europe show that their last descendants can be found today in the breeds classified as Heavy Warmbloods.

Laurin’s successes in carriage driving and amateur sport demonstrate that these horses are still relevant in times of modern sport horses. After a successful career in driving, Laurin also led the Berlin Talent Initiative team to the Berlin Vice-Team Champion title in 2024 under saddle. The breeding of these former elite knightly horses laid the foundation for German sport horses—strong, healthy, unshakable, and reliable—and Laurin passes these qualities on to his offspring.

His sire, Lotus, appeared in 2024 at a photoshoot at the Graditz stud farm at the age of 27, showing excellent health. As was common centuries ago, these heavy warhorses were repeatedly crossed with noble bloodlines. Lotus’s pedigree includes the full-blooded Grotteensee xx and the Arabian Wesir ox via Epomeo. Laurin is one of three licensed sons of Lotus. Under saddle, Laurin was the most successful licensed stallion of the Heavy Warmblood breed in 2024 after six years of driving sport.

Laurin is free of WFFS, ECVM, and PSSM-1, has X-ray class I, and is FIT negative. He is very easy to handle but knows how to present himself well.

On the occasion of the 2021 CHIO Aachen opening ceremony, Laurin represented his breed under the banner of the Lower Saxony State Stud Celle, with Mr. OSM Müller handling the reins.

Laurin consistently proves his ease of handling by amateurs. He has never been lame, nor has he had digestive or respiratory issues. He has excellent teeth and good hooves—all traits he passes on to his progeny. He is especially well suited for crossing with Warmblood mares, subtly contributing to correct limb conformation, passing on significant hindquarter power, and maintaining his friendly nature. Whether paired with Warmblood or Heavy Warmblood mares, his offspring develop into strong yet elegant weight carriers. No surprise, considering these horses once had to carry up to 180 kg of knight plus armor and protection, while remaining agile, fast, and enduring.

In Video 4, his son Landolin is shown—already a substantial horse out of a Warmblood mare by Summertime T. x Lesotho Holst. Laurin consistently transmits his solid build, good character, shiny coat, and distinctive yet beautiful head with an open expression.

The conception rate and healthy foal birth rate with embryo transfer exceed 80%. Breeding is recommended at the Celle station. The fee is €200 for insemination and €300 upon confirmation of pregnancy. Additionally, Laurin will be available for natural cover at Kryxenberg during the 2025 season.