Harmony's Rousseau's Story
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Rousseau took center stage in our lives years ago when we first selected him as a coming 3-year old at the KWPN Stallion Licensing, just before the Select Sale. We are very proud of his career to date and the results of his impact across Europe since 2003. Rousseau brings tremendous value to breeders around the world who seek to produce top class individuals with outstanding athleticism and international performance capability. ~Scott and Susanne Hassler |
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Rousseau was originally selected by Scott and Susanne Hassler for Hilltop Farm's stallion line-up. Hilltop purchased Rousseau through the 2001 KWPN Select Sale, where he topped the auction and came into the spotlight as part of the KWPN Championship ring. His early successes included outstanding remarks at his Stallion Performance Testing in Ermelo, where he earned an overall '8' for his dressage ability.
Under Nicolette van Lierop, Rousseau became the Dutch National Champion as a 4-year old and Reserve Champion as a 5-year old through consistent performances at the PAVO-Cup. He earned perfect scores of '10' from guest riders Lisa Wilcox and Stefan van Ingelgem.
He won the 2003 KWPN Stallion Show as a 5-year old, maintaining a very strong lead over his peers through the series of competitions leading up to the Divoza Cup final.
Rousseau represented the Netherlands at the 2003 FEI World Championships for Young Horses in Verden, Germany, capturing the Silver Medal and heralding the world's attention as a top dressage stallion. The Hanoverian, Oldenburg, and Westphalian Verbands responded to this success by licensing Rousseau and inviting his influence into their world-renowned programs.
In late 2004, Rousseau transitioned to Hengststation Pape where he stood at stud in Germany for two full seasons. The success of his offspring in the Netherlands became internationally celebrated for the first time at the KWPN Stallion Show in early 2006, where Rousseau was represented by 11 sons, the most of any KWPN sire that year. Wamberto was named Champion of the 2006 KWPN Stallion Licensing, a tremendous indication that the KWPN liked what they found in Rousseau’s influence. Wamberto went on to win his Stallion Performance Testing by a huge margin.
In 2007, history was made when the KWPN Stallion Licensing committee once again selected a Rousseau son as Champion, as never before had they named a Champion by the same sire two years in a row. Blue Horse Zack (Zagreb) was heralded crowd favorite, as well as the named Champion. Blue Horse Zack was sold for a spectacular price as the topper of the KWPN Select Sale which followed.
Wamberto |
Blue Hors Zak |
Ampere |
In 2008, the nearly unthinkable happened: history was made once more when the Champion of the KWPN Stallion Show again was a son by Rousseau! Ampere (Ajong) set a new standard for his peers and captured the hearts and inspiration of the international audience who were attendance. Ampere went on to earn the highest scores in history of the Dutch testing with incredible scores in his stallion performance testing.
In 2007, Rousseau was listed with the highest dressage index of all KWPN stallions, 181. His offspring showed up across the board at a consistently high standard. Many daughters won their keurings in the Netherlands and had top finishes at the National Mare Show, bringing ample exposure for Rousseau as one of today’s top producers. Later that year, Rousseau’s offspring in Germany also started to gain recognition.
By the end of 2007, Rousseau had two approved Hanoverian sons, born from his first foal crops in Germany. Fiorano was named to the Premium Ring of the VhW Stallion Licensing. Both he and Fuerst Rousseau went on to top results in their stallion performance tests. Fiorano was the third Rousseau son to win his Stallion Performance Test.
Prior to his own international success at the 2003 World Championships for Young Horses, Harmony Sporthorses became partners in Rousseau stallion, helping to secure him as an enduring asset to the North American sporthorse breeding program. In late 2006, Harmony Sporthorses became full-owners of Rousseau and North America welcomed Rousseau "home." Rousseau now stands as the flagship stallion at Hassler Dressage in Chesapeake City, Maryland, where we proudly manage his services to his worldwide mare base.
Rousseau Top Offspring Highlights
Offspring Results from Around the World
