How it all started
Nepus (Nepal-Utrillo) born 1974
Nepal was a Swedish warmblood stallion born 1956 by Polarstein Flyinge based (Swedish state stud) out of the famous Flyinge Spinda-Line (German Hanoverian). His offspring were prolific jumpers but also decent dressage horses.
Utrillo was a Hanoverian stallion born 1962 in Germany. Utrillo is said to be one of the three most influential stallions of his time for the development of the Swedish sport horse warmblood breeding. Utrillo was over many years a top sire of competition horses in Sweden & the leading sire of jumpers.
I bought Nepus as a foal I fell in love with at a stud north of Stockholm, Sweden. He spent his first years with the owner’s private horses at Varmdo Riding School near Stockholm. Nepus was thereafter stabled at Ryttarstadium (Stockholm Ostermalm) where he was backed (by myself). Ryttarstadium was the centre for higher dressage in the Stockholm area. Eric Lette kept his horses there and Maud Von Rosen (Olympic team bronze) became my mentor.
To begin with I was no doubt upsetting many with insisting on jumping (whilst dressage training was ongoing) and not least training Nepus for in-hand driving. This started with borrowing a carriage, fill the carriage with stable grooms and canter down the gallops round the large jumping arena. I always thought Kapten Sjöstedt, the owner of the stables, must have had a heart of gold to tolerate all this mayhem.
I was told that with the breeding, it would not be possible to get Nepus used to having a carriage behind him. Neither they nor me were right. Nepus run out of control with the carriage against the flow of traffic on the two lane Karlavagen, Stockholm. He often ‘took off’ with the carriage elsewhere in the area whilst we were out for a picnic. Nepus once decided to jump the iron rails to the jumping arena with a carriage behind. He changed his mind rather late. One of the better known stable residents being nearby had to resuscitate me (I was oblivious). Nepus thereafter had to be released from the traces, straps and reins of the broken carriage.
Nepus was gelded after he threw me off to cover a mare in the arena doing an advanced dressage test. I seem to remember the lady rider being less than amused.
Nepus improved in both stature and ability after being gelded. We started to showjump on the smaller affiliated circuit and there was a deep understanding between us. As a result of our exiting driving escapades, I took Nepus to a regular winter tree logging course in deep snow. Nepus was the only warmblood there and for sure, none of the other horses had been showjumping the day before.
The regular winter sledge weekends with horses at Taxinge Castle will always be remembered by all involved. Nepus enjoyed having fun which occasionally resulted in passengers jumping off the sledge to save their lives and once resulted in the sledge being ‘parked’ against a big tree in the woods with Nepus taking off in to the distance over the frozen deep water. Heavy snowfall covered his tracks but we could hear the cracks in the ice in the direction of open water. The rescue service was alerted. He was found hours later peacefully eating sea reed at the edge of the woods.
Nepus came with me to England and was stabled at Goesta Asker’s International Showjumping Yard at Medmenham (near Marlow). Goesta became a mentor and there was often a place in Goesta’s show lorry for Nepus and myself. This way the weekend excitement was secured with regular trips to local shows as well as Towerlands, Stoneleigh, Hickstead, etc.
His ‘escape’ from the Hickstead stables with several team riders and grooms unable to catch him unaware that I had given Nepus an evening open-door endorsement is memorable. I had to be found and with a simple whistle Nepus returned to his stable.
Nepus’ driving skills were not forgotten taking Goesta and Cilie to their wedding in the local church in a decorated carriage. Cheeky Nepus tried to climb the roof of a car belonging to a well know Irish horse dealer. Nepus was however forgiven as he regularly provided safe(sic) carriage transport to and more importantly home from our favourite pub. He enjoyed being fed vegetables through the Pub kitchen window for hours at end whilst being tied up outside.
Some of Nepus fox hunting escapades with the then Garth & South Berks are remembered with a big smile. I was very grateful for his good jumping abilities including over barbed wire. The memories are endless and the end was very sad. Nepus had to be put down with a worsening pedal bone rotation. I will always fondly remember and miss my very good friend.
Bellini (Caracas – Norse xx) born 1972
Caracas was a Premium A Swedish warmblood stallion born 1959 by Jovial. Owner & breeder Johan Asker/BI Wehtje. Bi Wehtje competed internationally for Sweden in both eventing and show jumping and allegedly at least once during the same show. I believe she may have done so with Caracas dam Erna.
Norse xx born 1959 by Papageno II was a well known and much admired stallion influential in the Swedish warmblood breeding. I have been unable to find further info.
Bellini was a 5 yo stallion sourced for me for dressage by Maud von Rosen via her friend and breeder Bi Wehtje. Bellini was a wonderful introduction to dressage and we enjoyed Maud’s ‘patronage’ over many years at Ryttarstadion, Stockholm. The horse was more talented than I was which was evident at a private trial with the national Chef_d'équipe for dressage. Bellini was thankfully brilliant over fences.
Bellini came with me and Nepus to Goesta Asker’s yard in England. I believe poor Goesta had a call from Bi (his mother) instructing him to look after me.
Bellini was gelded after which he unfortunately lost all his sparkle and much of his confidence. We show jumped but it became a struggle. We entered at the Goodwood dressage but we should not have gone there. Bellini was eventually sold.
With both Nepus and Bellini ‘gone’, it took several years until I recovered my interest in horses. I had at that time moved to Devon where the story continues with Bradstone Stud.