SPSS ELITE Stallion: Laban

Laban (1985 to 2011)

Colour:	Bay
Breeding:	Danish Oldenburg Pony Sire: Aleksander Dam: Esmiralda Damsire: Honnor Ostrup
Height:	148 cms
Born:	1985
Died:	2011
Graded:	SPSS 'Elite'
Breeder:	Marco Christensen, Denmark

Laban's son - Red Alert at the 1998 FEI European Pony Championships

Laban was a Danish Oldenburg pony bred in Denmark by Marco Christensen. Laban was born on the 6th April 1985 and, by the age of four, had been imported into the UK. Owned by Mrs Jenny Clapham, he stood at stud and produced a number of very successful progeny.

The most notable of Laban's progeny, and the reason for his SPSS Elite status, was his son, Red Alert (pictured on left). Red Alert was bred by Mrs Clapham out of Starlyte Ponteyne by Redmount Tarquin and was bought by Kitty Boggis (now Kitty King) as an untouched 3 year old. Kitty produced Red Alert as an Eventing pony and the pair became members of the British Eventing Team at the 1998 FEI European Pony Championships. Red Alert was only 7 years old at these Championships and therefore one of the youngest ponies competing. Despite this the combination won Team Silver and finished ninth individually.

Other successful Laban progeny from this time were the JA pony, Topo Too (born 1990 and bred by Mrs H J Cannon out of Oakley Sugar Free by Oakley Bubbling Spring); the Grade C showjumper and Novice eventer, Dubonet III (also known as Doobie/Dubonnet); Tredudwell Toyboy (also known as Phantom) a 1992 chestnut gelding (bred by Mr GCH and Mrs RR Shakerley out of Natasha) who gained Horse Trials points and BSJA Grade C status. Laban graded as ELITE with the SPSS in 2001, obtaining good marks including 9/10 for both sports pony type and loose jumping. He was also licensed with the NPS.

In January 2008, Laban was awarded the 2007 BEF British Breeding Top Pony Sire of Performance Ponies and SPSS Chair, Celia Clarke presented the award which was collected on Laban’s behalf by his owner, Michelle Thomson (pictured on right).

Picture taken by Trevor Meeks and by kind permission of SEIB

Laban’s sire was the 16hh brown Danish Oldenburg, Aleksander, who was bred by G May. Aleksander’s sire was the Thoroughbred, Adonis, and his dam, Rosenland, an Oldenburg mare. Aleksander was a prolific sire of many top progeny particularly in dressage where his highest achieving son, the Danish Warmblood Aleks, won Olympic Team Bronze in 1984 ridden by Inga-May Bylund of Sweden.

Laban’s dam, Esmiralda, was a Danish Oldenburg, by Honnör Östrup out of Starlett. Laban’s damsire, Honnör Östrup, was by the Hannovarian, Asferg Cyklo, who also sired the International dressage mare, Suna, who was ridden by Gary Rockwell to win Team Bronze for USA at the WEG in Haag 1994.

Laban’s competitive career took second place to his breeding, but despite this he competed successfully at dressage. At the age of 19, he was a member of the winning team at the 2003 Sheepgate U21 British Dressage Championships ridden by 12 year old Anna McGarel-Groves (pictured at top of page). In 2005, Laban started his in hand career amid between a busy stud season to win a veteran class and stand overall In Hand Champion at his first attempt (pictured on left).

Laban’s more recent progeny are now starting to compete. In particular, his 2005 daughter, Labans Lillibet is competing at BE90 and BE100 eventing. Only one of his progeny has been forward to the BEF Futurity Evaluations, his 2008 daughter, Cherryhills Arctic Kiss (out of the jumping pony A Paler Shade of Grey) has been presented 3 times. As a foal and yearling Cherryhills Arctic Kiss gained First Premium scores then as a 2 year old this increased to a High First Premium and qualification to the 2010 Osberton Eventing Championships.

Laban (pictured on the right) died on the 28th April 2011, days after his 26th birthday. This lovely stallion will very be sadly missed by his devoted owner, Michelle Thompson and his many fans.

Pedigree:	Aleksander (DV Old)	Adonis xx	Magnat xx
			Aster xx
		Rosenland (Old)	Olaf (Old)
			Rosenkrone II (Old)
	Esmiralda (Oldenburg)	Honnør Østrup (DV Old)	Asferg Cyklo (Hann)
			April Østrup (DV Old)
		Starlett (DV Old)	Carol (DV Old)
			Stinne (DV Old)

Progeny:

Red Alert IV

Bay gelding. Dam: Starlyte Ponteyne (by Redmount Tarquin). Born 1991. Breeder: Jenny Clapham

Dubonet III/Doobie/Dubonnet

Grey roan gelding. Dam: Kizzie. Born 1991. Breeder: Not known

Cherryhills Arctic Kiss

Dam: Paler Shade of Grey (SPSS). Born:23 April 2008. Breeder/Owner: Hannah Owen. 2 years old in photo on left; 3 years old (and just backed!) in photo on right

Labans Black Boy

Black Colt. Born: 20 March 2007. Dam: Ibornden Waterlily (Welsh Sec B by Cennen Signature Tune). Breeder Michelle Thompson. Pictured as a foal with dam and as a yearling.

Labans Lambada

Dark bay colt. Dam: The Captains Lady (TB by Infantry xx) Born: 23 May 2008. Breeder: Michelle Thompson.

Labans Locomotion

Bay colt. Dam: Shirley Valentine (TB by Golden Heights xx). Born: 8 Jun 2008. Breeder: Michelle Thompson.

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