DSHS A5 Boekje 2018_LR

I started visiting Holland frequently a
little over five years ago and was getting
more serious about having a young horse
program, I started to spend more time at
the auction. Even before we started buying
horses, we observed the success that others
had achieved.” Since Fred moved to the UK,
he has attended every DSHS - and with
good results. Goltz: “We purchased two fiveyear-olds
three years ago, a five- and a fouryear-old
two years ago and three horses in
2017: they are Haufóm, Iris VII, Harvard HX,
Kamara van ‘t Heike, Fix Blue, Haranta and
Larca van Erpecom.”
Consistent performers
Fred and his team have seven DSHS horses at
their stable, so they can compare the jumpers
easily. “All the horses have their specific
traits. What has been most impressive is the
consistency of their performances. Instead
of having one superstar, we were able to buy
a number of very good quality horses that
keep performing at a high level. Haufóm,
Kamara, Harvard HX and Iris VII are the more
special ones, but all the horses have a job
to do for the right rider at the right time,”
explains Goltz.
“Haufóm was a horse that gave an
unbelievable feeling right from the start,”
asserts Goltz. “He has a great mind and
doesn’t get flustered. Harvard HX was
green when we bought him, and over the
course of the last six months he has really
come along; and he has been performing at
a very high level, especially the last several
months in Valkenswaard and Knokke.
Iris VII is just five, but she won classes in
Knokke. We bought Haranta more for a
Connor McMahon - Haranta
young rider in mind than the big sport, but
she also won a class in Knokke! They are all
doing extremely well.”
Increased chances of success
Goltz and his team keep coming back to the
auction because they know that the team
(Paul, Emile, Tim, Michel and Yves) do a
tremendous amount of work with respect to
selection. He continues: “When we try the
horses, we know that they are genuine. And
when we get a good feeling from a horse, we
are pretty sure that if we train it according
to our system, it will only get better. Buying
a young horse is a bit risky. But if you try to
get all the variables as right as possible and
focus on buying horses with a consistent
background, you increase your chances
of success.” When asked if they will be
attending the auction, Goltz answers without
hesitation: “We will definitely be there again
this year. We look forward to it!”
Interview | DSHS 59