Hilltop News
April 20, 1999 – January 20, 2015
“Good-night, sweet prince; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” ~ William Shakespeare
It is with a broken heart that we share the news of Royal Prince’s passing this week. Late in the afternoon of January 20th Royal Prince presented an acute colic and was immediately taken to New Bolton Center. Unfortunately due to complications discovered during surgery, the only humane choice was to euthanize him.
Royal Prince had a significant impact at Hilltop Farm. In 2004 with Susanne Hassler, he placed fourth at the FEI World Championships for Young Horses – the highest American finish at the Championships to this day. Royal Prince later helped Michael Bragdell earn his USDF Bronze and Silver Medals and he showed at Prix St. Georges with Chris Hickey. Royal Prince developed into one of our most prominent stallions including winning the USEF Dressage Breeding Sire of the Year Award for five consecutive years. His offspring have been consistent winners at breed shows and inspections. To date he has eight Elite Mare/Elite Mare Candidate daughters with the American Hanoverian Society and seven Premium Mares with ISR/Oldenburg. His offspring have earned USDF Horse of the Year titles, Regional Championships, and USDF All-Breeds Awards.
Most importantly, Prince was part of our family. The barn feels a bit empty without him here and while we are grateful for the years we had with him, we can’t help but feel his time here was cut far too short. For those of you with a Royal Prince offspring – go out and give them a hug. We hope they bring as much joy to your lives as Prince has brought to ours and we’ll look to them to carry on Royal Prince’s legacy for years to come.
Stallion News
Hilltop Archives
Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate 15 wonderful years at Hilltop Farm! Over 350 people attended this colorful afternoon celebration on Saturday, October 28. We so appreciate the rave reviews over our main event, the music-filled presentation of our stallion line-up and their offspring. We also appreciate everyone’s time, support, and good wishes. Friends and customers traveled as far as from Chicago, Kansas, and South Carolina to celebrate with us.
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of the Hanoverian stallion Tiamo Trocadero (Trapper-Darling). Tiamo Trocadero lived at Hilltop Farm from 2006 to 2008 and stood in our Guest Stallion Program for two seasons. Tiamo had an outstanding International dressage record which included being named an Alternate for the 2000 Olympic Games for the British Dressage Team.
Hilltop Articles & Interviews
For many Warmblood enthusiasts, just the mention of the famous stallion Riverman is enough to send chills down their spines. The stunning grey Holsteiner, who currently stands at stud at Hilltop Farm in Colora, Maryland, was the Reserve Champion at his stallion licensing, and was a Verband stallion in Germany for the first part of his life.
A Sport Horse Handler, whether at a show, inspection or exhibition, constantly strives for that 'magical moment' as he guides a horse in hand around the arena, often negotiating a large triangle formed from flower pots and jump poles. Together the two lift off and eat up the ground, matching stride for stride -- the horse seeming to float, to collect and extend on his own, all in perfect rhythm. The handler is as discreet as possible so that all attention focuses on the horse looking his best.
