Merricks’s dam, Mystique TOF, is a full sister to our Mythical TOF, the dam of Myriam GHJ, our Arno daughter who passed away earlier this spring. This is a very valuable dam line in North America, with relatively few modern mares available descending from it. Mystique was National Reserve Senior Champion mare before continuing on to a successful career in pleasure driving and combined driving. Merrick’s grandsire, Aristocrat TOF, is an exceptional performance stallion who has excelled in both under saddle and pleasure driving venues, and was the first stallion to achieve Gold and Elite stallion status in North America through the AHR inspection and classification program. Merrick’s granddam, Malvina TOF, was one of the first Haflingers in the United States to be shown in dressage and was the first “Star” mare in North America before she died. Malvina is by liz. Andrit, considered to be one of the greatest broodmare sires in Austria.

Merrick’s sire, Walzertakt, is one of the top W-line Stallions in Austria, having sired numerous licensed and approved sons, as well as World Champions there. He was on loan to North America for a short time, and sired two Gold classified mares and some outstanding Silver classified mares while he was here. Walzertakt’s sire, Winterstein, was the father of the modern W-line stallion in Austria.

We presented Merrick to Westfalen NA at seventeen years of age for breeding approval on August 31, 2018, where she was awarded Premium status, entered into the top mare book, and received her Sport Predicate! She is now eligible for Elite status after her Stellar foal is presented to Westfalen. She received an overall score of 79 points, including a 9.0 on overall development and impression, an 8.5 on trot, and 8s on walk and canter! The inspector commented on how correct she was, her good topline, good walk, elastic, light trot with good swing, and how well she was underneath herself at the canter with a big stride.

Some of Merrick’s accomplishments include: in 2016 Merrick ridden by Ceilia Jansen, won the Haflinger Breed Award and the Rachel King Memorial Award riding FEI level. In 2015 Merrick was Pony Champion at the Mid Winter Dressage Show in LA Equestrian Center (a National Dressage Pony Cup Partner Show), again under rider Ceilia Jansen. Celia and Merrick scored a 69.23% at Third Level Test 3, and was the 2015 National Pony Cup California Dreaming Productions Festival of the Horse High Point Champion in San Juan Capristrano, California! In 2008 Merrick, ridden by Jennifer Grant, won the second level grand championship with Merrick (70.31%) at the National Dressage Pony Cup!