[ImmortalSynn]

Been a while since I've made a vid of one of my favorite 1990s superhorses... so I figured I'd come back by featuring the (sinfully gorgeous!) stallion, Land of Kings. Hope you enjoy!

http://youtu.be/J17qaDqdhAQ

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My trainer often speaks of horses who have the "three Ps": Power, Pace, and Precision. As such, I figured I'd do a video of a 1990s' superhorse who exemplifies all of the above, and I could think of no better representative than the amazing Holsteiner stallion, Lenz.

Shown in North America as "Land of Kings," under the guidance of Margie (Goldstein) Engle, this gargantuan grey can be seen demonstrating his impressive capabilities in the following three rounds:

POWER: 1995 USET Festival of Champions.
The free-standing pedestal with no ground-line (fence #4) was the definitive bogie of the course. Only 1 in seven horses got over it without refusing, and only one horse (Olisco w/ Michael Matz) was able to do so prior to Margie's round... hence the crowd going wild! You can see Land of King's jumpoff round for this course in the following video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEbf99DO_r8

PACE: 1995 Washington Int'l Horse Show Gamblers' Choice
The 120 point option was the bogie of the course. Only two riders (Kim Prince and Sheila Burke) had successfully cleared it, and neither attempted it until they were well into their course. Margie came straight out of the gate and went straight for it, hence again, the crowd's cheer! The winning round (as well as a few blooper rounds) on that course can be seen in the following video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN69s3EmQms

PRECISION: 1995 Budweiser Upperville Jumper Classic
Land of Kings came in as the defending 1994 champion of this class, and he completed the first clean round on the 1995 course. Yes I'm aware of the little mishap at 6:02 at fence #12, but this horse was such an athletic trier, that it really didn't crimp the precision of his overall handling of the course in the least! Land of Kings' jumpoff round can be seen in the following video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JdeXbaiIjw

[louisem]

Thank you! I really enjoyed that!

[keepthelegend]

I miss all that grand prix coverage in the 90's!

[chunky munky]

You can largely thank Elizabeth Busche Burke for that TV coverage. ( See tribute thread)

[ImmortalSynn]

You can largely thank Elizabeth Busche Burke for that TV coverage. (See tribute thread)

Interesting... can you post a link? On phone, so hard to search.

[BeaSting]

Nice!

[mem]

Thanks for posting these! Lenz (Land of Kings) was one of my all-time favorites too. I have a mare by him in my backyard - love her, she is the spiting image of him! Exquisite jump, wonderful temperament, easy ride. So fun to see her daddy in action.

[ImmortalSynn]

Thanks for posting these! Lenz (Land of Kings) was one of my all-time favorites too.

Loved him. Wish I knew more about what became of him after the 1995 showjumping season...

[Pony+ an inch]

WOW he's incredible--I take it he made it to the breeding shed? Would love to know how his babies have continued to do...

As an aside, as a ten year old I always wanted to be be like Margi. Decade and a little later, I still want to be like Margie. I am always left with an awe-struck expression every time I watch her ride.

Thanks for posting those great vids! :-)

[ImmortalSynn]

WOW he's incredible--I take it he made it to the breeding shed?

He did

Would love to know how his babies have continued to do...

As would I. I Googled an article on him a while back, that talked about his work at stud. Will see if I can find it again.

As an aside, as a ten year old I always wanted to be be like Margi. Decade and a little later, I still want to be like Margie. I am always left with an awe-struck expression every time I watch her ride.

Right there with ya.

Thanks for posting those great vids!

Welcome!

[hequestrian]

Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!

[ImmortalSynn]

WOW he's incredible--I take it he made it to the breeding shed? Would love to know how his babies have continued to do...

Found some stuff! Seems he sired quite a few notable (competitive and brood) mares, but none of his sons went on to be much of anything, from what I can tell.

You can easily see a lot about his daughters by googling his registry name "Lenz" alongside his showname "Land of Kings."

Also, here's an old pic of him upon first coming to the USA:
http://www.geni.com/people/Lenz-HOL-...00007103130664

And here's his genealogy:
http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/lenz