Lugano I
1954-1979 163cm chestnut
Breeder Richard Kords, Achthöfen, Germany
Lugano was by one of those great Thoroughbred stallions that shaped the
modern Hanoverian, Der Löwe. During his time at stud in Celle, Der Löwe
produced horses that won DM845,000 in prize money – including the dressage
star Liostro, a silver medallist with Karin Schlüter at the 1972 Games,
Löwenstern, who competed for the Danish dressage team and Dutch team horse,
Lucky Boy.
Lugano I and his full brother Lugano II were two of the most significant sons of
Der Löwe xx. Their dam, Altwunder was sired by the Alpenflug II grandson,
Albaner. Other stallions on the dam line are Friesenkönig and Dolman. Lugano’s
breeder, Richard Kords also bred the great Gotthard. Both stallions finished the
performance test on top of their class, with Lugano I beating Ester II, Eljen and
Wartburg, and Lugano II up against Grande, Einglas, Sesam II and Adlerfarn I.
Lugano I had a successful breeding career, siring almost 30 approved stallions
and more than 70 state premium mares. In his book, The Great Stallions of
Hanover Werner Schockemöhle described him as a beautiful stallion, with the
Thoroughbred type of his sire and a good conformation courtesy of the maternal
line. From the beginning Lugano I produced fine-looking horses with nice
movement, suitable for young horse classes. He was standing at stud in Nesse for
a long time before he was moved to Altenbruch in 1972, where he was said to
have paired well with Dwinger mares.
Like his sire, Lugano I was known as a producer of dressage horses. In 1978 he
was third behind his father and Wunsch II in the rankings for most successful
dressage stallions in Germany and a year later he climbed to top spot. By 1979
his progeny had won DM773,000 - at a time when prize money was nowhere
near today’s riches.
Some of his better-known progeny included Lido, ridden by dressage legend
Harry Boldt, Lisander (a showjumper!), Larga, Lunebotin, Lenard and Lucky.
Lukas was possibly his most famous stallion son. Bred by Heinrich Schröder, out
of the state premium mare Dünenhalle (Dwinger), Lukas became the sire of
multiple outstanding broodmares and 17 licensed stallions.
Leibwächter, by Lugano I out of a mare by Wöhler, was known for excellent
rideability and a talent for dressage, delivering a very good stallion performance
test in Adelheidsdorf. Schockemöhle believed him to be well suited to Absatz
mares. The stallion Lugano van la Roche in Belgium is another son of Lugano I.
The showjumper Porche, by Lugano van la Roche out of a mare by Flügel, won a
Bronze medal with the Belgian team at the Montreal Games. Lugano’s progeny
was well liked in Belgium for their willingness to perform.
Other notable sons by Lugano I were Lotse and his full brother Lutzow. Both
were out of Dünenflora by Dwinger, bred by the well-known stud of Walter
Wiechert. Lukant (Lugano I/Dwinger) stood in Oldenburg as a private stallion.
He sired the talented chestnut Lupus (Perser xx/Wöhler), who was sold at the
1977 Verden auction for the then record price of DM83,000.
Lugano II did not prove to be as successful as his brother, however he produced
the stallions Lombard, Lungau and Löwen-As.
Lugano I has had a more lasting impact on the breeding of Belgian jumpers,
through his son Lugano van la Roche and his grandson, Darco.