Dante FQ

Photo courtesy of Rick Osteen Photography/USEF Archive
(2001 – )
Owned by Friesian Quest, LLC
Inducted: 2013

Photos

Photo courtesy of Marie Kelley
Photo courtesy of Rick Osteen Photography
Photo courtesy of Rick Osteen Photography
Photo courtesy of Rick Osteen Photography
Photo courtesy of Rick Osteen Photography
Photo courtesy of Marie Kelley
Photo courtesy of Marie Kelley
Photo courtesy of Gloria Muscarella, Cheval Phototography
Photo courtesy of Rick Osteen Photography
Photo courtesy of Rick Osteen Photography
Photo courtesy of Marie Kelley
Photo courtesy of Marie Kelley
Photo courtesy of Marie Kelley
Every Champion, human or equine, achieves their goals only with the rare combination of talent and heart. However, even talent and heart are not enough to bring success. To truly reach his potential, every champion needs a team, and this is as true for equine champions as it is for their human partners. In fact, for the horse, no matter how great his talent, his beauty or his heart, reaching the pinnacle of achievement is not possible without a human counterpart and often several, to nurture the young foal, to recognize the talent, to train the young horse and to campaign the burgeoning athlete. At every stage, the bonds of trust between human and horse form the foundation and the building blocks for achievement, a unique partnership that is at the heart of the champion.

Dante FQ (Dante of Friesian Quest), the first Friesian Stallion ever to be nominated for the United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year and recognized as a USEF Horse of Honor, stands as a testament to the strength of that partnership and more to the unwavering belief of Tammy and Robert Hildreth, DVM in the young Friesian stallion they bred, raised and campaigned. Recognizing talent in the young horse is a talent in itself. However, breeding and subsequently raising and campaigning that horse requires more than an understanding of bloodlines and a good eye. We speak of heart as that quality in an athlete that gives them the passion and the desire to win. It is the same undefined quality that moves the breeder and owner to put heart and soul behind the development, training and eventually campaigning of the champion horse.

Looking at this magnificent Friesian Stallion, it may seem easy to accept the dynamic that drove the Hildreth's’ belief in his ability. Dante is a charismatic and formidable competitor. A stunning example of Friesian beauty, his athletic ability and the versatility of that ability demonstrate another level of beauty in motion that was not always expected or acknowledged from the Friesian Breed. The Hildreth’s belief in Dante as a versatile athlete, able to compete successfully in multiple disciplines ,represented not a leap of faith but an uncompromising belief in both the Friesian breed and their young stallion’s talent.

Dante began to demonstrate his ability to excel and dominate in 2004 winning the International Friesian Show Horse Association World (IFSHA) Inaugural Western States Regional Championship’s first Grand Show Champion In-hand stallion.

Once under saddle, Dante’s winning ways continued winning Horse of the Year titles from both IFSHA and the USEF in Saddle Seat as well. In 2007 Dante’s accomplishments included winning IFSHA World Champion Park Horse & Senior Stallion In â€" Hand with Mr. Rob Wallen.

Stallion approval testing marked Dante’s next challenge. In 2008 Dante was awarded 1st Premier Champion Keuring Stallion, Driven Dressage Champion, and licensed as an FPZV approved breeding stallion.

In a bold move, the Hildreth’s capitalized on the stallion performance testing experience and transitioned Dante to the disciplines of both dressage and hunter/equitation. Dante went on to take the Regional Championship titles in Dressage Hack, Hunter Pleasure & Hack, as well as Halter. At the end of 2008 Dante was the holder of 25 Championship and Reserve Championship USEF titles.

The selection of Dante as a USEF Horse of Honor was beyond any dream the Hildreths might have dreamed for Dante. It is an honor which for them and all who love the Friesian feel a special pride. For Dante proved for all time, that the Friesian horse is a true competitor, capable beyond question in any discipline and one which possess all the marks of the great champion, talent , mind and heart.

Dante’s success did not end with this honor. For Dante has now demonstrated that his legacy will lies beyond the show ring and even USEF history.

Dante's FQ first offspring ISIS FQ won the highest inspection score in history of Germany’s Friesian registry, the Friesenpferde-Zuchtverband (FPZV), at the age of four months old and was also crowned 2010 IFSHA World Champion Weanling Filly In-hand, also taking Reserve World Champion. Another legacy begins.

It is easy enough to admire the beauty of Dante, but Dante has shown in every respect that he is so much more than another pretty face in the horse world. His accomplishments stand as a testament to the Friesian as a true performance horse, to the versatility of the breed, and to the that bond of trust between human and horse from which all great champions arise.