Toto Jr, Recipient of the 2024 Grande Prize

Tue, 04/02/2024 - 11:51
Hanoverian
Hans Peter Minderhoud schooling Toto Jr at the 2024 CDI Aachen Festival 4 Dressage :: Photo © Astrid Appels

The 13-year old Hanoverian stallion Toto Jr has been selected as the recipient of the Grande Prize for 2024.

Toto Jr is by Totilas out of Desperada (by Desperados x Rotspon). He is bred by Judith and Sönke Schmidt in Germany. 

First Fully Licensed Totilas Son

Toto Jr became the first fully licensed son sired by the legendary Totilas. 

He was licensed at the 2013 Hanoverian Stallion Licensing in Verden, which was quite eventful with the crowds whistling in disagreement when the committee approved the young stallion. 

He sold at auction for 100,000 euro to Austrian Gaston Glock and moved to The Netherlands.  Toto Jr. was approved for KWPN breeding and became the high scorer of the 2014 KWPN Spring Stallion Performance Testing with 86 points.  

Sport Career

Toto Jr's sport career has been a very short one, so far. 

Toto Jr at the 2021 CDI Opglabbeek
Under Marieke van der Putten he won the 2016 Pavo Cup Finals and the 2017 KWPN Stallion competition finals. He was then produced to Grand Prix level at home by Edward Gal. 

At the 2020 CDN Schijndel on 10 July 2020, the pair debuted at national Grand Prix level and won the class with 79.43%. They won the 2020 Dutch Grand Prix Championships

In 2021 the pair made its CDI debut in Opglabbeek, Belgium, and finished second in the Grand Prix with 77.978% and first in the Special (77.958%). They went on to win the Grand Prix at the CDI Exloo (78.826%).  Toto Jr was Edward's second choice for the Tokyo Olympics and he took Total U.S. The 2021 CDI Exloo was the stallion's last international show.

Last weekend, the black made his return into the public eye after almost three years, being ridden as a training horse by Hans Peter Minderhoud at the 2024 CDI Aachen Festival 4 Dressage.

Breeding Stallion

Toto Jr at the Festival 4 Dressage
Toto Jr became one of Holland's most popular and used breeding stallions and has proven his worth with excellent offspring. 

In Germany he has sired 20 licensed sons, of which 11 are submitted in stubook 1. He remarkably has only 5 daughters registered as broodmare in Germany.

The Hanoverian society has now proclaimed Toto Jr the recipient of the Grande Prize based on his achievement in breeding and sport. 

Photos © Astrid Appels

Related Links
Bon Coeur, Winner of the 2023 Grande Prize
Foundation Honoured with 2020 Grande Prize
Grey Top Honoured with 2019 Grande Prize
Edward Honoured with 2018 Grande Prize
Londontime Gets 2015 Grande Prize
Desperados Bestowed with 2012 Grande Prize
Ten Premium Dressage Stallions at 2010 Hanoverian Stallion Licensing
Dandolo, Price Highlight of the 2012 Hanoverian Elite Foal Auction

Toto Jr Related Links
Fendi's Come Back, Toto Jr Resurfaces, and More in Store at 2024 CDI Aachen Festival 4 Dressage
Toto Jr Receives NOP Status
Gal and Toto Jr Take Comfortable Lead in 2020 Dutch Dressage Championships
Edward Gal Debuts Toto Jr at Grand Prix and Scores 79.43%
Toto Jr Most Popular KWPN Breeding Sire of 2016
Happynesse E, Toto Jr, Fenix Win 2016 Pavo Cup Finals
Trafalgar, Toto Jr, Four Legends Win 2017 KWPN Stallion Competition Finals
Giovanni and Toto Jr, Winners of the 2014 KWPN Spring Stallion Performance Testing
Raaijmakers, Heiden, Van Peperstraten, Nieuwenhuis, Gal Win 2020 Dutch Dressage Championships