On the Cover: Grenlandia

May 2011 was a very special edition as it was dedicated to the bloodlines from one breeding farm – Lodge Farm owned by the late Major and Joanna Maxwell and their daughter, Emma. Some of the greatest horses in recent history were either born here, or passed through their doors, and this week we share the cover of this issue of The Arabian Magazine. The cover was the beautiful mare, Grenlandia, purchased by Pat at the Pride of Poland Auction in 2000 and sold on to Veronica Mann-Wernsten for her W-Arabians. The article below is as written at the time.

The ethereal 23-year old grey mare Grenlandia (Eukaliptus x Getynga by Palas) was purchased by the late Major Pat Maxwell at the 2000 Pride of Poland Auction. Pat sneakily managed to bid on – and win – Grenlandia, much to the surprise of wife Joanna and daughter Emma. A Polish National Champion Mare and a Bábolna International Champion Mare, Grenlandia went on to take the UK International title in 2002 with an impressive 93 points. Her final shows were with the Maxwells, in 2005, where she placed second in the senior mare class at the European Championships and won her class and the International Champion Mare title at Bordeaux.

Emma with Grenlandia

With the Maxwells downsizing, Veronica Mann-Wernsten purchased Grenlandia for her W-Arabians Stud in Cheltenham. Veronica already had a love for the Maxwell lines, owning the mare Ivernah (Crusader x Ivanah by Maleik el Kheil out of Ivernia) who was purchased as a foal in 1998.

Credit April Visel

Both mares have had a big influence on W-Arabians as broodmares. Ivernah is the dam of WW Extreem Fantasy (by Om el Extreem by Sanadik el Shaklan out of Om el Bint Shaina), exported to South Africa in 2003, as well as a full sister, WW Isadorah who, in turn, foaled the grey colt WW Inizio (by Thee Apprentice by Versace out of Legacys Diva). Ivernah’s most recent foal was the lovely WW Indih (by QR Marc by Marwan al Shaqab out of Swete Dreams), now a two-year-old filly. WW Indih is consistently placed in the Top Five rankings and she took wins at the 2010 Wels International A Show as well as the Blommeröd Scandinavian Championships, where she also earned the title of Silver Champion Filly.

Grenlandia at Johanna Ullström’s open house in 2010. Credit Nancy Lacoste

Grenlandia, meanwhile, produced the 2006 filly WW Gazella (by Psytadel by Padrons Psyche out of Bint Bey Shah), a Silver Swedish National Champion Mare and a Bronze Lowland Cup Champion Filly. At the end of March, WW Gazella produced her first foal for W-Arabians, the chestnut filly WW Gazoletta (by MPA Guiliani by MPA Giovanni out of Rohara Whispers). In 2007, Grenlandia foaled the pure Polish grey filly, WW Gremilia (by Emiliusz by Laheeb out of Emocja) and in 2010, she produced the grey colt WW Ginih (by TF Afrikhan Shah by Botswana out of Rohara Shahblee). Grenlandia is currently in foal to El Amin (Psytadel x RA Cool Elygance by Jocool out of Elysia) and this foal is eagerly anticipated.

Credit April Visel

Veronica describes Grenlandia as “a real queen among my mares” and it is little wonder. With her classic Polish lines, and link with the Maxwell history, Grenlandia has more than earned her title of ‘queen’ at W-Arabians. Veronica adds: “I have known the Maxwells for more than 20 years and I have always admired their knowledge and vision with their breeding programme.”

Certainly W-Arabians is just one example of how the legendary Maxwell Lodge Farm breeding programme is continuing across the world. Ivernah and Grenlandia hold pride of place in Veronica’s barn, with Grenlandia the undisputed queen and a true matriarch of the herd.

Credit Emma Maxwell

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