27/07/2026
One of a kind - definately a horse to fall in love with and a very special breeding stallion! Had great offspring off him, matching very different mares! Two of them successfully shown up to S-Class, currently competing internationally on young rider and junior level. Unfortunately lost our Belissimo mare, one of his early State Premium mares, but her daughter and granddaughter are still in our stable. The special Belissimo look and temperament is still there!
# Belissimo M: The Liver Chestnut Who Changed Dressage Breeding Forever 🐴✨
Some horses are great athletes. Others are great sires. But every once in a generation, a horse comes along who manages to be both—and in the process, reshapes an entire sport. **Belissimo M** is one of those rare, legendary figures. 💫
# # A King is Born 👑
Born in 1999 in the Rhineland, this stunning liver chestnut stallion wasn't just a pretty face—though that dazzling coat certainly turned heads. Bred by Dieter Niesar, Belissimo M came from impressive stock: by Beltain (a lesser-known but talented stallion) and out of Roxa, a daughter of the legendary dressage producer Romadour II . His dam line traces back to the phenomenal "Alferate" line, making him a direct relative of dressage legends like Brentano I and II, and Wolkenstein I, II, and III .
But pedigree alone doesn't make a legend—what Belissimo M did in the arena and the breeding shed certainly does. 🏆
# # The Stallion Who Could Do It All 🏅
Belissimo M's career reads like a fairy tale. At his 30-day stallion performance test in 2002, he *shattered records*, scoring an unheard-of 9.63 for dressage and achieving the highest overall result of his time—even scoring a perfect 10.0 four times!
In 2003, he became the Bundeschampion (Federal Champion) of four-year-old riding stallions in Warendorf, and just a year later, he represented Germany at the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, finishing an impressive fifth place . By 2005, he was Vice Bundeschampion of the six-year-old dressage horses, all while winning the hearts of everyone who met him .
> "I immediately fell in love with him when I saw him at the auction. I thought if he were as good to ride as he looked, it would be an incredible horse." — Holga Finken, first rider
But Belissimo M wasn't done. In 2011, Australian Olympian Hayley Beresford took over the ride, and together they competed at Grand Prix level—**qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games** . He even collected World Cup points and competed at the prestigious CHIO Aachen . As Hayley Beresford recalled, "Bello loved working and he loved to be challenged. He learnt the entire Grand Prix in 6 months and he loved to be on show."
# # The Sire Who Changed Everything 👨👧👦
But it's in the breeding shed where Belissimo M truly changed the game forever. His influence on modern dressage breeding is staggering—**over 40 licensed sons, 85+ State Premium mares, and five Bundeschampions** among his offspring .
The crown jewel of his legacy is undoubtedly **Bella Rose**, the double World Champion mare ridden by Isabell Werth. Bella Rose isn't just one of the best dressage horses of her generation—she's considered by Werth herself to be "the best horse of my career" . Together, they won team gold at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, claimed individual silver, and later secured Olympic gold at the 2021 Tokyo Games .
> "Belissimo is one of the, or perhaps, the best German dressage stallion and one of the best in the world." — Kathrin Sudhölter, Gestüt Westfalenhof
The list of Belissimo M's top offspring reads like a Who's Who of dressage:
- **Bella Rose** — double World Champion, Olympic gold medallist 🥇
- **Benicio** — Bundeschampion of six-year-old dressage horses (2011), later named Hannoverian Stallion of the Year 2025
- **Blickpunkt** — double bronze medallist at World Young Horse Championships
- **Bacchus von Worrenberg** — Bundeschampion, sold for €195,000 at auction
- **Belandra** — sold for a staggering €572,000 at the PSI Auction
# # The Secret to His Success 🔑
What made Belissimo M so special? His **character**. Riders consistently described him as sensitive, intelligent, eager to please, and deeply attached to people . He passed all these qualities to his offspring, which are known for being **easy to handle, fun to ride, and incredibly talented**.
His "superpower" as a sire was producing horses that excel at **both** the top levels of sport *and* as amateur-friendly mounts. As his stud manager Kathrin Sudhölter explained, "With many stallions you have to decide if you want to breed an easy to sell amateur horse, or a top class dressage horse... With Belissimo you get both together." This rare combination is why his legacy continues to grow.
# # A Legacy That Lives On 👑
In 2018, Belissimo M was honoured as the **Hanoverian Stallion of the Year**—a prestigious award that recognises his extraordinary contribution to dressage breeding . By 2021, his progeny had earned over **€1.1 million** in competition, with 130 offspring competing at Advanced (S) level .
Today, Belissimo M enjoys a well-deserved retirement at Gestüt Westfalenhof in Steinhagen, Germany—hacking through the woods, enjoying field time, and living the life of a true king . 🍃🐎
But his legacy? That's forever. Every time a Belissimo M offspring enters the arena—whether a Bundeschampion or a young dressage prospect—they carry forward the remarkable heart, talent, and rideability that made their sire a legend.
Belissimo M proved that a horse can be so much more than the sum of his parts. He was a record-breaking athlete, a world-class sire, and a horse who touched the hearts of everyone who knew him. In an era where dressage breeding often demands sacrificing temperament for talent, Belissimo M delivered **both**—and changed the sport forever.
The liver chestnut stallion who stole hearts is now the sire of champions—and his legacy will be felt for generations to come. 🏆❤️🐴
