Callaho's Benicio

Biography

Benicio has been based at Hengststation Beckmann for many years and has won breeders over worldwide with his outstanding temperament, rideability, and strong character. Known for producing uncomplicated, trainable horses, Benicio’s offspring are consistently in demand across the sport horse market. In recognition of his exceptional impact on both breeding and sport, Benicio was named Hannoverian Stallion of the Year 2025—a prestigious honour that underlines his long-standing influence as a leading sire. Like father, like son: Benicio embodies the same exceptional rideability, mindset, and willingness to perform that made his sire Belissimo so influential. Together, father and son are standout names in German dressage horse breeding, continuing the renowned Bolero legacy through the direct male line. Benicio rose to national prominence in 2011, when he became the Bundeschampion (National Champion) of six-year-old dressage horses in Warendorf—cementing his reputation as both a top sport horse and a true “breeder’s stallion.” That same year, he completed his stallion performance test in Schlieckau with a record-breaking dressage score of 9.88 and even surpassed his sire Belissimo’s outstanding 9.63 performance test score from Zweibrücken (2002). Complete horses are rare. Complete stallions are rarer still—and Benicio is one of them. In summer 2014, Benicio made an impressive return to sport at the age of nine under Jessica Lynn Thomas, going on to continue his successful career through to Grand Prix level. Few breeding stallions combine such proven performance in the arena with the kind of temperament that also makes them a favourite with riders and breeders alike. Benicio’s dam, the State Premium Mare Valencia (Velten Third), was the Hanoverian Reserve Champion Mare (2002) and has produced another licensed stallion: Sunciro (by the Thoroughbred Sunlight xx). Valencia is the dam of six sport-successful offspring, including Benicio’s full sister Belle Fleur de mon Coeur, who has achieved numerous wins and placings at M level and an impressive lifetime earnings total (LGS) of €4,745. From the renowned Hanoverian mare line of Feldland, the licensed full brothers World Cup I–IV (Woermann x Sender) and their full sister Souvenir DS have also been produced—further proof of the strength and consistency of this dam line. Souvenir DS, in particular, has made a lasting impact as a producer, delivering four S-level successful offspring. Three have excelled on the international junior and young rider circuit, including: - His Heini (His Highness) — currently with 18 wins at St. Georg and Intermediaire level under Silvia Busch-Kuffner - Lamborghini (Lauries Crusador xx / Tom Berg) - Ratina OLD (Rubinstein / Anna-Katharina Lüttgen) Benicio’s great-granddam Wahona von Wrede is a half-sister to Souvenir DS and the licensed World Cup quartet, and she also produced numerous successful sport horses—including the Grand Prix horses Magnus and Maestro. The internationally successful Sini Spirit (Esprit), ridden by Emma Kanerva, is also closely related. Kanerva and Sini Spirit were based with riding master Hubertus Schmidt in Borchen-Etteln, enjoying many years of success in the Grand Prix arena up to 2013.