Estopal Estopa

Estopal Estopa was sired by Espano Estopa, one of the most celebrated junior stallions of the late 1990s. Espano Estopa achieved the rare double of Junior Male Champion at the All Nations Cup and Junior Male Champion at the World Championships in 1998, marking him as a colt of exceptional quality and international significance.
Espano Estopa was by Om El Abadan (Camargue x Bint Estopa), himself World Reserve Senior Champion Stallion in 1997 and Senior Male Reserve Champion at the Australian Nationals in 1996. Om El Abadan carried forward the influence of the incomparable Estopa, through his dam Bint Estopa, reinforcing a dynasty that has shaped modern straight Egyptian and international breeding alike. Estopa’s genetic legacy includes not only Om El Abadan, but also the globally influential sire El Shaklan, cementing her place among the most important foundation mares of modern Arabian history. On the dam side of Espano Estopa stood Malikah Estopa, a 1988 straight Spanish filly by An Malik and the only straight Spanish daughter of Estopa. Sold to Redwood Lodge Arabians in Australia, Malikah Estopa became a pivotal broodmare, producing Espano Estopa and thus ensuring the continuation of Estopa’s influence across continents. Through Malikah Estopa, Espano Estopa carried two direct lines to Estopa, a pedigree feature that strongly defined his type and prepotency.
Although Espano Estopa’s life was tragically cut short in 2006, his breeding legacy proved remarkable. His most notable progeny include the international champion LVA Maximus; Espinho, Danish National Champion Stallion and Danish Dressage and Show Jumping Champion; and the full sisters Redwood Lodge Romantik and Redwood Lodge Antiguaa (both out of Cambriaa).
Estopal Estopa’s dam, Kartagena, added a powerful and classical Russian dimension to his pedigree. A bay daughter by Kubinec, Kartagena was out of Banketka by Nimroz and descending from Beshtau by Menes. Bred by the German Osterhof Stud, Kartagena embodied the refined strength and athletic functionality long associated with Russian breeding programs.Bred by the German Osterhof Stud, Kartagena produced two foals during her time there and, after her acquisition by Nadine Ronge, went on to produce four further offspring—three colts and one filly—including Estopal Estopa.
Standing at 15.2½ hands, Estopal Estopa was licensed and awarded the White Ribbon of the German Arabian Horse Association in 2006. He sired a limited number of foals before being gelded after the registration of his last offspring in 2016.
In 2009, he successfully completed his endurance stallion performance test and was subsequently licensed for other breeds, reflecting his exceptional athletic aptitude and versatility beyond purebred Arabian breeding.
While his pedigree alone would have secured Estopal Estopa’s place in breeding history, it was in endurance sport that he fully distinguished himself. Beginning his competitive endurance career in 2008, he quickly demonstrated consistency, soundness, and competitive strength.
His endurance career reached its apex in 2011. In that year, Estopal Estopa claimed 1st place at the German Endurance Nationals in Nörten-Hardenberg over 160 km, a result that firmly established him among Germany’s elite endurance horses. He followed this with a 2nd place finish at the German Endurance Nationals in Luhmühlen in 2012, again over the demanding 160 km distance.
Though his breeding career was intentionally limited, Estopal Estopa’s legacy endures through both his progeny and his exceptional endurance record. He remains a noteworthy representative of his sire Espano Estopa and a testament to the enduring relevance of thoughtfully combined bloodlines in producing Arabians of both beauty and purpose.