Owner comments: (Text generously provided by Bob DeGour) Born in Germany: 1990 In Germany, "Icon" is pronounced << EE cahn >>. Registered in the German Rheinland Pfalz Saar. Selected as a breeding stallion at Medingen, Germany 1989. Performance tested in 1992. "Icon" descends from the influential Trakehner stallion "Marco Polo" that Holland imported from Germany and ultimately designated "Keur Preferent" on the basis of his impressive offspring. A large number of "Marco Polo" sons have been approved by the Dutch, including "Icon's" sire "Ico." Approved "Marco Polo" sons "Recruut" and "Irco Polo" were highly successful international showjumpers. USA's Melanie Smith successfully showjumped the "Marco Polo" offspring "Vivaldi." Second generation "Marco Polo" descendants produced many successful Dutch Warmblood sporthorse stallions (for example: "Concorde" and "Glendale") that subsequently produced a large number of 'riding type' (dressage) stallions for Holland.

The combination of "Icon's" black and white colors is symbolic of the combination of his Dutch sire and his German dam. "Icon's" dam, St.Pr.St. "Windspiel," results from the combination of Hannoverian and Trakehner lines ("Widerruf" [Hann] X "Frohsinn" [Trak]). Rheinisches Pferdestammbuch e.V. (the Rhinelander Verband headquartered in Bonn, Germany) elevated "Icon's" dam, "Windspiel," to State Premium Mare, and awarded her the Verband Silver Medal in 1981.

In order to intensify the hybrid vigor of their warmblood sporthorses, Dutch breeders have been renown for importing the best German and Anglo-Norman stallions. During the past two decades, few can argue with the competitive successes that KWPN horses have achieved. "Icon" is the embodiment of this hybrid notion.

Athleticism, fluid movement, strong cadence, and willing character have provided "Icon" with the skill set for his successes in both showjumping and FEI dressage. Ausgewählte Hengste Deutschlands 2000, states that "Icon" was the Vice-Champion of his 1992 Stallion Approvals in Zweibrücken. While completing his 100 Day Test in Warendorf, "Icon's" Overall Score was 120.42 (4th of 19). Further, his Rideability Score was exceptional at 131.04 (2nd of 19). Illustrating "Icon's" balanced athletic skills, his Jumping Score was 111.56 (5th of 19).

"Icon" is a friendly, willing stallion with much presence. His trot is roomy with excellent bearing and his canter is spacious, regular and well-carried. "Icon's" foals in Germany can be described as moving in an elastic and rhythmic manner. Ausgewählte Hengste Deutschlands 2000 states that: "Icon" has presented a number of winners at foal shows and several highly placed participants at foal championships. His first progeny have won riding horse championships. Of these, "Indian Summer" has been particularly prominent. Approved by the following German Verbands: Westfalen, Bayern, Rhineland, Hessen, Rhineland Pfalz-Saar, Baden-Württemberg - German Offspring (approximately 60% black and white; with the balance brown and white; bay; and very light gray & white). One of his black and white sons is "Instant Replay" exported from Germany to New York.