Marco Polo ♂ †

About Marco Polo

Marco Polo is a (died 1988) chestnut NWP showjumping stallion foaled in 1962, by Poet xx out of a Altan dam.

Marco Polo was a renowned showjumping breeding stallion registered with the Trakehner studbook. Born in 1962, Marco Polo was sired by the Thoroughbred stallion Poet xx, known for his racetrack performances and strong physical attributes beneficial to showjumping. His dam was Mirakel, who carried the hereditary showjumping abilities of Herold – Dark Ronaid from Germany. Marco Polo was bred by R. Rosenau in Brunstein, Northeim, Germany, and subsequently imported to the Netherlands in 1964, where he began his stud duties.

Initially overlooked in favour of other stallions, Marco Polo's approval for breeding became a noteworthy event. His demand increased significantly once his progeny began to show success in inspections and competitions. Marco Polo was recognised for his ability to sire offspring with excellent movement, particularly in the walk and canter, as well as desirable traits such as willingness and workability. His influence on the showjumping world expanded as he became a highly sought-after stallion for producing successful jumpers.

Marco Polo had a modest competition record. Although he passed away in 1976 at the 'De Vries' stud station in Surhuisterveen, his legacy continued through his offspring who achieved significant success in the showjumping arena.

Marco Polo sired several successful showjumping horses that left a striking mark on the sport. Notably, Marius, one of his progeny, achieved significant victories under British rider Caroline Bradley. Marius won prestigious events such as the Grand Prix of Birmingham and the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 1977, earning the title of 'Showjumper of the Year'. Another impressive offspring was Recruut, who achieved a record-breaking performance test score of 182 points in 1978. Irco Polo, another of Marco Polo's offspring, was the sire of Casimir, a competitor who trained for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Marco Polo died in 1988 at De Vries stud station, Netherlands. Breeding may continue via frozen semen — confirm availability with the stud.

Researched by the EquiWiki editorial desk · Publisher: Harriet Smith · Editor: Lee Smith · cross-checked by two independent AI models.

Watch Marco Polo jump — 7 clips