In this next installment of the new Breeder’s Corner, Catherine Marcks discusses her marketing methodology to support her stallion, Amazing, and her most recent creative idea that resulted in major success in visibility and engagement with her targeted breeder base. Learn more and brush up on your own skills by clicking here! ...read more
Thank you to all the participants in the 2025 AHS Stallion Service Auction! 44 stallion breedings were donated to the auction, with all proceeds going to support the American Hanoverian Society and its mission. ...read more
Verden, Germany - Oct/Nov 2023 - We lived an experience of a lifetime at the Hannoveraner Verband Breed Orientation Course in Verden, Germany, expertly administered by the dedicated staff of the Hannoveraner Verband. Learn all about it by clicking here, then add it to your bucket list! ...read more
Stallion Stories
Pax Asgard af Pegasus
Pegasus vom Niehaus-Hof x Firefly De Bec (Ambrosius af Asgard)
Owner: Renée and Allen Tucci of Murder Hollow, Pennsylvania
Pax Asgard af Pegasus, a 2016 few-spot Knabstrupper, enjoying the winter sport of skijoring.
Well, that’s something you don’t see every day - a Knabstrupper stallion skijoring! Meet Pax Asgard af Pegasus, a 2016 few-spot Knabstrupper owned by Renée and Allen Tucci of Murder Hollow. Says Renée, “Pax is under saddle and also being trained to drive. The snow has led us to take up skijoring while we wait for the snow to melt and it has been great fun!”
For Renée and Allen, purchasing Pax meant the successful conclusion of a years-long search.
“I had searched for a Knabstupper stallion prospect for a number of years. The breed is small but growing in North America but finding a few-spot added to the challenge.
Pax as a yearling.
“We were specifically looking for a taller Sporthorse Knabstrupper that was going to produce well-mannered and nice-moving foals with color. Knabstruppers are known for their unique leopard coat patterns and given the very small number of purebred Knabstruppers that exist, many Warmblood breeds are approved outcrosses. In order to consistently produce one of the desired qualities of the breed—unique leopard patterning—we needed to find a homozygous few-spot that would genetically guarantee some sort of color when bred to a solid Warmblood mare.
“Another breeder, Melyni Worth, mentioned she knew of one for sale in Utah,” a 2-year-old. Renée called the breeder, and arranged to have videos taken and a veterinarian out to see the colt. Pax checked all the boxes.
“I didn't get to meet him until he arrived at our farm after his long journey. I recall him walking off the trailer and he was all legs—I was thinking, ‘Dear god, I hope he grows into those legs!’ I remember being relieved at how calm and placid he was as I walked him down our half-mile-long driveway to the barn. Pax was born on a farm with only a couple other mares, so arriving to a larger breeding farm with three other stallions was certainly going to be an adjustment for him. Pax took it all in and peacefully walked with me as stallions and mares ran up to the fences that line the driveway to take a look at the ‘new guy.’
Pax, coming 5 at this writing, is now in training. “We use a variety of training methods, but for a young stallion, at liberty work has proven to be incredibly beneficial in creating a strong bond. Stallions can be complete goofballs and I really enjoy watching Pax with his trainer, Hanne Boekell, as those two have developed a wonderful connection.”
He also enjoys a variety of other experiences. Murder Hollow has “pigs, goats, alpacas and of course barn cats. Pax has lovingly mistaken cat tails as play toys and has found out the hard way that cats don't appreciate him mouthing their tails...so we do try to keep them separate.” And in the winter there’s skijoring!
In the summer, Pax is turned out with bred mares and foals. “Like most stallions, Pax enjoys staring at mares for long periods of time ;) But in all seriousness, Pax loves when he gets to be turned out with mares and foals.” It’s a practice that does a lot for his education—and is interesting to watch. “If you have ever been able to watch a young stallion interact in a herd of bred mares, you will understand how entertaining it is to watch a stallion develop humility!” In fact, one of Renée’s favorite mental images of Pax is of him playing with the foals—with mom’s permission, of course!
When they got him, "Pax lacked some of the normal socialization a horse gets by having been brought up in a herd. I find it unfortunate anytime I hear a horse is isolated - it's depriving the horse of the physical contact that they need for their mental health. We've always turned our stallions out with bred mares as a way for them to [engage in] healthy socialization."
Pax's first foal: Phoenix Fantasy MHF. Photo: Alivia Christina Photography
These days at Murder Hollow, some of the foals are his own. “Pax has produced some incredibly gentle foals with lovely movement. His genetics allow for him to produce really interesting coat patterns, which doesn't hurt either!”
In the coming year, Pax will begin his show career. “This will be Pax's first year of showing so we look forward to reporting back!
“When Pax went through his pre-purchase exam and I received a glowing report from the vet of what a kind boy he was throughout his exam, I knew he would fit in perfectly and make a wonderful cornerstone to our breeding program. For those who have gone through young horse radiographs, not all horses, particularly intact colts, are thrilled at having a cold plate wedged between their legs!” It was a great testimonial to his temperament. The breeding goal of Murder Hollow is to “grow the purebred [Knabstrupper] breed within North America while continuing to breed very high quality, accomplished in sport, approved outcross Warmblood mares.”
And yes, he has definitely grown into those long legs! “Fortunately he has matured nicely, and we are very proud to stand him to our own mares as well as to outside mares!”