The Extraordinary Dam Line – One of the Most Powerful Families in Modern Showjumping

While Ernest Optimus Z boasts the exceptional blood of Emerald van’t Ruytershof on the sire side, it is his maternal family that elevates him into a truly elite category.

His dam Gazelle de la Pomme descends directly from the legendary de la Pomme – Muze – Qerly Chin dynasty, a family that has produced an astonishing number of 1.60m performers, championship horses and approved stallions over multiple generations. Few dam lines in world breeding can match its consistency for producing top-level jumpers.

Direct Family Highlights

Dam – Gazelle de la Pomme

his dam Gazelle jumped to 130cm level and has already established herself as a serious producer. Her offspring include:

• Kentucky de la Pomme – International 1.60m performer.
• Chatel de la Pomme – Successful at 1.55m level.
• Multiple further offspring competing at 1.45m and above.
• Rodin Optimus – Approved stallion for both Zangersheide and Holstein.

Granddam – Sauterelle de la Pomme

Sauterelle was a successful international mare herself, but her greatest contribution has been as a broodmare.

Among her outstanding progeny are:

• Vagabond de la Pomme – One of the most famous stallions of modern times, international 1.60m Grand Prix performer, World Cup Final runner-up and sire of numerous approved stallions and Grand Prix horses.
• Naturelle van het Legitahof – 1.55m performer.
• Caesar de la Pomme – 1.50m performer.
• Hermione de la Pomme – 1.45m competitor and producer of the KWPN-approved Grand Prix stallion Hotspot.

Great Granddam – Narcotique de Muze II

This is where the pedigree becomes truly exceptional.

Narcotique de Muze II is universally recognised as one of the most influential broodmares in modern sport horse history. Through her daughters and granddaughters she has produced a dynasty of international performers including:

• Querlybet Hero – 1.60m Grand Prix stallion.
• Boyante de Muze – 1.60m performer and foundation producer.
• Sea Coast Ferly – 1.60m performer.
• Farfelu de la Pomme – 1.60m performer.
• Giovanni de la Pomme – 1.60m performer.
• Go Easy de Muze – International 1.60m winner.
• Sterrehof’s Ushi – 1.60m Grand Prix mare.
• Iceman de Muze – 1.60m performer.
• Heroine de Muze – 1.60m performer.
• Iphigenia de Muze – 1.60m performer.
• Brunello di Fer – 1.60m performer.
• S&L Cocodrille – 1.60m performer.

The Foundation Mare – Qerly Chin

Behind this family stands the legendary Qerly Chin, herself an international Grand Prix mare and arguably one of the most influential broodmares ever seen in European showjumping breeding.

Her descendants include:

• Narcotique de Muze II
• Walnut de Muze
• Merveille de Muze
• Daytona de Muze
• Freestyle de Muze
• Horizon de Regor
• J’Adore van het Schaeck
• Killer Queen VDM
• Numerous additional 1.60m performers and approved stallions.

Why This Matters

Many horses possess a fashionable sire. Very few possess a maternal family that repeatedly produces elite horses generation after generation.

Ernest Optimus Z is not simply by Emerald; he is a direct descendant of a female line responsible for producing Vagabond de la Pomme, Querlybet Hero, Go Easy de Muze, Sterrehof’s Ushi, Hotspot, Giovanni de la Pomme, Farfelu de la Pomme, Sea Coast Ferly and countless other Grand Prix performers.

For breeders, investors and ambitious sport riders, this is precisely the type of pedigree that offers genuine long-term value. The dam line has already proven, over several generations, that it consistently produces horses capable of reaching the very highest levels of international showjumping.

what a horse he is , not only on paper but in the flesh too. One we are very excited about to see develop ..