Holsteiner stallion Ratibor stood at Bell Oaks Farm for fourteen years, until his death at the age of 24, and left a legacy felt throughout the country. Born in 1976, Ratibor came to Bell Oaks at the age of 11. His first year there, he was shown successfully in both jumpers and dressage, finishing undefeated at 3rd and 4th level dressage. When Ratibor came close to death during colic surgery, Klaus vowed to withdraw him from showing if he survived. Ratibor lived, and he was never saddled again.

Ratibor's great legacy his offspring. He was the Holsteiner breed's most successful sport horse sire for five years running. Numerous offspring are currently competing in dressage at the FEI levels and in eventing and jumping. At a recent qualifying class for Young Riders in dressage, four of the eight competitors rode Ratibor offspring.

Among his offspring are two approved sons. Rejent is a 17-hand, 1989 stallion out of a Thoroughbred mare, approved ISR/Oldenburg N.A. and AWR, owned and competed by Paula Briney Thoroman. Rodin is a 1998, 17.1-hand stallion owned and shown by Natalie Cwik; he is out of a Hanoverian mare and is approved RPSI.

The photo at right was taken by Donna Coss when Ratibor was 23 years old.