One of the most gratifying aspects of writing this journal over the years is the number of people I've met and friendships I've made through conversations that have been generated by what I've written. I am always willing to talk horses and to share my experiences and base of knowledge. The better educated all of us are in North America, the stronger our breeding programs will become and the more respect we'll garner from the international horse-breeding and horse-buying communities. If I can be a part of generating conversations and sharing knowledge, I want to be. So, always feel free to send me a question or give me a shout to have a conversation.
The following is part of an email I received recently--I'm using it with permission:
"I was reading your short text on your blog (in regards to the Stallion Show)... thanks for that. I would have a question for you if you don't mind pushing your thoughts a bit more for me... The "thinking in generations".
I remember us having a conversation about the KWPN and the generations thing in 2010. I am still trying to wrap my head around the concept and apply it to my program and general breeding thinking. In general I think I'm much more performance oriented and that you are probably perfectly in the middle. I agreed with your vision and you thought the KWPN was doing it also in 2010. But do you think they are doing it now? In 2010 they pushed the power and temperament from Van Norel's blood but you don't see that very much now from what I can find.
It is especially important for me as I am trying to build something for the future around *********. I want to produce 2 or 3 mares out of her that will be the mothers of all or most of my future foals. And I question myself. Will the best choice to produce a very good broodmare is the same as the one to produce a nice marketable foal?...
Anyway it's probably a big question... but as always your thoughts would be welcome."
This are a big questions, but important ones. Let me break them down into pieces and try to answer fully.
Thinking in Generations:
There are a couple of ways to generalize this concept so that it's a little easier to grasp. First consideration, think about an extended pedigree--say, one you might see on horsetelex.com. We all look at a pedigree and ooh and aah over the names we see if we like them, and tilt our heads and make some negative utterance if there's a name or two we don't. Sometimes, we'll even completely dismiss a horse just because the pedigree isn't "good enough". Making breeding decisions is just creating the future extended pedigree. Which directly ties to our second consideration, if I'm creating a line of mares in my breeding program that I hope my grandchildren will be using to breed their dressage horses, what base do I want to give them? Of course, then you have to start assessing a number of things. First and foremost, is my mareline good enough? All of the planning and money and time we invest in breeding horses is absolutely pointless if we're not working with the best mareline we can afford/find. This mareline doesn't have to be the highest ranked in a particular studbook, or, even, famous for producing top horses at breed shows--it has to produce the qualities that you find most important in a horse. For our program, I want a balanced, athletic horse, with a strong ability to sit, that's a little hot, but with a good brain and physical appeal. Secondly, breeding in generations requires that you understand which stallions blend best with your mareline and which stallions belong in the bottom of the line vs. the top. For instance, from my perspective, Jazz works on top or on the bottom; Ferro and Ulft are better on the bottom; Krack C or Sandro Hit have to be WAY back in a pedigree; and, I want a good dose of Thoroughbred or Trakehner blood up close. By making sure you have the right stallions in the right places in the pedigrees of the horses you produce, you increase your odds of producing a horse that will contribute to the next generation of your program. Also, while on this area of the topic, it's important to consider the motherline of the stallions you're using. I always want to make sure that the damlines of the stallions we use have produced really well--I think this makes a huge difference in the fillies you decide to keep for your program. Thirdly, you have to be really aware of what's going on in the general KWPN breeding and sport population, and how your program can both contribute and take advantage of the trends. Right now, the KWPN is so heavy on Jazz blood in its breeding program that it's really important for breeders to be cultivating non-Jazz lines that cross well with Jazz lines. The good news about this is that if your program is also Jazz heavy, the KWPN is doing a lot of work for you trying to find outcrosses--and, there are so many people trying different outcrosses, it doesn't take too much research to see what's working and what's not working.
Current Direction of the KWPN:
One of the primary reasons I stay with KWPN horses is that they are constantly evaluating their population of horses and adjusting their selection criteria to produce better horses. A few years ago, we needed more substance and more power in our dressage breeding. The Van Norel horses were a great answer to that, and it was a good move on the part of the KWPN to approve more of them. As it happened, these horses didn't have as positive of an effect on the population as was predicted. Part of it could be that the wrong mares were taken to these stallions; part of it could be that the Van Norel's didn't put the money into the best trainers, so their stallions didn't achieve the successes in the young horse classes and stallion competitions necessary to attract breeders. Also, at the same time the KWPN was approving more of the Van Norel horses, Totilas and Valegro hit the big time, so we saw the influx of the Negro x Lord Leatherdale niche and the expanding influence of Gribaldi. And, of course, there is the Donnerhall effect. Interestingly enough, the Van Norel horse that keeps showing up successfully in pedigrees is not one of their younger stallions, but one of their much older stallions, Olympic Vincent, the sire of Cabochon. As I just mentioned above, at this point in time, the KWPN has to be seeking out non-Jazz stallions. Fortunately, he crosses well with a huge number of other lines. Personally, I don't think anyone is doing just the right cross for Jazz generationally speaking...but I'm going to work on that! More interesting is how the KWPN is going to react to having a growing number of successful Grand Prix dressage horses from the Harness Horse cross with and on Dressage lines. I wonder if these will be seen as outliers, or if we're going to see more young stallions selected with Harness blood in their pedigrees.
Breeding for Your Breeding Program vs. Breeding a Marketable Foal:
The ideal situation here is to educate enough of the buying population about what makes a good sport horse for the long haul, then your question is moot; the best horse for your breeding program would be the most marketable foal. Unfortunately, that's no the way of the world here or in Europe. Black babies, with flashy movement and a pretty face, sired by a "name of the moment" are the typically the quick and more expensive sellers. Personally, I can't go there. Other than the times when one of our mares won't conceive to the stallion of my choice, I always breed for a horse that could potentially add to our program. In my mind, what could be more important to a buyer than the fact that I would be perfectly happy to keep the horse they want to buy? Because, in actuality, the horses I keep for my breeding program should all have the attributes for which I'm selecting: balance, athleticism, sit, brain, and physical attractiveness. They can't produce what's not inherent in the genetics. So, my advice here is always the same--breed for yourself and build your own market.
I hope that answered most of your question(s). Again, especially those of you who send me emails or call to ask why I'm not writing in my journal, send me a question or discussion prompt--it's a guarantee of a journal entry!
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Friday, February 13, 2015
KWPN Stallion Vivaldi
I wrote the following paragraph a few months ago, but never finished the post:
"If you've followed my journal for years, you probably know that I've never been that big of a Vivaldi fan. However, after seeing the success of his sons under saddle and the type and movement of his grandchildren, I have to give credit where credit is due. He's turned out to be a much better producer than I thought he was going to be after seeing his first couple crops of sons at the Stallion Show.
"If you've followed my journal for years, you probably know that I've never been that big of a Vivaldi fan. However, after seeing the success of his sons under saddle and the type and movement of his grandchildren, I have to give credit where credit is due. He's turned out to be a much better producer than I thought he was going to be after seeing his first couple crops of sons at the Stallion Show.
That being said, there are still plenty of Vivaldi offspring that crank up their necks, hollow out their backs, and throw their front legs around with almost no connection between the back of the horse and the front; however, there are also some super sons under saddle and some top daughters at keurings."
Having just returned from the Stallion Show and having seen multiple Vivaldi sons and grandsons again, I thought I'd continue my post.
There are some really good Vivaldis, but there are just as many, if not more, weak Vivaldis. He is not a stallion for every mare, not that any stallion is, but he brings some significant weaknesses to the table. I continue to see a general lack of power, strength, and balance in a number of his offspring. They are all beautiful, with really expressive, easy movement, but even on the best of them, there is a slight disconnect in the loin and a lack of overall power from hind end to front. When I look at some stallions' offspring, I can imagine the future Grand Prix horse. It's hard to describe exactly, but it has to do with the strength and balance, the overall ability of the horse to carry itself and adjust between shortening and lengthening easily and naturally. If Vivaldi himself had competed at Grand Prix and demonstrated the kind of strength and connection it takes for attaining and maintaining an upper level career, I'd be willing to ignore the weakness in the top line of his offspring, but he hasn't.
Of course, there are going to be Vivaldi offspring at Grand Prix. He's bred a lot of mares, and a lot of talented riders have purchased Vivaldi children--by the law of averages alone, some of them are going to be upper level horses. My humble opinion is that we're going to see many more of them successful at lower levels and in young horse classes than we are successful at Grand Prix, however.
All of this being said, I think there's still a place for him in the pedigree. He brings a beautiful type and expressive movement. If you're lucky enough to cross him on a mare who consistently produces a great loin connection, then it could work out for you. My guess is that even then, the pattern is going to follow the Punnett square, with 25% of the offspring being exceptional, 50% of the offspring being OK, and 25% of the offspring being terrible.
There's a Totilas thread on the Chronicle Dressage Forums right now labeling him as a "non-stamper"--that he doesn't consistently reproduce himself, so he's not worth the stud fee. In Totilas's case, he consistently produces balance, strength, a good walk, a great canter, and a "normal" trot. Type wise, he's all over the place. Vivaldi is just the opposite: He produces a really consistent type and a flashy trot, but you don't know what you're going to get for balance and strength. For my money in breeding dressage horses, in the long run, the balance and strength are much more important than the pretty face and flashy trot. Of course, the pretty face and flashy trot will sell much more quickly to an uneducated buyer, so I recognize the attraction for breeders. Nonetheless, as someone who's constantly trying to breed horses that are one generation better suited for their future jobs as upper level dressage horses, a horse like Totilas is a much better bet.
Again, I think Vivaldi can have a place in a pedigree; as a matter of fact, I'm super excited to have a Vivaldi grandson coming from our Bon Bravour mare this April. But, I only bred to a Vivaldi son, Eye Catcher, after I saw him in person AND saw his offspring inspection in person. He has, and is producing, the kind of balance and adjustability I want, combined with the incredible expression in his gaits from Vivaldi.
So, I guess I'm a cautious Vivaldi fan now. He's kind of like frosting: the right combination of ingredients really top off the cake--the wrong combination of ingredients create a sicky sweet mess you have to scrape off to get to the good stuff.
Having just returned from the Stallion Show and having seen multiple Vivaldi sons and grandsons again, I thought I'd continue my post.
There are some really good Vivaldis, but there are just as many, if not more, weak Vivaldis. He is not a stallion for every mare, not that any stallion is, but he brings some significant weaknesses to the table. I continue to see a general lack of power, strength, and balance in a number of his offspring. They are all beautiful, with really expressive, easy movement, but even on the best of them, there is a slight disconnect in the loin and a lack of overall power from hind end to front. When I look at some stallions' offspring, I can imagine the future Grand Prix horse. It's hard to describe exactly, but it has to do with the strength and balance, the overall ability of the horse to carry itself and adjust between shortening and lengthening easily and naturally. If Vivaldi himself had competed at Grand Prix and demonstrated the kind of strength and connection it takes for attaining and maintaining an upper level career, I'd be willing to ignore the weakness in the top line of his offspring, but he hasn't.
Of course, there are going to be Vivaldi offspring at Grand Prix. He's bred a lot of mares, and a lot of talented riders have purchased Vivaldi children--by the law of averages alone, some of them are going to be upper level horses. My humble opinion is that we're going to see many more of them successful at lower levels and in young horse classes than we are successful at Grand Prix, however.
All of this being said, I think there's still a place for him in the pedigree. He brings a beautiful type and expressive movement. If you're lucky enough to cross him on a mare who consistently produces a great loin connection, then it could work out for you. My guess is that even then, the pattern is going to follow the Punnett square, with 25% of the offspring being exceptional, 50% of the offspring being OK, and 25% of the offspring being terrible.
There's a Totilas thread on the Chronicle Dressage Forums right now labeling him as a "non-stamper"--that he doesn't consistently reproduce himself, so he's not worth the stud fee. In Totilas's case, he consistently produces balance, strength, a good walk, a great canter, and a "normal" trot. Type wise, he's all over the place. Vivaldi is just the opposite: He produces a really consistent type and a flashy trot, but you don't know what you're going to get for balance and strength. For my money in breeding dressage horses, in the long run, the balance and strength are much more important than the pretty face and flashy trot. Of course, the pretty face and flashy trot will sell much more quickly to an uneducated buyer, so I recognize the attraction for breeders. Nonetheless, as someone who's constantly trying to breed horses that are one generation better suited for their future jobs as upper level dressage horses, a horse like Totilas is a much better bet.
Again, I think Vivaldi can have a place in a pedigree; as a matter of fact, I'm super excited to have a Vivaldi grandson coming from our Bon Bravour mare this April. But, I only bred to a Vivaldi son, Eye Catcher, after I saw him in person AND saw his offspring inspection in person. He has, and is producing, the kind of balance and adjustability I want, combined with the incredible expression in his gaits from Vivaldi.
So, I guess I'm a cautious Vivaldi fan now. He's kind of like frosting: the right combination of ingredients really top off the cake--the wrong combination of ingredients create a sicky sweet mess you have to scrape off to get to the good stuff.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Stallion Show 2015
Don't get too excited! I'm not doing my usual 10 or 15 page Stallion Show Report this year, but I want to at least give some overall thoughts and comments. If you have specific questions about crosses or horses that we would have seen, then I'm happy to answer them. Either post a comment below or drop me an email.
Let me start by saying this was one of my favorite Stallion Show's because it was a family affair. Michaela and Keagan went with me. I can't tell you how special it is to me to share the second greatest passion of my life with the first greatest passion. Next year promises to be better yet, because I think Carol's going, too! So, both kids are in on the stallion picks for our program this year, and I've given them each the go ahead to pick one stallion that they really want to see used in our program, and I'll buy either a breeding or a dose or two of frozen. Keagan's already made his pick. I think Michaela is vacillating between two, but both are ones I want to use anyways, so we're all good! And, no, I'm not going to tell you which stallions! You'll have to wait until we have mares pregnant and 2016 foals safely on the way. It's my new motto: Keep my breeding picks to myself until later in the season. I wouldn't worry too much, though--we all know I'll never be able to do that. My next post will probably divulge all my plans...
As usual, I'm not really qualified to give much of an opinion on the jumpers. Because of my school schedule, we missed the first day; because of buying cheaper flights since three of us were traveling, we didn't arrive on Thursday until midday. Although, from what I understand, the first day of jumpers was pretty much a bust, and the second day not much better until the last few groups of stallions, we saw most of the boys selected for the Championship round go through both the second and third viewings. The Arezzo VDL's were my favorites. He is a top performing and producing sire.
My overall thoughts about the dressage horses is that the average quality of the stallions was pretty solid. There were a number of good horses. The Apaches were the best and most consistent group. The Johnson x Rousseau deserved to be Champion--he is a fantastic horse. The Charmeurs were hit or miss, with the Vervoorn product, His Royal Badness (Charmeur x Havidoff x TCN Partout), being a huge hit. It's amazing to me that 25-year-old Jazz is still producing such top horses. Two of his sons presented are quite special. And, of course, in the Championship Round, every horse had Jazz in the pedigree. The Apache x Ferro has him the furthest back, in the fifth generation. The Vivaldi x Donnerhall has him in the fourth generation. The Chagall, Wynton, Johnson, Westpoint, and the DeNiro sons all have him in the third generation. Then, of course, there is the Jazz x Flemmingh. As much as I am a Jazz devotee, can you say, "Scot's happy to have six mares with no Jazz in the pedigree?" The KWPN is going to need some stallion sons out of my mares!
North American breeders should be excited that VDL has a top new dressage prospect. The DeNiro x Jazz x Ulft is a super horse. I'll be excited to have his frozen available to us.
North American breeders may also get a chance to breed to a Negro son. Willy Arts's Negro x Welt Hit II x Urban was selected.
Rumor is that the super fancy Alexandro P x Upperville x Zep has sold overseas for a huge amount of money. If North America is what is meant by "overseas", it could be really interesting for us. Henke is an outrageous stallion. His canter could be a little stronger, but his trot and his overall use of his body are outstanding.
So, that's my Stallion Show Report for 2015. It was a good time.
Let me start by saying this was one of my favorite Stallion Show's because it was a family affair. Michaela and Keagan went with me. I can't tell you how special it is to me to share the second greatest passion of my life with the first greatest passion. Next year promises to be better yet, because I think Carol's going, too! So, both kids are in on the stallion picks for our program this year, and I've given them each the go ahead to pick one stallion that they really want to see used in our program, and I'll buy either a breeding or a dose or two of frozen. Keagan's already made his pick. I think Michaela is vacillating between two, but both are ones I want to use anyways, so we're all good! And, no, I'm not going to tell you which stallions! You'll have to wait until we have mares pregnant and 2016 foals safely on the way. It's my new motto: Keep my breeding picks to myself until later in the season. I wouldn't worry too much, though--we all know I'll never be able to do that. My next post will probably divulge all my plans...
As usual, I'm not really qualified to give much of an opinion on the jumpers. Because of my school schedule, we missed the first day; because of buying cheaper flights since three of us were traveling, we didn't arrive on Thursday until midday. Although, from what I understand, the first day of jumpers was pretty much a bust, and the second day not much better until the last few groups of stallions, we saw most of the boys selected for the Championship round go through both the second and third viewings. The Arezzo VDL's were my favorites. He is a top performing and producing sire.
My overall thoughts about the dressage horses is that the average quality of the stallions was pretty solid. There were a number of good horses. The Apaches were the best and most consistent group. The Johnson x Rousseau deserved to be Champion--he is a fantastic horse. The Charmeurs were hit or miss, with the Vervoorn product, His Royal Badness (Charmeur x Havidoff x TCN Partout), being a huge hit. It's amazing to me that 25-year-old Jazz is still producing such top horses. Two of his sons presented are quite special. And, of course, in the Championship Round, every horse had Jazz in the pedigree. The Apache x Ferro has him the furthest back, in the fifth generation. The Vivaldi x Donnerhall has him in the fourth generation. The Chagall, Wynton, Johnson, Westpoint, and the DeNiro sons all have him in the third generation. Then, of course, there is the Jazz x Flemmingh. As much as I am a Jazz devotee, can you say, "Scot's happy to have six mares with no Jazz in the pedigree?" The KWPN is going to need some stallion sons out of my mares!
North American breeders should be excited that VDL has a top new dressage prospect. The DeNiro x Jazz x Ulft is a super horse. I'll be excited to have his frozen available to us.
North American breeders may also get a chance to breed to a Negro son. Willy Arts's Negro x Welt Hit II x Urban was selected.
Rumor is that the super fancy Alexandro P x Upperville x Zep has sold overseas for a huge amount of money. If North America is what is meant by "overseas", it could be really interesting for us. Henke is an outrageous stallion. His canter could be a little stronger, but his trot and his overall use of his body are outstanding.
So, that's my Stallion Show Report for 2015. It was a good time.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Dressage Stallions Available to North American Breeders and Research
I've just spent the last two hours dutifully re-researching every KWPN-approved stallion available to North American breeders via fresh cooled or frozen semen. If you don't have a membership to the KWPN or haven't paid for access to the KWPN Stallion Data Base, it's worth it. There isn't a stallion available that I haven't either researched before, seen in person, and/or attended his foal inspection, but my OCD won't allow me to make my breeding picks until I've reloaded the available data into my somewhat addled brain.
The good news is that there are more stallions available to us than ever. The bad news is that the fresh-cooled options are still woefully lacking. The issues remain the same: Good KWPN-approved stallions are expensive; expenses to import, campaign, market, and maintain a stallion are prohibitive; and, the breeding base is still to small to warrant this kind of investment for all but the uber wealthy. There are some short-term and long-term approaches we could take to rectify this.
Our jury has already taken one of these steps by licensing a new dressage stallion for us, Gaspard de la Nuit DG. Although I'm not crazy about the mareline on this horse, at least the pedigree is interesting and we have another fresh-cooled option. From what I can tell, he should bring suppleness and a super canter to his foals.
Carol just asked me what I'm writing about. Her response, "Ooh, don't diss people with stallions!" I'm not. I swear. We Americans are so over-sensitive about our horses. I've just spent two hours reading honest, published descriptions of approved stallions, their plusses and minuses during testing, the strengths and weaknesses of their mothers, and the positive and negative effects they initially presented through their foal collections. Unless we adopt a similar pragmatic, honest approach to the evaluation of our breeding stock, North American breeders will always be behind our Dutch counterparts. There is no one more critical of my horses than me. Of course, there's also no one more enthusiastic about my horses than me. It's this kind of dichotomy that allows me to keep our program growing and improving.
Another step our organization could take to help this situation is by doing something that, at first, may seem counter-intuitive to providing more fresh-cooled options. At the end of each keuring season, our jury could identify one or two traits that need improvement in our breeding population, then the organization could facilitate the bulk purchase of frozen semen from a stallion that reliably contributes what we're lacking. By making one or two stallions available to North American breeders at a reduced rate, we would systematically improve our breeding population and, in the long term, have a better chance of producing more approvable stallions. In Holland, the theory is that the KWPN responds to the needs and wishes of the breeders. As I've quoted before, Wiepke Van de Lageweg says it the breeders' job to set the direction for the KWPN, not the other way around. We're not in the same position as breeders in Holland, however. We don't have the broad knowledge base, access to venues where we see horses competing every weekend, nor options for genetic diversity. We need our organization to lead more in this area. I'm not advocating that the KWPN-NA become a frozen semen broker, but there are ways our office could facilitate more options for us. Why couldn't our Stallion Owner Committee partner with its Dutch counterpart and help provide this?
We could also have our own "Erkend" system in North America. If our jury and directors were to work with the KWPN to evaluate all Grand Prix competitors approved in other studbooks in North America, and already available via fresh-cooled semen, with the purpose of finding two or three that could contribute to our breeding population specifically, we could end up with two or three more fresh-cooled options.
Of course, my favorite option is still a co-operative venture similar to DBNA or WBNA through which breeders with a vested interest in improving not only their own programs but the strength of the breeding population as whole get together and invest in leasing, buying, and investing in stallions and stallion prospects. Now that the Euro is plunging, the timing is better than ever for this kind of venture.
The good news is that there are more stallions available to us than ever. The bad news is that the fresh-cooled options are still woefully lacking. The issues remain the same: Good KWPN-approved stallions are expensive; expenses to import, campaign, market, and maintain a stallion are prohibitive; and, the breeding base is still to small to warrant this kind of investment for all but the uber wealthy. There are some short-term and long-term approaches we could take to rectify this.
Our jury has already taken one of these steps by licensing a new dressage stallion for us, Gaspard de la Nuit DG. Although I'm not crazy about the mareline on this horse, at least the pedigree is interesting and we have another fresh-cooled option. From what I can tell, he should bring suppleness and a super canter to his foals.
Carol just asked me what I'm writing about. Her response, "Ooh, don't diss people with stallions!" I'm not. I swear. We Americans are so over-sensitive about our horses. I've just spent two hours reading honest, published descriptions of approved stallions, their plusses and minuses during testing, the strengths and weaknesses of their mothers, and the positive and negative effects they initially presented through their foal collections. Unless we adopt a similar pragmatic, honest approach to the evaluation of our breeding stock, North American breeders will always be behind our Dutch counterparts. There is no one more critical of my horses than me. Of course, there's also no one more enthusiastic about my horses than me. It's this kind of dichotomy that allows me to keep our program growing and improving.
Another step our organization could take to help this situation is by doing something that, at first, may seem counter-intuitive to providing more fresh-cooled options. At the end of each keuring season, our jury could identify one or two traits that need improvement in our breeding population, then the organization could facilitate the bulk purchase of frozen semen from a stallion that reliably contributes what we're lacking. By making one or two stallions available to North American breeders at a reduced rate, we would systematically improve our breeding population and, in the long term, have a better chance of producing more approvable stallions. In Holland, the theory is that the KWPN responds to the needs and wishes of the breeders. As I've quoted before, Wiepke Van de Lageweg says it the breeders' job to set the direction for the KWPN, not the other way around. We're not in the same position as breeders in Holland, however. We don't have the broad knowledge base, access to venues where we see horses competing every weekend, nor options for genetic diversity. We need our organization to lead more in this area. I'm not advocating that the KWPN-NA become a frozen semen broker, but there are ways our office could facilitate more options for us. Why couldn't our Stallion Owner Committee partner with its Dutch counterpart and help provide this?
We could also have our own "Erkend" system in North America. If our jury and directors were to work with the KWPN to evaluate all Grand Prix competitors approved in other studbooks in North America, and already available via fresh-cooled semen, with the purpose of finding two or three that could contribute to our breeding population specifically, we could end up with two or three more fresh-cooled options.
Of course, my favorite option is still a co-operative venture similar to DBNA or WBNA through which breeders with a vested interest in improving not only their own programs but the strength of the breeding population as whole get together and invest in leasing, buying, and investing in stallions and stallion prospects. Now that the Euro is plunging, the timing is better than ever for this kind of venture.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
January Thoughts and Happenings
2015. When did that happen? And, thus, I begin my 17th year writing this journal.
I have high hopes for this year--not only this year, but the future in general. The older I get, the more optimistic I get about life, purpose, horses, and the connections among people. Perhaps, it's the counterpoint to such atrocities as ISIS, school shootings, and Ted Cruz's appointment as chair of the Senate subcommittee in charge of NASA. Seriously, though, I believe in people more than I have at any other time in my life. There is peace in Existentialism--it's just taken me half a century to start to actualize it.
On the horse front, we have a super exciting year ahead of us:
Gazania, our Bon Bravour mare, arrived safely in the USA this weekend. I can't wait to get her home and get to know her better. All reports are that she is as sweet as can be. She's our first mare to foal this year, and I'm like a little-kid-on-Christmas-morning excited about this foal. I've already picked out his name! And, if the equine forces of the universe present us with a filly instead, her name is also all set.
While on the subject of foals, all eight are our breedings are exciting. Knock on wood all goes well, we'll have the first Eye Catcher, Governor, and Fairytale foals in North America, plus three more of our beloved UB-40s, and our first Mini foal!
And, of course, this year's breedings...you all know how obsessed I've been with these picks since the end of last breeding season, so there's probably no reason to recount all of the waffling, video viewing, and pedigree analysis I've put myself through over the last four or five months--but, let me just say, I'm exhausted! Stallion picks for 12 mares! Who has the time, energy, or will for that kind of obsessive compulsive commitment? Yeah, you're right. I do. Let me repeat my mantra: Think multiple generations, not just the next one. What is it I want to accomplish over the long haul of our breeding program? That's way more important than breeding to a popular stallion in order to sell a foal. UB-40 is still my guy. I'm going old school on a couple choices just to make sure I keep the balance and substance I want in a dressage horse. I'm going super modern on a couple choices to bring the type and suppleness I want consistent in our program. And, I'm planning one, if not two, really out-of-the-box breedings. So, those are the four prongs of my approach this year: consistency, balance, suppleness and type, and thinking a couple generations ahead in a way that no one else probably will. My biggest conundrum? They're almost all chestnut stallions on mostly chestnut mares. Hopefully, other people like chestnuts as much as I do.
Speaking of chestnut mares, we're really hoping that our Charmeur x Santano mare, Hyacintia, has the same kind of success her big sister had last year. If we have another mare make the National Finals, I'm going to be in Ermelo for it!
While I'm on the subject of keurings (I realize my transitions are becoming a little redundant), Zaz Putnam and I have applied to host a two-site keuring this year, which will probably be partially closed to outside horses just due to stabling issues. Before anyone gets the wrong idea or his or her feelings hurt, this is not meant as a slight to other New England breeders. I love our keurings and get togethers, but attending someone else's keuring costs us thousands of dollars and puts extra stress on our horses. This year, potentially, we have seven babies to present, four or five IBOPs to be ridden, and a couple of horses to present for studbook/ster/keur eligible. That's a total of 20 horses to prep, transport, and pay for. We just can't physically move and manage that many horses safely and effectively. The plan is to use Zaz's great facility for the adult classes and riding tests. She has an indoor, a dressage ring, and a jumping ring, all with fantastic footing--but she has very limited stabling in addition to her own horses, with no place to put temporary stalls. We'll do all festivities and foals at our farm, which is 20 minutes away. People could certainly work out of their trailers, as everyone does in Holland at a keuring, but we're just not going to have additional stabling. We do have some options for off-site, overnight stabling, but that would still mean people have to work out of their trailers at the keuring itself. Of course, the KWPN-NA has not made its decisions yet about who's hosting what, so this may be a moot post, and I may be only taking a couple horses to someone else's keuring--but, if we do get it, I wanted other New England breeders to know my thought process.
Now, really speaking of keurings, the STALLION SHOW!!!! It's only two weeks away. Two weeks from tomorrow night, Michaela, Keagan, Jackie Cartesio, and I will be getting onto a plane at Logan and about to pop a sleeping pill. We'll be joining three tables full of friends and fellow KWPN breeders for my favorite weekend of the year! I haven't decided if I'm writing a full report this year or not. Now that there's live streaming and so much information available online, it seems unnecessary. Nonetheless, I'm excited.
On the good news front and continuing the positive slant of this post, on Thursday, I successfully (knock on wood--we won't know for sure for three months) went through heart surgery to correct an arrhythmia caused (we think) by the chemo I had to go through a few years ago. The doctors tried to control it with drugs, but they didn't work, so surgery was the next step. In preparation, to give myself the best chance possible of its working, I've lost 40 pounds, upped my exercise frequency and intensity, and given up alcohol. My 96-year-old father remarked the other day that I had really lost some weight. He asked me how much, so I told him. He then replied,
"Really? You don't look as if you've lost that much."
Always something to keep you humble!
I have high hopes for this year--not only this year, but the future in general. The older I get, the more optimistic I get about life, purpose, horses, and the connections among people. Perhaps, it's the counterpoint to such atrocities as ISIS, school shootings, and Ted Cruz's appointment as chair of the Senate subcommittee in charge of NASA. Seriously, though, I believe in people more than I have at any other time in my life. There is peace in Existentialism--it's just taken me half a century to start to actualize it.
On the horse front, we have a super exciting year ahead of us:
Gazania, our Bon Bravour mare, arrived safely in the USA this weekend. I can't wait to get her home and get to know her better. All reports are that she is as sweet as can be. She's our first mare to foal this year, and I'm like a little-kid-on-Christmas-morning excited about this foal. I've already picked out his name! And, if the equine forces of the universe present us with a filly instead, her name is also all set.
While on the subject of foals, all eight are our breedings are exciting. Knock on wood all goes well, we'll have the first Eye Catcher, Governor, and Fairytale foals in North America, plus three more of our beloved UB-40s, and our first Mini foal!
And, of course, this year's breedings...you all know how obsessed I've been with these picks since the end of last breeding season, so there's probably no reason to recount all of the waffling, video viewing, and pedigree analysis I've put myself through over the last four or five months--but, let me just say, I'm exhausted! Stallion picks for 12 mares! Who has the time, energy, or will for that kind of obsessive compulsive commitment? Yeah, you're right. I do. Let me repeat my mantra: Think multiple generations, not just the next one. What is it I want to accomplish over the long haul of our breeding program? That's way more important than breeding to a popular stallion in order to sell a foal. UB-40 is still my guy. I'm going old school on a couple choices just to make sure I keep the balance and substance I want in a dressage horse. I'm going super modern on a couple choices to bring the type and suppleness I want consistent in our program. And, I'm planning one, if not two, really out-of-the-box breedings. So, those are the four prongs of my approach this year: consistency, balance, suppleness and type, and thinking a couple generations ahead in a way that no one else probably will. My biggest conundrum? They're almost all chestnut stallions on mostly chestnut mares. Hopefully, other people like chestnuts as much as I do.
Speaking of chestnut mares, we're really hoping that our Charmeur x Santano mare, Hyacintia, has the same kind of success her big sister had last year. If we have another mare make the National Finals, I'm going to be in Ermelo for it!
While I'm on the subject of keurings (I realize my transitions are becoming a little redundant), Zaz Putnam and I have applied to host a two-site keuring this year, which will probably be partially closed to outside horses just due to stabling issues. Before anyone gets the wrong idea or his or her feelings hurt, this is not meant as a slight to other New England breeders. I love our keurings and get togethers, but attending someone else's keuring costs us thousands of dollars and puts extra stress on our horses. This year, potentially, we have seven babies to present, four or five IBOPs to be ridden, and a couple of horses to present for studbook/ster/keur eligible. That's a total of 20 horses to prep, transport, and pay for. We just can't physically move and manage that many horses safely and effectively. The plan is to use Zaz's great facility for the adult classes and riding tests. She has an indoor, a dressage ring, and a jumping ring, all with fantastic footing--but she has very limited stabling in addition to her own horses, with no place to put temporary stalls. We'll do all festivities and foals at our farm, which is 20 minutes away. People could certainly work out of their trailers, as everyone does in Holland at a keuring, but we're just not going to have additional stabling. We do have some options for off-site, overnight stabling, but that would still mean people have to work out of their trailers at the keuring itself. Of course, the KWPN-NA has not made its decisions yet about who's hosting what, so this may be a moot post, and I may be only taking a couple horses to someone else's keuring--but, if we do get it, I wanted other New England breeders to know my thought process.
Now, really speaking of keurings, the STALLION SHOW!!!! It's only two weeks away. Two weeks from tomorrow night, Michaela, Keagan, Jackie Cartesio, and I will be getting onto a plane at Logan and about to pop a sleeping pill. We'll be joining three tables full of friends and fellow KWPN breeders for my favorite weekend of the year! I haven't decided if I'm writing a full report this year or not. Now that there's live streaming and so much information available online, it seems unnecessary. Nonetheless, I'm excited.
On the good news front and continuing the positive slant of this post, on Thursday, I successfully (knock on wood--we won't know for sure for three months) went through heart surgery to correct an arrhythmia caused (we think) by the chemo I had to go through a few years ago. The doctors tried to control it with drugs, but they didn't work, so surgery was the next step. In preparation, to give myself the best chance possible of its working, I've lost 40 pounds, upped my exercise frequency and intensity, and given up alcohol. My 96-year-old father remarked the other day that I had really lost some weight. He asked me how much, so I told him. He then replied,
"Really? You don't look as if you've lost that much."
Always something to keep you humble!
Friday, November 28, 2014
Totilas as a Sire
As many of you know, when he was first offered for breeding, I jumped onto the Totilas band wagon with both feet, my soon-to-be-depleted checkbook, and a religious-like reverence. People have reacted strongly; primarily, they've fallen into a two, distinct camps: Ridicule/"Scot thinks he's going to reproduce that trot. It's manufactured. Bad training. Totilas will never reproduce himself unless Edward Gal rides the offspring." -- Hyperbolic Enthusiasm/"Those foals are going to be worth SO MUCH MONEY! I love Totilas! Can I have one of them? Please?!?!" In a more sensible vein, my favorite comment, however, came from none other than Denny Emerson. Upon seeing my two Totilas x Jazz fillies, he said,
"Don't sell these two. They're the seed corn of your breeding program."
When I first saw Totilas in the flesh, yes, I was blown away by his trot, but I was more blown away by his athleticism. I've never seen a horse physically go to the extremes of perfect pirouettes, extended canter, the most expressive extended trot I've ever seen, and a beautiful, relaxed, supple walk on the long rein in a matter of minutes. (See the most-viewed Youtube video of Totilas, the one that's been appropriately dubbed with Born this Way--the video was taken by my friend Martyna at the KWPN Stallion Show, and, I was there!) The horse can literally turn his body inside out. Of course, it certainly helped to have Edward Gal in the saddle, but Edward didn't create the athleticism of this horse, the Gribaldi x Glendale genetics did. And, granted, it doesn't appear that any of Totilas' (grammar pedants, I'm purposefully using the apostrophe this way) full siblings are going to demonstrate the magnificence their big brother does, but that doesn't diminish what Totilas himself can do and, in my humble opinion, reproduce.
Recently, Jane Hannigan took our oldest Totilas mare to a Tristan Tucker clinic. If you don't know Tristan, he's a brilliant Australian "Natural Horsemanship" trainer who lives and works in Holland. He starts a lot of horses. He loved our mare. He commented specifically on her amazing athleticism and balance. I asked him specifically if he'd worked with any Totilas offspring, and, if he had, what was he seeing. He said he'd started six of them. I don't remember the exact quotation, but here's the gist of what he said:
"I really like the Totilas offspring. Super athletes. Many people are disappointed in them because they don't come out with their front legs flinging about their head and neck, but they are really athletic and balanced. They have super canters and very good walks. And, very good brains. They are really trainable. Their trots are normal, but I think there is a lot more trot in them. You just won't see it until they get a little older and further along in their training."
Again, these are not Tristan's exact words, but they're close. If you look at the scores and test reports on the Totilas sons that have gone through the 70 Days Test, you'll see his comments are consistent with the jury's opinions. Totilas offspring may well vary in type and they may have normal to good trots, but they are athletic and balanced with especially good canters and walks, AND, they are very rideable. As a dressage breeder, this seems ideal to me.
So, yes, I'm feeling vindicated, just a little bit! Not that it really matters--from day one of beginning our breeding program, I've bred for us, not for anyone else. If a breeder listens to too many people, then his or her decisions are going to be muted and inconsistent. You have to trust your gut and breed for yourself, not for what you think you can sell or what you think someone else will like. I love Totilas as a sport horse and I love him even more as a producer. So, rather than vindicated, mostly, I'm feeling thankful that I trusted my gut and made the leap of faith and checkbook to breed to him to begin with.
Our two Totilas mares are, indeed, the "seed corn" of our program. To guarantee Orchis her prestatie predicate, we've decided to put one of our girls into sport and one into the breeding program. And, now, the fun really begins: We get to watch one of our dream girls become the dressage super star I knew we'd create, and I get to start picking stallions for a fantastic coming three-year-old Totilas x Jazz mare!
"Don't sell these two. They're the seed corn of your breeding program."
When I first saw Totilas in the flesh, yes, I was blown away by his trot, but I was more blown away by his athleticism. I've never seen a horse physically go to the extremes of perfect pirouettes, extended canter, the most expressive extended trot I've ever seen, and a beautiful, relaxed, supple walk on the long rein in a matter of minutes. (See the most-viewed Youtube video of Totilas, the one that's been appropriately dubbed with Born this Way--the video was taken by my friend Martyna at the KWPN Stallion Show, and, I was there!) The horse can literally turn his body inside out. Of course, it certainly helped to have Edward Gal in the saddle, but Edward didn't create the athleticism of this horse, the Gribaldi x Glendale genetics did. And, granted, it doesn't appear that any of Totilas' (grammar pedants, I'm purposefully using the apostrophe this way) full siblings are going to demonstrate the magnificence their big brother does, but that doesn't diminish what Totilas himself can do and, in my humble opinion, reproduce.
Recently, Jane Hannigan took our oldest Totilas mare to a Tristan Tucker clinic. If you don't know Tristan, he's a brilliant Australian "Natural Horsemanship" trainer who lives and works in Holland. He starts a lot of horses. He loved our mare. He commented specifically on her amazing athleticism and balance. I asked him specifically if he'd worked with any Totilas offspring, and, if he had, what was he seeing. He said he'd started six of them. I don't remember the exact quotation, but here's the gist of what he said:
"I really like the Totilas offspring. Super athletes. Many people are disappointed in them because they don't come out with their front legs flinging about their head and neck, but they are really athletic and balanced. They have super canters and very good walks. And, very good brains. They are really trainable. Their trots are normal, but I think there is a lot more trot in them. You just won't see it until they get a little older and further along in their training."
Again, these are not Tristan's exact words, but they're close. If you look at the scores and test reports on the Totilas sons that have gone through the 70 Days Test, you'll see his comments are consistent with the jury's opinions. Totilas offspring may well vary in type and they may have normal to good trots, but they are athletic and balanced with especially good canters and walks, AND, they are very rideable. As a dressage breeder, this seems ideal to me.
So, yes, I'm feeling vindicated, just a little bit! Not that it really matters--from day one of beginning our breeding program, I've bred for us, not for anyone else. If a breeder listens to too many people, then his or her decisions are going to be muted and inconsistent. You have to trust your gut and breed for yourself, not for what you think you can sell or what you think someone else will like. I love Totilas as a sport horse and I love him even more as a producer. So, rather than vindicated, mostly, I'm feeling thankful that I trusted my gut and made the leap of faith and checkbook to breed to him to begin with.
Our two Totilas mares are, indeed, the "seed corn" of our program. To guarantee Orchis her prestatie predicate, we've decided to put one of our girls into sport and one into the breeding program. And, now, the fun really begins: We get to watch one of our dream girls become the dressage super star I knew we'd create, and I get to start picking stallions for a fantastic coming three-year-old Totilas x Jazz mare!
Monday, October 6, 2014
Gold Breeder Status, Breeding Season Recap, Sales, Huge Success in Holland and North America, and One-handed Typing
Let's start at the end of the title: One-handed typing. What with my decades of weight lifting, stall cleaning, restaurant work (knife work, carrying trays, bartending), grading essays, etc., I deserve, and have rightfully earned, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It has gotten to the point at which my hands would fall asleep multiple times per day and frequently at night. Since it would have been a little awkward at best to palpate, scan, and inseminate the dozen or more mares I was working with this season, I scheduled my first surgery for the first available slot after our keuring. Six weeks later, we do my left hand. Essentially, this puts me out of lifting and gripping commission until mid-December. Plenty of time for researching next year's breeding picks!
Gazania (Bon Bravour x Santano) surpassed all of our expectations and made the final cut in Ermelo at the National Mare Show. She ended up in sixth place! We're super excited. Thanks to Gerard Vervoorn for breeding her and Wim Cazemier for preparing for the keuring season. Gazania is now under saddle and being prepped for her IBOP in November. We're also excitedly awaiting her Eye Catcher foal in April!
Our North American keuring season couldn't have gone much better:
Godot SSF (UB-40 x Sir Sinclair) became ster, high point adult dressage horse at the Clarion Farm keuring, number one gelding in North America, and high point adult dressage horse of all North America. Sammy is now with Lilly Joseph, getting back under saddle.
Galearites SSF (Totilas x Jazz) became the top ster mare at the Clarion Farm keuring, keur eligible, and made the top five ster mares in North America. Mazey just moved to Littleton, MA, to start her under saddle career with Jane Hannigan. Look for her in the show ring as SSF Glory.
Jubilation SSF (UB-40 x Vincent) became first premium, first in the ringing order, and Champion young dressage horse at the Clarion Farm keuring. We're especially excited about this because he started his life undergoing major umbilical surgery and the rehabbing for an extended period of time. Jubes will be moving to his new home at Rhodes Farm after weaning.
Jelisco SSF (Florianus II x UB-40) became first premium and second in the ringing order. Beebs is joining the dressage horse ranks at Larkspur Farm at the next Grand Prix prospect for Jenn Raffi.
J'Orites SSF (Florianus II x Donatelli) became first premium and fourth in the ringing order. Jia is moving South! Long-time friend and Donatelli groupie, Maria Di Fazio wasn't about to let this filly belong to anyone else.
Jubilantes SSF (UB-40 x Freestyle) became first premium and fifth in the ringing order...that's right! Out of the nine or ten dressage foals at the Clarion Farm keuring, the SSF brood placed first, second, fourth, and fifth. Pretty impressive showing! Much to Michaela's dismay and disappointment, Button is joining Jan Downs-Barrett's successful breeding program at Riverstone Farm, in Pennsylvania.
A special thanks to all our friends and family who came out to support SSF at the keuring. We couldn't have done it with out you. Mark Choper, you're the best. We ended up taking four mares and babies and two three-year-olds. We had to leave one of the best foals at home because we just couldn't fit everyone on the truck. Since Orchis really owes us nothing and really doesn't need to be traveling anymore, when it came time to make the final decision about who was staying home, I opted for Orchis and JaBam SSF. It's too bad, because then we would have had five out of the top six foals. Bammers is definitely the strongest of our foals in development and conformation this year. But, he'll get his own little trip before too long. Bammers is moving to Canada as future prospect for Grand Prix rider and trainer, Eiren Crawford.
So, as you can tell from reading this so far, all five babies have sold into top riding or breeding programs this year. We couldn't be more pleased and proud. It is completely our pleasure and our mission to help people find and be able to afford absolute top quality dressage prospects. With that being said, we already have to first options taken for next year's foals and one for a 2016 foal. We're not offering in utero sales, at this point in time, but we are happy to give you first option if there's a cross in which you're interested. Of course, we have to keep a couple fillies next year to replace some older mares, so, depending on the genetic lottery, our breeding program needs may take precedence over options.
Confirmed pregnancies for 2015:
Eye Catcher x Gazania (Bon Bravour x Santano) RESERVED
UB-40 x BoWendy (Sir Sinclair x Jazz) FIRST OPTION TAKEN
Fairytale x D'Orites SSF (Donatelli x Jazz) FIRST OPTION TAKEN
Governor x Nemels (Samber x Lector)
Governor x ZaVita SSF (Contango x Elcaro)
UB-40 x Werites SSF (Freestyle x Jazz)
UB-40 x Mistral (Vincent x El Corona)
Mares we are breeding for 2016 foals:
Mistral (Vincent x El Corona)
Nemels (Samber x Lector)
Orchis (Jazz x Roemer)
Werites SSF (Freestyle x Jazz)
ZaVita SSF (Contango x Elcaro)
BoWendy (Sir Sinclair x Jazz)
D'Orites SSF (Donatelli x Jazz)
Eliscia SSF (UB-40 x Pass the Glass xx) FIRST OPTION TAKEN
Gazania (Bon Bravour x Santano)
Honorites SSF (Totilas x Jazz)
Hyacintia (Charmeur x Santano)
And, to go back to the beginning of the title of this post: Gold Breeder Status! You know, I breed KWPN horses because I love my horses. As many of you now, there's nothing I think about more during my day than my breeding program. It's a passion and an obsession. To reach Gold Status and be recognized for being among the top few breeders in North America is really satisfying and validating, I have to admit. Now Carol and I just need those grandchildren to start popping out so there's a guarantee of this program lasting for the long haul!
Gazania (Bon Bravour x Santano) surpassed all of our expectations and made the final cut in Ermelo at the National Mare Show. She ended up in sixth place! We're super excited. Thanks to Gerard Vervoorn for breeding her and Wim Cazemier for preparing for the keuring season. Gazania is now under saddle and being prepped for her IBOP in November. We're also excitedly awaiting her Eye Catcher foal in April!
Our North American keuring season couldn't have gone much better:
Godot SSF (UB-40 x Sir Sinclair) became ster, high point adult dressage horse at the Clarion Farm keuring, number one gelding in North America, and high point adult dressage horse of all North America. Sammy is now with Lilly Joseph, getting back under saddle.
Galearites SSF (Totilas x Jazz) became the top ster mare at the Clarion Farm keuring, keur eligible, and made the top five ster mares in North America. Mazey just moved to Littleton, MA, to start her under saddle career with Jane Hannigan. Look for her in the show ring as SSF Glory.
Jubilation SSF (UB-40 x Vincent) became first premium, first in the ringing order, and Champion young dressage horse at the Clarion Farm keuring. We're especially excited about this because he started his life undergoing major umbilical surgery and the rehabbing for an extended period of time. Jubes will be moving to his new home at Rhodes Farm after weaning.
Jelisco SSF (Florianus II x UB-40) became first premium and second in the ringing order. Beebs is joining the dressage horse ranks at Larkspur Farm at the next Grand Prix prospect for Jenn Raffi.
J'Orites SSF (Florianus II x Donatelli) became first premium and fourth in the ringing order. Jia is moving South! Long-time friend and Donatelli groupie, Maria Di Fazio wasn't about to let this filly belong to anyone else.
Jubilantes SSF (UB-40 x Freestyle) became first premium and fifth in the ringing order...that's right! Out of the nine or ten dressage foals at the Clarion Farm keuring, the SSF brood placed first, second, fourth, and fifth. Pretty impressive showing! Much to Michaela's dismay and disappointment, Button is joining Jan Downs-Barrett's successful breeding program at Riverstone Farm, in Pennsylvania.
A special thanks to all our friends and family who came out to support SSF at the keuring. We couldn't have done it with out you. Mark Choper, you're the best. We ended up taking four mares and babies and two three-year-olds. We had to leave one of the best foals at home because we just couldn't fit everyone on the truck. Since Orchis really owes us nothing and really doesn't need to be traveling anymore, when it came time to make the final decision about who was staying home, I opted for Orchis and JaBam SSF. It's too bad, because then we would have had five out of the top six foals. Bammers is definitely the strongest of our foals in development and conformation this year. But, he'll get his own little trip before too long. Bammers is moving to Canada as future prospect for Grand Prix rider and trainer, Eiren Crawford.
So, as you can tell from reading this so far, all five babies have sold into top riding or breeding programs this year. We couldn't be more pleased and proud. It is completely our pleasure and our mission to help people find and be able to afford absolute top quality dressage prospects. With that being said, we already have to first options taken for next year's foals and one for a 2016 foal. We're not offering in utero sales, at this point in time, but we are happy to give you first option if there's a cross in which you're interested. Of course, we have to keep a couple fillies next year to replace some older mares, so, depending on the genetic lottery, our breeding program needs may take precedence over options.
Confirmed pregnancies for 2015:
Eye Catcher x Gazania (Bon Bravour x Santano) RESERVED
UB-40 x BoWendy (Sir Sinclair x Jazz) FIRST OPTION TAKEN
Fairytale x D'Orites SSF (Donatelli x Jazz) FIRST OPTION TAKEN
Governor x Nemels (Samber x Lector)
Governor x ZaVita SSF (Contango x Elcaro)
UB-40 x Werites SSF (Freestyle x Jazz)
UB-40 x Mistral (Vincent x El Corona)
Mares we are breeding for 2016 foals:
Mistral (Vincent x El Corona)
Nemels (Samber x Lector)
Orchis (Jazz x Roemer)
Werites SSF (Freestyle x Jazz)
ZaVita SSF (Contango x Elcaro)
BoWendy (Sir Sinclair x Jazz)
D'Orites SSF (Donatelli x Jazz)
Eliscia SSF (UB-40 x Pass the Glass xx) FIRST OPTION TAKEN
Gazania (Bon Bravour x Santano)
Honorites SSF (Totilas x Jazz)
Hyacintia (Charmeur x Santano)
And, to go back to the beginning of the title of this post: Gold Breeder Status! You know, I breed KWPN horses because I love my horses. As many of you now, there's nothing I think about more during my day than my breeding program. It's a passion and an obsession. To reach Gold Status and be recognized for being among the top few breeders in North America is really satisfying and validating, I have to admit. Now Carol and I just need those grandchildren to start popping out so there's a guarantee of this program lasting for the long haul!
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