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.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
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!
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Summer 2014
What an incredible summer we're having at SSF. The gardens are gorgeous; we have one of the best foal crops we've ever had; knock on wood, six mares are pregnant so far for next year; and, our mare in Holland was just invited to the National Championships in Ermelo. On top of all this, Keagan, Michaela, Carol, and I have had multiple adventures and lots of time together. Life is good.
Of course, we've had our fair share of "balancing" situations, as well, this year. Our vet bills are closing in on $10,000. for a combination of Jubilation SSF's umbilical surgery, Princess's check ligament, Mazey's hematoma, and Frenchy's trashed hind leg...when you have horses, it never takes long for the tragedies to balance out the joys. Fortunately, there is, normally, a balance.
So, our most recent big news is the success of Gazania (Bon Bravour x Santano x Biotop). She became a ster mare a few weeks ago with very good scores for movement and conformation. In Holland, the ster mares have to go to a central inspection at a different time for their keur eligible evaluation. Well, Gazania somehow hurt her hind leg in her stall one night, so she missed the central keuring in the region where she's in training with Wim Cazemier. Consequently, Wim took her and three other mares he has in training to the Drenthe location. In a huge class of mares (the pedigrees would have boggled your dressage-loving brains), Gazania took first in the ringing order, and, better yet, was the only mare selected for the National Championships. Since we are not breeders in that region, she was not eligible for champion of the keuring itself, but, since she was the only mare invited to Ermelo, she would have been champion if she were eligible. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to get to go to the finals in Ermelo next month. We just have too much going on and buying a plane ticket at this late date is especially cost prohibitive. I think I'd rather put the $3,000. I would have spent going to Holland toward her import in the Fall. She will stay in Holland until November to do her riding test and complete her keur predicate. I'm really hoping to have her home for the winter so she can deliver her Eye Catcher foal here at the farm.
Speaking of Eye Catcher, he was just selected for Verden!!! I love this horse. He hasn't bred that many mares in Holland because, one, he's chestnut and, two, there are a number of other Vivaldi sons that aren't chestnut. However, I thought his foals were the best of the three or four Vivaldi sons' offspring I saw in Ermelo last year. They're super adjustable with very good leg technique. I'm excited about this cross.
Speaking of crosses, we've got some super exciting foals on the way for next year: The Eye Catcher x Bon Bravour, a Fairytale x Donatelli, a UB-40 x Freestyle and a UB-40 x Sir Sinclair, and...a Governor x Contango and a Governor x Samber! Pretty exciting! I just bred Mistral (Vincent x El Corona) back to UB-40 and I just short cycled Orchis for one more try with Fairytale.
This year's foals are proving to be outstanding individuals. We're going to keep Orchis's Everdale colt, JaBam SSF. There's no telling if we'll get another shot at a stallion son from her, plus he's pretty special. The other four foals are all worth keeping, and I have family members routing for each of them, but I'm the one who sees the farm income/expense totals at the end of the year--we need to sell some babies this year. Therefore, for the first time ever, we're offering two fillies out of Orchis's mareline. One is Jubilantes SSF (UB-40 x Werites x Freestyle x Orchis) and the other is J'Orites SSF (Florianus II x D'Orites x Donatelli x Orchis). Both fillies are fancy movers and really nice types. Either one could end up being a sport mare or a top producer for a breeding program. The two colts available have the two people with the most pull routing for them to stay on the farm, Carol and me. Carol is in love with Jelisco SSF (Florianus II x Elsicia SSF x UB-40). He is truly a black beauty. Tall, gorgeous, sweet, laid back, and a crazy good mover. I'm in love with the youngest, Jubilation SSF (UB-40 x Mistral x Vincent). He's one of the prettiest foals we've ever had--type-wise, he's a 10. Since he just went through the umbilical surgery, he hasn't had a chance to really exercise and get as strong as he could be, so we hadn't seen his movement until this weekend at the Open House. Holy shit. Uphill, supple, incredible leg technique. He's a special boy. I've begun posting some pictures and videos from our Open House of Facebook. If we're not friends or you're not on Facebook, email me, and I'll get you access. As usual, our foals are not cheap, but we offer extremely generous terms.
I'm going to stop here on this entry and try to get a separate entry written about our Open House and one on Princess and her recovery.
Of course, we've had our fair share of "balancing" situations, as well, this year. Our vet bills are closing in on $10,000. for a combination of Jubilation SSF's umbilical surgery, Princess's check ligament, Mazey's hematoma, and Frenchy's trashed hind leg...when you have horses, it never takes long for the tragedies to balance out the joys. Fortunately, there is, normally, a balance.
So, our most recent big news is the success of Gazania (Bon Bravour x Santano x Biotop). She became a ster mare a few weeks ago with very good scores for movement and conformation. In Holland, the ster mares have to go to a central inspection at a different time for their keur eligible evaluation. Well, Gazania somehow hurt her hind leg in her stall one night, so she missed the central keuring in the region where she's in training with Wim Cazemier. Consequently, Wim took her and three other mares he has in training to the Drenthe location. In a huge class of mares (the pedigrees would have boggled your dressage-loving brains), Gazania took first in the ringing order, and, better yet, was the only mare selected for the National Championships. Since we are not breeders in that region, she was not eligible for champion of the keuring itself, but, since she was the only mare invited to Ermelo, she would have been champion if she were eligible. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to get to go to the finals in Ermelo next month. We just have too much going on and buying a plane ticket at this late date is especially cost prohibitive. I think I'd rather put the $3,000. I would have spent going to Holland toward her import in the Fall. She will stay in Holland until November to do her riding test and complete her keur predicate. I'm really hoping to have her home for the winter so she can deliver her Eye Catcher foal here at the farm.
Speaking of Eye Catcher, he was just selected for Verden!!! I love this horse. He hasn't bred that many mares in Holland because, one, he's chestnut and, two, there are a number of other Vivaldi sons that aren't chestnut. However, I thought his foals were the best of the three or four Vivaldi sons' offspring I saw in Ermelo last year. They're super adjustable with very good leg technique. I'm excited about this cross.
Speaking of crosses, we've got some super exciting foals on the way for next year: The Eye Catcher x Bon Bravour, a Fairytale x Donatelli, a UB-40 x Freestyle and a UB-40 x Sir Sinclair, and...a Governor x Contango and a Governor x Samber! Pretty exciting! I just bred Mistral (Vincent x El Corona) back to UB-40 and I just short cycled Orchis for one more try with Fairytale.
This year's foals are proving to be outstanding individuals. We're going to keep Orchis's Everdale colt, JaBam SSF. There's no telling if we'll get another shot at a stallion son from her, plus he's pretty special. The other four foals are all worth keeping, and I have family members routing for each of them, but I'm the one who sees the farm income/expense totals at the end of the year--we need to sell some babies this year. Therefore, for the first time ever, we're offering two fillies out of Orchis's mareline. One is Jubilantes SSF (UB-40 x Werites x Freestyle x Orchis) and the other is J'Orites SSF (Florianus II x D'Orites x Donatelli x Orchis). Both fillies are fancy movers and really nice types. Either one could end up being a sport mare or a top producer for a breeding program. The two colts available have the two people with the most pull routing for them to stay on the farm, Carol and me. Carol is in love with Jelisco SSF (Florianus II x Elsicia SSF x UB-40). He is truly a black beauty. Tall, gorgeous, sweet, laid back, and a crazy good mover. I'm in love with the youngest, Jubilation SSF (UB-40 x Mistral x Vincent). He's one of the prettiest foals we've ever had--type-wise, he's a 10. Since he just went through the umbilical surgery, he hasn't had a chance to really exercise and get as strong as he could be, so we hadn't seen his movement until this weekend at the Open House. Holy shit. Uphill, supple, incredible leg technique. He's a special boy. I've begun posting some pictures and videos from our Open House of Facebook. If we're not friends or you're not on Facebook, email me, and I'll get you access. As usual, our foals are not cheap, but we offer extremely generous terms.
I'm going to stop here on this entry and try to get a separate entry written about our Open House and one on Princess and her recovery.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Balance: Spectacular Foals and an Injured Riding Mare
It's all about the balance; that's what I keep telling myself. We really have three outstanding foals so far this year. The Everdale out of Orchis is powerful, elastic, and really adjusts well in his body. Not to be out done, Eliscia SSF had the most beautiful foal we've ever had here. He's a black, with a big white diamond and a white foot; he's beautifully put together--really leggy and typey; and he's a super mover. I expected a nice colt out of Florianus and this mare, but I didn't expect this nice. And, third, Werites had the prettiest, little UB-40 filly you can imagine. She's a little angel. Looks just like Werites. Technically, she was due until tomorrow, so she was about ten days early, but what a personality and what a mover. JaBam SSF, Jelisco SSF, and Jubilantes SSF--known on the farm as J-Bam, Beebs, and Button. I have every expectation of selling three out of the five foals this year, so please, someone, step up immediately on this black colt before I can't part with him. I've been waiting for seven years for another Orchis colt, and Michaela has laid claim to the Werites filly--that means Beebs and the two babies coming (Florianus out of D'Orites SSF and UB-40 out of Mistral) have to be for sale. Or, we refinance the house...
The other side of the balance is that Princess and I are on a four to six month hiatus from riding. She had an emotional and hormonal reaction to the horses returning from Florida and the barn we were at and the subsequent changes in stalls and paddocks. In short, she was an idiot to deal with inside and out for a few days. Somewhere between the time she took me off and dumped me in the cushy Travel Rite footing of the outdoor dressage ring and the next time I rode, she injured her check ligament. It's not a definite tear, but you can see the weakening and swelling of the ligament on ultrasound. Dr. Mike Davis, from New England Equin Surgical and Medical has us on a fairly aggressive treatment plan, but it's still a major bummer for me. Riding has become such an outlet for me and Princess and I have really been clicking the past few weeks. I'm just bummed. In a month or so, supposedly, I can get on and just walk her....yeah, right! After a month of hand walking and recovery pen confinement, Princess is going to just walk. Oh, well. It's going to be a different kind of summer than I'd planned. Next year I'll have Sammy to play with, as well, so at least if something happens to one of them, I'll have one to ride.
We're planning a Foal Show party some time in July, so be on the lookout. It'll be an afternoon of seeing horses, talking pedigrees and Dutch horses, and fun food and drink. Plus, my gardens are in full bloom in July, so it's a pretty place to see, as well. I'll post the date as soon as I know.
The other side of the balance is that Princess and I are on a four to six month hiatus from riding. She had an emotional and hormonal reaction to the horses returning from Florida and the barn we were at and the subsequent changes in stalls and paddocks. In short, she was an idiot to deal with inside and out for a few days. Somewhere between the time she took me off and dumped me in the cushy Travel Rite footing of the outdoor dressage ring and the next time I rode, she injured her check ligament. It's not a definite tear, but you can see the weakening and swelling of the ligament on ultrasound. Dr. Mike Davis, from New England Equin Surgical and Medical has us on a fairly aggressive treatment plan, but it's still a major bummer for me. Riding has become such an outlet for me and Princess and I have really been clicking the past few weeks. I'm just bummed. In a month or so, supposedly, I can get on and just walk her....yeah, right! After a month of hand walking and recovery pen confinement, Princess is going to just walk. Oh, well. It's going to be a different kind of summer than I'd planned. Next year I'll have Sammy to play with, as well, so at least if something happens to one of them, I'll have one to ride.
We're planning a Foal Show party some time in July, so be on the lookout. It'll be an afternoon of seeing horses, talking pedigrees and Dutch horses, and fun food and drink. Plus, my gardens are in full bloom in July, so it's a pretty place to see, as well. I'll post the date as soon as I know.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Scot Who?
OK. This is the longest break I've taken from my journal in 13 or 14 years. Three months? I have no excuses other than being busy and getting sick of hearing my own opinions, I guess. So, let's play catch up:
We have an exceptional first foal, JaBam SSF (Everdale x Orchis), who will be a month old already Friday. He is the first foal we've had in 23 foal crops about whom I have no doubts as a stallion prospect. There have been colts I love, but there's always at least some little thing in the back of my mind going, "Ingh." Too short-coupled, slightly off type, pedigree not quite good enough, movement good, but not special, etc. Not this time. He's the whole package. I've posted a few short clips of him on Facebook, but I've yet to capture him really moving. This is a top colt.
Elisica SSF (UB-40 x LaLiscia) is officially a week over due. She's huge. Birth Alarm went off at 3:14 this morning...false alarm. As I keep telling Carol, "Well, at least she's one day closer."
Werites SSF (Freestyle x Orchis) is completely bagged up and has been bagged up for close to two weeks. She's not due until the 27th, but, at the rate they're going, it wouldn't surprise if the mare due on the 27th foals before the mare due on the 6th.
Orchis got her shot of Sucramate this morning between 4:30 and 5:00, so I should be using my first dose of Fairytale tomorrow late afternoon or early evening. She had a 30 on her left and a 48 on her right with good edema. I don't want twins, but I do like the odds of catching one of those follicles.
Centurian, the fancy Mini teaser pony, has moved in. He thinks he's large and in charge! The smaller the teaser, the better I like him. He makes the noise I want, but in a "TEEEEny, little living space!" (movie game--what's that from? I know my kids will know.)
Have you missed my annual winter and spring months of vacillating about stallion picks? I thought so! Well, the good news is that I'm still vacillating, so there's plenty of time to revel in my frustration. Four mares are booked to Fairytale, and the semen is bought, paid for, and in my tank; so, Orchis, Werites, Dior (Donatelli x Orchis), and Mistral (Vincent x El Corona) are about as set as I ever get. This means I could still change my mind, but I don't foresee that happening. I think I'm starting with Donatelli frozen on BoWendy (Sir Sinclair x Jazz), and if that doesn't work we'll go directly with fresh from my friends at Iron Spring Farm. I want to use our last dose of Voyager (the German Riding Pony) on Carol's Morgan mare. I've been pretty much set on a certain F line stallion for Eliscia, but now that a really special KWPN boy is unexpectedly available, I don't think I can help myself try at least one dose. At this point in time, we're not breeding ZaVita SSF (Contango x Elcaro) because I do't want to risk the financial expenditure of ET work, nor do I want to lose the months of riding time if she were to carry and nurse. I think we've also decided not to breed Galearites SSF (Totilas x Orchis) this year. As much as I'd like to have one of the first Totilas grandchildren, it's more important to get her going under saddle and have her be one of the first Totilas children out in sport. And, I've turned down three or four free mares and leases, so what could have been a huge foal year looks as if it's going to be a moderate foal year next year. (knock on wood) The mares have started cycling so late that I've got to be on my A-game to make sure everyone's pregnant by August...or early September...maybe.
Godot SSF, aka, Sammy, (UB-40 x BoWendy) and Galearites SSF, aka, Mazey, are both off being started. It's crazy how quickly time goes by. Both of these horses were born in the months after I finished Chemo, and now, I've just passed my four-years-from-surgery check-up with flying colors and they've begun the process of becoming my riding horses. I'm too big and too breakable to be on either one of them for a while, but I can't tell you how exciting it is to be actualizing my personal dreams and riding horses as cool as the ones we breed. Princess (ZaVita) and I have really ratcheted up our training sessions. She's looking fantastic. It's been a long winter for riding in New England, but our work is paying off. Hopefully, Sammy and Mazey will not have to be as patient with me as Princess has.
We're about to initiate a complete overhaul of our website and marketing (in the meantime, contact me directly for up-to-date horses available and pricing). I really want to be up to a dozen or more foals per year of the kind of top quality we're producing, and I really want to be selling these foals on terms to people who might not otherwise be able to afford the caliber of horse they want to ride and/or breed. We will have at least three foals to sell this year, plus a really fancy late-born colt from last year. If you know of a rider or breeder who deserves a fancy horse and a relationship with a breeder/seller who wants to promote American-bred for American breeders and riders, send him or her my way. This may sound overly gushy, but I firmly believe in the slogan we've used since the beginning of Shooting Star Farm: "A place where dreams come true."
Got to run, but "I'll be back!"
We have an exceptional first foal, JaBam SSF (Everdale x Orchis), who will be a month old already Friday. He is the first foal we've had in 23 foal crops about whom I have no doubts as a stallion prospect. There have been colts I love, but there's always at least some little thing in the back of my mind going, "Ingh." Too short-coupled, slightly off type, pedigree not quite good enough, movement good, but not special, etc. Not this time. He's the whole package. I've posted a few short clips of him on Facebook, but I've yet to capture him really moving. This is a top colt.
Elisica SSF (UB-40 x LaLiscia) is officially a week over due. She's huge. Birth Alarm went off at 3:14 this morning...false alarm. As I keep telling Carol, "Well, at least she's one day closer."
Werites SSF (Freestyle x Orchis) is completely bagged up and has been bagged up for close to two weeks. She's not due until the 27th, but, at the rate they're going, it wouldn't surprise if the mare due on the 27th foals before the mare due on the 6th.
Orchis got her shot of Sucramate this morning between 4:30 and 5:00, so I should be using my first dose of Fairytale tomorrow late afternoon or early evening. She had a 30 on her left and a 48 on her right with good edema. I don't want twins, but I do like the odds of catching one of those follicles.
Centurian, the fancy Mini teaser pony, has moved in. He thinks he's large and in charge! The smaller the teaser, the better I like him. He makes the noise I want, but in a "TEEEEny, little living space!" (movie game--what's that from? I know my kids will know.)
Have you missed my annual winter and spring months of vacillating about stallion picks? I thought so! Well, the good news is that I'm still vacillating, so there's plenty of time to revel in my frustration. Four mares are booked to Fairytale, and the semen is bought, paid for, and in my tank; so, Orchis, Werites, Dior (Donatelli x Orchis), and Mistral (Vincent x El Corona) are about as set as I ever get. This means I could still change my mind, but I don't foresee that happening. I think I'm starting with Donatelli frozen on BoWendy (Sir Sinclair x Jazz), and if that doesn't work we'll go directly with fresh from my friends at Iron Spring Farm. I want to use our last dose of Voyager (the German Riding Pony) on Carol's Morgan mare. I've been pretty much set on a certain F line stallion for Eliscia, but now that a really special KWPN boy is unexpectedly available, I don't think I can help myself try at least one dose. At this point in time, we're not breeding ZaVita SSF (Contango x Elcaro) because I do't want to risk the financial expenditure of ET work, nor do I want to lose the months of riding time if she were to carry and nurse. I think we've also decided not to breed Galearites SSF (Totilas x Orchis) this year. As much as I'd like to have one of the first Totilas grandchildren, it's more important to get her going under saddle and have her be one of the first Totilas children out in sport. And, I've turned down three or four free mares and leases, so what could have been a huge foal year looks as if it's going to be a moderate foal year next year. (knock on wood) The mares have started cycling so late that I've got to be on my A-game to make sure everyone's pregnant by August...or early September...maybe.
Godot SSF, aka, Sammy, (UB-40 x BoWendy) and Galearites SSF, aka, Mazey, are both off being started. It's crazy how quickly time goes by. Both of these horses were born in the months after I finished Chemo, and now, I've just passed my four-years-from-surgery check-up with flying colors and they've begun the process of becoming my riding horses. I'm too big and too breakable to be on either one of them for a while, but I can't tell you how exciting it is to be actualizing my personal dreams and riding horses as cool as the ones we breed. Princess (ZaVita) and I have really ratcheted up our training sessions. She's looking fantastic. It's been a long winter for riding in New England, but our work is paying off. Hopefully, Sammy and Mazey will not have to be as patient with me as Princess has.
We're about to initiate a complete overhaul of our website and marketing (in the meantime, contact me directly for up-to-date horses available and pricing). I really want to be up to a dozen or more foals per year of the kind of top quality we're producing, and I really want to be selling these foals on terms to people who might not otherwise be able to afford the caliber of horse they want to ride and/or breed. We will have at least three foals to sell this year, plus a really fancy late-born colt from last year. If you know of a rider or breeder who deserves a fancy horse and a relationship with a breeder/seller who wants to promote American-bred for American breeders and riders, send him or her my way. This may sound overly gushy, but I firmly believe in the slogan we've used since the beginning of Shooting Star Farm: "A place where dreams come true."
Got to run, but "I'll be back!"
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