Share your favorite Sires [Archive]

horsetales

Nov. 23, 2008, 12:18 PM

I'm on the fence if I'm breeding anything in 09, but am looking around for eventing or jumper stallions for my TB and/or an Irish Draught mare. Since its getting colder, there is more time to cruise around stallion shopping. So, if you could have a horse by any available sire (ID or non-ID), who would you pick? Love to hear what you like about them (what puts them your favorite list).

deltawave

Nov. 23, 2008, 12:49 PM

No complaints about my Mountain Pearl baby. :)

I still wish I'd gotten a foal by A Fine Romance. :sigh:

Formula One is yummy.

Catherston Dazzler is to die for, IMO--although his foals don't have a reputation of being "easy", which I would need for sure! :lol:

That's not a very adventurous list, I'm afraid--haven't done any serious stallion-shopping for a long time. Closest I've come is trying to find a homozygous EE perlino tobiano Welsh stallion so I can get my dream pony: a buckskin pinto out of my Piebald Shetland. ;)

yellowbritches

Nov. 23, 2008, 05:33 PM

Mountain Pearl makes nice, athletic babies, have to agree.

I've been nothing but impressed with the A Fine Romance babies I've seen (though, I've never known one up close and personal).

I LOVE Brandenburg's Windstar, though I've heard mixed reviews on how good they are as ammy horses (assuming that's what you are looking for). I've known a couple that are ammy horses, and they are great.

Formula One is a handsome guy, but I'd like to see his babies doing stuff before I make a judgement call.

I am waiting on pins and needles for the two Catherston Dazzler babies that will be on the ground summer 09!!!!

And, not a ID but a great cross for a TB mare, I LOVE Ideal babies, and they make great ammy babies. Very athletic, but sweet and easy.

JER

Nov. 23, 2008, 06:17 PM

Jumbo (http://www.emcostallionservices.com/stallions/jumbo.html), especially if you have a pretty mare. If your mare is not a looker, you'll still get an athletic horse with a great brain but most likely not a beauty contest winner. Jumbo is ID x TB

Catherston Dazzler (http://www.emcostallionservices.com/stallions/dazzler.html) is a nice match for a TB mare. He really stamps his offspring so you'll get a bay or brown, short-coupled horse who loves to gallop and jump, and moves well enough to win the dressage, although it won't be his favorite phase. My CD mare is lively and has an opinion but she's not difficult. She's also got a fantastic friendly temperament which she did not get from her mother. CD is 5/8ths TB, 1/4 Dutch and 1/8 ID.

mjrtango93

Nov. 23, 2008, 06:55 PM

Well I have a Pallas Digion gelding now that just turned 6 and is super brained, attractive, and relatively easy to deal with for being so young. They do have a playful streak from what I hear (glad it isn't just mine) and because they are athletic they can have one hell of a buck, spin, rear if they are in a mood, but never naughty just have a hard time containing themselves. We like Owen so much we are expecting a Pallas baby in May, so hopefully this one is just as nice. They are above average movers and with some work get quite a bit of suspension in the trot, and the walk and canter are to die for with no work at all.

rideforthelaurels16

Nov. 23, 2008, 07:20 PM

Brandenburg's Windstar has made some lovely babies around these here parts!! (I'm a working student at Windchase ;) )

Coppers mom

Nov. 23, 2008, 07:20 PM

I love Moorpark Image. He's young for a stallion, but every one of his babies I've seen have been drop dead gorgeous. One of them (Kilronan's Image) was tearing it up in the FEH shows the last I heard. Great movers, good temperaments, and amazing conformation. There's one at the farm that I've been drooling over since he turned 2, and his mother was apparently very average. He's on the light side for the Traditional draughts, so I like him for either TB's or RID's. He's never had a coarse baby, and they've all been really athletic, even the full blooded ID's. I would definitely breed to him if I was looking for a stud.

As far as WB studs, I really like Emillion and Tenerife. Tenerife's babies are VERY cheeky though. Gorgeous, but real pills, and you have to know how to deal with them.

horsetales

Nov. 23, 2008, 07:31 PM

I love Moorpark Image. He's young for a stallion, but every one of his babies I've seen have been drop dead gorgeous. One of them (Kilronan's Image) was tearing it up in the FEH shows the last I heard. Great movers, good temperaments, and amazing conformation. There's one at the farm that I've been drooling over since he turned 2, and his mother was apparently very average. He's on the light side for the Traditional draughts, so I like him for either TB's or RID's. He's never had a coarse baby, and they've all been really athletic, even the full blooded ID's. I would definitely breed to him if I was looking for a stud.

I love him and he is on my short list to use in the near future. I know KI, but its good to hear from someone who has seen some other offspring - thanks.

TheHunterKid90

Nov. 23, 2008, 08:24 PM

Cavalier Royale...yummy, yummy, yummy!
Oh, and Radajah Z....LOVE HIM! :]

elizabeth Callahan

Nov. 23, 2008, 08:37 PM

I've had 2 Cicera's Icewater's out of a TB mare - great bone, fabulous movers - oldest is coming 2 so won't know about rideability yet
My A Fine Romance filly is super as well,

Hilary

Nov. 24, 2008, 08:27 AM

Windstar's babies (out of TB mares at least) are VERY athletic but prone to using that athleticism for their own purpose. When you can channel that purpose to match yours, they are amazing.

He has several 'relatives' on his sire's side who are Advanced horses and Arthur is his most accomplished offpring, and there is at least one other (mabye 2?) who are also going Advanced. So the possibility for upper level eventing is there for sure.

But I would not suggest him for an amateur looking for an easy ride to bring along for themselves.

AppJumpr08

Nov. 24, 2008, 08:33 AM

Reputed Testamony - I'm IN LOVE with the colt we had this year. He's so balanced and well put together.

I'm dying to breed one or two of my mares to Catherston Dazzler.

I have a 2 year old by the RID stallion Its The Luck of The Irish (http://www.tullycrossfarm.com/lucky.html), and he is one of the easiest youngsters I've ever delt with. Nothing fazes him.

GiGi

Nov. 24, 2008, 09:32 AM

If you don't mind spots...

Both Confetti Farm studs produce excellent event and dressage horses. The older stud was an eventer and she has youtube videos so you can see how awesome he was. My mare is also out of a JG Appaloosa stud, Waps Applause. They are located in PA. Though the horses excell in the hunter ring many go on to owners who do well in dressage and eventing. My gelding is out of that line and is quite nice in dressage. The also have great temperments; no appy stubborn stuff and are NOT spotted quarter horses. They are breed to be sporthorse first and foremost.

Eventer55

Nov. 24, 2008, 09:39 AM

sharri13

Nov. 24, 2008, 10:32 AM

Cozymyn - out of Cozys Commander. Doug Dean in Canada owns him. I adore my youngster out of a Dutch mare. I would breed to him if I had the chance!

javma

Nov. 24, 2008, 10:33 AM

Eventer 55, I think deltawave was referring to the fact that her mare was not able to get in foal to him...I believe Fred (A Fine Romance) is doing fine.

Eventer55

Nov. 24, 2008, 03:44 PM

Phew:winkgrin: I plan on breeding to him. . .

clivers

Nov. 24, 2008, 04:05 PM

Cozymyn - out of Cozys Commander. Doug Dean in Canada owns him. I adore my youngster out of a Dutch mare. I would breed to him if I had the chance!

Sharri - Do you have a website or contacto info for Doug Dean/Cozymyn? Feel free to PM if you prefer. Thanks heaps :)

deltawave

Nov. 24, 2008, 06:49 PM

Did something happen to A Fine Romance?

Nonononono, I didn't mean to imply that Fred is/was anything but A-OK. My lament was indeed that my Gwennie couldn't "catch" when bred to him. Not his fault--she was just too old. :sigh:

fanfayre

Nov. 25, 2008, 12:27 PM

My A Fine Romace Baby story (sorry DW, NOT trying to rub salt):
She turned 6months old last Thursday(:eek: where does time go), and had a manicure (her first as a weanling) due on Friday. Just as the farrier arrived on Friday, all her barn buddies were being turned out. I pulled her out of her stall and took her to the trimming place, where she'd never been before; all of her other trims had been with her mother either out in the field or in a stall.
Baby Vida stood absolutely still as a rock and held her feet absolutely still for the whole time her farrier ws working on her!!! Can you say one proud mummy????!!:lol:
So, OP, if you're interested at all, I heartily recommend you check out AFR- you won't be disappointed.
Sadly, all the other babies I have worked with were long ago, and the sires are sadly no longer with us, but I do covet me an Aberjack baby.

denny

Nov. 25, 2008, 12:55 PM

deltawave

Nov. 25, 2008, 01:00 PM

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that, what a beautiful, uphill, athletic horse he was. My condolences to you and godspeed and eternal green pastures to Rep. :(

n2dressage

Nov. 25, 2008, 01:09 PM

My friend has several Windfall babies and they are really, really level headed and smart. They are quite large and move very nicely and are really sweet. His babies are just all around excellent.

Hilary

Nov. 25, 2008, 01:10 PM

Denny, I'm so sorry - Nancy has a few of his babies and I covet them every time I see them.

He was a lovely horse.

bornfreenowexpensive

Nov. 25, 2008, 01:25 PM

bornfreenowexpensive

Nov. 25, 2008, 01:36 PM

my fav. sires are very dependant on the mare....what is a great sire for one horse will not always be the best match for the next mare.

I have a different wish list for each of my mares!

mkevent

Nov. 25, 2008, 01:53 PM

Denny
I'm so sorry to hear of Rep's passing. I have one of his sons (now 7) and he's the homebred I kept-sensitive enough to be fun to ride but not so sensitive that he overeacts to everything. We've had decent success eventing-he won his last outing at Training level and plan to move up to Prelim next year. My thoughts are with you-it's always tough to lose a good horse...

Badger

Nov. 25, 2008, 02:22 PM

Very sorry to hear about Rep. I have a friend who has a Rep foal out of a draft cross mare—she just weaned her last week. She is a lovely, personable, balanced, athletic baby and I look forward to watching her grow up. I saw Rep when I visited Tamarack to look at stallions, and though he wasn't right for the mare I was breeding, I recommended him to my friend when she was ready to breed her mare.

millerra

Nov. 25, 2008, 02:41 PM

Very sorry to hear about Rep. I also have a Rep baby (coming 8). He is fun, athletic and so good minded. He makes everything seem easy. You have lost a special sire.

I am sorry.

lizanne

Nov. 25, 2008, 03:08 PM

We have a 6 year old and 2 year old by Salute the Truth and can't say enough good things about him. Great minds and lovely personalities. The 6 year old has always scored well in dressage and just is an amazing jumper. My daughter and he did their first prelim. at Rubicon last June and was clean, she came off course with a smile from ear to ear and said that there was so much out there that he had not seen and he never questioned anything.

bdj

Nov. 25, 2008, 03:56 PM

My condolences, Denny - I was scanning Rep's webpage just this morning, thinking about what a fabulous horse he is (was) and wishing I had a mare so I could have a Rep foal of my own.

sharri13

Nov. 25, 2008, 04:23 PM

Clivers - I don't have a direct contact to Doug Dean (buried in my files), but Tom Williams of VT knows him well and buys a ton of horses from him. Tom is with Battenkill Stables in Arlington, VT. His number is 802-375-9642.

eventer_mi

Nov. 25, 2008, 04:42 PM

Denny, I'm so sorry to hear of Rep's passing. He sure hadn't had it easy these past two weeks.

I'm in love, love, LOVE with Oskar: http://www.aquafarms.net/Oskar.html I have a 6 yr old Oskar baby who's turning out to be the world's most perfect ammy horse. I decided to hoist myself up there today, bareback (first time ever), with just a leadrope, while they were fixing fencing at our farm (machinery popping in and out of the woods), and Oliver just stood there like a rock while I thumped around on him. I was only going to sit and then slide off, but he was so nonchalant about it that I walked him bareback over to the pasture gate and slid off. He's like this about EVERYTHING - very ho hum, who cares.

If you like them leggy, with great action behind and wonderful canters, and a very tolerant attitude towards new things (pygmy goats, pot-bellied pigs, llamas, peacocks - who cares?), and lots of chrome, I'd go with Oskar. When/if I am in the market for another horse, you can bet it will be another Oskar baby.

kookicat

Nov. 26, 2008, 07:57 AM

Denny, I'm so sorry for your loss. :(

Jumbo (http://www.emcostallionservices.com/stallions/jumbo.html), especially if you have a pretty mare. If your mare is not a looker, you'll still get an athletic horse with a great brain but most likely not a beauty contest winner. Jumbo is ID x TB

Catherston Dazzler (http://www.emcostallionservices.com/stallions/dazzler.html) is a nice match for a TB mare. He really stamps his offspring so you'll get a bay or brown, short-coupled horse who loves to gallop and jump, and moves well enough to win the dressage, although it won't be his favorite phase. My CD mare is lively and has an opinion but she's not difficult. She's also got a fantastic friendly temperament which she did not get from her mother. CD is 5/8ths TB, 1/4 Dutch and 1/8 ID.

Agree. I would love to send my retiered mate to Jumbo. I think the baby would be fantastic.

Catherston have a new boy who looks interesting. He's called Deanes San Ciro Hit (Sandro Hit – Dutch Courage – Saunter) I don't think he has any foals out showing yet, and his record isn't the best but he's been mainly aimed at dressage. (Won his first two tests- Advanced Medium). He's going to be aimed at eventing next year, so it'll be interesting to see what happens.

The Welton stallions (especially Double Cracker) are another I really like the look of, though I've heard that they're not always ammie friendly.

I also really like the Ben Faerie line:

http://www.brendonhill-stallions.co.uk/index.htm

sunnycher

Nov. 26, 2008, 08:36 AM

Denny, I was looking at your website Sunday, wishing I was closer and able to attend your adult camp, so sorry to hear about your beautiful boy.

Small world, Tom williams sold a horse for me to a trainer/fox hunter barn last year. Wish I knew where. He has family out here and comes each year with a load of babies to get started, and takes last year's home. My horse needed to go be a fox hunter, and from reports, he's the star of the hunt! Tom is a very nice man.

AppJumpr08

Nov. 26, 2008, 09:50 AM

Denny and May,
I am absolutely heartbroken to hear of Reputed Testamony's passing. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a fantastic stallion, and I will give his son living on my farm an extra hug today.

My own old stallion colicked on Monday night (he is ok, thank goodness) - these crazy weather patterns really are hard on the old guys.

RIP Rep :(

flypony74

Nov. 26, 2008, 11:47 AM

I`m sad to have to report that Reputed Testamony had to be euthanized this morning as a result of colic.

He was about to turn 22, and was in good shape right up to the end, and leaves many foals, with some yet to be foaled in `09, so he had a good, long life.

Oh denny, I'm so sorry to hear this. I always admired Rep, and know that he put an awful lot of nice babies on the ground.

T'sMom

Nov. 26, 2008, 12:42 PM

I've had 2 Cicera's Icewater's out of a TB mare - great bone, fabulous movers - oldest is coming 2 so won't know about rideability yet
My A Fine Romance filly is super as well,

Cicera's Icewater is my pick for my mares 2nd baby in 2011 (I like to plan ahead LOL) I cant wait to hear how your 2 year old comes along. I LOVE that stallion!

quiet girl

Nov. 26, 2008, 12:47 PM

I am very happy with my Catherston Dazzler mare. She was easy to break and very strong in the back and hindleg, a good mover and jumper. Jennie also has a lovely stallion named Catherston Springsteen. Her daughter Lizzy shows him at Grand Prix in Great Britain. I also like Brendon Hill's It's Without Doubt. He is by Welton Louis out of Doubtless who was a full sister to Priceless, one of the best event horses of all time. I don't think they are freezing him yet though. He has get that are competitive at the four star level.

Edith in VT

Nov. 26, 2008, 09:28 PM

My favorites are Fandango and Pavarotti. Both trakehners that love to event themselves and are throwing babies that are equally enthusiastic, fabulous movers and easy.
Fandango was going Preliminary as a 5 yr old cause it was so easy for him. He thought it was all a fun game! He also excelled in straight dressage on the side. His oldest babys are coming 5 and amazing.
Pavarotti is a XC genius that came out at Training and was running at the 2* level in a year! With never a XC penalty.
Worth checking out.
http://www.fantasyfarm.net/breeding/

Meventer,
I am so glad to see someone mention Pavarotti on this thread since my mare is in foal to him for 2009. Just saw the foal move last week! Pavi is by Enrico Caruso, a wonderful sire that stood for years in VT, and was known for passing on fancy movement and temperaments suitable for amateurs and juniors to his offspring. Pavi's owner told me that the first time she saw him he was being ridden by a teenager around a busy show venue, bareback, in a snaffle.
My mare is a 15 yr old maiden, and caught on her 2nd cycle. Sherry at Fantasy Farm is an absolute peach to work with. So I'm a fan!

foxhavenfarm

Nov. 27, 2008, 07:32 AM

pegasusmom

Nov. 27, 2008, 07:44 AM

Sharri - Do you have a website or contacto info for Doug Dean/Cozymyn? Feel free to PM if you prefer. Thanks heaps :)

A second shout out for Cozymyn - my son's horse is an Elvis son, bred by Doug Dean, very successful thorugh prelim (NAJYRC team silver medal) and getting ready to move up to Intermediate. Elvis also sired Sweepea Dean and is by Cozy's Commander, sire of John William's Olympic horse Carrick.

clivers - Doug does not have a website, but I will PM you with a contact number shortly.

Erin Pittman

Nov. 27, 2008, 09:35 AM

A second shout out for Cozymyn - my son's horse is an Elvis son, bred by Doug Dean, very successful thorugh prelim (NAJYRC team silver medal) and getting ready to move up to Intermediate. Elvis also sired Sweepea Dean and is by Cozy's Commander, sire of John William's Olympic horse Carrick.

clivers - Doug does not have a website, but I will PM you with a contact number shortly.

Can you send it to me, too? We have a broodmare by Cozy's Commander and she's making NICE babies - I especially like this year's colt. I'd like to get some more information about her breeding on the damside (she's Leah on our broodmare page: http://www.dodonfarm.com/broodmares.html) I think the info I have on her is correct, but not entirely sure.

pegasusmom

Nov. 27, 2008, 11:54 AM

Erin - will do. Your mare has the same dam as my son's horse Cold Harbor. I will PM you a bit later with what I know about the mare - Doug is. . . apparently a bit of an original. . . but I see John Williams on a regular basis - he is my course designer here at CHP. You can see some photos of him on our website. Just turned 8, slow to mature, and I have never adored a horse so much. Ever.

olympicdreams04

Nov. 27, 2008, 12:03 PM

I will mention Incurable Optimist (ARG) on here. His babies are very much touch and go, it really seems to be the mare that makes the difference. I have had 3 in my training program and personally own 1. Of the 4, one was a lost cause that resembled his poorly conformed mother and went on to be a trail horse. I have a lovely 2 y/o mare right now that has a quick turn of foot and expect to have a good career at the track before becoming a jumper of some sort. There is a 5 y/o out there competing training that will likely be a nice * horse and had a lovely temperament. My guy, the only gray Incurable Optimist I've ever come across, exemplifies his fathers name. He doesn't think there is anything he can't do and even in the worst of situations he's always the optimist, making the best of it. He's just started going Prelim and will hopefully, in a couple of years, be my next Advanced horse. Only time will tell. Though it's not a major mention, my ** is by Zagor who has crazy owners that won't help me find more of his progreny but she is the best jumper I've ever been on!

clivers

Nov. 27, 2008, 03:02 PM

clivers - Doug does not have a website, but I will PM you with a contact number shortly.

Thanks so much!

Jaegermonster

Nov. 27, 2008, 09:42 PM

Denny, I'm so sorry. Rep helped to give me my dream horse, he was fabulous. Rep will live on in all the babies that we all love and enjoy.
Godspeed Rep.

ridexc

Nov. 28, 2008, 01:09 AM

Erin Pittman

Nov. 28, 2008, 08:28 AM

What, no votes for Rather Well? He's currently (to my knowledge) the only registered TB stallion who has competed at the three-star level. I'm awaiting a 'Forrest' baby in spring 2009, and have been impressed with what he has thrown so far -- really good minds on all of them.

Janette Leask stands him at Garry Roque's farm in Caledon, Ontario.

Nope - not the only one. Salute The Truth (aka Boy Done Good) competed through the 3* level with my husband, Steuart Pittman. Rather Well does look like a nice boy - I wish they had some more info on their website. Though, to be honest, I haven't checked it in awhile so maybe they do ;) I wish you much luck with your Forrest baby - you'll have to be sure to share photos on the Sporthorse Breeding forum when it's born!

Fred

Nov. 28, 2008, 02:51 PM

I`m sad to have to report that Reputed Testamony had to be euthanized this morning as a result of colic.

He was about to turn 22, and was in good shape right up to the end, and leaves many foals, with some yet to be foaled in `09, so he had a good, long life.

Denny, my heartfelt sympathy and condolences on the loss of your wonderful Reputed Testamony. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing.
His lasting legacy will be the wonderful babies he has sired.
Rest in peace.

ridexc

Nov. 28, 2008, 07:29 PM

My apologies, Erin. I was under the impression Salute the Truth had only run at the two-star level.

Will he be competing again, or is he a full time Studmeister now?

retreadeventer

Nov. 28, 2008, 07:47 PM

I`m sad to have to report that Reputed Testamony had to be euthanized this morning as a result of colic.

He was about to turn 22, and was in good shape right up to the end, and leaves many foals, with some yet to be foaled in `09, so he had a good, long life.

Oh Denny, this is indeed sad news. What a glorious horse, and I hope that all are doing well at Tamarack. I want to thank you for donating him last year to the Area II young riders fund, for the eventing stallion service auction. He'll live on thru his foals.

Erin Pittman

Nov. 29, 2008, 11:26 AM

My apologies, Erin. I was under the impression Salute the Truth had only run at the two-star level.

Will he be competing again, or is he a full time Studmeister now?

No big deal! I think it would be nice if *more* stallions competed to the upper levels of eventing!

Denny - I'm sorry to hear about Reputed Testamony! He was a lovely horse and a great example of what to look for in a sire of eventers. We had a full sibling of his as a broodmare (May Testamony) that produced one lovely foal for us. My condolences to you.