Viva Voltaire - thoughts & impressions?

[goodmorning]

I would love to hear what people have to say about this stallion and his offspring, with particular regards to the hunter ring. How does he stamp them, and with what? What mare-type is best suited for him? He's one that I've had in the back of my mind, and unfortunately I do not have any experience with his offspring, so I'm hoping some on hear might. Thanks :)

[EquineLVR]

I dont have any experience but he is lovely and well bred.. he has offspring doing very well in hunters, jumpes and Dressage.. he also has an approved stallion son.

I think he is a well kept secret.

[Galileo1998]

I like him and being in Ontario I've seen quite a few of his offspring too. The ones that I've seen all have too much action to be hack winners but they make up for that by having a very good jump.

[Hillside H Ranch]

He looks a little heavy in his pictures; is that true for those of you who have seen him in person? I am interested in using him in the future, but am afraid that he may be too heavy for the mare I have in mind. Anyone know if he what "type" of offspring he tends to throw (heavy, modern, etc)?

[goodmorning]

He looks a little heavy in his pictures; is that true for those of you who have seen him in person?

I'm curious about this as well, though I imagine that the cross of Voltiare/Grannus/Argentinus would indeed be heavy. The mare I have in mind for him is a refined TB mare...see any offspring out of these types? If he too heavy to cross well with a refined TB?

[arizonard]

I have seen him in person and thought he was attractive, but a heavier type. Not overly tall. his website says he is 16.2hh though, so maybe his body type just makes him look stouter.

To be honest I haven't been a huge fan of the babies I have seen. All seemed rather plain and did not move particularly well. I will agree they jump quite well though.

[Hunters Peak]

I have a two year old in the barn by him out of a tb mare. He is a very large leggy type, but very very correct and athletic. He has a a good mind, and willing attitude. Surprisingly, he is the hack winner. He'll be showing on the line this spring.

[Jellybean83]

I have met him in person and he is a pretty big boy, but not too tall . Maybe because I looked at him right after Cabardino but he was a LOT more horse. I just saw him in his stall, I haven't actually seen him go. He was a very friendly quiet gentleman in his stall though. He seemed to be very good natured.

I don't think people breed to him to get the hack winner.

[GGStables]

We boarded a VV foal o/o a Trak dam for a year.

Foal was very flashy and had a pretty head and neck but smaller and more refined than my Coromino x TB foal of the same age. The Trak dam was overall nicer than my TB mare but the the VV foal had average conformation and wasn't as well put together as my foal. (The owner's words, not mine). He had lots of "boing" in his gaits but...he was a major head case - difficult in all respects and we needed to stay super-alert around him. :(

[lowroller]

I tried to send you a PM but it says your box is full

I guess it depends on what the mare's weaknesses are - but I don't think he would be my first choice for a hunter. There are more "sure things" out there.

My experience is with GGStable's - pretty, athletic, but not for the faint of heart. If you are looking to chill a TB brain, I wouldn't count on him. (I don't know that you are, but just an observation).

I have seen some nice dressage horses where "boing" as it has been described, some knee action, and a bit of fire are all good things. I don't remember any being "coarse", but more refined and modern in type.

[Carrera]

The one thing that I have heard about VV is that he doesn't have the best feet either. Now that is just a rumor that I heard, so take it with a grain of salt!

[Ravencrest_Camp]

The one thing that I have heard about VV is that he doesn't have the best feet either. Now that is just a rumor that I heard, so take it with a grain of salt!

If it's just a rumour and you don't have any first hand knowledge of it, why would you bother to repeat it? :confused:

[lowroller]

Mine's barefoot schooling PSG + starting P&P, never seen a shoe

For what it's worth ... n=1

(and I am no barefoot fanatic - just someone who won't part with my cash for no good reason...)

[Jellybean83]

The one thing that I have heard about VV is that he doesn't have the best feet either. Now that is just a rumor that I heard, so take it with a grain of salt!

His feet looked fine to me

[SquishTheBunny]

I know one of his offspring, quite nice. He's a jumper, not hunter but BOY can he jump. Could do the hunters (but wont win a hack), and he is VERY level headed. brought along by an amateur rider. Crossed with TB mare, hes pretty decent in size and bone but not heavy. 10+++ for jump and very easy to handle. I dont know if I would breed to him for a hunter, unless the mare is a spectacular mover, but I wouldnt pass him by if you wanted a jumper.

[Gry2Yng]

I have a gelding by VV out of a Rio Grande mare. My shoer is IN LOVE with his feet. I am in love with his temperament. My trainers are in love with his jump. Has jumped out of the 4 board pastures twice - scope is not an issue. Won't win a hack. Probably won't place in the hack in good company. Took him to a dressage show barely broke and he scored a 74% in T1 and was High Point for the weekend. He is brave, easy to get along with, an easy keeper and will be going to his first horse trial next weekend. To me, the perfect all around AA horse. I throw him on the trailer and he says "Sure, whatever!" Have I mentioned, he's 4. When my farm is finished I will try to buy his full sister if she is still for sale.

[airbourne1]

I have a Cabardino yearling, out of a Viva Voltaire mare named Viva's Paradise. She is just cleaning up on the line, and won the high point line championship here in Ontario yesterday. She moves very well, and is dead quiet. We certainly like that combination. She trailers, ties, clips, etc. with no problem whatsoever.

When we went to buy her, we saw Viva Voltaire in person... lovely horse, and his feet looked fine to me. We also saw him free jump, and he showed excellent technique and scope.

[JB]

If it's just a rumour and you don't have any first hand knowledge of it, why would you bother to repeat it? :confused:
If it's something someone's heard, it's nice to know it might be an issue.

On one hand, people get poo-pood for saying breeders aren't neglecting hoof quality when it comes to breeding, but then someone who mentions the possibility of there being an issue gets a little smack for saying so? :confused:

People NEED to be paying attention to the feet of these breeding animals. And if something like this, when *clearly* stated it's a rumor that may or may not have any truth to it, gets someone looking, then that's a good thing :yes:

[alison123]

I personally do not think that vv is a great choice for a hunter stallion. However the other stallion carbridino is a well bred holsteiner that has great conformation and temperment. He is easy to ride and stamps his offspring with the same easy going attitude. Would highly reccomend him.