The Amazing Master Imp

[vineyridge]

Would one of y'all PLEASE import a colt by or a mare in foal to Master Imp? For eventing, he is truly an amazing sire. Even in these short format days.
We need his blood in our breeding. We really, really do. I've found five Burghley horses with him in the first two generations, and I've only done 37.

(I'll either post the results of the pedigree research or let y'all ask for them if you're interested, since there are 82 horses involved.)

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Had his share of GP showjumpers as well. All the more impressive when you take into account he's only done live cover, and as such has limited his mare base to driving distance. Between him and Cavalier Royale they've defined the event horse as we know it today.

Isn't there some one on these boards that has a colt by Cavalier Royale out of a Master Imp mare?

[JER]

Does anyone outside of Co. Carlow know what Master Imp actually looks like?

[CarolinaGirl]

Does anyone outside of Co. Carlow know what Master Imp actually looks like?

I've googled and googled and can't find a page for him or even a picture of him!! But he makes some niiccceee babies!!

[glfprncs]

There are quite a few eventing in the U.S. Of the individuals I know that have/had Master Imp horses, all have said they are extremely talented, but VERY quirky (the one I knew well was one hell of a bucker, and would launch you out of the saddle right in the middle of going perfectly for no obvious reason). There's a thread on the Horse & Hound bulletin board about Master Imp offspring, and most on the thread are saying the same thing. Freakisly talented, but extremely quirky.

[Snapdragon]

Phyllis Dawson rides a young gelding by Master Imp. I think she may also have had other horses with a connection to Master Imp as well.

[kookicat]

Had his share of GP showjumpers as well. All the more impressive when you take into account he's only done live cover, and as such has limited his mare base to driving distance. Between him and Cavalier Royale they've defined the event horse as we know it today.

Isn't there some one on these boards that has a colt by Cavalier Royale out of a Master Imp mare?

http://windbrookfarmsporthorses.com/highland_imperius.htm

Yummy!

[JER]

Uh, are those mule ears I see?

:lol:

(Is this why we can't find a picture of Master Imp?)

[kookicat]

Uh, are those mule ears I see?

:lol:

(Is this why we can't find a picture of Master Imp?)

Ears? What ears? I was too busy looking at the trot pic to notice any ears... :lol:

Now you mention it though... that could be why...:winkgrin:

[Drvmb1ggl3]

http://windbrookfarmsporthorses.com/highland_imperius.htm

Yummy!

Damn, talk about bred in the blue.
Man, I'd never even put a saddle on that fella, and I'd have him covering mares already.

[vineyridge]

There are quite a few eventing in the U.S. Of the individuals I know that have/had Master Imp horses, all have said they are extremely talented, but VERY quirky (the one I knew well was one hell of a bucker, and would launch you out of the saddle right in the middle of going perfectly for no obvious reason). There's a thread on the Horse & Hound bulletin board about Master Imp offspring, and most on the thread are saying the same thing. Freakisly talented, but extremely quirky.

His son, King's Master (ISH), looks to be following in his sire's hoofprints as a sire.

How many of the US Master Imps are intact males or mares? It's for breeding that his blood would be so valuable.

Highland's Imperius is very droolworthy. Drvm is right; if he is gelded it will be a mortal sin.

[retreadeventer]

Well...I've ridden a couple of Master Imps....they are definitely pro-rides. Not for the faint of heart, the squeamish, those who don't have an independent seat and leg, sense of humor, solid stickability skills, and lots of experience. How many good ones have been ruined thru bad riding or amateurs who don't know what they have....the ones I rode were half ruined by bad riding and one from a pro barn. They might be great but they are tough rides. There are other good lines I am sure that produce a bit nicer horse to deal with that is just as athletic. They are very tough in their minds.

[vineyridge]

Perhaps King's Master is a bit easier. Anyone have any experience with any of his?

[kookicat]

Perhaps King's Master is a bit easier. Anyone have any experience with any of his?

From what I've heard, they seem to be quite sensible. :)

[JER]

Highland's Imperius is very droolworthy. Drvm is right; if he is gelded it will be a mortal sin.

He might make a nice match for my Catherston Dazzler mare (http://www.hoofclix.com/Chattahoochee/2009-05-17-USEA-Area-III/Pollard-MichaelDekorum58/8243878_6KH2H#542291785_RmoY2). The offspring would certainly have all the bases covered in terms of pedigree.

[frugalannie]

Go for it, JER. We'll all be aunts and uncles by proxy!

Is Master Imp related to the Master Spiritus line? I think one of the UK riders had several of them over the years (Master Craftsman comes to mind). I have a mare descended from Master Spiritus, and while she never bucked or was nappy, she was a very quirky jumper. She could jump well, but would suddenly stop cold to study anything with writing on it. I hated jumps emblazoned with sponsors' names! And ditto when we were on a hack and had to pass a road sign or some spray painted markings on the tar.

[retreadeventer]

I wonder - genetics are everything - if certain DNA in these lines sort of passes on, like eyesight, in addition to jumping ability and other traits and physical characteristics. Conformation and disposition passes on, right? Why not other things? Fly sensitivity? stuff like that?

[JER]

Go for it, JER. We'll all be aunts and uncles by proxy!

But if it gets the Master Imp impishness and buck, it will not be the most rider-friendly of horses. It is a very good thing that my mare doesn't buck.

Is Master Imp related to the Master Spiritus line?

No. Master Imp is by the O'Neill's previous stallion Imperious who stood in Ireland. Master Spiritus is British-bred and stood in Devon or maybe the Midlands.

I wonder - genetics are everything - if certain DNA in these lines sort of passes on, like eyesight, in addition to jumping ability and other traits and physical characteristics. Conformation and disposition passes on, right? Why not other things? Fly sensitivity? stuff like that?

My mare and her three daughters (by different stallions) all have the same eye for a fence. It's hard to describe but you can feel it when you ride them. They also don't look at ditches, ever -- but again, it's the same feeling when you're on them.

All anecdotal but still interesting, especially as one of the foals is an ET baby who did not grow up with her biological mother.

[Gry2Yng]

Go for it, JER. We'll all be aunts and uncles by proxy!

Is Master Imp related to the Master Spiritus line? I think one of the UK riders had several of them over the years (Master Craftsman comes to mind). I have a mare descended from Master Spiritus, and while she never bucked or was nappy, she was a very quirky jumper. She could jump well, but would suddenly stop cold to study anything with writing on it. I hated jumps emblazoned with sponsors' names! And ditto when we were on a hack and had to pass a road sign or some spray painted markings on the tar.

LOL! You have got to love the truly quirky stuff. Lost my coffee over the road signs.

[kookicat]

Go for it, JER. We'll all be aunts and uncles by proxy!

Is Master Imp related to the Master Spiritus line? I think one of the UK riders had several of them over the years (Master Craftsman comes to mind). I have a mare descended from Master Spiritus, and while she never bucked or was nappy, she was a very quirky jumper. She could jump well, but would suddenly stop cold to study anything with writing on it. I hated jumps emblazoned with sponsors' names! And ditto when we were on a hack and had to pass a road sign or some spray painted markings on the tar.

Maybe you should buy her a book for Christmas? :lol:

[frugalannie]

Maybe you should buy her a book for Christmas? :lol:
Good thought, Kookicat. But it'll have to be a picture book or she'll never get past the first page.

[kookicat]

Good thought, Kookicat. But it'll have to be a picture book or she'll never get past the first page.

Get her an alphabet book. Maybe one letter at a time won't freak her out as much. :lol:

[Lori B]

Love the horse who reads the signs.

And regarding the intriguing sounding "Master Imp" -- aren't ya just asking for it when you name a horse 'Imp'? Seriously. :-)

[VolteVT]

How many of the US Master Imps are intact males or mares? It's for breeding that his blood would be so valuable.


We recently acquired the Master Imp daughter Rising Imp, out of the Advanced mare Late Riser (Late Riser is also the dam of A Phar Cry, ridden by Karen O'Connor). She is an incredible mover and although we have not jumped her I have no doubt of her talent.

Will be breeding her for the first time in 2010! :)

[TxEventer81]

There's (IMO) an incredible head shot of Highland Imperius where he seems to have grown into his ears :) I'm sure y'all will find him, but he's at the bottom...

http://www.windbrookfarmsporthorses.com/Site/Stallions.html

[TxEventer81]

Oh I also forgot... William Micklem, who bred Mandiba and High Kingdom, has bred and kept intact a full brother to both those horses named Jackaroo. He should have semen supposedly available soon... though there's no mention if there's frozen available for international shipment.

http://www.williammicklem.com/horsesforsale.html

[kookicat]

We recently acquired the Master Imp daughter Rising Imp, out of the Advanced mare Late Riser (Late Riser is also the dam of A Phar Cry, ridden by Karen O'Connor). She is an incredible mover and although we have not jumped her I have no doubt of her talent.

Will be breeding her for the first time in 2010! :)

Ooh... wow! :D I bet she's a stunning girl.

Who are you breeding her to? :)

[Equilibrium]

Thing is at the moment, you'd be surprised at some of the deals you'd be getting on anything including Master Imp at the moment. So if someone were to import any stock by Master Imp, now would be a good time to do so.

Still make sure someone with an Irish accent makes the call!

Terri

[FairWeather]

There was a lovely young horse that Ollie Townend was working at Blenheim and I was mesmorized watching him--beautiful movement with amazing cadence. I found out later that it was a gelding by Master Imp, and have been looking for info since. I will have to post the little video I took of them schooling.

[JER]

This Master Imp gelding (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srVB64r_vpQ) was 3rd at the recent YEH Champs in the 5 year-old division.

[Windbrookfarm]

I heard that you had links to photos of our 2 year old Master Imp colt here. For those of you who are wondering, I am planning on keeping him as a stallion but I don't plan to stand him at stud until he is at least 4 years old (2011) as I'd like to get him started under saddle first. Highland Imperius (William to his friends) is very well behaved, especially for a stallion. In the two years I have had him I have only had to get after him once. He is a joy to have in the barn. He is very smart and wants to please.

My 16 year old daughter's horse is also by Master Imp. The person from whom we bought him in Ireland told us that "The Master Imp's will give it to you but you have to dig deep for it." I think they have a tendency to test, perhaps a bit more than some other horses, but once you convince them that the rules are the rules they make a terrific partner.

I have heard from several people that Master Imp is a stunningly beautiful stallion with lovely gaits. The reason that no photos of him are available is that his owner will not allow them to be taken. I am hoping to see him the next time we are in Ireland.

As for offspring by Master Imp, they do become available in Ireland from time to time. I have a friend in Ireland who emails me when she hears of one so if anyone is looking let me know and I'll put you in touch with her. Broodmares can be very reasonably priced but then you have to pay to import them (about $9000 for a filly or colt under the age of 2, about another $2500 for mares over 2 years of age).

I'll try to put some new photos of William up on our website in the next few weeks. He has grown quite a bit and is now close to 16 hands.

[Black Points]

Windbrookfarm,

Thanks for the info about William and also about the non-photographed Master Imp. Sounds like they have personalities like I've seen before. They can be intimidating but if you don't let that get to you, they can be great horses and will give you a lot. However, I think that in most of these cases, these horses are meant for the young kids or the professionals, and not for us amateurs.

Can't wait to see more pix of William. He is GORGEOUS!

Mary in western NY
http://www.BPEquine.com