Foundation Sire: Cantus

Here is the next installment of Warmblood Stallions of North America’s Foundation Friday.  Every other Friday we will be featuring a foundation sire - one who has been influential in the development of warmblood breeds. We pull from the incredible archive of The Horse Magazine, published by Chris Hector of Australia. Thank you, Chris, for permission to draw on your expertise!

1981–1994
174 cm
Grey
Breeder: Ramus Boyschau

Cantus was Caletto I’s first crop in Holstein. His dam, Monoline, was by the tough competitor Roman and out of an advanced showjumper, USA.

Cantus, who died far too early in 1994, was a successful sire of showjumpers right from the start. Come On, his internationally best-known approved son, won many times at Grand Prix and Nations Cup level with Ralf Schneider and the Princess Haya of Jordan.

Cantus produced 25 approved sons, including Cassius Clay (1992 Viernheim champion stallion), Cascavelle, Colbert GTI, Canaletto (both private stallions in Holstein), Cyrano (private stallion Hesse) and Cellestial (private stallion Oldenburg).

At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the Cantus gelding Calvaro won the silver medal with the Swiss team and his rider Willi Melliger.

In 2004 Cantus’s progeny had winnings of €1.35 million.

According to Thomas Mohr, manager of the Maas J Hell stallion station, where Cantus stood:

“Cantus was for 15 years one of the most successful showjumping sires – with horses like Calvaro with Willi Melliger. The horses by Cantus were very powerful and easy to ride, sometimes not the prettiest horses, but very willing to perform.”

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To read the entire article, with pedigree, details of Cantus's sons and daughters, on the Horse Magazine website, click here.

There are several stallion descendants of Cantus in North America. Click on the following links to read about each of the ones on WarmbloodStallionsNA.com:

Calito

GK Calucci

Quidam Blue

North American Stallion Sport Test 2018: Dr. Christmann's Report

By Dr. Ludwig Christmann

For the second time the Stallion Sport test for sport horse stallions was carried out in the USA. The first station was Hilltop Farm in Maryland, which over the years has become one of the most important centers for breeding and sport in the USA. Nine stallions competed in the three-day test, seven in dressage and two in jumping. With 5 stallions Hanover had the most test candidates, two came from Oldenburg, one from the Rhineland and one from the KWPN Studbook. Leslie Waterman from Franklin, Tennessee, who had two stallions at the start, both ridden by Emily Miles, Kansas, achieved a great success and finished first and second. The winner was the four-year-old dark chestnut Rhineland stallion Sole Mio by Stanford, a son of Sir Donnerhall, out of a dam by Donnerschwee, who is thus inbred to the valuable blood of Donnerhall. His breeder Wencek comes from Moers, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Sole Mio had won the US Championships for four-year-old dressage horses in Chicago, IL two months earlier. With a height of 165 cm, he is a medium-sized stallion who has a great presence in the dressage arena. His trot mechanics are spectacular, with a lot of shoulder freedom; in addition he impresses with his willingness to perform and his rideability. "He gives the impression that he always wants to give 120% for his rider," says Gerd Sickinger, one of the two judges who had been flown in from Germany especially for the two Stallion tests. And Jessica Wisdom, the test rider dressage from Battle Ground, Washington added: "Sole Mio has a lot of balance and a lot of potential in trot and canter. In addition, he is very attentive to the rider and reacts to fine aids." In the five evaluation criteria trot, canter, walk, rideability and overall impression he received without exception marks between 8 and 9 which led to the final score of 8.6.


With a final score of 8.5, Sole Mio's stablemate Daily Show, a Hanoverian stallion by Danciano out of a dam of Stockholm, a son of Stedinger, followed closely behind. He was bred by Kurt Gravemeyer, Rosendahl, the former national coach for the German show jumping team. Daily Show is a very different type than Sole Mio: black, 172 cm tall, long-legged, highly elegant, a real eye-catcher. Of course he also has great quality in all three basic gaits, which are always uphill. In rideability. Jessica Wisdom put it in a nutshell: “This is a horse that I would also like to have in my stable." Emily Miles, the rider of the two horses, played a big part in the good results. Her rides were excellent illustrations of exemplary training for young horses. Rider and horse were in perfect balance, with light, almost invisible aids; the talents of the two horses were brought to the fore in a relaxed manner. Leslie Waterman had acquired both stallions at the stallion licensing in Verden in 2016. "My goal is to find talented young horses, preferably stallions, and to bring them up to international level together with Emily," Leslie says. She does not want to run an insemination station, but semen will be frozen in order to safeguard the valuable genetics of her stallions.


The Oldenburg stallion Davos CF by Dante Weltino/Rubinstein, also four years old, also belonged to the top dressage group. With an overall score of 8.3, he presented the third best test, well presented by Anna Keenan. He captivated by his importance and big frame. His movements were always uphill and especially in trot he showed a lot of cadence and already good talent for collection. He is owned and bred by Nancy Holowesko, who runs Crosiadore Farm, an Oldenburg breeding farm in Trappe, Maryland.


Maryanna Haymon's Debonair MF by Doctor Wendell/Rotspon took his second sport test, as usual very well presented by Michael Bragdell. His highlight was the walk, which was rated 9.0 by the judges. With two passed tests within two consecutive years, the five-year-old Hanoverian stallion is now recognized for life.


In the two stallions registered for the jumping test, the four-year-old Hanoverian Baloujoie by Bon Balou/Wonderland surpassed the final score of 7.5, which was necessary to pass the test, with a final score of 7.63. The substantial bay stallion impressed on all three days with an excellent temperament, good rideability and a good jumping ability. The owner Stephanie Hill from Wentzville, Missouri presented Baloujoie herself under saddle. She had acquired him as a foal from his breeder Tara Lambie, who runs a Hanoverian breeding farm north of Calgary in the Canadian province of Alberta with the breeding direction of hunters and jumpers.


Unfortunately, two stallions could not pass the test, one each in dressage and jumping. It became obvious how difficult it is for stallions who are trained as hunters to pass this test if they are not specifically prepared for the demands placed on a show jumper before the test. At the age of four, the jumping stallions must master a complete course over a maximum of 1.00 m in such a way that ability, a good jumping technique, rideability and potential as show jumpers can be recognized.


The test was judged by two experienced judges from Germany, Gerd Sickinger from Stuttgart and Matthias Granzow, Münster. Uli Henschke, Bremen, for dressage and Sebastian Rohde, Vechta, for jumping acted as disciplinary experts. Their task is to observe the riders during the training and to give instructions on how the stallions are to be presented. The two test riders have a very important function in giving impressions of how the stallions feel under saddle. This year again the competence of Jessica Wisdom (dressage) from Battle Ground, Washington and Marion Ostmeyer (jumping) from Calgary was used. Both are very experienced trainers who can train horses from a young age to the highest class.


A big thank you goes to the proven team of the Hilltop Farm, let by the manager Natalie DiBerardinis, who organized the whole again perfectly.


After the test at Hilltop Farm, the caravan of judges, foreign riders and disciplinary experts moved on to California. Two days later, Buffy and Rick Oas started the West Coast Stallion Sport Test at Pollyrich Farm, just outside the picturesque Danish-style small town of Solvang. Of the originally five registered stallions, four competed - three jumping stallions by the studbooks KWPN, Holstein and American Holstein as well as an Oldenburg dressage stallion. The latter was the six-year-old Rohmeo, a typey stallion bred and owned by Carol DiMaggio, Walnut Creek, California, who was presented by Chelsea Sibley. He had already passed the test last year, which he also succeeded in this year with a final score of 7.5. Thus he secured himself the permanent breeding license. Rohmeo comes from the Rohdiamant son Royal Prince out of a dam by Lord Liberty G.


The highest rated stallion was the four-year-old, Dutch-bred, big-framed black Jethro Tull with a score of 8.23. With the pedigree I'm Special de Muze/Voltaire/Heartbreaker he was a very well-bred stallion and fulfilled the associated expectations under the rider. In all five criteria (canter, scope, technique, rideability, overall impression) he received scores of 8 or better, for his scope and the large, but nevertheless practical gallop there was a score of 8.5. Judge Gerd Sickinger's comment on the stallion: "Besides his jumping capacity Jethro Tull is also an important sire with expression and good body proportions.” The black stallion was ridden by his owner Lorrie Jamieson, who travelled about 2800 kilometers from Klondike Victory Farm in Lacombe County in the Canadian province of Alberta to California. Her opinion on the concept: "The whole event was very inviting. The judges were very friendly and we noticed that they wanted to help us. It was informative and instructive. Overall, I was very impressed by the process."


Also from Canada, from Delta just outside the Pacific metropolis of Vancouver, Darlene York arrived with the five- year-old Holstein stallion Centre Point, bred by Kai Gerken. At 165 cm, he is a medium sized, typey stallion by the Chacco-Blue sire Chambertin out of a Cassini I dam and has already been successful in Hunter tests. The fact that he also has considerable ability became clear in this test under his permanent rider Channay Lloyd. Test rider Marion Ostmeyer also praised his attitude and rideability: "It was fun riding him. He was always with the rider, was always safe, confident, and super clever.” His rideability was rewarded with a score of 9.0, the final score was 8.03. It was also the second passed test for Center Point, and he also achieved final recognition.


The fourth in the group was the five-year-old grey stallion Rip Tide, bred by Hope Goodwin in California and owned by Max and Jessica Wilcox from Lakeside, California. With a height of 175 cm the Riverman/Solid Silver son is of striking appearance. He mastered the up to 1.10 m high course very safely and confidently, ridden by Adrienne Tessary, so that he also passed the test with an overall score of 7.78.


The program was supplemented by presentations on breeding and training of sport horses. Sebastian Rohde, Oldenburg Verband, and Dr. Ludwig Christmann, Hanoverian Verband, explained at both tests how linear description works. At Hilltop, the internationally successful dressage rider Catherine Haddad and her husband, Dr. Greg Staller, explained how the athlete horse can be managed in such a way that sporting success and health can be achieved. As decisive criteria the topics shoeing, footing and of course the training of the horse were mentioned.


At the Pollyrich Farm, Sebastian Rohde presented the German system of show jumping tests for young horses, followed by Ramon Becerra, who presented Mexican/Californian horsemanship. Afterwards Buffy and Rick Oas, who were once again great hosts, showed with a big barbecue what Californian hospitality means.


A total of 200 spectators may have watched the event attentively over the three days at both sites.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator, and further edited for clarity by Anna Goebel.

Read More

North American Stallion Sport Test 2018: East Coast Overview 

North American Stallion Sport Test 2018: Results

eurodressage: Sole Mio Wins 2018 North American Stallion Sport Test

The North American Stallion Sport Test website

The North American Stallion Sport Test Facebook page

North American Stallion Sport Test 2018: Results

By Anna Goebel

Allie Conrad Photography

With results in from both the East and West Coast locations of the North American Stallion Sport Test, eleven of the thirteen stallions received passing scores. The quality of the stallions varied, but my personal opinion was that the quality was pretty high. According to Dr. Ludwig Christmann of the Hanoverian Verband, there were some "top stallions" presented. 

Dr. Christmann also emphasized the importance of the testing in encouraging breeders to keep colts intact and bring them up with an eye towards presenting them for evaluation, as part of the continuing development of quality breeding horses in the US.

The Stallion Sport Test East was held at Hilltop Farm in Maryland on November 1–3, with nine stallions presenting, seven in the Dressage division and two in the Jumping division. At Pollyrich Farm in California, the West Coast event was held on November 4–6, with three stallions in the Jumper division and one in the Dressage division.

Sole Mio High-Scoring Dressage Stallion

Sole Mio.
Allie Conrad Photography

The two stallions with the highest scores in the Dressage division were Sole Mio (Stanford/Donnerschwee) with 8.60 and Daily Show (Danciano/Stockholm) just behind him with 8.50. Both are owned by Leslie Waterman of Franklin, Tennessee and beautifully ridden in the Test by their trainer, Emily Miles of Kansas. Sole Mio received 9s for his trot (judges commented that it was "well-balanced with a lot of impulsion"), rideability ("naturally eager, willing, and he concentrates on the aids of from his rider"), and overall impression. 

Leslie Waterman's breeding and training program is performance oriented. Her strategy is to breed her own performance horses and also to purchase promising youngsters. "I decided my only chance to buy a great horse was to buy young—before I'd be in competition with Paul Schockemohle," she says. Sole Mio and Daily Show were both bred in Germany and purchased by Leslie as youngsters. 

Daily Show.
Allie Conrad Photography

Both have been started and trained by Emily Miles of Kansas, whose sympathetic riding was a highlight of the Stallion Test. One German expert commented, "That's what dressage riding should look like." Leslie's philosophy is that a horse gains confidence and has the best chance of being successful if he has consistent riding and trust in his rider, so Emily was the one to start Sole Mio, has been training and competing him, and will continue with him to FEI levels.

Jethro Tull.
Patty Wilding photo

Jethro Tull, High-Scoring Jumping Stallion

There were five horses presented in the Jumping division, two on the East Coast and three at the California location. The top-scoring jumper was Jethro Tull (I'm Special de Muze/Voltaire), owned and ridden by Lorrie Jamieson of Klondike Victory Farm in Alberta, Canada. Jethro Tull earned a final score of 8.23. He's a 16.3-hand black KWPN stallion who scored 8.5 for both canter and scope.

Stallion Sport Test 2018 Scores: Dressage Division 

Stallion	Sire	Trot	Canter	Walk	Rideability	Overall Impression	Weighted Final Dressage Score
Sole Mio	Stanford	9.00	8.00	8.00	9.00	9.00	8.60
Daily Show	Danciano	8.00	8.50	8.00	9.00	9.00	8.50
Davos CF	Dante Weltino	8.50	8.00	8.00	8.50	8.50	8.30
Debonair MF	Doctor Wendell MF	7.50	7.50	9.00	8.00	8.00	8.00
Fernandel of Hillock	Franziskus	7.50	7.50	7.50	8.00	8.50	7.75
Frisantos	Franziskus	7.50	7.50	7.50	7.50	8.00	7.55
Rohmeo	Royal Prince	7.50	7.50	7.50	7.50	7.50	7.50
Joyride	Worthy Opponent	5.50	7.00	7.00	6.50	6.50	6.50

Stallion Sport Test 2018 Scores: Jumper Division

Stallion	Sire	Canter	Scope	Style	Rideability	Overall Impression	Weighted Final Jumping Score
Jethro Tull	I'm Special De Muze	8.50	8.50	8.00	8.00	8.00	8.23
N.N. [Centre Point]	Chambertain	8.00	8.00	7.50	9.00	7.50	8.03
Rip Tide	Riverman	7.50	8.00	7.50	8.00	8.00	7.78
Baloujoie	Bon Balou	7.00	8.00	7.50	8.00	7.50	7.63
Fürst Romantic	For Romance	7.00	7.00	7.00	6.00	5.50	6.65

The 5-Year-Olds

The North American Stallion Sport Test is designed to fulfill the performance requirements for the American Hanoverian Society and the German Oldenburg Verband if a stallion completes the test with a passing score two years in a row. Three stallions returned this year and fulfilled their requirements, one at Hilltop Farm and two at the Pollyrich location.

Debonair MF.
Allie Conrad Photography

Debonair MF (Doctor Wendell MF/Rotspon) was the first stallion to successfully complete two years of the Sport Test, in 2017 as a 4-year-old and this year at 5. He received passing scores both years and has thereby fulfilled his performance requirements with the American Hanoverian Society, the German Oldenburg Verband, and the Westfalen Verband. Debonair MF was bred by Maryanna Haymon of Marydell Farm, who also bred his sire. Marydell Farm is known for producing competition horses that are internationally sought-after. 

Centre Point.
Hilltop Farm photo

The two stallions on the West Coast to complete their performance requirements by two successful years at the Stallion Sport Test are Rohmeo (Royal Prince/Lord Liberty G), bred and owned by Carol DiMaggio (California); and Centre Point (Chambertin/Cassini I), bred in Germany and owned by Darlene York (British Columbia).

About the Stallion Sport Test

The three-day testing format was developed for North America, and was held for the first time in 2017 at both the East Coast and West Coast locations. It was well-received, and in 2018 more stallions were entered, thirteen in all. Natalie DiBerardinis, of Hilltop Farm, says "I really like the format, in part because it emphasizes good training."

According to the Stallion Test website, "Testing requirements are specific to age and discipline. Each horse attends with their own rider and there is a Guest Rider component to the scoring as well. Stallions must attend two consecutive years of sport testing to fulfill their performance requirements with the AHS and GOV as well as achieve a minimum overall score of 7.5 at each testing."

The Judges

Judges Matthias Granzow, Gerd Sickinger, and Ulrich Henschke.
Hilltop Farm photo.

Read More

Coming soon: Stallion Photo Gallery!

North American Stallion Sport Test 2018: East Coast Overview [Part 1 of this series]


eurodressage: Sole Mio Wins 2018 North American Stallion Sport Test

The North American Stallion Sport Test website

The North American Stallion Sport Test Facebook page

Allie Conrad, Photographer (East Coast location)

Claudia Weeks, Videographer (East Coast location)
Claudia's YouTube Channel (including videos from the Test)

Patty Wilding, Photographer (West Coast location) 
Patty's Facebook page

Sign Up for Avalon Equine's Holiday Breeding Special!

Avalon Equine has, for the last few years, celebrated our own successes by trying to help mare owners be successful as well. Every year we hold a "Holiday Extravaganza" offering all of the stallions we stand at a fraction of their usual breeding fees. We do limit the number of breedings that are sold, and they are on a first come-first served basis.

But YOU get to see and take advantage of those offers FIRST if you subscribe to our email Newsletter! Subscribe now to get early access to those discounted breedings! 

Click here to sign up!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

USDF Announces New Breeder of Distinction Awards

Lexington, KY (November 15, 2018) – The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) is thrilled to introduce the new USDF Breeder of Distinction Awards. These awards will showcase the cumulative achievements of U.S. dressage sport horse breeders, whose young prospects and breeding stock have proven successful in dressage sport horse breeding and materiale classes. Offered in three tiers of achievement: Bronze, Silver, and Gold, for which varying eligibility requirements will apply, the first awards will be presented at the 2019 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention. Scores earned since October 1, 2000 are eligible to count towards these awards, and breeders can check eligibility status and submit applications online now..

Kristi Wysocki and Natalie DiBerardinis, Co-Chairs of the USDF Sport Horse Committee, had this to say regarding these new and exciting awards, “The USDF Sport Horse Committee is extremely excited about the new USDF Breeder of Distinction Awards. The committee designed these prestigious awards to recognize and acknowledge U.S. breeders for their breeding programs' competitive successes in the USDF Breeders Championship Series competitions, both in-hand and under saddle.”

For more information regarding the USDF Breeder of Distinction Awards, or other opportunities for breeders, visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org or contact the USDF office at sporthorse@usdf.org.

Foundation Sire: Caretino

Here is the next installment of Warmblood Stallions of North America’s Foundation Friday.  Every other Friday we will be featuring a foundation sire - one who has been influential in the development of warmblood breeds. We pull from the incredible archive of The Horse Magazine, published by Chris Hector of Australia. Thank you, Chris, for permission to draw on your expertise!

1983–2011
168 cm
Bay
Breeder: Lothar Völz

When he died at the age of 28, Caretino was the last of the seven stallion sons of Caletto II to enter the Holstein Studbook. The bay Caletto II – Metellus son from the stem 826 revealed his qualities at the stallion performance test, where he received a jumping index of 145 points.

He went on to win numerous young jumper classes showing his outstanding jumping technique. At 5 and at 6 years old, Caretino participated in the Bundeschampionate under Thomas Schöning.

Bo Kristoffersen took over the ride on him a year later and commenced competing at Grand Prix and Nations Cup level. They accumulated 40 placings at S level together.

Then Caretino went to Ludger Beerbaum’s stable, but the shift of stables did not produce the expected success, and after a year Caretino returned to Holstein to be used for breeding only, a decision much applauded by the mare owners.

Although he produced mainly jumpers, he also sired some good dressage horses, including Cockney, who won the 6-year-old title at the Bundeschampionate with Nadine Capellmann before going on to compete successfully at Grand Prix. His son, Carpaccio won the 1994 stallion test at Medingen. The stallion Concord has wins up to Grand Prix dressage.

By 2007, Caretino had produced 650 offspring that were registered for competition with the German FN. At the time of his death, Caretino offspring had earned more than 3 million Euros.

Caridor Z competed with Jos Lansink at the 2002 WEG in Jerez and the European Championships at Arnhem and Donaueschingen. Another outstanding competitor is Cristallo who with Richard Spooner is one of the stars of the circuit in the USA, and winners of the €285,000 Grand Prix of Monte Carlo on the Global tour. America is also the home of Chica’s Way, a great international success under Janne Friederike Meyer.

Right from his first few crops, Caretino made a splash with his offspring. Ballerina won team gold at the European championships in Mannheim under Markus Merschformann, and Charlottenhof‘s Chandra was part of the German team taking home team gold at the European championships in Arnheim 2001, under Sören von Rönne. Caretano Z and Caridor Z with Jos Lansink, the full siblings Crocodile Dandy and Connally (Alison Firestone and Markus Renzel, respectively), Cathleen W with Marc Wirths, Carefina (Felix Hassmann), Carlo Cassini (Franz-Josef Dahlmann), Caresino with Hauke Luther and Celesino (Jürgen Kraus) are other highly successful horses by Caretino.

Chupa Chup with Bernardo Alves won the Hamburg Grand Prix.

There is a younger group of offspring that are also looking impressive: Böttger’s Calandro won a German Championship with Janne-Freiderike Meyer, Caldato with Hugo Simon, Cornwall W with Andreas Ripke, Chianti la Silla with whom Rolf-Göran Bengtsson won the World Cup in Monterey, as well as Chicka’s Way, who carried Janne-Friederike Meyer to a German Vice-Championship in 2007.

The jumping stallions Cheenook and Caretello B have produced excellent progeny.

At the licensing in Neumünster in 2009, Caretino sired one approved stallion, Carlow, who was sold at the auction to Belgium.

The Holsteiner Horse notes, "as a rule Caretino’s daughters are better than his sons; his offspring are considered variable."

Over 50 sons have been licensed, and over 20 daughters have been awarded state premium status. His standout star is the stallion, Casall…

On the WBFSH sire rankings for 2014, he is in 18th place. On the 2015 rankings, he has moved to 14th with his points earners headed up by the mighty Casall. 

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To read the entire article, with pedigree, details of Caretino's stallion sons and daughters, on the Horse Magazine website, click here.

There are several stallion descendants of Caretino in North America. Click on the following links to read about each of the ones on WarmbloodStallionsNA.com:

Cabardino 

Coruscant 

Dakota VDL 

HH Himself 

Ulmar Mail   

Is There a "Height" Gene in Horses and Ponies?

By Anna Goebel

Height is an important trait in ponies and in horses. Sport horse breeders often look to increase the height of a smaller mare; pony breeders often want to produce a "large pony" but not cross the line to produce a horse. It's something we'd like to control, whether we want larger or smaller.

Wikipedia photo, article on sincle-nucleotide polymorphism.

So is there a single gene that dictates horse height? The short answer is "nope." A recent study of ponies in the British Isles determined that there is no single area of the genome for height. There are 222 "highly significant height-associated SNPs...". A SNP (pr. snip) is a variation in a single nucleotide that occurs at a specific position in the genome. 222 SNPs mean 222 places in the genome that can influence variations in height.

To read an abstract of the published research, click here.

To read an analysis of the research, by Kentucky Equine Research, click here.

North American Stallion Sport Test 2018: East Coast Overview

By Anna Goebel

Hilltop Farm, early morning Day 1. Claudia Weeks photo.

Day 1: the Jog. Hilltop Farm photo.

Nine promising young stallions and crisp fall days at Hilltop Farm - what could be better? I attended the North American Stallion Sport Test for the first time this year, and I suggest every breeder mark their calendars to attend in 2019.

The best reason to attend is the opportunity to see several of our young, up-and-coming North American stallions in person. It's surprising what a clear impression you have of each stallion by the end of three days - athleticism, ability, temperament - whether you're evaluating these stallions as future stud prospects or examples of what's being approved, or just to train your eye. Many of the judges' comments are made public as the evaluations take place, so it's an excellent opportunity to form your own opinions and then compare yours to the experts'. 

Baloujoie and owner/rider Stephanie Hill
and her husband, Tom Neese. Hilltop Farm photo.

The horses are first, but I think the next-best reason to attend is to make personal connections with the humans involved. Meet stallion owners, young horse trainers, riders, and officials. Talk shop and compare notes with other breeders, connect with people you don't get to see very often - and meet new ones you hope to see every year. 

Then there are the organized educational sessions. This year there were two: a session explaining Linear Profiling by two experts, and also talks by a husband and wife team about Good Riding, Footing, Shoeing.

Dr. Ludwig Christmann (Hanoverian Verband) and Sebastian Rohde (Oldenburg Verband) explained Linear Profiling and how each of their registries implements it. It's quite an interesting system for describing a horse's physical characteristics. Note that it's Linear Profiling, not Linear Scoring. The purpose is to describe the horse, NOT to evaluate whether each point is good or bad. I'll be doing a separate article with more details.

International rider Catherine Haddad and her husband, shoeing expert Dr. Greg Staller, have a "secret" formula that fits both their areas of expertise, and they each presented a talk describing how they apply it. Catherine did half her talk from horseback, and is a very entertaining and persuasive speaker. Photo: Catherine is shown here demonstrating her training method. Behind her is the brand new banner for Warmblood Stallion of North America as a proud sponsor of this event. Hilltop Farm photo.

One of the lovely things about this event is the overall atmosphere. Hilltop Farm is a gracious host, but it's more than that. The focus is on the stallions, with a strong awareness that they are young and have a lot to handle for three days. The feeling is that everyone wants to give each stallion the best chance to do his best. The judges spend the three days observing and evaluating, but also encouraging and coaching - and their comments are positive and helpful. Shown here are three of the of the officials at the Stallion Test: Mattias Granzow, Gerd Sickinger, and Ulrich Henschke. Hilltop Farm photo.

The North American Stallion Sport Test is not without issues, which I'll be addressing in a later article, but it has been carefully planned for the North American situation, with input from all the key organizations, and it has worked well for two years now. Says Natalie DiBerardinis of Hilltop Farm, "I really couldn't be more pleased with how it has gone."

See you next year at the North American Stallion Sport Test 2019!

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Below are some links of interest. This is the first of several articles about the North American Stallion Sport Test. As new articles are posted, I'll update this with more links. We're also looking forward to photos and video from the official photographer, Allie Conrad, and videographer, Claudia Weeks, being processed now.

The North American Stallion Sport Test website

The North American Stallion Sport Test Facebook page

Allie Conrad, Photographer

Claudia Weeks, Videographer
Claudia's YouTube Channel (where some videos from the Test are already posted)

Foundation Sire: Pilot

Here is the next installment of Warmblood Stallions of North America’s Foundation Friday.  Every other Friday we will be featuring a foundation sire - one who has been influential in the development of warmblood breeds. We pull from the incredible archive of The Horse Magazine, published by Chris Hector of Australia. Thank you, Chris, for permission to draw on your expertise!

1974–1991
167 cm
Bay
Breeder: Christa Geldbach

Pilot was born at the clinic of former FEI chief vet Dr Cronau, as his breeder, Christa Geldbach, wanted her foal to have the best right from the start. At his first foal show, little Pilot caused a sensation and was recommended for stallion status. His breeder asked Kunibert Munch, the owner of Pilatus, to prepare him for the stallion licensing, and it was here that his difficult temperament became apparent – and even today his progeny have strong difficult characters.

On his dam’s side, Pilot is out of Gratia by Graphit by the great Grande. On her dam’s line we have Kornelia the daughter of one of the last of the original Trakehners, Keith.

Pilot was purchased by the Westfalien State Stud in 1977 and sent to the breeding station at Sande where the local breeders were not too keen to use him since his reputation for erratic behavior had preceded him. There was no denying that he was an elegant horse with great conformation, and he behaved well enough at the performance test at Warendorf to finish in 5th – and his foals were wonderful. The stallion stood at Sande until 1988, and by then the breeders were queuing for his services! 

Sadly Pilot was put down in early 1991 at the age of 17 with an untreatable hip injury. His influence lived on due to stocks of high class frozen semen, and as late as 1998 there were two Pilot progeny in the Westfalien foal auction.

Pilot was the first showjumping stallion with progeny to earn one million Deutschmarks – in fact by the end of 1999, Pilot progeny had earned a staggering DM6,250,000.

One son, Prestige Pilot, is the sire of Placido, who carried Ulf Möller to victory in the five-year-old dressage horse championship at the 2000 Bundeschampionate.

Pilot was also influential in The Netherlands, through his son, the KWPN stallion Epilot (x Dixi by Direx), who died in November 2007 at the age of 21. Epilot won the six-year-old class at the Bundeschampionate in 1992, ridden by Franke Sloothaak. He went on to compete internationally with Franke and later, Peter Gerink.

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To read the entire article, with pedigree, details of Pilot's stallion sons and daughters, on the Horse Magazine website, click here.

There are several stallion descendants of Pilot in North America. Click on the following links to read about each of the ones on WarmbloodStallionsNA.com:

Apiro

Pablito 

Quidam Blue 

Talisman   

Hyperion Stud 2018 Foals and Expected Foals for 2019

November 1, 2018

At Hyperion Stud, we are dedicated to breeding and developing top horses for sport. Focus is placed on the quality, temperament and pedigrees of our breeding mares with a particular emphasis on the documented success of the stallions we utilize. As the 2018 breeding and inspection season has  has come to an end, we are pleased to introduce you to our 2018 foal crop and our expected foals for 2019. We welcomed eleven top foals in the US and Germany this year in addition to two colts purchased at the Zangersheide Quality Foal Auction that took place at the FEI / WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships in Lanaken, Belgium. This years foal crop was exceptional with the majority of foals scoring premium at the Holsteiner Verband inspection.  For 2019 we are expecting eleven foals, all from some of the top mare families in the world and by stallions with notable performance records and proven success as sires.

Below you can find more information about our 2018 foal crop, several of these foals are available for sale, and our list of expected foals for 2019. We strive to make the search for your next equine partner easy and accessible, so please feel free to contact us if you see something of particular interest. In addition, we are able to offer foal raising services for clients who purchase a young horse from Hyperion Stud.

2018 FOAL CROP BRED BY HYPERION STUD

USA

Filly: Imothep/Cumano- not inspected

Filly: Cachas/ Calato Cantus stamm 241- Premium

Filly: Carmargue/Lux/Landfriese- not inspected

Colt: Cachas/Cassini/Heraldik xx - Premium

EUROPE

Colt: Cornetino/Cayado/Concorde stamm 776

Filly: Cornet Oblensky/Calido/Acorado stamm 776- premium

Colt: Imothep/Singulord Joter/Acord II stamm 776-premium

Filly: Imothep/Connor/Carlos stamm 776- premium

Filly: Uriko/My Lord Carthago/Casall stamm 474a-premium

Colt: Glasgow Van’t Merelsnest/Connor/Cardento- not inspected

Colt: Cascadello/Canturo/Lord stamm 776-premium

2018 PURCHASED BY HYPERION STUD

Colt: Cicero Z/Acorado/Ramiro

Colt: Cornet Obolensky/Caretano/Carthago

2019 PREGNANCIES

Livello/Contender/Laval I stamm 474a

Imothep/Cayado/Concorde stamm 776

Chin Quidam VDL/Singulord Joter/Acord II stamm 776

Van Gogh/Canturo/Lord stamm 776

Don VHP/Calido/Acorado stamm 776

Don VHP/Connor/Cardento

Untouchable/Calato/Cantus

Imothep/Cumano

Imothep/Connor/Carlos stamm 776

Cash and Carry/Acorado/Ramiro stamm 776

Canturo/Acorado/Ramiro stamm 776

You can find out more information about our breeding program by visiting http://www.hyperionstud.com/ or via telephone at 434-973-7700.