Very informative post Rodawn. I think Viva is the real deal. Whenever I look at videos of the young horses on the Charlotte website, the vivas always stand out.
Did you tought about Graf Top I?
Here’s a 4yo that we’ve bred. He LOVES to jump: https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/600951_10151846500660156_1568875447_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/536071_276098839143830_1123975029_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/546361_296946557059058_665938953_n.jpg
So I think my goal would be to produce a nice jumper for the amateur market. I would prefer something that doesn’t add size and something that of course has good rideability. If the stallion could also give more elasticity in the movement and a pretty head that would be a big bonus! Again, this mare is quite tall and the mares from this family produce very tall…I don’t want a giant. Am I asking for too much?
I think it would fit the bill, perhaps except for the pretty head. But on my foal, the dam wasn’t very “gifted” in that department either. She was 17.1hh and the 4yo on the pictures is around 16.1hh. He is a real teddy bear, and the lady riding him is his owner and IS an amateur. She enjoys him so much that she just bought a 2yo filly by Graf Top I.
Plus, Graf Top I can certainly give movement paired with the right mare. And his semen is great, and cheap, and easy to get usually via the Landgestut.
I really love Grey Top, but I think I would still for the moment go with the sire. He is really proving himself and was awarded Hanoverian Stallion of the year in 2011.
I think Contendro sounds like a super fit for what you are looking for. I recently sold my Contendro x Escudo I mare who was a fantastic jumper (in the Han JBP) and the kindest easiest mare I’ve ever owned. She was sold to a 60yo amateur woman who absolutely adores her.
I also just bought a Contendro gelding in Germany who is coming over next week. This one is the real deal and an absolutely incredible jumper with scope, technique, and carefulness. He is more sensitive and feisty than my mare was so maybe not a real ammy horse right now but he is only 4y. I am VERY excited to get this one home. 
I think with Contendro you have the things you want- pretty, athletic, recognizable, jumper lines but has also produced some nice dressage types, usually doesn’t throw huge, Han reg, in your tank etc. I think you’d have a hard time going wrong with that one in my opinion. Good luck! Welcome to jumperville!
We had some Contendro I in our tank as well and were waiting for just the right mare to use it with. When Julia du Brio, a retired GP jumper with Peter Leone whose stellar performance record is matched by her outstanding French bloodlines, was made available to us, we knew exactly that this was THE mare for him. Size can be an issue with Contendro and size is a bit of an issue with Julia—but in the opposite direction----she is pushing 18 hh! Our vet had predicted that Holyoke S was a filly and was destined to be a definite keeper filly for us, but when the she turned out to be a he, our trainer pounced on the opportunity to buy him as a performance horse and stallion prospect. Holyoke S can be seen at
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150997585084382.448386.52119554381&type=1
So, we do not hesitate to recommend Contendro I- he produced exactly what we were looking to accomplish with Julia–except gender! He improved her type, kept her size in check, gave a very pretty head and the temperament is so willing and eager. So we will repeat the cross in future!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions/pics ect. There really are so many nice stallions to chose from but I don’t think I can get any Celle semen right now unless someone has it in stock. I need to be able to order it this week because I would like to catch her on her next cycle. The stallions I mentioned I have access to are in a friends tank and the Contendro is in stock out east.
Rodawn, I appreciate your thoughtful post. I like VV too but when I look at him I think in the topline he might not compliment her. He does seem a tad bum high (though I know he uses himself well) but my mare is a bit that way too. I would like something short coupled and very strong in the back and croup. But what you are suggesting with adding the jumper blood is exactly right…that is what I hope for, ideally getting a horse more suited to dressage but hopefully it will enhance her jump as well. I love a dual talented horse and those stallions that offer such have always appealed to me from a breeding perspective.
At the end of the day Contendro just “does it” for me. I think the stallion is stunning and he produces what I love. It sounds like my mare is a very good fit for him and he is a stallion that I think is exceptionally proven and his offspring are marketable. I just keep seeing all these lovely Contendros…I guess I just get a good feeling about trying him and that is important to me when breeding even if it may not be logical lol. So far I cannot see a downside to trying him?
Here’s another thread to read up on Contendro specifically:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=295891&page=2
So who did you go with?
I have no input or ideas about your mare (I’m sorry about her injury) but I went and looked at your webpage and WOW!!! Your place is BEAUTIFUL!
just sayin’ 
Thanks Propspony!!
Stoic I went with Contendro but she developed another abscess at the same time that she was in heat and had to be in and she was pretty miserable…I also split the dose (so one straw) which maybe I shouldn’t have done:cool:. I checked her a few days ago and didn’t see anything though she isn’t coming back into heat. But I am doubtful. Will try again next year.
[QUOTE=Donella;6504575]
Thanks Propspony!!
Stoic I went with Contendro but she developed another abscess at the same time that she was in heat and had to be in and she was pretty miserable…I also split the dose (so one straw) which maybe I shouldn’t have done:cool:. I checked her a few days ago and didn’t see anything though she isn’t coming back into heat. But I am doubtful. Will try again next year.[/QUOTE]
I’ve heard it was a tough year for breedings for some people. Better luck next year!
Nothing really to add other then to say how much I like your Londonderry mare can’t wait to see her Dam’s Blu Hors Romanov this year!
I’ve heard it was a tough year for breedings for some people. Better luck next year!
Thanks, I can’t complain though as the other mares I bred caught first try. Best luck I’ve had to date now that I do it myself.
Lynnwood, thanks so much!! I am really interested to see Rosilla’s Romanov too, I wanted to try linebreeding on Rubinstein and Akzent II at the same time.
What about Lissaro?
Have you thought about hunter breeding? Just a thought! Just from my view of the pics she seems to fit the bill!
