Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Lots to look into. The mare does not, I repeat, does not need help adding bone, lol. She’s done exceptionally well on that front, and I’m a bit concerned with any of the heavier type stallions adding too much bone. This horse will hopefully be a successful upper level horse, and will still need to be able to run and jump. My preference would be full TB, or at least a very high percentage blood, as I don’t want to stray too far from the TB type. I adore the stallion, State Of The Art, but I’m not sure he has put any solid event horses on the ground. He would give a high percentage TB blood, but add maybe a touch for pizazz.
Unfortunately, the pool for full TB stallions that have produced already, and are known for good brains, is limited at best. A huge issue if you ask me.
A Fine Romance is at the top of my list, and has been, but as I understand it, he is not booking any more mares this year.
Again, with size not being an issue with this mare, she is 16.2, old school phenotype, and passes along size and bone, I’m a bit worried about getting an elephant of a foal if bred to something too heavy. I do like Irish breeding, but it was an ISH that took me out of the game for quite some time. He did, however, come from a line of horses not known for their ammy friendliness. (Bruce Davidsons ‘Lion’ line). He was technically 15/16ths TB, but was stamped all Irish, no matter who you’d ask. He could certainly run and jump though, and was probably the best XC horse I’ve ever sat on.
I’ll look into some of the Irish stallions though. I do tend to like them quite a bit.
Unfortunately, Windfall is low on my list in general. I was not a fan of his during his competition days, and have seen several of his foals (out of TB mares) that have been on the small side, and a bit to ‘thick’ for my liking. They have had great brains, but really seem to come out stamped as windfalls, and the mares genes get a bit lost. I adore this mare, and what she puts on the ground, and really want to compliment it, not hide it.
I also don’t peticularly care about registries, as the mare and foal likely would not be going to inspections, although the option to be able to present mare and foal for approval is certainly nice.
I would gladly consider a national hunt bred horse, but finding info on their going foals is often tricky.
Oh this is though, lol!! I could tell you just about anything about most of the TB stallions here in KY, and what type they throw, but finding the ones that produce the good sport horses is often a tough (and expensive) proposition, considering that is certainly not their goal in life.
For reference, video of the mares 5yr old (17.0hh) full TB daughter at her second ever event (2 months in training):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYGUpfcyaEY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L2vGSrat-Y
I really appreciate the suggestions, and am getting through them, one by one. Keep em coming!
Johanna
He specifically, G-line in general, crosses extremely well with TB mares, and that cross would get you an 85%+ TB foal. If your mare needs some bone, he’ll do that. Very ammy-friendly. I know of at least one UL Eventer who has bought his foals/offspring specifically for eventing.
