Aslan, Balta C'zar, Cunningham, Navarone

[Pohney]

I like each of these stallions for different reasons - what are people’s experiences with each? What mares have you felt they crossed well on and what did they add? All are known - to me - for producing good temperaments and rideability. Is this consistent with peoples’ experiences?

For Aslan & Balta C’zar, also interested in hearing why folks chose one over the other. Full siblings. Balta C’zar seems to be a bit more popular and widely used. I personally love Aslan’s canter and he appears to have a lighter build. Other thoughts?

[Raine]

My Cunningham/Irish cross youngster is the very definition of “born broke”. Brave, loves work…but also quiet and no spook. Adore her. Wish I could afford a field full of her siblings to sell to A/As.

[ASBJumper]

I’ve bred two different sport-type Saddlebred mares to Balta’Czar and got two lovely but different type horses.

Things he improved on both times:

Topline, hindquarter and canter

Both offspring (one gelding and one mare) were wonderful, temperament-wise, both on the ground and under saddle, but then so were their mothers. I have extremely high standards for my broodmares in that department as I feel they have slightly more influence on the resulting foals.

I chose BC over Aslan because at the time BC had waaaay more offspring on the ground and their consistency was undeniable. The chrome was the icing on the cake.

http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/ASBJumper/Dora-2017_zpsi4so3gm9.jpg
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/ASBJumper/Belmont/Lance-4yrs_zps4b7cf08a.jpg

[Pohney]

@pony grandma

I can answer the sibling stallion question. It is a genetic family crap shoot. There are two family types in the line.I have 2 full siblings by BC and one is leggier, bright bay and looks like Aslan. (in fact the Tolas did a double take the first time they saw him) He is all about the quality of his canter, born balanced. And the other is black bay and is a doppleganger for grand dam Jete, also a double take! Breed two - it’s twice the fun.

What I got was what I was looking for: solid conformation (both in their teens and no injuries or lameness), really high quality feet, very athletic and tons of heart. They are natural to their fences.

Lovely! Curious - what made you go to BC over Aslan in the first place? I know there’s a huge variety within full siblings, but do find it interesting that the farm stands both full siblings, so I imagine there is something they think would lead both to be excellent choices in their own right. At some point I will call and chat with the farm directly, but it is always informative to know peoples’ experiences.

[pony_grandma]

I bred back when they were still in CA. I didnt even know about Aslan at that time. I took the advice of my farrier who was the managing director of BWP back then. She traveled w the inspectors to all the keurings so she saw a lot of horse flesh. I took her opinion vs pretty daddy pictures. She had personally seen BC for 2 yrs running and had handled him. I had a big rangey TB mare I was breeding. She said BC would pull her parts together. I had 2 teenage daughters and wanted temperament, rideability and soundess. We had already rehabbed our share of OTTBs w shelly feet. Obviously I have no complaints about what I got.

I wish breeders showcased foal photos w mature results. I’m on my phone I’ll add the mares jump photo. What discipline do you want? I wanted mixed use. That big bay boy is a stand out all day trail ride.

​​​​​​I have a grand baby too. He has the given abilities to go any direction but he has the natural born hunter rhythm and jump. They’re all individuals.

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[Pohney]

Honestly, I’m looking to produce something versatile - ideally a nice, correct mover that could go into the dressage ring, but also with a correct jump and ample scope. I’m geared more towards jumpers, but want to stay amateur-friendly, and don’t want to sacrifice movement and style. The mare brings correct - but not extravagant - gaits, a tidy jump, and respectable but not upper level scope.

[winter]

My BC baby is a great horse. He is sensitive and reactive but in a perfectly fair and safe way (he gets this from his mother). He is a lovely type, compact with a beautiful head. He is more pony shaped, not super leggy. Has great feet.
He is super brave about jumps and wants to jump anything from anywhere. Loves the show ring. Very adjustable canter with any length of stride you want. Easy to start over fences for an amateur and take to his first shows ect. Needs no schooling in the ring at all.
His trot is so so and is not as good as the mare’s. He has more scope, bravery and rideability than the mare. He is not big, maybe 16h? He jumps with perfect style pretty much every jump…

[Pohney]

Thanks for that level of detail!

[Go_Fish]

I have a friend with a Cunningham but the breeding on the mare is escaping me at the moment. I believe he’s 5 this year, coming 6. Not the hack winner, but the jump is spectacular. The mare is not the best mover, but could stand her ground in the regulars. Stands around 16.3 with great bone. Not drop dead gorgeous, but attractive with a beautiful head. He’s gray, too. And, an absolute sweetheart. Packs around his amateur owner like an old timer.

[Meshach]

I have a Cunningham gelding out of a dutch warmblood mare. I got him at 2 and he will be 6 in April. BIG!! I don’t even want to know what he sticks at anymore, I just say 17.2. (he was a shade over 17.1 about 2 years ago). Super sensible, no spook; if he gets startled by something it’s a startle in place. He truly has never done anything naughty. He went to his first beginner novice horse trial in August (I’m taking it slow) and placed first. He can be a bit lazy, I have to be vigilant about getting him in front of my leg. I think he is very handsome in a masculine way.

[Raine]

From my observation, the one thing Cunningham stamps more than any physical trait is temperament.

My coming 4yo Cunningham mare is on winter break and bored silly! I asked my young horse trainer to play with her yesterday just for something to do. Cold, breezy evening, after sunset. So she did some groundwork and lunged a bit. Yawn. Then looped the lunge line on the halter and hopped on bareback. W/T/C. Yawn. Knelt on her back…then stood up a la Craigslist ad. My mare thought it was all great fun.

When she does spook, as with @Meshach’s gelding, it’s a startle in place. I’ll be 60 in a couple of years and this mare will be my old lady horse. Fancy enough for hunters but we will be able to do a million other fun things - trail ride, hunter pace, etc. She’s perfection. I would have a dozen Cunningham babies if I could afford it!

[Pohney]

Got to say - love the rave temperament reviews for Cunningham.

[About_Time1]

Call Saret at Jump Start Farm. She is super honest and if one of her stallions is not suitable for your mare, she will tell you straight up. She will give the differences of the two and she is super nice and willing to help. You won’t regret it!

I have had now three Balta’Czars and one Cunningham. All are amazing. You won’t got wrong either way. My Cunningham is also very quiet. She is actually out of my Balta’Czar dam who is my favorite horse in the world. This filly was reserve best young horse at the Devon horse show this year on the line in Hunter Breeding.