Both Alexandra and Kareen are spot on.
I have been outspoken here on COTH and to inspectors when I ask questions at inspections, shows, etc. about what the goal is when they decide to award scores.
If the goal is to produce more breeding stock, then certainly CONFORMATION has to be highly valued. Especially foundation construction.
If the goal is to produce performance, then not only conformation, but all three gaits need to be correct and above the average.
In my opinion, and EXPERIENCE, a stallion has to have it all–conformation to stand up to the work long term, gaits that are correct and expressive, and most important, the temperment/character/work ethic to be ridable and take the training, be a willing partner. Even if he nevers shows up the levels, as the offfpring will. The Totilas colt has the mind I think, but not the conformation.
I have been shaking my head for several years now with certain choices that have been made. There are many stallions getting licensed that have NO walk at all. No swing, no overtrack, bad rythym(lateral). But they do have powerhouse trots and very nice canters. Perhaps they are tense in these situations. But when there is a preponderance of offspring without walks in the first foal crop, and these stallions have similar bloodline, that tells a tale. And still more colts from that line are licensed. The trot is the money gait, period.
If you all stop and think about certain popular bloodlines, and think in percentages ( such as stallion A covered 500 mares in 1 yr and stallion B covered 50) and both have 10 offspring at FEI from that year, which is the better stallion? Many, many breeders flock to the licensing winners knowing nothing about the production record of the pedigree. Then they breed to the “Fashionable” young thing to find out 3 years later, it is an oversensitive, non workman, difficult horse to train. But everyone wants to sell and the “hot” new thing usually does.
As I said in the thread in the Dressage forum. This Totilas colt will have the very best chance to succeed. If he does, it will be because of the money behind him to support him–the best situations, best training and rider, best care and best support staff(vet, farrier, MT,etc) that money can buy.
The normal colt will not ever have that oppertunity to prove that he is just as good or even a superstar in the rough.
Hindsight is 20/20. In looking back at the choices the Verbands have made, they have effectivaly lost the older “G” line becasue they won’t give the scores to them, they are not pretty enough. Even with their attempt to bring it back, they would not award scores sufficient for breeders to use that blood.
In the early days, the Celle did not take any Donnerhall blood until the breeders flocked to use other stallions by Donnerhall himself. Then came Don Federico and Don Vino.
