No experience with Landkoenigs of any age other than mine. And I agree, sometimes quiet babies are unusually difficult to start, while some challenging foals are straightforward and easy to start and bring along. My colt’s dam is suuupppeer sweet on the ground, but a bit of a pistol to ride, so it’ll be interesting to see how her son does.
P line is from Pilot, and that line includes Pablo and Pablito. I’ve known a handful and many were not ammie-rides without a lot of training and mileage. Paparazzo sired many successful HB and performance hunters, but I never met any personally.
We have two Cunninghams showing locally that I know of. One is lovely and my trainer, who I respect on bloodlines, recommends Cunningham because her client’s was so easy. The other one is owned by a nice ammie (and vet who has a small scale hunter breeding program) and that one is spicy and quirky and being ridden by a pro who is good with difficult horses. It’s a gorgeous horse, but definitely needed a good program.
I LOVE Checkmate. A friend had a stunning 2yo homebred by him that was sadly lost in a pasture accident. I bred one mare to him last year, but Fed Ex delayed the shipment and the mare didn’t take. I will say the SO wasn’t the easiest to work with, but if I breed again in the future, I would love to use him.
I have had 2x Bliss homebreds. Both are very friendly and easy horses. I backed/started both myself with no drama. One just recently sold as a 5yo to very good dressage home. The other I still own (now 6yo) and hoping to start her hunter career this year. While both of my homebreds have good brains, aren’t spooky, and are attractive and good movers, I would not use him again. Both of mine ended up significantly smaller than expected and smaller than both of their dams. I’ve since met other breeders who had the same problem (and other breeders who had the same problem from other BdR sons). My bestie has a young Bliss gelding that is 17.2 and wears a 54" girth–he’s huge, but there’s a very statistically relevant percentage of his offspring that end up little. And it’s heartbreaking to have a horse with the WHOLE package, except that it’s only 15hh. Other than that, I loved mine, and would very happily buy a horse by Bliss, as long as it was already the height I wanted.
I would not use Alpine. He stands locally and while he does stamp his offspring, he’s not a stallion I would use. (feel free to PM if you have specific questions). Valentino is getting used by people I respect, but haven’t met any that were under saddle or performing.
There are several Lordanos horses successful in sport, and a few North American stallions by him that look lovely.
I will repeat my statement about R lines. I’ve had, I think 6 of them now? And every single one was sweet, quiet, and sensible to own and ride.
Many of the stallion owners out there are very honest about their boys, and what they pass. I’d reach out to Edgar Schute (Eurequine) and Kathy St Martin (Avalon Equine) and ask them which of their stallions might be a good match for your mare. I would trust their opinion, as they’ve both been doing this a long time.
. I would have another Landkoenig any time.
