Just wondering about the stallion Sandro Hit. What are the foals like? Are the foals amatuer friendly? Does he add size? Any information would be welcomed.
Thanks
Sandro Hit has been discussed many times on this forum. Here is a sampling of what comes up when you do a search for threads with Sandro Hit in the thread title:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/search.php?searchid=12547619
At the stallion inspection, a SH son Sandro Fidelis was there. I was discussing him with his owner and family and their 15 yo daughter LOVED to ride him. Just one example, but its something.
I have owned 3 Sandro Hit grandsons/daughters and all have amazing temperaments. Super minded and quiet with just the right amount of sensitivity that they were nicely responsive.
All were or are going to be taller than their dams.
The one thing with SH you need to watch for is he has a weaker hindquarter and he tends to have his hindlegs out behind him a bit too far in movement. It makes it harder for him to achieve deep collection. You want a horse with hindlegs more “under the tail” during movement, so that they have an easier time sitting as-it-were in deep collection required for the piaffe, passage, and pirouette. Videos of Weltmeyer would show the difference. If your mare has a strong prepotency for passing on good collective abilities with correct ability to naturally move well underneath themselves, then this would be the right kind of mare to pair with Sandro Hit. It’s not a guarantee fix to the problem, of course, but some breeders have been able to counter it. Some of his sons, in my opinion, are better than he is.
Strengths:
Foals are often VERY fancy and elegant, with pretty faces, long legs, a dark coat (he does not throw red foals), and they have flashy, well cadenced trots, and uphill canters. Sensitive and sweet-natured in temperament, although some can be rather shy as wee babies. Offspring are usually best suited for dressage – not enough scope for jumpers, and too much knee / hock articulation for hunters (although they are certainly pretty enough for hunters). Offspring usually have good rideability under saddle - esp. at lower levels - but can be a bit too sensitive and hot for timid or inexperienced riders. The foals are very attractive to buyers and the offspring frequently shine in the FEI Y/H classes.
Weaknesses:
As mentioned, he has a weaker hindleg/hindquarter assembly that does not accept collection very readily. Also has a moderately thick throatlatch and mediocre walk, which he often passes. A bit lazy, with a tendency to shut down or act out when the work gets really difficult.
For the above reasons, he is known more as a maker of foals, FEI Y/H specialists, and also as a stallion/mare maker, but not so much as a maker of upper level performance horses. Best paired with a mare with a very good walk, super “sit” ability, and good work ethic.
And agree that some of his sons and grandsons are better bets for producing upper level performance horses.
This!!! :yes:
We have had a couple of Sandro Hit’s from our mare SPS Pakesa (Prince Thatch xx/Duerkheim) and she was very strong in all the areas mentioned above. It was a very good cross for us! We have had many GP trainers comment on these horses (some now undersaddle) as being very talented for FEI, including one former Olympian who referred to one of them as international FEI potential. I turned to the owner/rider and said ‘No pressure.’ :lol::lol:
But in all seriousness, DY hit the nail on the head with what the mare needs to bring to the cross.
