I am after some breeding advice, I have a lovely hannoverian mare by Fisherman’s Friend out of a Daktylus/Aloe xx mare (breeding https://www.horsetelex.com/horses/pedigree/2679942/remi-fancy-dancer). She is around 17hh, very thoroughbredy in type, she has three good paces and an excellent jump (have had both high level eventers and show jumpers want her). Due to covid and personal circumstances she’s a little behind where we thought we would be but is getting ready to step up to 2*, has show jumped to 1.20 and shown plenty of scope to go higher. On the flat she scores very well, is usually in the top 5 after the dressage with a very good walk and canter, if you were fussy you’d maybe like a little more elevation in her paces but for eventing she has plenty of movement. She’s very trainable, wants to please and loves to jump, rarely has a rail show jumping but is not the bravest horse xcountry.
We have had one foal (ET) from her by Contendro i, he had an exceptional temperament, very similar in type to his mum just with better hocks/pastern angles and a little heavier (he was a colt till 2 and a half). I started him as a 3yo and within 2 weeks of being under saddle he could’ve gone and done a dressage test! Just a really lovely, genuine horse. Sadly we lost him to toxic colitis last year so hadn’t had a chance to jump him more then over some little fences when he was started.
Very long story short, I’m stuck on what to use this time around. The main things I am looking to improve is her hind end, specifically hocks as she’s a little straight, she’s upright in her pasterns so need a stallion known to pass on good limb conformation. While she herself isn’t a heavy horse, her sire could throw bigger/heavier types so want to avoid anything known to throw that. Personally I like hotter horses and the mare has an excellent temperament so I’m happy to use something that can throw spicier types. The main thing I would like is something known to throw brave/bolder babies as the intention is the event. If you were being picky, she could use a slightly stronger top line and a slight more elegant neck but again, if I got a carbon copy of her I’d be over the moon!
My current thoughts are:
- Go back to Contendro i, as we lost the last one at 3 and a half, he may have refined a little more as he grew. The stallion is so well known and produces such lovely types I think it could be a safe bet. He improved the mares limbs and hind end, but the gelding had her neck and was a little heavier.
- Grafenstolz, I love a lot of what he’s producing, he seems to throw lovely necks and good limbs. A lot seem like very good, elastic movers but have seen the odd one that has more ‘daisy cutter’ movement but that could be the dam. From all accounts they’re brave and want to do the job, my only question is given she has the potential to throw a little heavier, would he suit as I have read the odd thing that he needs a mare with plenty of blood?
- Upsilon, I adored this stallion when he was competing and the babies I have seen look super. He already has a few upper level show jumpers and eventers coming through. I think he would compliment her well in terms of conformation. The only issue is, being dead there are limited offspring so don’t have a huge amount to go off and have heard mixed things about his frozen semen? There is a son standing at future sport horses who on paper would be excellent, I’m just a little concerned he may be too heavy.
- I have semen for Ramiro B, I really like what he produces and from what I’ve heard he throws bold horses with great attitudes. I have sort of discounted him for her though as I feel he may be too heavy/produce too heavy as he does not have a huge amount of blood?
- Diarado, he’s producing some really nice eventers, I think he would suit her in terms of type and she’s big which ticks that box for him. Plenty on the ground and would be commercial if we had to sell. Main issue is the cost and its not sold with a live foal (there are a number offered here via frozen with a LFG) but would love to use him.
We are in Australia so the stallion needs to be available via frozen or in the country.
And sorry for the massive post!! Have added some photos of the mare, can add some of her foal as well.
018A6819_2371x1687_3560041|690x490
EQMay25Finals-353|690x459
