Hello,
I have the opportunity this year to lease a friend’s lovely and well-bred Connemara mare to breed my next event horse, who would ideally be coming into full work at the same time as my old man is easing (reluctantly) into retirement. I have a short list of stallions I am already considering, but I’m open to suggestions.
I’d really love to hear people’s experiences with and opinions on breeding to the following stallions:
- Either Gem Twist clone - Gemini CL xx or Murka’s Gem xx
- Bonaparte N - AA
- Persiflage - AA
- All That Jazz - AA
- Balou Star
Here’s what I’d like to produce:
15-15.2 hands (I’m quite petite), sporty, scopey, and sound. I prefer a forward ride and I don’t mind a bit of pony attitude, but I don’t want to end up with a TRUE pro ride. Sensitive is fine if they’re also sensible. I’d like a horse with a good gallop and ground-covering stride, to make up for the fact that I want a pretty SMALL horse.
Since I do not own this mare and she might be leased out again as a broodmare, I’m not comfortable sharing pictures of her, so you’ll have to trust my analysis.
(Here is where I am about to get long-winded, so if you just have an opinion on one of the afore-mentioned stallions, feel free to skip).
Mare is a very typey, short but substantial horse who has no problem carrying your average adult. In terms of conformation: she’s definitely a rectangular shape, but she has a very strong back and loin area, and excellent lumbo-sacral joint placement. She has great angles behind and muscling. Her legs are sturdy with nicely sloped pasterns and a good hoof. She toes out a little bit in the front, but it is slight - I did not notice until I read her ACPS inspection report and took a good look at her. Her shoulder is nicely laid back, but I’d like to see a more open angle between the scapula and humerus in her foal. I’d also like to refine her neck a little bit. Her neck is nicely shaped, but it ties in a bit lower on her chest than I would like.
Movement wise, she’s more correct than fancy. I think more refinement in front would give her more reach, especially at the canter. Her gaits are proportionate to her size, but I’d like to aim for a bigger canter/gallop. A fancy trot would be nice but is not one of my top priorities.
She’s a very scopey jumper with good technique, and I really want to reinforce these traits.
Temperament: she’s very lovey and sweet on the ground, and a good girl under saddle. She’s VERY smart and has a bit of pony 'tude, but I like that. I feel safer on XC on a horse who can and will think for themselves, and I’ll accept that the dressage will be more of a challenge 
She is more of a kick ride than I prefer, but willing to work with you.
If you made it through all that, I’d love your advice!
