Interested in hearing peoples opinions on there idea of a near perfect warmblood stallion.Which warmblood stallion do you believe has near perfect conformation and why?
Soprano (Sandro Hit/Contender) But I do think it’s much more relevant what they produce as a stallion than how they themselves are. I’ve had two Soprano babies and they are outstanding. I think he’s a very underrated Hunter sire. Beautiful heads, great movement and fabulous jumping ability.
But for the stallion to produce quality foals he him self must be of high quality…
Ages ago when I was getting a magazine from the Hanoverian Verband, they were discussing the new stallions and said Escudo I had very, very good conformation.
Look at the breeding values for type, legs etc. That will tell you if they can reliably pass it on.
Conformation is a subjective idea. A jumper will be a bit different then a dressage horse. And in sport horses, pretty is as pretty does. So you can have a very nice looking horse that really does not throw much for talent. I can think of several stallions out there that fit this bill. So when you say quality, that is not necessary the “perfect” conformation. They usually have very good conformation.
An example is the debate if dressage horses should have the long legs that is so popular. Do they really make it easier for the horse to function or is it just a selling feature because it suits the publics sense of esthetics.
I see many horses I think are gorgeous, but there’s only one time I’ve seen a picture and thought “Now THAT is my version of ideal conformation!” It turned out it was Negro, and I think his offspring have done ok, too. :lol:
I’m super excited one of my friends has a Negro filly - I can’t wait to watch her growing up.
Yes I agree Negro is an outstanding stallion. I never knew or heard of long legs being sought for in dressage horses, I look at valegro’s legs and if anything they seem to be shorter then longer… Then again one swallow doesn’t make a summer
Escudo I, for sure. I like Escudo II a lot too.
I agree that there is no answer to this question. First it depends on discipline, second it depends on personal taste of type and third it depends on what “breed” of warmblood you are discussing (I would hazard to say the “perfect” Trakehner is going to look different than the “perfect” Holsteiner).
I know in my courses with the Hannoveraner Verband Londonderry is used quite often as a perfect example, conformationally speaking, of the ideal refining stallion. For me personally Floriscount is almost ideal…I love his front end (head/neck shoulder), I love the length and design of his back/ croup. To me his only “flaw” would be a bit upright in his pasterns, but it certainly does not affect his way of going or what he is producing.
[QUOTE=beauty101;7911091]
But for the stallion to produce quality foals he him self must be of high quality…[/QUOTE]
No, this is not correct. I assume when you are talking about “high quality” you are talking about ‘perfect’ conformation. And, obviously in the WB world a stallion must be approved via testing or performance to produce any registerable offspring.
But both venues will forgive minor “faults” in conformation or movement (such as winging or paddling).
There are ‘perfect’ stallions who do not produce the same and stallions with some flaws who do not produce their flaws.
Obviously no one wants to breed to a horse (mare or stallion) with a myriad of flaws & weaknesses, but that’s where looking deep into the pedigree of both horses comes in and making the right match.
My best broodmare has a number of conformational faults, but her movement is excellent and (so far) bred to 4 different stallions all her foals have been close to perfect in terms of conformation.
As I’ve said before, if breeding was as easy as breeding Mr. Perfect to Miss Perfect anyone with $$ could do it. Genetics are funny things and not nearly as predictable as we like to think they are.
[QUOTE=netg;7911191]
I see many horses I think are gorgeous, but there’s only one time I’ve seen a picture and thought “Now THAT is my version of ideal conformation!” It turned out it was Negro, and I think his offspring have done ok, too. :lol:
I’m super excited one of my friends has a Negro filly - I can’t wait to watch her growing up.[/QUOTE]
I would agree with you on Negro – however a friend of mine has seen 3 of his foals born here in the US and she termed them “3 of the ugliest horses I’ve ever seen!”
Now, to be fair, she & I rarely agree on horses, but still…
And as someone pointed out, if Negro hadn’t sired Valegro, he would not be near as high on the list of top dressage sires as he is. Personally, I would rather breed to a stallion who has produced a dozen PSG or I-1 horses than one who has only produced 1-2 GP superstars.
[QUOTE=danskbreeder;7911064]
Soprano (Sandro Hit/Contender) But I do think it’s much more relevant what they produce as a stallion than how they themselves are. I’ve had two Soprano babies and they are outstanding. I think he’s a very underrated Hunter sire. Beautiful heads, great movement and fabulous jumping ability.[/QUOTE]
I have to agree on Soprano. I have one filly from him (o/o the broodie I mentioned before) and you would have to be uber picky to find a conformational fault on that filly. I AM uber picky and I struggle to find one.
WHen she was just 2.5 mos old at her inspection she got “only” an 8.2 for conformation because she was still abit tight in the tendons in front. ANother month and she was completely straight. Still, her score for movment (8.6) was high enough so she tied for Reserve Champion in the NAtion for that year and she was by far the youngest foal shown.
And Soprano put a drop-dead GORGEOUS head on that foal!! Almost Arab like. I’ll be repeating the breeding this year.
I think TB Artrageous was in an article recently stating that he has awesome eventer conformation.
Blume Farm is right. A trakehner, which is the closest to a breed registry, looks a lot different that the heavier Holsteiner. But your Holsteiner is a terrific jumper. So a lot depends on the discipline you want the horse for. While the warmblood registries produce horses for both dressage and jumping, the reality is that the Holsteiner excels at jumping rather than at dressage. Look at what the stallions’ foals have done in the ring, and then decide whether or to to buy the get from that sire. And don’t forget the mare and her performance and conformation also. Buying a horse or foal branded premium insures that you’ve bought the registry standard. Breeding your own could end up with whatever the genes of the stud and your mare are. That could be Arab or TB even.
Another issue is whether or not you want a horse who is more lightweight, like the trakehner registry, or a more “old fashioned” or “coarse” as the breeders call some of the other registries. As long as you have the conformation accepted within the registry, and great clean legs, you should be able to do about anything with your warmblood. (Except barrel racing.:lol:)
aren’t you also looking at the mare and what attributes she needs to improve on and also what qualities of hers do you want to carry over to the next generation?
I have always heard that Weltmeyer was considered near perfect. Also, Escudo II has fabulous conformation values.
[QUOTE=Kyzteke;7911877]
I have to agree on Soprano. I have one filly from him (o/o the broodie I mentioned before) and you would have to be uber picky to find a conformational fault on that filly. I AM uber picky and I struggle to find one.
WHen she was just 2.5 mos old at her inspection she got “only” an 8.2 for conformation because she was still abit tight in the tendons in front. ANother month and she was completely straight. Still, her score for movment (8.6) was high enough so she tied for Reserve Champion in the NAtion for that year and she was by far the youngest foal shown.
And Soprano put a drop-dead GORGEOUS head on that foal!! Almost Arab like. I’ll be repeating the breeding this year.[/QUOTE]
May we see a photo? :yes:
Not fair not to share. 
[QUOTE=skydy;7914225]
May we see a photo? :yes:
Not fair not to share. :D[/QUOTE]
I think you have seen one – I am very proud of her. But since she was/is not for sale I haven’t been up to date on pics of her.
But here is a video of her playing in the rain when she was not quite 30 days old. You can see her dam is no where close to “perfect” in terms of conformation, but she does have a strong pedigree and some excellent attributes…the best of which is that she consistently outproduces herself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9iz3ZfECpw&list=UU7I73Q992WVpbYMILxJUctg&index=16
Here are afew pics taken at her inspection. https://www.flickr.com/photos/99704127@N03/sets/72157636289569323/
She’ll be 2 this spring – hoping to show her in hand abit.
She’s lovely Kyzteke. :yes:
I think His Highness was as close to perfect as they come.
