Breeding an Eventer

Alleycat you are so funny - I have been told (by very kind and well-meaning friends) that I should not post accounts of Tobago's daft antics on public forums, as it will put people off him, and put them off Arabs in general...
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And yet in your case it seems to have the opposite effect! It is just a shame that I am such a complete doofus with cameras and videos. The YO's son did manage to capture a few seconds of Tobago's roof-game on his mobile phone, which he transferred to my mobile - but I haven't a clue how to find it, let alone transfer to my computer or onto here.
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A visiting breeder once videoed the horseball-boxing game, but she still hasn't sent me a copy. I will try to get this for you.

In reply to your question (and with apologies for my Arab-obsession), I understand that the continentals, or at least the French and Eastern Europeans, have far less prejudice against Arab blood in their sport horses than the Brits. Quite apart from the Selle Francais often have a fair bit of Arab blood, the French Anglo-Arab is almost a breed in its own right, and a highly valued respected one.
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I totally agree with you about looking for horses who see work as a game. My boy isn't even backed yet, but I think he will be delightful to ride, as he dearly loves a challenge. When he's turned out, he often sets himself challenges of speed and agility, and works himself very hard, till he is drenched in sweat.
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(Sorry didn't mean to hi-jack the thread with Tobago-talk and Arab stuff - as you may have gathered I am rather besotted with this horse and breed!
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Me too Tobago, it's great to hear someone get such pleasure from their horses (and I thought it was only me that was so batty!) You could almost convert me to them for eventing if I could have one like Tamarillo.
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Our own Weston Justice

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Do you own Weston Justice? I saw a picture of him jumping on a stallion website and thought how nice he looked- and how happy & interested. Would love to see a conformation shot.

Htobago, I had the most beautiful mare - a surprise from my TB - by an Arab called Crystal Caliph- he was later gelded & did well in racing & endurance. I lost her to grass sickness at 9 years old; she went to stud & never came home; it was heartbreaking. She was a real "people" horse, and so intelligent. I'd love another, but would always be comparing it with her.
 
[ QUOTE ]
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Our own Weston Justice

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Do you own Weston Justice? I saw a picture of him jumping on a stallion website and thought how nice he looked- and how happy & interested. Would love to see a conformation shot.


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She does...he is such a stunning mover, saw him at Pavo, he also looks like he loves a crowd..he thought all eyes were on him!
 
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You could almost convert me to them for eventing if I could have one like Tamarillo.

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Ah, but Tamarillo is only 36.5% Arab according to WFP's article about him in H&H . I had to smile when he referred to his "little Arab". I wouldn't say 16.2hh is "little" and he's got just as much, if not more, TB in him.
 
Well, he probably feels quite little to WFP, who is very tall!
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And I think it's nice that he is proud of Tamarillo's 36.5% Arab blood - there was so much affection in that article; he obviously has a very special bond with this horse.
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And WFP clearly doesn't think Tamarillo was just a 'one-off' fluke, cos he's now eventing another Anglo Arab (with 50% Arab blood this time) called All That Jazz. This one is just starting his career, but looking very promising!
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This mare never stopped XC or SJ'g & is ex of a Welsh type/Arab by an AA
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Her sires sire Hassani of Fairfeild
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Her AA sire was a winner on the race track, hunted & SJ'd. The most honest horse I have ever owned/bred & never spooky. Not a big mare at 15.2 but big in heart.
 
Thanks SevernMistletoe JP always thinks the crowd is for him.
I will try and post a picture of him standing up. Photos arent a strong point of ours.
We have been fortunate in breeding a few advanced horses, the most talented probably WBx tb that in reality were 3/4 TB but Weston Miskris(7/8TH TB}and Weston Justice(15/16TB) were the most successful and they are both very good movers capable of beating warmbloods in the dressage and with a high cruising speed xcountry but most of all up for the challenge which is look all good eventers have.
 
That mare looks super Magic! Thanks for the pic! Hassani of Fairfield was a great stallion, owned and ridden by my friend and mentor Liz Salmon!

I just have to post this pic of my first horse, the pure-bred Arab stallion General Lee Gold, who was one of the fist pure-breds to do affiliated eventing. He was only 15.1, but very tough and brave. Here he is at Batsford BHS Novice as a 5-year-old (he had only been backed about 6 months before this):

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(Apologies to those who have seen this before, or who are fed-up with Arab-lovers hi-jacking their threads.
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If his sire line is the Selle Francais stallions mentioned then this horse is mostly TB as that is what the SF is mainly made up of!!
 
So that is the same pattern repeating itself, isn't it: almost TB but not quite... and the "almost TB" seems to be required, but its the "not quite" that seems to make the difference.
I looked at the Brullemail website to see Jaguar Mail whom Volatis mentioned: liked him a lot: he is SO nearly TB, with the TB virtues, yet there's an added something- what? scope & jumping ability? yet you get full TBs who are scopey in the sportshorse sense and can jump. Maybe he has a different stance to a full TB? A different balance? He seems to give the best of both worlds, TB & WB...Beautiful website, and the breeders' sportshorse breeding articles were fascinating reading; independant and clearsighted.
 
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