Self indulgent stallion choice afternoon!!!

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no_no_nanette

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Well, eventrider and I had a blissful afternoon yesterday in front of the DVD player, with enormous numbers of stud cards, trying to reduce a long, long list of stallions that we want to put our Beachtime mare to this summer (she's due to foal in early June, so its going to be a bit of a squeeze!) ... It was really interesting, and not actually as difficult as we would thought it would be. Interesting how influenced we were by "gut feel", and the subjective issues of the type of stallion that we admire ... plus that indefinable "look at me" factor. We had some clear criteria on conformation to balance aspects of Abi's conformation, and also realised that we quite like the risk-taking of trying to spot "up-and-coming" young stallions .... We finally ended up with a short list of 2 continental stallions (Check In and Cornets Prinz), and 2 UK studs/stallion to visit before making the final choice. (Quainton and Landatos, who stands near us). Phew! Never thought we'd make it, but we've still got to marrow it down to The One.

How is everyone else going about choosing a stallion for their mare, and what have you found influences you?
 
My way was not technical at all. I had been browsing adverts for an in the future sire as I was thinking of putting her in foal within a few years when I suddenly decided that she should be in foal. As in the farrier came to reshoe when I decided to keep them off and send her to stud. There was an advert on the kitchen table when I went back inside, I rang the stud and she went the same day. Even looking closer at stallions since I would probably have made the same choice..... although there are two nice ones down the road from here....
 
Who did you choose BTW that time??

Ooh – Rufus Blue Moon – Landato is out as he’s just been sold and not standing this year now….
 
I wasn't considering putting PF in foal at all, but I saw Habano jump at a show and decided on the spot he was THE ONE. Even then, I was thinking of the future; getting enough money for the stud fee (he was deffo going to be expensive!) etc... Everything came together in the most roundabout way (someone ELSE offered me a stallion for PF, I rang my uncle to ask about the stally... he said "Why don't you use Habano, I think he would be great for PF, and you can have the service for free..."
How could I say no?!
 
Oooh, how lovely, PF - I wish that I had an uncle who would offer to stump up the stud fee for the 2 guys that we are considering ... neither of them cheap, of course ..... And isn't it funny how there is so often that immediate reaction when you see a particular stallion of "Wow! That's the one!" I would love to be able to ask our mares what <u>their</u> opinion would be .... I have a strong suspicion, after Beth spent her time ogling the little Connie stallion at Hobgoblins Open Day, rather than Millenium or the other gorgeous young WB stallions, that they might not agree with our choices!!!
 
Yep, I had that immediate "Wow!" moment even though at the time I wasn't even considering breeding her yet! PF is a tart, so I'm sure she would've approved of my choice... sadly she never met him as she was AIed! I feel a bit bad about that!
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My uncle really is a lovely chap. It helped, I think, that I did some paintings for him and that he met PF and rode her and really really liked her
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I try to be very practical when making my short list, taking into account conformation, movement, grading resaults, competiton results, offspring, temperament, pedigree etc etc, but that final decision is totally down to gut instinct - what will suit my mare, got to produce a foal I love and am enthusiastic about as if I dont love it, how can I expect potential buyers too.
I love going to stallion shows and seeing a number of different ones presented and there might be one that just gives me goosebumps, brings tears to the eyes, and then I just have to find the right mare to suit him.
 
BTW, anyone who has any opinions on Check In and Cornet's Prinz (or indeed on the Quainton boys) please feel free to say!!! Would love to know what people think of them.
 
Volatis, sounds as though we did pretty much the same as you, and have certainly loved the stallions shows that we have been to - and then suddenly the "Wow Factor" strikes, and all the practical work, while it gave us our (long) short list, didn't in the end drive the decision on the final two .... And you're absolutely right about the foal, I hadn't really thought about that. It can, of course, be a disadvantage, if you are as besotted as we are with the firstborn, as I can't imagine ever being able to sell him!! But with two more on the way, who knows but that we'll think they are just as wonderful?
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I cry when one of my babies leaves home, but the joy and excitement when the new owner emails you with first show results, and photos, and you know how much they adore their new purchase - that all makes it worthwhile.
 
If you mean Landato who is by Landadel and standing in West Sussex he is still available at stud you are more than welcome to visit him I don't know why someone has put that he is not standing at stud they should get their facts right unless there is another Landato?
 
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