SSH STALLION GRADING RESULT

[Anastasia]

Claire good luck with your new foalie. Thank you for sharing the video.

From my own personal opinion there was not a stallion there on the day that showed exceptional movement, including the dressage bred ones. If there was and they had better conformation then they would have been graded higher. Hence my original statement that there were stallions there for the jumping and eventing markets.

However, I am very much hoping that the SSH put up the actual scores for each stallion, so that we can see what they actually got on the day. The reason I say this is because for jumpers you would prefer higher marks in walk and canter, besides the jump. While in the dressage stallion you would be looking for high marks in all the gaits.

Like I said in my first post, the standard of stallions forward this year had improved. All stallions had strengths and weaknesses (as the judges commented on and from what you felt personally), but there were a couple that I was very disappointed with, as I had higher expectations I guess.

 

[Partoow]

i agree totally Anatasia there did not seem from the photos and the video posted that there were not exeptional movers or conformation but some nice animals never the less.
The x- factor for me is that jaw dropping kind of moment when you see them , they should draw the eye like a magnet , the facination of a car crash as it was once put!.
A good stallion has a presence , arrogance of knowing that he is physically the most superior. That is that 'Maleness' that i was talking about.
That xfactor of coarse comes down to a simple thing... Testosterone and the neck the voice and the build reflect these qualities.
i do think it is lacking a lot of the time.

 

[Damien]

Have managed to take a selection of photographs from both indoors and outdoors and have to say that there were some exceptionally stunning stallions that had the x-factor from a photographers veiw point,

some stallions I couldn't keep the camera lense off as were just so photogenic, oozed presence and look at me factor. Hopefully folks will feel the same about the "x-factor" of some of the stallions when I have finished composing the album.

I have some beautiful photos of Just Ross

a very photogenic stallion with such a pleasing outlook on life can't wait to share,

but please give me a few days as have so many to get through.

Movement assesment, honestly? It was not possible to assess the stallions fairly due to so many bodies present in the arena, the stallions stopped and started, none were able to make full use of the arena and its something that I feel needs to be rectified next year.

The issue was raised last year by Suzanne Bredero at the mare gradings, and suggested that all bodies apart from the two at either end of the jumping lane remain in the centre of the arena allowing the stallions/mares/youngstock to travel freely around the totality of the arena encouraged by the whips from a central point, thus allowing the stallions to find their balance and rythm. Stallions having to stop, start, ducking and diving ,turning and chased by whips etc is not a suitable scenario for assessing a stallions movement at its best.

A couple of rounds inhand in trot would also be benifical but I guess that would mean handlers would have to get mega fit and be capable of doing so as is the case at the KWPN selections

mind you they have hadnlers in each corner ready to swap over when they get tired out! LOL

All in all everyone worked flat out and it ran like clockwork considering the number of entries in one day, it was a fantastic team effort from the part of everyone including vets, committee members, volonteers and stallion owners / handlers etc.

From my own persepctive a stallion grading is only a brief moment in a horses life based on two peoples opinions and we have all seen stallions passing a grading with one society and failing with another as was the case with a number of stallions at this years grading.

 

[JustRoss]

Hi there,

You are correct. Just Ross does have cleveland bay in him. His Great gran dam was put to Forrest Royal Laird many years ago. Ross is a forth generation to us.

All of his brothers and sisters are similar with big scopey jump including our other graded stallion Victor's Quest.

We have a fantastic foal from Ross last year. Cant wait to see what Claires mare produces.

 

[JustRoss]

Cant wait to see the photos you have of Just Ross. Will be watchig closely.

 

[Anastasia]

[ QUOTE ]
Movement assesment, honestly? It was not possible to assess the stallions fairly due to so many bodies present in the arena, the stallions stopped and started, none were able to make full use of the arena and its something that I feel needs to be rectified next year.

The issue was raised last year by Suzanne Bredero at the mare gradings, and suggested that all bodies apart from the two at either end of the jumping lane remain in the centre of the arena allowing the stallions/mares/youngstock to travel freely around the totality of the arena encouraged by the whips from a central point, thus allowing the stallions to find their balance and rythm. Stallions having to stop, start, ducking and diving ,turning and chased by whips etc is not a suitable scenario for assessing a stallions movement at its best.

A couple of rounds inhand in trot would also be benifical but I guess that would mean handlers would have to get mega fit and be capable of doing so as is the case at the KWPN selections

mind you they have hadnlers in each corner ready to swap over when they get tired out! LOL

[/ QUOTE ]

Being honest I personally dont think this made any difference, but that is my own personal opinion

. The whips were not moving about the cage that much, and with the judges outside the arena I think there has been much less bodies in the cage than in previous years.

I also think that if a stallion has the movement that it will show regardless, even if you only see a few strides, and I am sure the judges with their experience probably know this.

With regards to the running in hand, remember the SSH used to do this but because people were so bad at doing this that was why it was changed. If you get someone doing a very poor result in-hand then I guess it would reflect in the scores.

When the stallions were presented outside for the walk and trot in-hand outside there was nothing that went "wow" in the movement, but I would expect nothing less because most were jumping bred.

But my idea of a good stallion with the traits I would use on my mares will of course differ from other people.

Yes there were a couple with stunning looks so I can see why your camera loved them..