Well Chosen - Eothian?

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Heidiham

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I'm doing a little searching on Well Chosen at Kedrah House Stud, Ireland and noticed you had a mare in foal to him Eothian. I'd be very interested to hear your views on Well Chosen as an event sire vs Watermill Swatch?

Any other info on Well Chosen and offspring would be very much appreciated - I'm told a couple of stunning babies went through Goresbridge recently.
 
Wow! I came back to make one post re-asserting the amazingness (yes, it is a word) of Cruising and I'm getting asked for more opinions. Fantastic!!! Maybe I'll extend this little return visit!

Anyway ... Well Chosen!

Yes I did have a foal by him this year who I'm absolutely delighted with. Her mother is a quiet plain Classic Vision mare and Well Chosen seems to have added blood by the bucketfull!

Watermill Swatch's dressage record is well known, not so much the level but more the fact that he had movement worthy of entering in the first place! He is however quiet a light horse and while I would use him in a heartbeat, I'd be wary to not use some light limbed dainty little mare with him. There's no doubt in my mind that he will produce many many Eventing horses, I'd be of the opinion that those out of light little mares would be more susceptible to breaking down before hitting the heights of Badminton etc.

The horses by Watermill Swatch who do go on to compete at 4* level will surely have a little bit more --- wait for it --- Draught blood in them.

I've seen a few pictures of foals by him and he's well able to make the stock of ugly mares be pretty, elegant, refined, balanced, blood-type beauties.

If he doesn't produce Eventers, I'll be shocked. The cynics will ask why is he in Ireland if he's so good, why isn't he in Holland? I wouldn't bother worrying about such speculation.

I was to use the mother of my Well Chosen filly with him this year but opted for the newly approved Sirillo instead. Watermill Swatch is on next year's to use list!

Now, on to Well Chosen. I think he's a more versatile stallion. He's quiet substantial for a thoroughbred yet when he gets big plain mares to cover, he lightens, refines, adds blood, movement and quality yet when he gets light little petunia's, he doesn't end up with delicate little garden ornaments.

I had a foal by Well Chosen four years ago who died a few days after birth but was an absolutely smashing model of a colt foal.

I hope both horses can share the burden left by Master Imp's death. There's lots of hype about a few other thoroughbred stallions who have stock the right age to be Eventing at the upper levels but aren't. Why? They're just hype!

Painter's Row, Musical Pursuit, Golden Lariat, Well Chosen, Sirillo and Watermill Swatch are six horses who will breed the Eventers of tomorrow. They'll get the odd showjumper I'm sure but they'll be exceptional rather than the norm. When I've a mare I want to add blood to, I'll be using one of these in the hope of getting a filly.

I may not have answered your question but, being honest, I don't think you'll go wrong using either one for the Eventing game. I'm not at all surprised that Well Chosen has "stunning babies" going through Goresbridge. He's a stunner himself. Almost has an Andalusian quality about him. I know that's not how you spell it but you know what I mean!!!
 
On an autumn visit to a number of Irish studs we saw both Well Chosen and Watermill Swatch, amongst others - very much liked Well Chosen. He's a lovely substantial TB type, and I would have been really interested to see his offspring. There's a write up of the visit and brief views of the stallions, and a photo of Well Chosen on the following link :

http://www.horsebreedersmagazine.com/#/days-of-sunshine-1-pg-2/4536790647
 
Thank you very very much Eothian and thank you for your link Nanette - the photos are very interesting. Watermill Swatch has been my favourite but I am swayed by Well Chosen, especially as Sadler's Wells horses usually have lovely temperaments and a good jump - and I'm told Well Chosen's fertility is good.

Thank you very much!
 
Just came upon this post - echo pretty much everything Eothain has said (bar the Cruising bit :p)

I sold a Well Chosen young horse to go eventing a few months ago - cracker of a horse! Sadly also saw a couple of his, through bad management, fail to sell at the TB sales (wrong sales for them IMO) last year and go to the factory :(
 
eothain i think you could be forget one of the most popular event sires around when you are not metioning ghareeb this horses is not only producing the goods eventing but in showing also
 
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