Who went to Hartpury?

cruiseline

cruiseline

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 March 2005
Messages
3,211
Location
Shropshire & Dubai
www.ipcmedia.com
OK so who went to Hartpury and what were your thoughts on the stallions presented?

I have heard glowing reports about Don VHP and Cooper Van De Heffinckm, also some not so glowing reports about others.

Thoughts please people :D
 
I went and had a super time watching the SJ and eventing stallions. I made tonnes of notes on all I saw, let me know if you want to know about any specifics....

Cooper V D Heffinck was the horse of the night for me- my god he can jump, he cleared the top of the wings with literally feet to spare and found it all so easy.

Don VHP also made it look so easy- fantastic level headed horse with a really nice attitude and tonnes of scope

Both sadly too big for my mare but I did really like Cash Point (he's quite buzzy under saddle but sweet as anything in the stable) and Quinn who just had a wonderful calm attitude and a super jump- took it all in his stride
 
Blimey I had no idea cooper was there. He is one I have been watching for some time. Is he in the uk for a bit then?
 
I couldnt go unfortunately, family emergency just as I was about to leave :(

Anybody got any opinions on Mr Big Cat and Wish Upon A Star?
 
With Mr Big Cat just look at his BE record first. If you want to use a stallion who is ridden by a world class pro who has had 2 horse falls. Plus he has no stock on the ground.
 
Went to college there.. worked on the stud... they have have some fab stallions! All are worth looking into more, they all produce lovely foals! Fell in love with a few.. lucky I'm not a rich girl or I would have brought quite a few home!
 
I was there for the dressage part of the day, proably a bit boring fir you jumping and eventing types
;-) so very interesting horses , some I though a little ordinary , not sure what they would have to give in terms of type and movement but others were outstanding.
Temperament is to me vital and there again were some really special ones.
I'm afraid I'm not a fan if the stallions that stand at Hartbury , for reasons above
I was disappointed not to see Future Illusion under saddle?
Especially when the three year old Super Tramp was ridden having only been broken a few weeks!
 
Unfortunately I could not get over to see, but I must say lesleypg, Claire commented on how Garuda K has improved since the last time she saw him out, which was a couple of years ago. So much more strength behind the saddle and a super active hind leg.

She also loved Meadow Studs new pony stallion, what an asset he is going to be for UK sports pony breeders. She missed seeing Cash Point, but she had seen him out recently at a show, and loves him.

She also said that Catherston Springsteen's canter pirouette was simply stunning, I can't wait to see him at SSGB.
 
there is a post on FB from Future Illusion's owner saying he had an allergic reaction to something and came out in spots all over. They had the emergency vet to him who gave him a jab but it didn't work in time, so they had to show him inhand instead of ridden as the rash was also under his saddle and girth areas. He is at SSGB this coming weekend though and hopefully all cleared up. Such a shame when you drive them that far to be seen though.
 
I wonder if they had used some of that show sheen stuff on him in his preparation, I have one horse that comes up in huge welts if he goes anywhere near it. It is a really shame, but as you said LynneB he will be at Addington next weekend.
 
It says again on FB that they tried him in the warm up but he was clearly uncomfortable so they decided not to stress him further and showed him in hand instead. His owner also says if she had been planning to show in hand she would have made sure she was fitter : ).
Lesleypg I would like to hear about the dressage stallions and your thoughts if and when you feel like typing and does anyone know any more about the video that was possibly in the pipeline of all the stallions?
 
LilMissy said:
I couldnt go unfortunately, family emergency just as I was about to leave :(

Anybody got any opinions on Mr Big Cat and Wish Upon A Star?
Click to expand...

Mr Big Cat went nicely, he a good athletic sort with a scopey jump but I also wouldnt use him until he's more proven in competition.

WUAS is one I always like but he can just be a bit looky, he has that warmblood half a milisecond's momentary hesitation at times- I've seen that cost him a couple of competitions as he has gone to almost stop at ditches/ water trays. He moves nicely, if not extravagantly, and has scope.

I saw Future Illusion in the stable just as they were tacking up and he was covered in lumps, I think it was perhaps the bedding.

Romulus went superbly on the flat for a stallion only coming 3 and under saddle a month- what a lovely natural shape and so level headed in that atmosphere. Showy movement- like a section B not a mini warmblood. He was trying to leap in with Cash Point in the stables though!!!
 
Huge shame about Future Illusion but his owner said yesterday that it was all cleared up thanks to injection by morning and so he will be ready to roll at SSGB this coming weekend. They have no idea what caused it and wondered if it was a reaction to haylage as was a different make to what he has at stud but just don't know.
 
Ok , firstly when I say old fashioned it is not a negative term so think classic and you know what I mean!
So I liked the stamp and quality as well as the rideability of Keystone Rhondeo , Woodlander Rockstar is a very fluent moving horse with nice limbs both of these horses are great more classic types
I think when looking at stallions its important to not look at it purely as a 'sport horse' but what it will bring in terms of bloodline to your mare and how that works with her strengths and weaknesses

Treliver Decanter had come on so much under his new rider a much much better representation if what the horse has to offer but it is HOT!! The DiMaggio has much to bring to the table but sometimes they are hot!
Would like to mention Garuda K
I first saw him 3 yrs ago and loved him but did not like his production under saddle , I've always lived The Trakhner breed and particularly that bloodline
He is a truely genuine horse , sound in body and mind which is evident from the improvements he's made in a relatively short period of time.
I have another horse in at the moment from a similar sire line and the type is clear again super character he's Oldenburg withDonnerhall so so obviously Trakhner can be used to modernise but keep rideability if you choose the right Trakhner !!!

Springsteen looked good , always been one of my more favourite Catherstone sires
Frankly Sugar is a nice dressage horse not enough 'stallion' about him for me.
A good stallion must clearly be that , he can be pretty but he must stand out as male and a few didn't do that for me
Sad about Future Illusion because that showing did him no good. It would have been better to not show him in that situation as he looked unsettled and not very compliant. With his excellent but often unpredictable bloodlines I would worry as to temperament , no doubt he is a lovely stamp , I hope he had a better time at Addington!!
 
Future Illusion - you need to look at his event record the same as Mr Big Cat. If these horses are being marketed as Event Stallions they should have a good record at all levels. Why use an unproven horse that has a poor record. They need to be good at all disciplines good dressage, bold clear XC and consistent clears SJ. Wish Upon a Star is really proving to be an Advanced success and Brief Encounter and Jigilo have both gone Advanced and they are both by Jumbo who is the best event stallion in the world! As far as I am concerned! Temperament is also paramount for stallions and they also have to have that wow factor or they should not still be entire.
 
oldywoldy said:
Future Illusion - you need to look at his event record the same as Mr Big Cat. If these horses are being marketed as Event Stallions they should have a good record at all levels. Why use an unproven horse that has a poor record. They need to be good at all disciplines good dressage, bold clear XC and consistent clears SJ. Wish Upon a Star is really proving to be an Advanced success and Brief Encounter and Jigilo have both gone Advanced and they are both by Jumbo who is the best event stallion in the world! As far as I am concerned! Temperament is also paramount for stallions and they also have to have that wow factor or they should not still be entire.
Click to expand...

Firstly I think that relatively speaking these two are fairly young stallions.

Future Illusions owner is very open in that she will NOT overface her young horse for the sake of public opinion. I would actually be satisified with his eventing record at this stage as although not competed that much and HC due to his rider's higher level, he has performed consistantly and sufficiently for a rising eight year old (DOB 2004) and bearing in mind that he had a serious injury last year. I understand that he has been competing pure dressage at the moment until he is completely healed. I would be interested to find out how he is getting along.

I have seen him elsewhere and do think that he has the 'wow' factor but seems he was having an off day at Hartpury! :rolleyes:

Mr Big Cat is the same age as FI but was only imported in 2009. So he would be coming into his third year in the country. If you had been riding your horse for one/two years at what level would you be expecting him to be competing? As for the falls - they do happen to everyone, rider error, weather conditions etc. Admittedly I havent looked at his record yet so shall toddle off to do so now!

I would be interested to know what percentage of event stallions sires have 'competed to a high level' and been consistant in all three phases as well as having excellent temperament, perfect conformation and 'stallion presence' (which I think is a subjective statement anyway as discussed in previous threads re gradings etc! Plus everyone likes something different so that also needs to be taken into account.) Oh and the ability to pass all of these angel like qualities onto thier offspring regardless of the mare and upbringing!!! Quite an ask?

I was interested to know how Mr BC was ridden and how he dealt with the atmosphere at the show. I also wanted others impressions about his paces and jumping ability 'on the day'.

I agree that Jumbo and his offspring have done well but dont necessarily suit the mare I am looking to breed.

The high percentage of warmblood in Wish Upon A Stars breeding is what has made me question him for my personal breeding programme and as his first foal crops are not yet undersaddle it would also be difficult to know if he is passing on his abilities. So again I was just looking for others opinions of how he went on the day.

PS are you from Grafham Stud?? ;)
 
LilMissy said:
I was interested to know how Mr BC was ridden and how he dealt with the atmosphere at the show. I also wanted others impressions about his paces and jumping ability 'on the day'.
Click to expand...

Mr BC was hammered into the arena at a rapid pace, pinged round in a smart, loose moving trot, I felt the canter was a bit more ordinary, with a tendency to go 4 time when collected back. He had a nice athletic jump, though perhaps not textbook neat and tidy. I did like him, he has a lot of quality about him, he was obedient and seemed nice tempered but I didn't see him outside the ring
 
seabsicuit2 said:
Any thoughts on take it 2 the limit and Ramiro B?
Click to expand...

TI2L- nice mover, good on the flat and very sweet natured. I was interested to see his jump as he has a tendancy to have poles down SJ, he was a bit tappy but nothing dramatically bad. He did have a major strop about jumping one of the xc fences though- refused it the first time then would not go anywhere near it- stopped and spun 5 strides out!

Ramiro B did not inspire me at all, though he had a nicely shaped neck and moved well when sparked up a bit- was ordinary until he spooked at something and showed off a lovely suspension for a few strides. They had Cooley's Master Class along to show off the offspring who I thought was very common- tapped every single fence and looked like an irish bog pony! He's got a very decent BE record at novice level though so guess that shows my ability to judge a horse!
 
Ah thats interesting thank you- Seem some amazing progeny by R.B- Buck Davidson has one that is a really wow jumper & takes Buck round the biggest courses with no help from the rider!

TI2TL sounds nice, think he was ridden by a junior rider& it must be very hard for a junior to take a ride over from the professionals, it does sound like he had a proper tantrum tho!
 
seabsicuit2 said:
TI2TL sounds nice, think he was ridden by a junior rider& it must be very hard for a junior to take a ride over from the professionals, it does sound like he had a proper tantrum tho!
Click to expand...

The rider was excellent- a really top class young jockey. TI2L was just having none of it at this particular fence- wouldnt worry me unduly, he has a pretty faultless xc record at top level!
 
TheMule said:
Mr BC was hammered into the arena at a rapid pace, pinged round in a smart, loose moving trot, I felt the canter was a bit more ordinary, with a tendency to go 4 time when collected back. He had a nice athletic jump, though perhaps not textbook neat and tidy. I did like him, he has a lot of quality about him, he was obedient and seemed nice tempered but I didn't see him outside the ring
Click to expand...

Many thanks! :)

Oh, just as a comparison to some of the other stallions does anyone know what Mr BC stud fee is? Couldnt see it on website
 
Last edited:
LilMissy said:
Firstly I think that relatively speaking these two are fairly young stallions.

Future Illusions owner is very open in that she will NOT overface her young horse for the sake of public opinion. I would actually be satisified with his eventing record at this stage as although not competed that much and HC due to his rider's higher level, he has performed consistantly and sufficiently for a rising eight year old (DOB 2004) and bearing in mind that he had a serious injury last year. I understand that he has been competing pure dressage at the moment until he is completely healed. I would be interested to find out how he is getting along.

I have seen him elsewhere and do think that he has the 'wow' factor but seems he was having an off day at Hartpury! :rolleyes:

Mr Big Cat is the same age as FI but was only imported in 2009. So he would be coming into his third year in the country. If you had been riding your horse for one/two years at what level would you be expecting him to be competing? As for the falls - they do happen to everyone, rider error, weather conditions etc. Admittedly I havent looked at his record yet so shall toddle off to do so now!

I would be interested to know what percentage of event stallions sires have 'competed to a high level' and been consistant in all three phases as well as having excellent temperament, perfect conformation and 'stallion presence' (which I think is a subjective statement anyway as discussed in previous threads re gradings etc! Plus everyone likes something different so that also needs to be taken into account.) Oh and the ability to pass all of these angel like qualities onto thier offspring regardless of the mare and upbringing!!! Quite an ask?

I was interested to know how Mr BC was ridden and how he dealt with the atmosphere at the show. I also wanted others impressions about his paces and jumping ability 'on the day'.

I agree that Jumbo and his offspring have done well but dont necessarily suit the mare I am looking to breed.

The high percentage of warmblood in Wish Upon A Stars breeding is what has made me question him for my personal breeding programme and as his first foal crops are not yet undersaddle it would also be difficult to know if he is passing on his abilities. So again I was just looking for others opinions of how he went on the day.

PS are you from Grafham Stud?? ;)
Click to expand...
Nope but I have been using Jumbo since he was 3!
 
Mr Big Cats stud fee is £500 LFG.

I'm seriously considering using him on my 3/4 bred mare this year but i'm browsing to see who else is out there before any decisions are made.

I think if you're looking to breed an eventer he will add the speed and injection of TB into the mix. My only doubts are that he isn't "stallion" enough and is quite an ordinary horse, nice but nothing overly special that really makes you go 'wow'.

I didn't see him in stables & i have to confess i couldn't overly remember him the next day, but thats possibly because nothing majorly stood out that would suit my mare.

My pick of the day (and i'm an eventer) would be Garuda K. His rider obviously adores him & he's improved by miles over the past few years. A really nice moving, 'typey' horse.
 
Would agree with the comment about Garuda K he has really matured since I last saw him two years ago at Hartpury. I thought he had real wow factor and his extravagant front leg seems to have been toned down slightly and there seems to be a better balance between the front and hind leg action. Another stallion that caught my eye was Wenckstern, I liked him a lot.
 
Was Albaran not there? He is Thoroughbred and is meant to be very nice - licensed with
several breed societies. He may be at Addington this weekend. There are so few TB's who are proven and are not NH and therefore sensible stud fees for sport horse breeders. Ken Rehill had one but dont know if he still has it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top