nss official programme
Craig (left) and El Thuder stand at Bellegrace Stud in Sussex
Bellegrace stud is a small family run setup on the beautiful West Sussex/Surrey borders of the South East. Along with a mare herd and home bred youngstock, Bellegrace stands two stallions at stud, El Thuder, grade A show jumper, and the stunning Trakehner, Craig. They offer fresh, chilled and frozen semen, with availability competition dependant. Both the boys have a busy year ahead planned.
The show jumping stallion El Thuder and his rider Greg Le Gear have been selected onto British Showjumping Association’s ‘Step up to Gold’ programme, which is an illustrious talent seeking programme, picking the best pairings across the country and helping them to achieve their potential up the levels, aiming towards Grand Prix. El Thuder has a very busy schedule this year and will be aiming for all the big shows in the UK, together with a good number abroad.
This impressive Holstein stallion has proven himself time and time again both in competition and through his progeny. He already has a number of talented offspring competing here and abroad, and has an exceptional graded son, Lord Thuder to his name. Amarillo as he is known at home, has produced talented offspring from mares within all of the show
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jumping, eventing, dressage and showing disciplines. They are renowned for his laid-back- but-bold attitude and his superb technique and scope over a fence. “You can always spot an Amarillo a mile off!’”, says stud owner Melissa Wood.
He stands at 16.2hh and boasts some fantastic bloodlines, by the late Thunder van de Zuuethoueve (Argentinus) and has a good dose of thoroughbred, with Ladykiller twice through the bloodline. ‘El Thuder is clearly bred to be a modern stamp of show jumper; his physique means he is a great cross for the more old fashioned style of lines like those of Concorde etc and at the same time he is blood enough to make an incredibly successful cross with thoroughbreds for eventers, not losing the gallop and reinforcing that bold mentality.
Melissa confirms: “He has sired many a professional’s jumper and eventer, but with
such a fantastic attitude to work, is suitable for both professional and amateur riders. His offspring time and time again are showing they can be versatile, which is why we really believe he is a true dual purpose stallion’.”
The other stallion to stand with Bellegrace is the beautiful Trakehner Craig. This boy is full brother to dressage sensation Connery (Trakehner Stallion of the Year 2012) and is by the infamous Buddenbrock (Trakehner Stallion of the Year 2010). It’s clearly a family affair as Connery’s sons King Arthur and Imperio have also both been awarded this amazing accolade in 2014. Which really shows bloodlines can’t lie! Craig is simply enchanting; he has an incredible presence about him, standing at 16.3hh with ‘near flawless conformation’ as commented on at his grading. He has competed in Eventing up to Novice level and will be out again this season. He loves
hunting, has started side saddle and is even giving endurance a try! “Mouse as he is known at home”, explains Melissa, “is so straight forward and easy to ride. He loves to please, his temperament is exceptional - even my twins at 7 years old happily ride and handle him daily! He is focusing mainly on dressage this year and has got off to a flying start, competing and winning with great percentages at elementary. With our sights now set on medium level competition in the very near future... we are on the look out for a professional to take him further up the levels.
“Craig is a fantastic modern stamp of the breed. His exquisite conformation and temperament is certainly visible in all his offspring. We presented only one foal last year and it was the highest scoring eventer over all ages that day and ended up 8th in the country! Craig offers refinement and movement to heavier set mares, from dressage Warmbloods to Irish Draughts, length of leg, movement and rideability to the Thoroughbred for eventing and beauty and elegance to the world of showing. He is proving to be another true multi purpose stallion.”
For more information contact Melissa Wood. Tel: 01403 710415 Mob: 07515481432 Email: bellegracestud@gmail. com
Equine Page 53
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