He notes a horse’s first few months make a big difference
feed-wise, exercise-wise, if they can run on grass or not, if they find their balance early or not and if they are confined or not. Max’s young horses grow up at large farms in Germany and he breeds mares who have achieved success in sport. “To me it’s the proven mother side that makes a big difference.”
Lines that Excel in Modern Sport Overall, certain lines tend to excel in the current show arenas.
Rankings of sires can indicate consistent performers, such as numbers of top competitors from Baloubet du Rouet and Chacco-Blue. “I believe in breeding, and I believe in the intentions
behind it,” says Ray. “I definitely think that if you looked at the numbers and statistics, you would see probably a high degree of consistency.” “You can see at the shows, ‘Oh, that horse has the same
sire,’” Bruno says about the breeding listed on the show’s start order. “Then someone with a little bit more knowledge will explain, yes, this sire brought a lot of good horses to the
sport. So the better the sire, the more horses he has in the sport.”
Lines can also suit riders who compete below the elite
level. “Certain bloodlines are known for having some good amateur horses, like the stallions Kannan and Casall. A lot of those horses are straightforward and simple types to ride,” Susan explains. Max says there are lines he likes, and other ones he
doesn’t. “Some lines I think are soft to ride, and some I think are harder. It’s all in the mix. I like the French horse matched with Holsteiner.” He named Kannan and Zirocco Blue as some favorites. Wilhelm also likes the Holsteiners, plus a little French
blood. “The Holsteiner gives power and scope, and the French a little more athleticism. I love buying Holsteiners with a little French blood—Almé or Galoubet.” “He’s out of a French mare,” Wilhelm says of his jumper
Dirocco Blue (Zirocco Blue VDL Keur x Quat’Sous). “He is a good horse, who has all the scope.” The gray, 61 percent Thor- oughbred, is currently jumping 1.55 meters. “Landgraf made a lot of good jumpers, showing a lot of
scope and power. The Dutch have a lot of Holsteiner stal- lions; a lot of times they lease them and then they go back to Holstein,” Willhelm adds.
Education at the Horse Show
Shows help educate horse owners and spectators about jumper bloodlines. Familiarity with sires and damsires can help the sport grow, developing fans of specific lines. A useful ringside tool is the start list, which includes
sire and damsire of each horse. Without a printed list, horses’ names might indicate the sire. A useful smart- phone tool is the FEI SportApp, a searchable database of horses and riders. “Culturally, Europeans have been dealing with
knowing bloodlines for many, many years, so the U.S. still has a long way to go,” Bruno says. “One thing I notice in Europe: when you go to a horse show, always on the starting list you see the rider, the breeding of the horse, and how old is the horse. That makes a big difference, because you can pick out an entry and you can see straightaway who’s riding what. That educates people.”
He also believes Americans should get more
Top: Neil Jones’s Tender Star, a 2010 Swedish Warmblood (Nin- tender x Rastell), ridden by Jeff Campf in the 1.40 meter at HITS Desert Horse Park, Thermal, California last November. Bottom: Patrick Seaton and Skipio K, a 2004 Zangersheide (Taloubet Z x Alme), in the Open Prix jump-off last November at HITS in Ther- mal, California.
28 January/February 2019
educated, so there would be more interest in blood- lines. “Not only come to watch horses jump, but to find out why this horse does this. I feel that brings extra spice to the whole industry here in the States. Then if people go abroad, they know more. They don’t have to rely only on what people tell them.”
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