Viva Argentina

THE NEW WORLD FOR SPORT HORSES.(THE ELDORADO OF SPORT HORSES.)
THE ARGENTINE SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW. (First published in THE ANNUAIRE MONNERON 2005)

Argentina is probably the South American country that you still dream about.The Argentina of the 20's,where the sound of the Tango, played on a bandoneon, rang out the growth of this vast nation & its capital Buenos Aires, when in the countryside, it was the golden age of the Estancias,mostly breeding cattle,exporting their famous beef and leather to the United States & to Europe.These Estancias,often up to over several thousand hectares,famous for their Gauchos, were built upon the ancient indian territories by the new settlers, made up of millions of immigrants arriving in this "other" promised land, during the 19th & 20th centuries.
Argentina......the ultimate destination for those who love the great outdoors!
It's a country that is so differnt from one end to the other. From the Andes in the North West(near the Chilean & Bolivian borders) with their spectacular multi-coloured mountains,to the North East(border with Brazil) and its tropical forests & waterfalls,the great West, with to the north of Patagonia the great lakes & forests and ski resorts and then further south to the Icebergs.
We all know Argentina thanks to the images of Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego,but also for its immense Pampa and its cattle ranches in the centre of the country stretching to the Atlantique coast .
In the equestrian world it is famous for the breeding of Polo poneys and thoroughbred race horses.
But Argentina could become a major player in the world of sport horse breeding, with its great potential in land and men.
Most of the main studfarms are situated within a semi-circular zone around Buenos Aires,in an area not too far from the capital,from one to four hours away (or 40mins by private plane!).
To the North-West in the direction of Santa Fe & Cordoba,following the Rio de la Plata,or to the South-West in the direction of the Pampa and Santa Rosa or further South to the famous breeding region of Mar Del Plata, by the ocean.

FOMENTO EQUINO

Sport horse lovers (and by this I mean mostly jumpers) who aren't that many for such a huge country,come together thanks to an association called "L'asociacion Argentina de Fomento Equino".
This association organised from the 30th September to the 3rd October its 32nd Spring Show,or National Championships,at the Club Hipico Argentino in Buenos Aires. Spring Show in October? Don't forget that we are in the southern hemisphere and the climate around Buenos Aires at this time of year is really quite pleasant.
The Equestrian Club where they held the competetion is not far from the river, just behind the famous football stadium of the River Plata team.
The President of"Fomento Equino",Enrique Santamarina and the vice-President Edouardo Rosenberg invited me back for a second time to judge the Argentine Champioships. This was my 3rd trip to Argentina (2000, 2001 et 2004).
The competition takes place during 5 days ,with 3 sessions, split up by the CSO events.
The second and fourth days are set aside for the Spring Show Championships.

THE 5 & 6 YEAR OLD FINALS.

Within the context of the show there takes place the CSO finals for young horses of 5 and 6 years old,the Wednesday and Saturday.There are two circuits for young horses in Argentina.
The CSO events for young horses organised by the "Fomento Equino "are judged during two different rounds, the same day, with scores for style and handling (6 scores: Force; out of 25 points, Attitude /20, Allures/20, Style/15, Dressage/15, Presentation or general impression/5) given out by a jury of 5 people including riders,trainers and the invited judge.It's obvious that it is this score that can make the difference. The events take place on a good grass ground, jumping between 1m10- 1m15 for the Premio Criadores I (horses between 4,5 & 5 yrs) and between 1m15-1m25 for the Premio Criadores II (for horses 5,5 and 6 yrs).
The height is not too difficult but the lines are very technical with jumps ***.58 competitors in the first section and 32 in the second.
The 5 yr old Champion is ER MARSELLES IN (Byly Be El Marselles x Gepera Gitane); he is a grandson of the SF Veneur de la Roche (Grand Veneur x Pot d'Or ps).
The 6 yr old Champion is REMONTA FEDORA (Remonta Teodocio x Maharana), a mare born at the military stud,called la Remonta.
Amongst the starters there were many horses out of old SF families (half-bloods imported a long time ago) like DIMANCHE (Tout Brule), NEPOS (Ukase) or from more recently imported stallions like GAFURIO (Quidam de Revel x Franc Ryk ps), DIMITIL DE TERLONG (Narcos II x Jalisco) or VENEUR DE LA ROCHE,from whom we saw more interesting products in this competition.
There were also some other products from imported SF stallions like GROOM Y (Rosire x Largny ps), GRIBOUILLE D'ELLE (Olisco x Grand Veneur), ULM DE RAMPAN (Lieu de Rampan x Pont Levis ps), SIR DES VENTS (Tigre Rouge x Le Mioche ps) or produced from imported frozen semen with QUALISCO III (Jalisco x Night and Day ps), QUALOUBET III (Galoubet x Nightshade ps) , CABDULA DU TILLARD (Abdulah x Galoubet), QUIDAM DE REVEL (Jalisco x Nankin), ROYAL FEU (Lord Gordon x Laudanum ps).
There is also a very strong presence , if not "omnipresence", of stallions from the "Z" stud-book as the daughter of Mr Leon Melchior is married to an Argentine rider-dealer.They have imported a large amount of stallions and mares, spread throughout the many stud farms.Above all we can see many broodmares linebred with the famous HEUREKA (Ganeff), grand mother of RATINA Z.This politic of very tight linebreeding used by Leon Melchior about 10 to 15 years ago at his stud, doesn't seem to have had any major results at Zangersheide. Most of these mares and stallions from this program were sold off all over the place. Many of them today can be found in South America,especially in Argentina.Maybe these mares and stallions very linebred could have some excellent results crossed with completely new "outcross" bloodlines ?
Remember the disaster that happenned when the Boussac Stud tried a very linebred program, and which then had the most amazing results with the new bloodlines when they arrived at the Aga Khans stables !
Holsteiner, Hannovarian and KWPN lines are also very present in some of the pedigrees.
Horses belonging to la Remonta (the army) who also propose their mares and stallions for breeding, come from various different origins imported over the years (SF, HANN, KWPN, SBS etc...).
In the mother lines, the thoroughbred is still very present. And moreover,at almost every stud you can find thoroughbred broodmares used for breeding.Usually they are beautiful,big and strong.Sometimes even too common looking for thoroughbreds and difficult to tell the difference between them & their half blood sisters in the troop.

THE SPRING SHOW

This exposition is one of the two important shows of the year (along with the other one called the Palermo Show,named after the area of Buenos Aires where it is held earlier in the year) when the breeders and owners are invited to show the best of their production and where they can expose the merits of their studfarms and reproducers.
Each year only one judge is asked to be the sole decider of who will become the national male and female champion.
The judges come from Europe, often alternating between France and Germany.In 2002 it was Dr Haring of the German federation and in 2003 the rider-trainer Manuel Malta da Costa came to judge.
The judging takes place over 4 sessions:thursday was for the free jumping of males and females from 2 years and up.Most of them are between 2 and 4 years old but there were some stallions from 5 to 8 yrs old. Then Saturday is reserved for judging the Gaits and Model presented either by hand or ridden depending on the age. There is a session for Polo horses called "Polo y Pato", one for Selle-Argentin horses (the biggest number)and one for imported horses.

This year there were 44 horses entered in the show.
The two supreme champions from the Palmero Show (male & female) are invited to compete against the two eventual champions of the spring show, to decide on the two National Champions 2004
The Grand Champion of the males in Palermo 2004 was REMONTA HEFESTOS (Lendel J Men x Farallon x Dimanche), out of Holsteiner stallions with SF stock ( his great grand mother Cheptel Fauvette is SF).His sire is a son of LANDGRAF.
La Grande Champion of the females was TATABRA NACHTIGALL (Dimitil de Terlong x Schiron Z x Goldfinger) who has a pedigree combining blood from Selle-Français, Hannovarien, Holsteiner and Selle-Argentin.

There are many different categories and thus quite a few prizes to hand out.So in the end,it seems that everyone is happy!
The first group is the 2 year old males; the winner is GAMA CYPAYO (Carpe Diem Z x Calypso I x Ahorn Z),a pretty young grey,with a very pleasant model who has a pedigree that is 100% holsteiner.
He went on to become the Reserve Male Champion.
In the 3 year old male group, the winner is REMONTA IMPLACABLE (Lendel J Men x Cassiono Joter x Rhadames) who also has a pedigree with a lot of Holsteiner blood with Argentine stock.His sire is the same as the supreme champion at the Palmero Show.He is a very harmonious horse with nimble gaits and a good jump.He went on to become the Young Male Champion.
He was the horse I chose to become the Male Supreme Champion "GRAN CAMPEON MACHO" and also took the "GRAN CAMEON MACHO NATIONAL", the supreme title.
In the category for ridden horses, the winner was MAGNUS ROMEO (Royal Feu x Hans Handers Z x Weltgothard). This dark bay male of 3,5yrs has a very rich pedigree (Almé 3 times, Laudanum, Cor de la Bruyere, Ramiro, Gotthard).He is a mix, combining the best families in SF, Holsteiner, Oldenbourg with an Argentine line.His sire's mother is a son of CALIPA Z (Cor de la Bruyere x Ratina Z !).This horse who lacks a little harmony in his physique, makes up for it with his spectacular free jumping ability.He became my Reserve Supreme Male Champion.

Now onto the females, where the winner of the 2 year olds is GAMA IRENE (Iroko x Lacapo x Camaro),a ravishing bay filly who also won the prize for the Best Presentation.
She went on to become my Reserve Young female Champion.Her sire is an imported Westphalien, a son of PILOT,and her dam a daughter of a holsteiner crossed with a thoroughbred line.It was in this group that I found the horse that would win the prize for the Best Movement: REMONTA JACTANCIA II (Cartoon J Men x Dimanche x Metellus)out of a crossing of Holsteiner x SF.
In the 3 year old females, the victory went to GAMA VALENTINA (Voltaire x Narcos II x Grand Veneur)who could have been born SF in France with such a pedigree !
This serious and strong looking bay mare wasn't perhaps the most distinguished candidate but was definitely the one who reunited all the major phenotypes.And as well as this, her presentations at free jumping and in movement finally convinced me to give her the titles of Grand Female Champion and Grand National Champion.
Her challenger was the beautiful dark bay MAGNUS AYELEN (Alligator Fontaine x Galant de la Cour x Fantastique) who unfortunately had a problem with her capelets which didn't help her.This mare won the supreme title with Dr Haring the year before.She nearly has a completely SF pedigree apart from her imported Belgium dam.
In the ridden female group it was GAMA CASABLANCA (Cor d'Almé Z x Ramiro x Almé) who took the title.This 4 year old bay has a very "Z" pedigree (SF x Holsteiner), with Almé and Ramiro twice.
The Champion Broodmare was MAGNUS COQUETA (Calvin Z x Weltgothard x Canawill), a very impressive grey 5 year old with an amplitude and the serenity of a real mother.She also took the Reserve Grand Female Champion.

The two winners in the foals class(10 months)are:
The male CAQUEL CENIZO (Highlander x Cor x Halbin Von H),a grey foal where the sire is from a crossing of a thoroughbred with a Holsteiner,daughter of Landgraf.The dam is cross breeding, belgo-argentin.
The filly C.W.CINDERELLA (Cartoon J Men x Remonta Ojo Alegre x Corvado) is a pretty bay who became the "Gran Campeon Potrillo" in other words the best foal.Her pedigree is out of a crossing of Hosteiner x Selle-Argentin. Her sire is the Holsteiner (Calando x Silvester) as are her great grand sires and father lines on her mothers side.

The final section only concerned horses that had been imported.
For the males the Champion is the grey SF MILANO DE FLORE (Carthago x Le Prince de Thurin x Vurioso de L'Ile), a 4 year old who has a great style when free jumping and was very pleasant to watch when ridden.Imported from France,he is also out of a crossing Holsteiner x Selle Français.
The female winner is WHYACINTHE VDL (Quite Easy x Wellington x Lady Killer) a gorgeous bay yearling,imported from Holland.
I must point out that before starting to judge I asked the organizers not to give me any information on the horses I was to see until the end of the show. Because of this their origins were not announced by the speaker,the spectators all having a catalogue at hand.Personally I think that this is the only way not to be influenced by origins that one likes or dislikes.I believe, that to know the pedigree of a horse being judged is only necessary when we we are choosing future stallions where it is important to know not only the genotype but also the phenotype.
Concerning the handlers presenting the horses, it is obvious that I didn't know them, even if after three days I started to see the difference between those who did a good job and the others.
I would have liked to have given out a special prize to a young groom who presented the horses belonging to the Llavaneras stud who did some really wonderful work with his horses staying calm and efficient.Not only is this very satisfying for the owner to see his horses presented to there best potential but it is also so pleasant for the judge, making his job much more easier and enjoyable.
It goes without saying that in this type of competition of Gaits and Conformations, which is fairly subjective, the presentation is very important especially at the final stage where normally all the Champion horses are at a top level of quality.Every little "plus" can make the difference!

The overall quality of the young horses present cannot be denied. The subjects that I had the pleasure to judge were for the most part of an excellent "type", that is to say , a modern looking sport horse, distinguished, with pretty heads and necks, with strong backlines and hocks, with energetic movement,supple and nimble.They all seemed to have a lot of blood. All of these horses are thanks to the hard work of breeders who seem to know what is best to choose out of all the different European studbooks today, using especially Selle-Français, Holsteiner and KWPN. They associate this european blood with the best Argentine stock often containing a lot of thoroughbred lines. The commercial success of Argentine horses today is certainly due to this.

THE ORGANIZATION OF BREEDING & COMMERCE IN ARGENTINA

Argentina is a vast country where most of your basic breeding is geared towards what we can still call your typical saddle horse not really bred for sport horse events.The breeding of sport horses at the moment only concerns a handful of breeders.This quest for a true sport horses is fairly recent in Argentina going back as recently as maybe twelve years or so. So it would be too early to draw any conclusions about the quality and the results of this work. But one thing that is sure,is that those involved do it with passion and determination.
The Fomento Equino have around 140 breeders/members,breeding horses Selle Argentin (Silla Argentino).
There is also an association, more like a club of 13 breeders, of Selle-Français.

I visited several stud farms breeding sport horses, possessing between 20- 150 broodmares,often with their own stallions doing natural breeding at home. Some of these studfarms use artificial insemination with frozen semen and also do embryo transfers. They often have their own vet living at the farm but few of them have experience using frozen semen.
These farms go up to a size from 100 to 500 hectares,employing only a few workers as the horses live outside all year round,even for foaling. Only the 3 year olds are in the stables either getting broken-in or ready for the sales.
At these auctions the horse are sold roughly between 5 000 $to 40 000 $,which is pretty good when you consider the cost of bringing them up.Its interesting to know that the average price of land per hectare is around 1 000 $ and a groom is paid about 400 $ par mois.The cost of running the farms is much less than in Europe.
Most of the top breeders in Argentina organize there own sales of 3 year olds each year at one of the clubs in the capital city.
Their clients mostly come from the other Latin American countries who breed very little or not at all and the United States. Over 90% of these young horses are exported. Some of the riders complain that it isn't necessarily the best horses that stay out of the 10% left for jumping. Most of their Grand Prix horses come from overseas which seems a little paradoxal. Its difficult yet to say if Argentina is ready to produce top international show jumpers? Only the statistics provided by the BWFSH could tell us this,looking at the worldwide results.
At the same time, there are not that many top level shows organized in Argentina.
The events usually take place at the same clubs all situated around Buenos Aires ,with a small group of riders capable of jumping 1m40-1m50.To get to the other side of the country or compete overseas requires a huge investment as the transport can only be done by flying.To jump against some of the top european or american riders is pretty rare, except during the Panamerican Games, the World Championships or the Olympic Games.

During my different trips to this country I have been invited to several stud farms for jumpers and race horses. For the sport horse breeders,I could mention the Haras LLAANERAS (affixe GAMA), Haras HENRY JOTA (Enrique Santamarina), Haras LA TATABRA (Edouardo Rosenberg), Haras LA MAGIA (affixe MAGNUS, Patricia Peralta-Ramos), Haras WINDCREST (Marta Braun), Haras CHEPTEL (Ana de Hernandez Vieyra) to speak only of the farms that I have had the pleasure of visiting over the years.
The first three are large enough to organize their own auctions selling between 30 & 50 horses.The others either sell from their farms or regroup with other breeders during public auctions or wait to sell them when they are jumping at 5 or 6 years old.
Things are really starting to happen right now in horse sport breeding in Argentina. With their latest foreign stallion imports and the more frequent use of frozen semen, things should grow quite fast in their selection.Even if there are still many breeders using their own stallions to breed with most of their stock, the use of frozen semen is getting more popular.Nevertheless there are a few drawbacks slowing down the process,the huge numbers of mares to be bred,the high cost and tax for importing semen from overseas,the lack of qualified vets or inseminators used to this technique and with the long distances between the different studs. All of these factors play against the new Argentine sport horse breeder
Even if most of these breeders are considered to be fairly well off, they still have to make ends meet at the end of the day for their investments.You mustn't compare these Argentine breeders at the same level as certain big magnats like La Silla ou Zangersheide.
There structures look more like some of the larger breeders in Europe. Will we soon be seeing Argentine horses on the playing fields of europe?
Maybe we'll see the cracks one day......but the biggest handicap is of course the cost for flying a bigger number over.
At the moment the europeans haven't taken advantage of this land of plenty ,even the Dutch, who have very little space back home for breeding, prefer for the moment to export only their stock and semen to this country.
When will the boomerang effect occur?

Argentina really is a fabulous country both to live and to breed horses.
They seem to be getting through these last few years of economic turmoil,thanks to their strength and pride.
Its enormous capital of 15 million inhabitants, nevertheless spacious (even if there is polution, like all the major cities), is alive and happening and starting to bloom again.
I would have loved to start a new life and stud farm......if only I was 20 years younger !
Bernard Le Courtois

VISITS TO THE STUDFARMS

The LLAVANERAS STUD,belongs to the spaniard Gaspar Martinez who has recently invested a fortune by building a modern stud farm with a private vets clinic, around 100 broodmares and several stallions.We saw at his farm many SF broodmares including VIOLETTA MAIL (Almé x Barigoule aa),a ravishing mare who jumped at 4yrs in CSO in France with Bruno Rocuet and who is the dam of FATEHPUR MAIL (Paladin des Ifs) bought by the HN at FENCES,a stallion who was reformed at an early age but who's small production looks promising.I had sold his mother to Zangersheide in 1997.
The LLAVANERAS stud presented some really excellent products this time at the National Show as they had done at my previous visit. They use some stallions at home,not all being first rate, but they have some good results with the stallions they have used from europe with frozen sperm. Their leading stallion at the moment is the grey CARPE DIEM Z (Calvin x Cleopatra Z x Cor de la Bruyere) form the family of HEUREKA (grand-mère de RATINA Z).

The STUD HENRY JOTA belongs to the actual President of Fomento Equino, Enrique Santamarina.This stud of around 100 broodmares is largely made up of stock based on SF,with mostly old "Anglo-Normandes" lines.
The stallions that he has used for many years come from Normandy, mostly chestnut with white.The first ones looked a lot like the type sold by the famous Mr Lefèvre.Today his new stock have a more modern sporty look.His first stallion was DIMANCHE ( 1969, Tout Brule).The foundation sire for this stud was NEPOS (1979, Ukase et Framboise par Taquin) where he left a lot of the broodmare stock.NEPOS then had a son who took over from him at the stud, HJ CARAPALIDA,from a dam who had a lot of Hannovrien blood.
The star at the moment is VENEUR DE LA ROCHE (1987, Grand Veneur et Roche d'Or III par Pot d'Or ps)who has produce many winners at an intermediary level.He has a son as well, HJ ATILA (mère par Nepos).Other stallions like REMONTA UNICORNIO (grand son of Almé and of Furioso II), GROOM V (Rosire x Largny ps) or HJ SAINT LO (Narcos II x Vivarais ps) born at the stud by a dam who is 3/4 thoroughbred and Hannovrien. The stud also owned some actions of the stallion GAFURIO (1995, Quidam de Revel x Franc Ryk ps) where the production looks quite promising but he was exported 3 years ago. One of the favourite 3 yr olds at the HENRY JOTA 2004 auction is a GAFURIO who's dam GAMA CARMELA has an exceptional pedigree : CARTHAGO et FITIBELLA MAIL (Laudanum ps x Almé ) where the grand dam is a 3/4 sister to GALOUBET.
I had exported his grand mother and his great grand mother to Zangersheide in 1997.
Henrique Santamarina has recently bought in France a foal out of CARTHAGO x ROYAL FEU to continue his success.
I visited the LLAVANERAS and HENRY JOTA Stud farms on one of my previous trips.

This year, before leaving for Patagonia, I went back to visit the following three stud farms.

The TATABRA stud farm owned by Edouardo Rosenberg has fifty or so broodmares with Argentine origins that we call Anglo-Normandes some of which have now become factor SF.The estancia has 700 ha, 250 of which are used for the horses and the rest for cattle and crops.
The first stallion based at the farm was called TATABRA LEGITIMO (Remon Gridi)who had produced many winners and broodmares. For several years now it is the bay SF DIMITIL DE TERLONG (1991, Narcos II & Vanda de Terlong by Jalisco)who has taken over the crown and who has a production that sells well, especially for export, at their Autumn auction in May. Another stallion has recently started to stand at the stud, TATABRA LUFTBALLON (Cor d'Almé II Z with a Westphalienne mare, grand daughter of Paradox I). Edouardo Rosenberg last year invested in a young stallion with a more modern look and paper, bought at the FENCES auction,the grey MILANO DE FLORE (Carthago x Le Prince de Thurin). His broodmare stock is quite eclectic with many S.A. (selle-argentin) from mixed origins (hannovrien, Holsteiner, Pur-Sang, SF).
Last year, two excellent mares with SF origins joined the troop at LA TATABRA :a BALOUBET DU ROUET with a sister to PAPILLON ROUGE who just had the day of our visit a sumptuous foal by HOGGAR MAIL and a second broodmare by FERGAR MAIL x I LOVE YOU out of a half sister to GALOUBET. Normally they should be two new good recruits, also bought at FENCES. I saw some good foals and yearlings out of SF stallions like IMAGO MAIL, FRASCATOR MAIL and ALLIGATOR FONTAINE, as well as some by VOLTAIRE and CONCORDE.
LA TATABRA are taking things on to the next stage. Edouardo et Monica Rosenberg decided last year to invest even more time and money into their activity, already having transformed their home into a very pleasant dwelling, spending more time down on the farm where plans for a new indoor arena, more boxes and an insemination laboratory are on the way.

Marta Braun's WINDCREST Stud (professor of Biology at the University of Buenos Aires) is a little smaller with 120 ha and twenty or so broodmares. The farm is situated at 1h30 North-East of Buenos Aires.She works with her daughter Isabelle and son-in-law/rider Ricardo, a very commercial team.
The stable block with its terracota crepi walls and thatched roof are absolutely charming, not too far from the very pretty modern colonial house belonging to the children where we had lunch.The farm is made up of many subjects from famous Normandy breeders like a "Pignolet" from the family of GAZELLE,two "Chenu" out of BOURRÉE, daughter of URLEVEN PIRONIÈRE and DOLLAR DU MURIER,or two "LE COURTOIS" out of the family of VITI (tf), daughters of ALMÉ and LAUDANUM ps.
Marta Braun had bought in France the stallion GAFURIO (Quidam de Revel)of which she was the major partner.
Her son-in-law rode him and then they sold him to Venezuela as a sport horse later to see his products doing very well back home. GAFURIO had semen that was not easy to freeze and left his last generation who are now 3 year olds in 2004. The new stallion at the stud is the KWPN chestnut RED DEVIL (Heartbreaker x Burgraaf). Mrs Braun is also a precursor of embryo transfers in Argentina,especially with her competing mares.

Not far from here(about half an hour) we find the LA MAGIA Studfarm belonging to Patricia Peralta-Ramos where the products have the affix MAGNUS. This property really suits its name, the magic.It is a beautiful Estancia built in an Italian style surrounded by a park of fine old trees.The wooden stable block is a little further off near the "manga" (outdoor ring) and a charming guest house.There are about thirty or so mares at LA MAGIA on 200 ha. Madame Peralta has several mares S.A. with thoroughbred orgins x Allemand,but above all her broodmare stock is made up of mares imported from Zangersheide where many are SF or factor SF.

Amongst the most interesting broodmares,I saw 2 ALME daughters, 2 from GALANT DE LA COUR, 1 by GALOUBET, 1 by REBEL Z,1 out of VOLTAIRE,3 by LANDLORD,2 by CALVIN, 1 from CARIDOR, 2 by ATLANTUS Z etc...
There isn't as such a stallion who stands at this stud but from time to time there may be a young stallion before he is sold or others rented for the season. Above all Patricia Peralta loves to use european stallions, especially SF in frozen semen.
I saw some excellent foals out of SF stallions like OBERON DU MOULIN, ROYAL FEU, ALLEGRETO, ALLIGATOR FONTAINE. The daughters born from these stallions are usually kept as broodmares at the stud. Mme Peralta has also used stallions from Zangersheide like CALVIN, ATLANTUS Z, COR D'ALME Z or their sons imported to Argentina. Lately she has put her trust in a young hosteiner,QUIBUS (Quick Star).
In 2005 her project is to use even more, young promising SF stallions.

BLC

THE CONFERENCE ON JUDGING GAITS AND CONFORMATION.

Edouardo Rosenberg,the vice-President of Fomento Equino,asked me to hold a conference on the subject of how one judges gaits and conformation.
The Saturday evening, after the prize giving ,in front of a gathering of riders,breeders,owners and curious spectators, I launched into my explanation of how one should go on with such a task.
Why and how can we judge and what should we look for,using my own experience judging sport horses. It is a huge debate often causing great controversy.
What are the prime criteria that in the end should help decide the choice of the breeder, depending on the discipline,the market or reproduction.... he is aiming for. Not forgetting of course the different cultural traditions and experience, unique to each one of us, which are often difficult to set aside.
For this meeting, there was no class room, no chalk board... ...I wasn't here to play teacher!
I improvised most of my talk to make it sound more natural.Just the terrace of the stadium for the public and a foal in flesh and blood to help me in my explications,that's all. Not forgetting, my interpreter (Edouardo Rosenberg) in Spanish, not mastering the language myself.
I used the judging grid from the ANSF to explain my methods, that I had used earlier on in the day, so that my listeners could grasp the main aspects that one looks for when judging. Even if this "grid" is still not everyones favourite tool to use, it has the advantage of being far more subjective than handing out just one general score overall and it is an excellent teaching aid. It all depends on the way you use it.
As we should always watch a horse move before judging I started off by talking about the movement of a horse, which is of course primordial. It is made up of, as everyone knows, of three gaits. Some people prefer to give more importance to the trot others the gallop.....depending on where you come from. Whatever the discipline, one must look for a walk that is full and active, a trot that is nimble and in tempo and a gallop that has balance and with good propulsion from the hind quarters.
As I had seen the horses free jump,this enabled me to give a score for the gallop before adding on the scores for strength, trajectory and respect of the poles
Concerning the description of the conformation, I made good use of the foal that was in front of us, starting from his head all the way down to his tail.
This living model helped me point out what I considered to be his good and his bad points and the things that I especially look for in a horse.
One cannot say today that a horse with perfect gaits and conformation is also the ideal jumper, this still hasn't been proved today and this wasn't my goal. I was simply trying to point out what we should aim for, in breeding a beautiful sport horse.
In other words, to justify the point of an intelligent eye, an elegant head, well attached to a beautifully turned out neck, a shoulder that is open and slender, a back line that is taut and supported by his withers all the way up to the hindquarters,long hips, well proportioned thighs that go down to wide and strong hocks, remaining fit and well turned out (one mustn't systematically condemn a horse with straight or bent hocks,it depends how he uses them in his movement), des aplombs ... d'aplomb(we should be a little tolerant if he is only a little turned in),the quality of his body tissue (that, my interpreter didn't manage to translate!)etc......
I wont go to deeply into details now. I even think that in an old "Annuaire des Etalons" I wrote an article on a similar subject.

I also commented on the different points of view in the choice of stallions in europe, especially between the three rival countries, Holland, Germany and France.This difference can also be seen when it comes to judging.I feel that judging must evolve with its time,and above all in France. As we still haven't managed to prove that the conformation has nothing to do with a horses performance we should not consider the beauty shows for what they are not.The Dutch and German judges with whom I have often worked,sometimes put more emphasis on well put together, pretty horses, with good strong and supple gaits, that's to say horse that are pleasant to look at and ride and above all easy to sell. Because after all, thats what we all want in the end, to enjoy our horses and to sell them. I often hear myself saying, everywhere that I go, that nowadays your average rider is 80% amateur and female and that we must produce horses thinking about these clients. To put it simply combine the information that we have on the commercial side with our breeding schemes. To know why and for who we are breeding!
Unfortunately this doesn't seem to be in the frenchmans culture. Our breeding system has been run for years,even centuries by officers of the National Stud who have no idea what it is to need or to make money, bleeding the state dry.
Today the different breeding associations must use all the information available to them if they wish to be of help to their flocks, the breeders.
So thats what more or less took place during my talk on gaits and conformations. Afterwards I was open to questions from the audience.
It was an interesting experience for me. The fears of the President of Fomento Equino who worried that this sort of presentation wouldn't interest a lot of people was fortunately proved wrong as the good turn out was present and curious. Even if we were outside and the chilly evening air was falling fast......nobody present (they wouldn't dare) left their seat before the end !