What makes a potential stallion candidate?
This is all objective, and my humble opinions and experience thus far. In Durango's case, unlike the rest of my horses, who are all Quarter Horses, he is an Appaloosa. What is an Appaloosa? As per the ever reliable Wikipedia -
"...The Appaloosa is a horse breed best known for its colorful leopard-spotted coat pattern and other related characteristics. There is a wide range of body types within the breed, stemming from the influence of multiple breeds of horses throughout its history. Each horse's color pattern is genetically the result of various spotting patterns overlaid on top of one of several recognized base coat colors..." "...While domesticated horses with leopard spotting patterns have been depicted in art as far back as Ancient Greece, the Nez Perce people of the United States Pacific Northwest developed the original American breed. Appaloosas were once referred to by white settlers as the "Palouse horse," possibly after the Palouse River, which ran through the heart of Nez Perce country. Gradually, the name evolved into "Appaloosa." The Nez Perce lost most of their horses following the Nez Perce War in 1877 and the breed fell into decline for several decades. However, a small number of dedicated breeders preserved the Appaloosa as a distinct breed until the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) was formed as the breed registry in 1938. The modern breed maintains bloodlines tracing to the foundation bloodstock of the registry, but also has a partially open stud book that allows addition of some Thoroughbred, American Quarter Horse and Arabian blood. The registry has endured a number of controversies over the years, including disputes over color registration and use of certain drugs in competition..." "...Today the Appaloosa is one of the most popular breeds in the United States, and it was named the official state horse of Idaho in 1975. It is best known as a stock horse used in a number of western riding disciplines, but is also a versatile breed with representatives seen in many other types of equestrian activity. Appaloosas have appeared in many movies and one is a mascot for the Florida State Seminoles. The Appaloosa has influenced many other horse breeds, including the Pony of the Americas, the Nez Perce Horse and several gaited horse breeds..."
We are focusing on the stock type Appaloosa in this blog, since that's what I have. :-) I'm not a newcomer to the stock breeds in general, however this is my first experience with the Appaloosa association itself. In the past, I have heard all sorts of controversy regarding their allowing of solids to compete and show with the coloreds. Some are for this, as it makes the solid Appaloosas, which make up close to half of the association (coat patterns are not always passed along to the offspring), still hold their value alongside the coloreds. This means that breeders and owners of solid Appaloosas do not have to worry about their foals being "worthless". Others complain that there is a "too much white" bias in the show pen, even in a breed that is SUPPOSED to have white. There are complaints that the solid, Quarter Horse looking Appaloosas routinely beat the colorful Appaloosas, regardless of quality on either side. What "side" do I take? Well, I take the former side. As a mostly QH breeder that wanted to experiment on the "colored" side, especially when using my solid QH stallion as the sire, meaning he would have no coat pattern to contribute on his side.. I chose the breed association that would better ensure the value of my foal if it did not end up acquiring a coat pattern. Between ApHC and the paint association, APHA, I chose ApHC for my colored endeavor as I felt I would not have to worry about ending up with a "worthless", solid foal. In the APHA, you routinely see their solids being given away for nothing - even out of World Champion stock, because they hold little competitive value as they are not allowed to compete against the coloreds, and the solid horse classes are diminutive with little incentives for the exhibitor. This is another debate for another time, however, as we are focusing on the Apps here. This is just what, as an outside breeder looking to experiment with a color association, attracted me to the ApHC.
Back to the original topic of why Durango is a stallion prospect. Appaloosas appear to be having a comeback, probably partially due to the controversy going on with the paints and their solids. Also, this is probably also partially due to the years of infusing modern quarter horse and thoroughbred blood into the Appaloosa. Slowly phasing out is the Appaloosa of old - the short, stout, rat-tailed, roman nosed horses that many still think of when they recall an Appaloosa. I remember growing up, I never liked Appaloosas, as they always fit this description when I saw them, and I thought they were ugly critters. Now, they are more specialized, and looking more like a modern QH with the striking coat pattern of Appaloosas. The modern App is able to compete in events like western pleasure and hunter under saddle with all the talent of the modern QH. So, an uprising in popularity is being graced on the App association as people rediscover this remodeled breed, seeing that they can compete in all the events that they know and love from the QH association, with a bonus of striking coloring. Because Appaloosas are increasing in popularity and demand, there will surely be an increase in breeders seeking a well bred, talented, Appaloosa stallion as a match for their mare. So far, Durango fits that description.
Durango is sired by my AQHA bay stallion, A Chance For Romance. Chance is a Congress Champion, Reserve Congress Champion, Reserve Congress All-Around Horse, 6x Congress Top Ten, 3x AQHA World Show Top Five, 2x AQHA World Show Top Ten, multiple major Circuit Champion at shows such as Gold Coast and Big A, multiple AQHA year end award winner such as High Point Green Working Hunter Stallion, High Point Pleasure Driving Stallion, High Point Hunter Hack Stallion, and appx 70 AQHA points. His earnings are appx $6000, and this was all accomplished as a four year old. He is by World/Congress Champion Luke At Me, and out of Miss Patricia Lark, a World/Congress Champion producing daughter of the great Superhorse Rugged Lark, and is full sister to World Champion Regal Lark. Whew! Chance has been successful in events such as Hunter Under Saddle, Working Hunter, Hunter Hack, Pleasure Driving, Performance Halter, and Open Halter, and is also starting on Western Riding and Trail for the western side of things. Needless to say, Durango has the sire power and so far is looking like he is going to be an exact carbon copy of his daddy, with spots!
His dam is Lady Serengeti. She had limited showing herself, but picked up some hunter in hand points. She is a red dun snowflake ApHC mare, with a pedigree of ApHC royality. Her sire is The Upper Hand, who is a World Champion, Silver Medallion earner, Superior Halter, Superior Western Pleasure, and is a multiple World and National Champion sire. Her dam, Lady Goer, was a direct daughter of Goer, and was a World Champion/producer and bronze medal earner. Could this guy be bred any more royally on both sides?
Durango's Grandsire, The Upper Hand
Durango's Dam Lady Serengeti (w/Durango)
Durango inherited all the best parts from both parents as well as this stunning color. Who would have thought this color would have came out of my solid bay QH stallion and a very lightly frosted, minimal colored red dun mare. It was a pleasant surprise!
Durango was born late, a May 29th 2010 foal. We got his dam late in the year (end of June) and we really did not want to wait a whole year to breed her. Chance was home the breeding farm, and most breeding farms near us had closed their season for the spring. Lo and behold, the mare came into heat immediately, and we frantically searched for a place to collect her before we missed the heat. Well, we couldn't find a place in time, so it was live cover or nothing! Chance, being the good boy like he is, handled it like a gentleman. This was before he started showing - the live cover did not impair his ability to show and behave himself like it does many stallions. People have a hard time believing he's a stallion, much less a stallion that has completed two breeding seasons... much less a stallion that has been live covered! The result of our efforts was little Durango, and I sure am glad we decided to go for the live cover or this phenomenal creature wouldn't exist today. So, on May 29, 2010, "Durango" was born.
Fresh Out
12 Hours Old
Because he was born almost two months after the other babies, and we were dealing with some pretty protective mares, we decided to put little Durango and his momma out in a pasture by themselves. Fortunately, this worked for the better, since he was able to be spoiled and handled on a daily basis. We'd always hear about people who would drive by and admire the gorgeous app baby from the road. He was the favorite of everyone who came to the farm, so he was actually TOO spoiled. Everyone wanted to pet the adorable little app foal and he hammed it up and became almost obnoxiously pushy! Folks around the farm had determined that come weaning time, he would probably be the biggest pain in the butt to handle and start training because he was so spoiled. Fearless, but spoiled, and while being fearless is a good thing usually, not necessarily when the baby is so spoiled and unafraid that he knows no respect! Well, the smart little sucker sure threw us for a loop. He was brought in about a month ago... and he has been the EASIEST to deal with and train baby to ever grace this farm. Go figure, I guess you can't judge a colt by his spots. :-)
This blog is almost a diary of sorts, to document the progress of our spotted little prodigy through any trials and tribulations, and, with any luck, his transition into a show horse and mature stallion. We invite you to join us on our journey... through the good and through the bad... hopefully mostly good!
That guy sure did get a kicking at first but all in all i think he settled in nicely not to mention he is by far the easiest foal to handle.
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