Breeding Descisions

Breeding Decisions

It is that time of year when breeders start thinking about what stallions to use next year. New Perth Farms currently has seven mares in foal and we must have a plan to breed them back after foaling. As we use almost exclusively frozen semen there is an almost unlimited list of possibilities. Foals this year will be by Brentano II, Concorde, Sir Oldenburg (2), Donnatelli, Lord Sinclair, and Johnson.

Breeding descisions are guided by the foals we have produced earlier years, breeding indexes, performance results of stallions in competition, and the results of the stallion selection. This is also influenced by discussions with other breeders. Right now we are at the “wish list” stage of the process and would need twice as many mares to use all the stallions that attract our attention at this stage. In reality we will probably make our final decision on what semen to order just after the KWPN/NA meeting in San Diego in March. That is four days of immersion in breeding, selection and training of Dutch horses.

What are we looking for in a stallion ? The usual that all breeders look for that long lined, super mover with correct feet and legs but we also must look for ridability as many of our clients are amateur riders that need a safe horse to ride. As we continue to start and train horses be become more and more aware how important it is to have suppelness in dressage horses. The horses like the Sandreo and Lord Sinclair offspring have those flexable backs and backs that makes their work effortless.

So what are we thinking now? We have several Sandreo offspring including one three year old that we are starting under saddle. He is from our Floristan mare and is a joy to work with as he is very willing and learns quickly. He is also a super mover so looks like the complete package that we would want more like him. Also, we see that Sandreo had the most sons, six, at the second round stallion keuring. Two of these went through to third round so this is another indication that Sandreo is making good offspring. Right now Sandreo is high on our list and added plus is the high quality of his frozen semen.

We have a Six year old Lord Sinclair, Wiseman that had done very well at the keuring and we have found very trainable. We had a very nice Lord Sinclair from our Tango mare and she is back in foal to him again. We think he needs some “Go’ on the mare side and the Tango mare is forward with out being spooky. He puts very nice heads on them and lots of bounce. So Lord Sinclair is back on our list.

Johnson also had several sons at the stallion keuring. He brings some Jazz blood which is good energy and movement and the Flemmingh influence brings a good mind. We have a very nice Johnson foal from our Floristan mare. We have one Jet Set mare in foal to Johnston and at this time we are considering him for next year. Also, Johnson usually brings lots of bling for those who like white socks.

We have a Jazz mare so Contango has to be on the list with all the great Jazz/Contango crosses out there. This mare is in foal to Bretano II , has a two year old by Sandreo and a three year old filly by Donnatelli.

On the jumping side we have a Concorde foal coming from our Hamlet mare who had a super Verdi foal last year. Vuzarma also has a Concorde two year old which we like very much. There is a large number of Concorde offspring doing well in the jumping ring. Verdi himself is doing well and has great bloodlines. No decision on this yet. Also, for jumpers we think we should be bringing in some Stakatto blood as this line is doing very well.




We have two foals coming by Sir Oldenburg. We saw him last year and he is stunning in the flesh. He is being used as a dressage sire but has a great jumping index with a lot of jumping blood with Sion and Contender in his pedigree. We will look at the two foals before we decide on using him again.

That is a few of the stallions under consideration and we will refine and expand the list until the semen is in the mares next summer.

The green grass will come !

IT IS COLD !!

Vuzarma(Hamlet/Purioso) naps in the sun. She is in foal to Concorde and is showing her pregnancy.

Crispin(Sandreo/Jet Set) is sporting a set of frost covered wiskers.

It is cold with temperatures dropping to -25C at night. For those who think in Fahrenheit that is about -5. There has been no wind which makes it tolerable and the horses like to stand out in the sun during the day. The moisture from their breath freezes onto their whiskers. However, horses totally enjoy the cold weather as long as they are well fed.

We have to make some adjustments as all diesel tractors and truck have to be equipped with block heaters and kept plugged in during the cold weather. Water is a concern but the pipes are buried past frost penetration and bowls are insulated and some have heaters. Training is usually on hold except for those with heated arenas. In the cold climates most foals are born in the spring when the weather warms up

ZANIENTHA SOLD

Congratulations to the McKenna family Morgan, Kelly and Peter on the purchase of ZANIENTHA. "Zoe" will be stabled and trained at Gingerwood stables.

Winter Training.

For those of us who live in the colder areas of the world winter training is a special challenge. The horses which are not in training enjoy the cold weather with their winter coats protecting them. When in training horses have to be carefully cooled out and blanketed after work.

In the Chrismas season Martha had the opportunity to ride Zenosa (the chestnut on the right). She is four year old and has had one foal by Lord Sinclair. As she is back in foal to Lord Sinclair this is the end of her training for this year. She has been with Cindy Matheson (on the right) for the last two months for training.

Zenosa is by Tango out of a Purioso mare. Tango is a Jazz/ Contango son which is currently winning in Holland at PSG.

Fresh Snow for New Years Day

The new year brought fresh snow and the weanlings took full advantage of the wite stuff.

Zijde Roos Jumping

Megan and the 4 year old Zijde Roos(Burggraaf/Hofnar) went to Gingerwood Stables for a few jumping lessons. The mare shows nice form over fences, and has a lot of fun doing it!

Crispin in the snow

Crispin , a Sandreo/ Jet Set colt was out enjoying a romp in the fresh snow. Crispin will be two next year and shows the typical attractive Sandreo head and neck.

Weanlings at play

It was a sunny day but the snow provided good footing for the three weanlings to get involved in some horse play.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM NEW PERTH FARMS

Snow day !

It was snowing and the horses were out in the thick of it. The weanlings took the opportunity to play in the snow.

PEI Horse Council Awards

New Perth Farms was pleased to present the Awards for high score in dresage in the past season. The winner for the junior award was Tia Victoria Tawil who showed her horse Pure Elegance at the July shows. Her average was 69%. Harma Germs got the adult award for her rides on Whiscalina at both the June and July shows. Her average score was 71%. The awards are sponsored by New Perth Farms and we were very pleased that Whiscalina was purchased by Harma from New Perth Farms.

Mares on Pasture

It is fall and the foals are weaned and the seven pregnant mares are enjoying the last of the pasture season. From left to right they are Vuzarma (Hamlet/Purioso) in foal to Concorde , Virgina (Welt Hit II/Zeoliet) in foal to Donnatelli, Vaganieta (Jazz/Zeoliet) bred to Brentanno II, Florentina (Floristan/Phonix) in foal to Sir Oldenburg, Virtual Rose (Idocus/Quattro B) in foal to Sir Oldenburg, Waltzlina (Jet Set/Haarlem) in foal to Johnson and Zenosa (Tango/Purioso) in foal to Lord Sinclair. We will be busy next spring as five of these mares and due to foal in a two week peroid.

Two Colts

Two of the yearling colts were enjoying the fall weather yesterday. No flies and still lots of grazing !

In front is Charlton (Concorde/Hamlet) and behind him is Crispin (sandreo/Jet Set)

Dezarma sold !

Dezarma, Verdi/Hamlet has been sold to Isabelle Plasse in Nova Scotia. New Perth farms is very pleased to have Dezarma with Isabelle where she will be developed as a jumper.

Zanientha at Gingerwood.

Zanientha (Timeless/Jet Set) is in training at Gingerwood stables.

Three mares and a rainbow !

The look of Fall !!

It is starting to look like Fall with the foals nearly ready to wean !

Zandman Trains in Virginia

Zandman (Quattro B/Cavalier/Le Mexico) is currently in training with Martha in Charlottesville Virginia. The four year old gelding, like his sire Quattro B, shows great ability as both a jumper and a dressage horse. At this stage of training we are working on his fitness and introducing him to a variety of experiences including flat work, some small jumps and some cross country work

Wiseman wins the IBOP and DG Bar cup classes at Iron Spring Farm.

Wiseman, a five year old Lord Sinclair/Lancet/Rubenstine gelding won the IBOP and the DG Bar cup classes at the KWPN keuring at Iron Spring Farms. These two classes are designed to test the suitability of young horses for dressage. Martha rode Wiseman to scores of 77 and 77.5 in these classes. Wiseman recieved 8 for walk, 7.5 for trot and 8 for canter. The classes were very competitive with horses such as Iron Spring’s Watch Me and Sporting Chance Farm’s Wildcard in the classes. A win at the legendary Iron Spring Farm’s beautiful setting was particularly satisfying.

These classes are offered at all ten KWPN keurings and the scores are ranked for all North American keurings . We will see how these scores rank at the end of September.