Eclipse aims to put rivals in the shade

AN EXCITING display of stallions representing all disciplines and bloodlines will be on display at Cornwall's Stallion Showcase, at Rosevidney Livery Stables, near Penzance on Saturday March 16.

This exciting initiative will provide a unique platform for breeders to view the cream of the county's sires at one venue and there is no doubt that the thoroughbred stallion My Eclipse is one of the senior statesmen.

My Eclipse stands with Mel Hennah at the Trenerth Equestrian AI Centre, Leedstown, and this son of the prolific stallion Shaab, is not only enjoying a successful competition career in his own right but his progeny are winning in the show ring and in all disciplines.

"His proven ability and lovely temperament make him an ideal sire to produce quality horses," said Mel, who specialises in artificial insemination and offers a walk in semen collection service for stallions.

Eclipse's progeny include Solomon Brown, in-hand hunter and ridden four year-old champion at Royal Cornwall and a winner at novice level British Eventing and Carolyn Goldsworthy's intermediate event mare Ermintrude.

Palousa San Sebastian is a stallion sure to stand out from the crowd for looks and performance. Owned by Elsa Strandberg of the Strand Stud, Penzance, and stabled with his jockey Andrew Williams of Camborne this 16.3hh full black leopard spotted stallion is making a name on the competition circuit.

Carrying a top-class Warmblood pedigree and boasting the bloodlines of dressage champions Gribaldi and Woltentanz/Weltmeyer he also inherits his jumping ability from Volturno.

"He won his first dressage test and is currently jumping up to 1.30m classes with Andrew," said Elsa who noted that his dam, Palousa Caprice is by the grand prix dressage stallion Gribaldi, champion sire of the famous Totilas and Painted Black.

Andrew also has Matthew Zacchia's British-bred Dutch warmblood stallion Zubin-R in his stable and this partnership were popular winners of the Grade C showjumping championship at last year's Royal Cornwall.

This son of Lupicor was the 2007 National Futurity champion and boasts a Ster predicate for conformation (KWPN). He is graded with the AES and has a consistent winning record at county show level.

Elegance and beauty are words which will spring to mind when the striking grey Spanish dressage stallion (Andalucian) Danilon enters the arena.

"Danilon is a classic example of the modern pura raza Espanola stallion," said his owners Charles and Christine Taylor, who stand their son of the advanced dressage horse Official XXIX at Ednovean Farm, Peranuthnoe, near Penzance. Danilon was bred by Maria Jose Ruiz Fernandez with an aim to produce a modern dressage horse and was originally imported from Yeguadao Susaeta of Madrid.

Sandro Sun is setting the dressage arena on fire with fantastic performances for a five year-old franking his prolific bloodlines of Sandro Hit and Donnerhall.

Joint owned by Verity Perry and the late Val Croft's husband Tony, Sandro Sun has already accumulated over 80 British Dressage points with scores of up to 75%. Carefully produced by Verity, this beautiful black son of Sunny Boy stands at Rosevidney and is passing top quality to his progeny with his first foal gaining a high first premium at the Futurity Evaluations.

An exciting stallion to watch for the future is Tim Le Grice's thoroughbred Crosbie Garstin destined for a racing career and with the bloodlines to add quality and performance.

As the breeder of the prolific sire Shaab, Tim has all the credentials for picking a winner and his two year-old bay son of Marie Victoire (Mutazayid) is one to follow.

The Roseway Stud's resident stallion Zig Zag will need little introduction to showjumping enthusiasts who have followed this son of Concorde's rise through the ranks including consecutive appearances at the 2011 and 2012 Horse of the Year Show.

Owned by James Luker of St Day, this 16.2hh son of Concorde has franked his pedigree throughout his career including being the top British Bred six-year-old stallion in the UK and reserve champion at the Sport Horse Board of Great Britain grading. He has continually confirmed his temperament, ability and athleticism, boasting many wins including the 2012 Area Trial at Pembrokeshire County Show.

Zig Zag is Life Approved with the SHB (GB), licensed with the Anglo European Studbook (AES) and graded with British Showjumping.

The fully licensed Welsh section A stallion Maesgwyn Harvest Gold stands at the Pipson Stud, Wheal Butson, St Agnes and this striking dun pony is another wonderful example of the native breeds.

The five year-old son of Penboeth Griff has only been lightly shown but boasts multiple wins and championships.

A welcomed addition to the mix is the nine year-old Exmoor stallion Dunkery Tawny Owl who is a fantastic representative of the breed and will be on show with Jenna and Jonathan Payne of Trekerwys Native Ponies , St Day.

This son of Liqueur, who is the reigning Supreme champion of the Exmoor breed show entered the spotlight when he picked up a coveted ticket to last year's Horse of the Year Show.

The Paynes are also presenting their three year-old Welsh Cob Moelfredd Samson and being by Gwenllan Brynmor out of Cruglwyd Siriol this colt is bred in the purple.

His sire, Gwenllan Brynmor, is a double Royal Welsh winner and current male champion, and out of a mare who is by the prolific Royal Welsh champion, Gwynfaes Culhwch, who has also visited HOYS and topped the sire ratings several times.

Organiser Verity Perry said: "We have 25 stallions booked in. There's been an amazing response from breeders and stallion owners. We have some tremendous horse and pony stallions standing in Cornwall and it's wonderful to have them coming together under one roof."

All welcome. For details call Verity 07825719566 or 01736 740224.

Stallion running order: 10am – Vorvas Hill Chicago Flame; 10.15am – SOS Kantje's Unicolor; 10.30am – Palousa San Sebastian; 10.45am – Gabantos; 10.50am – My Eclipse; 11.05am – Crosbie Garstin; 11.15am – Boebka; 11.30am - Zubin R; 11.45am – Zig Zag; 12noon – Angelo AF Asgard; 12.15pm – Danilon; 12.30pm – Ninth House; 12.40pm – Sandro Sun; 12.55pm – Sandro's Valentino; 1pm – Rosevean AI specialist vet talk including Q&A session; 1.30pm – Lunch; 2.15pm – Dunkery Tawny Owl; 2.25pm – Tredellans Black Prince; 2.35pm – Moelfredd Samson; 2.45pm – Saturno; 2.55pm – Maesgwyn Harvest Gold; 3.05pm – Wyedean Singer; 3.15pm – Vorvis Hill Golden Storm; 3.25pm – Bolanken Basil; 3.35pm –WW Moonlight Venture; 3.45pm – Pecas Bright Bear; 3.55pm – L'Africa; 4.05pm – Rosewall Mister Softee.