Mirrabook Farms - Press Release

Canadian Warmblood Stallion Performance Test Names First Champion:

Fourteen Canadian bred and imported stallions, between the ages of three and thirteen, completed the first CWHBA Stallion Performance Test, September 5 in Olds, Alberta, under the watchful eyes of an International cast of judges. Participants included five Canadian Warmbloods, four Dutch Warmbloods, two Hanoverians and one each Canadian Sport Horse, Holsteiner and Canadian. The results were very exciting for Canadian bred horses. Top stallion was CARTHAGO SUN I, owned and bred by Joe and Edda Selinger of Calgary.

This four year old Canadian Warmblood stallion, by the International Olympic jumper CARTHAGO Z out of Davos by Schampus xx, received a general index score of 124.66. A compact grey stallion, with good basic gaits, a nice top line, and

excellent balance, technique and scope in jumping, he typifies the modern warmblood. His quality was further confirmed by good scores from all four test riders. Following closely behind were three stallions. The Canadian Warmblood KINGSTON (pictured above) by Martin's Worry xx with 117.65, Dutch Warmblood NOVALIS by Jus de Pomme with 117.53 and Hanoverian BONAPARTE by Buenos Aires with 117.06. Six other stallions were also entered in the Stallion Book for a total of 10 new Approved stallions.

Following the German format, indexes were calculated within the group to provide for an overall general index (GI), a dressage index (DR I), and a jumping index (JU I). A total of 14 different scores covering Interior Characteristics, Gaits, Rideability and Jumping were used.

Placing. Name; Sire/Dam's Sire; Breed; General Index; Dressage Index/placing; Jumping Index/placing

1. CARTHAGO SUN I; Carthago Z/Schampus xx; Cw; 124.66; 118.34/1; 122.21/2
2. KINGSTON; Martin's Worry xx/Naturel; Cw; 117.65; 114.16/4; 114.89/4
3. NOVALIS; Jus De Pomme/G.Ramiro Z; KWPN; 117.53; 106.50/6; 130.89/1
4. BONAPARTE; Buenos Aires/Delano; Hann; 117.06; 117.11/2; 108.19/5
5. ZANZIBAR II; Zeoliet/Arkansas; Cw; 115.91; 114.95/3; 107.69/6
6. BEAU SOLEIL; Bajazzo/Godewind; Cw; 96.38; 97.65/8; 100.80/7
7. OBERON; Idocus/Kristal; NA/WPN; 95.54; 108.54/5; 80.73/9
8. KANADOR; Nimmerdor/Lucky Boy xx; KWPN; 94.16; 104.94/7; 79.92/10
9. OXFORD; Burggraaf/Voltaire; KWPN; 93.80; 82.44/12; 117.35/3
10. CHEOPS Z; Crack Z/Locato; Zang; 92.05; 88.63/11; 96.31/8
11. WESTERN STAR; Widukind/Brisant; CSH; 87.42; 96.96/9; 78.66/11
12. BARABAS; Bajazzo/Arkansas; Cw; 86.12; 92.97/10; 74.80/13
13. CALYPSO FERARI; Canadien; 71.58; 74.83/13; 73.07/14
14. LUCERO; Lucid/Traunstein; Hann; 54.13; 46.00/14; 78.51/12

Two test riders scored rideability on flat and two over fences. On the flat scores were provided by Albert Kley; Spruce Meadows riding Master and recent recipient of the German Equestrian Federation Gold Medal for Riding Achievement; and Liz Hopps from Vancouver; an international dressage competitor who represented Canada at the World Equestrian Games in Rome. Well known; international jumper rider Dayton Gorsline and former CET member Lisa Carlson; tested the stallions over fences.

Gerd Zuther from Massachusetts; with many years experience performance testing stallions both in Germany and at November Hill Farm in the U.S.A; supervised the training team and scored the Interior characteristics as well as contributing marks in the other categories.

In addition to an excellent training leader and top test riders; the CWHBA was fortunate to assemble an international caliber judging commission. Chairing the commission was Manfred Lopp; retired manager of the Stallion Performance Test Station at Adelheidsdorf. As manager for thirty years; there is no other individual who has had greater influence on warmblood breeding in Germany today.

Also on the commission was Professor Ingvar Fredricson from Sweden; currently Vice President of the Swedish Warmblood Horse Breeders Association. He has had a long and distinguished career as a researcher; teacher and from 1983 to 1998; manager of the Swedish National Stud at Flyinge. The consequence of his guidance over fifteen years has been the recent rise to prominence of Swedish horses and riders in international jumping competition.

Representing Canada on the commission were CWHBA Vice Chair Eve Mainwaring and Ontario Chapter President Colleen Embree-Jay.

The farsighted stallion owners are to be congratulated on their vision and dedication to the improvement of breeding in Canada. The number of registered Canadian Warmbloods in this pilot test that were in the top six (four including the Champion and Reserve Champion) proved that the process put in place 10 years ago by the CWHBA is already reaping positive results.

In the end, the benefit to Canada of this pioneer event will be long term. Professor Fredricson congratulated the CWHBA on the test and said " No country can expect to be a successful equestrian nation without a strong national breeding program". Mr Lopp added that; since his first experience in Canada as a senior inspector in 1995; he " has noticed an increase in the number and quality of horses being presented" Both agree that we are on the right track setting high standards for quality stallions; using many of the top bloodlines in the world. They further agree that Canadian breeders must make a similar effort to improve our mare base.