ATA Mare Inspection Pauma Valley Sept 23rd 2006



On September 23rd, one of the ATA's bigger mare inspections of this year was held at Gretchen Lasater's beautiful farm in Pauma Valley in Southern California. First of, a huge thank you to Gretchen, who has a truly amazing farm sitting in a canyon of lush green tangerine trees and has a beautiful outdoor arena of FEI proportions. She also hosted a lovely dinner in front of her house friday night and served great lunch at the inspection, which we thank her for! For the ATA, Neil Westergdes DVM was the inspector and had come in from Northern California for this occasion. A total of 12 mares was presented, with six candidates for the OSB and six for the PSB divisions, and in addition, we also saw one yearling colt for voluntary inspection. Noteworthy was the very high quality of all mares presented, especially in terms of quality of the movement with an active hind end. Mr. Westergerdes took his time with each mare, and explained in detail what he liked or disliked about each individual horse, always pointing out what would be desired in the modern Trakehner breed.



The mares

The day started out with the 1998 born Symphonie. This impressive bay mare is by Kaspareit out of Strategie *E* by Mahagoni - Ibikus and is owned by Janice Quinlan of Fontana, CA. Symphonie's measurements and scores:

16.1h; 196 girth; 19.5 cannon bone. 8,8,7/8,8,7/8 for a total of 54 points

This mare exhibited exemplary impulsion and a very active hind end, as well as a back that was able to swing accordingly and let the movement pass well through the body. Symphonie's weaker points were her type, although she had a great athletic expression, but lacking distinct Trakehner and gender type. She also could have had a bit more length in her neck and a much loftier front end in her movement, which was a bit stiff out of the shoulder. Nevertheless, her valuable pedigree and especially her impressive motor and powerful croup/hind end formation make her a sport rider's dream come true! Photo by Merrily Veatch.

Next in line was Teddy's Tiara, a 1998 daughter of Schubert out of Teddy's First xx by Teddy Doon xx - Tobin Bronze xx. This large framed grey mare was bred and is owned by Gretchen Lasater. Her scores and measurements:

16.0; xx girth; xx cannon bone. 7,8,6/6,7,7/7 for a total of 48 points

Teddy's Tiara had a wonderful eye and expression in her athletic face and impressed us with her string frame, good croupling and powerful hind quarters. She clearly showed the influence of the racing TB in her dam line. Her movement could have been more supple in all three gaits, but she showed good rhythm and balance. Teddy's Tiara had an old injury and it was amazing to see how well she coped with this situation and that once she was in the big arena, and turned lose, her slight lameness almost disappeared.

The third mare of the morning was Hadley, another daughter of Kaspareit out of Himmlische by Matador - Gazal ShA. Hadly had come all the way from Arizona with her breeder and owner Heather Buttrum of Sovereign Farm. Her measurements and scores:

16.0; xx girth; 22.0 cannon bone. 7,7,6/7,7,7/6 for a total of 47 points

Hadley was very much in type and frame as Symphonie, and it surprised us a bit to see the noteworthy difference especially in the score for type. Her impulsion was quite outstanding, and she appeared to be a horse with great power and athleticism. She stood in a clear rectangular frame, but somewhat lacked a longer neck and more elegant shoulder formation, which was reflected in her movement at liberty (front end). However, her pedigree and the type she exhibited make her a prime candidate for an under saddle career and that is what owner Heather Buttrum has in mind for this lovely chestnut mare. Photos by Aerron Smith and Heather Buttrum.

Another mare from Sovereign Farm came next: Kalua by Heling out of Kalliste by Amadeus - Schwalbenfreund. Kalua, who was five months in foal, had the following measurements and scores:

15.3; 195 girth; 19.5 cannon bone. 8,8,7/8,6,7/8 for a total of 52 points

Kalua is a classical Trakehner beauty, her type was truly unsurpassed this day, and we were a bit disappointed that it didn't show in her scores. Not only is she an attractive "front end" horse, but her body harmony and her frame definitely scored higher with us. Unfortunately, Kalua was very much in love with her stable mate and was a bit distracted from her performance, which was reflected in her General Impression score. Her movement is very good, with an active hind end, and one of the best walks we saw that day. Her front arm is maybe somewhat flatter than what is "modern", but her suspension showed nicely. Photos by Merrily Veatch (1+2) and Aerron Smith and Heather Buttrum (3).

The next mare was Libbie by Feuertänzer out of Lucie by Enrico Caruso *Pg*E* - Leibjäger. She is bred and owned by Rita Haas from Corvallis, MT. Her measurements and scores:

15.3; 189 girth; 19.5 cannon bone. 8,8,8/8,7,8/9 for a total of 56 points. Libbie was awarded Model Mare status!

Libbie reminded us a lot of her maternal sire Enrico Caruso, and was a great sport horse type, which was rewarded with her impressive General Impression score. She was very compact and had a lovely croupling and hind end, which she used very well. At times a bit tense in her trot, she had a great canter, and was very correct overall. The mare, whose dam was a successful event horse, is currently under saddle and aiming for an eventing career. Libbie *M* won the Reserve Champion mare title of this inpection. Photo by Merrily Veatch.

Then came Imprime Too, a daughter of Sinatra out of Imprime by Schubert - Just Jed xx, bred and owned by Gretchen Lasater. Her scores and measurements:

15.3; 190; 19.0. 8,8,8/8,8,8/8 for a total of 56 points. Imprime Too was awarded Model Mare status!

This lovely chestnut mare was the best overall mover of this inspection, taking into account that walk and canter count as well. Her canter, in fact, got even one more point in TI's "private score sheet". This mare covered good ground with an always active hind end, a lovely supple back and a very good front end, reaching out of her shoulder. Her transitions and her natural ability to sit were nicely shown during her at liberty phase. She was correct, well mannered, and should be a dream to ride! Imprime Too *M* was this inspection's overall champion mare! Photos by Merrily Veatch (1) and Aerron Smith and Heather Buttrum (2+3).

After the mares for the OSB, we got to see a group of highly interesting Arabian and partbred mares for PSB. Mares for the PSB have to score at least 49 points to be allowed into this book. The great difference in points necessary between pure bred Trakehners and TBs or Arabs is a somewhat strange concept for us. We would like to ask the question of weather it shouldn't be the same high quality that comes into the books. A 45 point pure bred mare should probably be just as undesireable as a 45 TB mare...but rules are rules, and for now, we'll live with them.

The first mare presented for PSB was Windsong VS ox by Sir Victor ox out of Eter's Windsong ox by Eter ox. She is owned by Mary & Steve Jensen of Auffinger Farms in Temecula, CA. Her measurements and scores:

15.1; 171 girth; 17.5 cannon bone. 6,6,6/6,7,7/7 for a total of 45 points (not accepted for PSB).

We were a bit surprised by this. The inspector noted that the mare didn't represent the frame and strength, especially in the loin connection, that the breed would profit from. It was interesting for us that with no word he mentioned the foal this mare had at her side. Windsong was showing off a beautifully put-together colt by Pavarotti, which showed none of her "weak" points and in fact, was a very high quality colt all around with a top notch temperament. The mare had been sucked dry quite a lot, and lacked spark and enthusiasm in her at liberty phase, but had nice suspension in her trot and canter, and was very supple. The owners decided to represent her when she had put on her muscle again, which is probably a good decision.

Next was Crysallis AF ox by KG Advocate ox out of Aspen Dawn ox by The Chessman ox. She was bred by Auffinger Farms and is owned by Linda Feenstra of Cedarlines Park, CA. Her scores and measurements:

14.3; 167 girth; 18.0 cannon bone. 7,7,7/7,7,8/8 for a total score of 51 points

This lovely dark bay mare had clearly more growing to do, but stood on long legs and had a very good top line with a strong croupling. Her movement was marked by great rhythm and her canter was especially nicce, definitely in the top three of the day for us. Crysallis AF is under saddle and is heading for a performance career.

The already 20 year old Tanzendegeist came next. This grey mare is by Preussengeist *E* out of Mahrissa ox by Jedels Budjit ox and is owned by Katherine Ashdown of Riverside, CA. Her scores and measurements:

15.3 1/2; 183 girth; 21 cannon bone. 7,7,6/7,8,6/8 for a total of 49 points

First of all, it was delightful to see in what excellent shape and condition this older mare was! Tanzendegeist had suffered a shattered bone in her front about 12 years ago and was never able to perform after that, but was a good eventing horse prior to her accident. She was a very substantial mare with a somewhat older type foundation (steep, short pasterns), and lacked some of the suppleness in her movement, but had a great round knee in her trot and displayed a great overall type.

Miss Styyx ox by Styyx ox out of Dawinnah ox by SW David ox - Carradin ox was next. She is owned by Katherine Voyer of Norco, CA, and her measurements and scores were:

15.0; 182 girth; 18.0 cannon bone. 8,7,8/7,8,7/8 for a total of 53 points

Miss Styyx ox, who was rather heavily in foal, stood clearly in the type of her Polish Arabian ancestors, with more riding horse points that one generally sees from Egyptian or show Arabs. this mare's suspension in her trot was amazing, her back well-uwed, her front end lofty and off the ground, her hind end active. Her canter was lacking that suspension, but her frame, type, size and overall quality were worthy of this high score. Photo by Aerron Smith and Heather Buttrum.

The next mare was Schnee Engel by Schneekönig out of KS Goddess xx by Lord of All xx - Bupers xx. Schnee Englel is owned by Jayme Grant of Alpine, CA and had the folloing scores and measurements:

15.3; 184 girth; 18.5 cannon bone. 7,7,7/7,8,8/9 for a total of 53 points

Schnee Engel was the perfect example of high quality TB infusion in a warmblood breed (note: sire Schneekönig is also a half TB!). While her youth showed in her not filling her frame yet, her topline and croupling was the best of the day, with a natural "sit" to her appearance. This grey mare had a lot of knee action in her trot, but somewhat lacked the extension out of her shouler. However, her canter was ground covering, her back end always active and her impeccable sport horse type and athleticism were rewarded with a 9 for general impression. Photo by Aerron Smith and Heather Buttrum.

The last mare of the day was Misstyyx Rose ox, a full sister to the above mentioned Miss Styyx ox owned by Katherine Voyer of Norco, CA. Her scores and measurements:

15.1 1/2; 187 girth; 17.5 cannon bone. 7,7,7/6,8,7/7 for a total of 49 points

Even more than her sister, this mare had an excellent trot, which actually got a point more in our books. Not only impressive for an Arabian, but in general, was her knee action, her suspension and her elasticity. She was bit more on the nervous side, which was reflected by her GI score, but we thought highly of both mares and are excited that they were recruited for the ATA!! Photo by Merrily Veatch.

Pictures
We apoligize for the mixup of photographers. Photos were taken by Merrily Veach and we received more shots from Aerron Smith and Heather Buttrum today. Thank you!!



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