Category:
Inspection
Story Date:
1/5/2015
SWANA Inspection Tour 2014 As September came around it was once again time for the annual inspection tour in the US organized by SWB’s North American association SWANA. A tour that definitely is not for anyone with a fear of flying or with jet lag problems. During nine intensive days we flew across the US north - south and from east – west. Swedish jumping horses have been very successful recently in the US. In spite of this, the tour was dominated by dressage bred horses. Horses of all ages may be presented at the same venue, foals to three year old test, stallion approval, quality test and presentation of older mares for breeding. An inspection therefore has to accommodate several different evaluations which means the re-arranging of arenas in between. It’s not uncommon to arrive into an airport early in the morning and then hop on a plane heading for the next destination in the afternoon or evening. Any delays like this year’s weather caused in one or two places will create a tweak in the carefully planned flight schedule. The first inspection site took place in the old Swedish immigration stomping grounds - at Val and Larry Vetos’ Volte Equestrianin Princeton, MN. A large group of spectators showed up, many with Nordic sounding names and many with ancestors in Sweden and other European countries. The SWB stallion Galapard by Leopard had been actively standing in this area for many years before his recent passing. The mare Genuinely Exquisite honored her sire by scoring a diploma in dressage in the tree year old test. Another diploma, this time in jumping, was awarded to the mare Isos Lily, line bred to Magini. Two very nice foals, fillies both of them, scored 49 p each: Temptation's Tesla by Tailormade Temptation out of Mio Min Mio - Mix Max and SM Dolce by Diamond Stud out of the Vivaldi-daughter Cadenza. The next stop was Donida Farm, Auburn, WA on the west coast. No more need for Swedish September outer wear under the heat of the sun. The approved son of Amiral, Amorex has produced some very nice offspring in the US and his daughter Amaretto Di Amore, with Thoroughbred on the dam side was awarded a diploma in dressage in her quality test. She was accompanied in the celebrated group of diploma horses by the Quaterback-son Quazam out of Apogee - Babar who showed talent in both jumping and dressage which resulted in a quality test diploma in both disciplines. The Sir Gregory-son Saint Tropez performed a very good three year old test scoring a diploma in jumping and a class I in dressage. A lovely, nice moving foal produced via frozen AI by the deceased stallion Juvel by Flamingo – Utrillo, at one time a USET horse under Gwen Blake was also shown. The tour then took the direction going south, to Pembroke Farm owned by Carol and Norm Reid in Lemitar, NM. The inspection was actually very close to cancelling due to the unusual amount of rain falling in the desert – like surroundings. Rain is somewhat of a rarity and rain drops are coveted, however in this case there was an overload. After inspecting the footing in the outdoor arena we decided to go ahead with the inspection anyway. This, under falling rain and many large puddles. The horses seemed to care less however, it was the judges and the people involved that thought it could be better. Many very nice horses were shown, both free jumping and under saddle with no problem in spite of the weather. Two excellent brood mares Apogee by Babar and Ackéra by Chirac from Carol Reid’s extremely successful SWB breeding were awarded the coveted ELIT status. The Vivaldi daughter Cadenza once again showed her quality, this time having produced two full siblings by Furst Romancier; Flirtini and Fratelli. Both horses received a diploma in dressage and Fratelli also scored a diploma in jumping. The nice moving Scandic – son Scorsese out of Apogee and the very beautiful UB40 offspring Utucci both received a diploma in dressage. The foal Farentino by Floricello out of the Swedish National Mare Championship winner Syncytia by Don Primero showed that the apple does not fall far from the tree showing excellent gaits scoring 49 p. The Dante Weltino-foal Pavatea showed a lovely elasticity and a trot action that scored a perfect 10 with a total of 50 p! Next stop was a visit to Mical Duval in Shrevesport, LA. Here our clothes got wet not due to rain but to the high heat and humidity. As far from Swedish fall weather that you can come! The for us well known stallions Vermouth and Briar had offspring shown here, produced through Molly Gegenbach’s agency for Briar and she was also the one who brought over Vermouth to the US. The five year old stallion Bogatyr by Briar - Flaminko – Flamingo showed three good gaits and jumping ability. To his performance traits we add an approved conformation as well as very correct legs. All together this resulted in a stallion approval. Briar has several approved stallions in the US. The daughter Briannika had a nice filly by her side by the De Niro – son Devon Heir. The filly scored a 9 on type and 47 p total. The last stop for this inspection tour was in Beallsville, MD at Thora Pollak’s facility Beall Spring Farm. Once again back on the east coast after going back and forth across the continent we enjoyed the extremely beautiful yellow/red fall colors. A very lovely black yearling by Negro out of the Swedish born mare Ma Cherie by Rubignon – Master was awarded 49 p. The Swedish born Bellini – daughter Kallisto had a nice moving foal scoring 47p with three good gaits by Kristina Sprehe’s well known stallion Desperados. Ma Cherie’s incredibly beautiful filly by Bretton Woods, pretty as a picture, scored 51 points with a 10 for type and a 10 for head neck and body. A truly perfect way to end the very intense and fun inspection tour. Good luck with all the nice SWB horses we had the pleasure of meeting ”over there” says Mikael Nolin and Christina Olsson who now again, know where we wake up and in what time zone we are located.