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EDITORIAL
Eventing, A Major Equestrian Sport Under Scrutiny
INSPECTION
Appendix horse Owners, sign up for the next SWB inspection!
WORTH READING
Breeding Advice
NEWS FROM SWEDEN
Master 850 climbs in the rankings
ASVH Launches Sales Website
Corlensky G sold – Ludwig’s Champion purchased
Chirlon 870 upgraded to breeding class A
Mynta is pregnant!
Maraton 600 Deceased
First Wish No Longer Breeding
Cheers Cassini approved for breeding
Loredes 1107 returned to Sweden
Three year old tests in full swing
Dionysos 1038 standing in Sweden
National Mare Championships held June 8, 2008
King Louie back in Sweden
3-Year-Old Test Scores Now available Online
Falsterbo Horse Show: July 13-20
Newly Approved Stallions
TRANSFERS REPORT
Editorial by Bo Crabo
When one asks a non-equestrian the meaning of eventing, a typical response is a thousand-yard stare. However, if one asked what the layman knows about Christopher Reeves, the actor who played Superman severely injured while eventing, virtually everyone seems to know about the actor’s heroic fight against paraplegia,. Not long ago, another engagement of the general public occurred when The New York Times published an opinion piece under "other sports,” precipitated by a serious accident at a Florida event. Red Hills is where well-known event rider Darren Chiacchia was pinned under his horse after a "slow rotational fall" on the preliminary course. The Times article also reported 15 other fatalities that have occurred worldwide over the last few years. For example, Darren Chiacchia has successfully ridden Windfall II, a trahkener stallion, at the Olympic Games (Team Bronze 2004), at the Pan American Games (Individual Gold 2003), in Sweden at the World Cup final (placing fifth), and also rode the Swedish-born TB "Better I Do It" placing fourth in the 2007 Pan American Games. The Times article also mentioned that in the entire horse world, especially in the FEI, in the European countries and here in the USA, a perceived increase in fatalities was being discussed. It now appears that American eventing officials are seeking a solution from grassroots efforts ahead of the FEI, who may suggest their own solution to the problem. Many appear to cast blame on the Chief d'Equipe of the US Eventing Team, Captain Mark Phillips. Phillips is a well-known equestrian course designer, and some consider his courses too difficult or unusual.. Phillips is the former husband of Princess Anne of England and father of their daughter, Zara Phillips who, like her parents, is also an international event star. Phillips is widely considered to be the prevailing guru of contemporary cross-country course design. The Times article appears to assign blame to the technical obstacle complexes, which require stadium jumping techniques and limited speed. In the midst of these discussions at this premiere US event, Rolex Kentucky resulted in the deaths of two horses and a serious injury to rider Laine Ashker. Riders are asking what has changed in eventing and how does it contrast with the past?
The Times correctly stated that the Swedes, led by cavalry officer Clarence von Rosen, introduced eventing to the Olympic committee where it was officially added as an Olympic event in 1912, where Swedes took both the Individual and the Team Gold Medal. All previously used methods of judging style were abandoned, but distances were longer and time elements demanding. Up to the time of the 1956 Equestrian Olympic Games in Stockholm, extra points were awarded to horses that performed faster than the allotted time, both in steeplechase and the cross-country events. Participants then were largely military officers. For example, the German word for “eventing” is the English word "Military." Swedes figured prominently in the medals, and at the time, I had no idea that my first riding instructor Major Helmer Mörner, Academy Stablemaster at the University of Uppsala took both Team and Individual Gold at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp. Swedish competitor Hans von Blixen-Finecke and Petrus Kastenman continued on to win Gold Medals at the Games in 1952 and 1956, respectively. Interest in eventing cooled considerably in Sweden following the Stockholm Games after the Swedish horse Iller was euthanized after a fractured femur occurred before a large crowd including Queen Elizabeth, whose own horse competed. Eventing has long been a prominent equestrian sport in the United Kingdom New nations have risen to the sport’s top ranks in subsequent years, including Australia, New Zealand (riders in the latter likely stimulated by Mark Todd and his fantastic mount "Charisma”) and the United States. The second day of the three-day eventing has been discussed as too tiring for horses. The second day encompasses road and tracks Phases A and C, executed at bicycle speed. The exhausting steeplechase Phase C and the final cross-country Phase D is where accidents occurred involving both riders and horses. Although no longer extra points were awarded for very fast rides (on the contrary "speeding tickets" were awarded for fast rides in the lower levels in National US shows), FEI decided to eliminate steeplechase and road and tracks phases. However, it remains unclear whether this was done for safety or due to scarcity of land for those phases. Many US riders (and the discussion is ongoing) claim that these rules favor Europeans, with their heavier warmbloods, better suited to dressage than the speed and stamina of the American Thoroughbreds. Now, both forms of eventing are being offered, but it appears that international shows are staying with the short format. And what of course design when the short format became favored? To distinguish between horses, the cross-country phase needed to become more challenging. Obstacles heightened technically, and had to be ridden in "show jumping style," and riders complained that this interrupted the riders’ rhythm they liked to maintain throughout the course. These changes made it quite difficult to make time. Officials rightly ask themselves, ‘just how dangerous is the sport?’ Does it become more dangerous when the intent is to decrease falls? This controversy continues worldwide among aficionados. Recently, a Swedish sports journalist suggested that eventing would have been outlawed long ago if it hadn't been for the public’s passion for horses. However, extensive statistics on the dangers have been provided by the United States Eventing Association (USEA), on falls in 2005 and 2006, and fatalities for 1996 through 2006. (For more detail, see www.useventing.com - under Competitions and Safety). In 2005, there were a staggering 40,975 starts and in 2006, 44,324 for all levels. Recorded falls were 556 and 601 for these two years, respectively. Recorded injuries -- from winded to concussions and broken bones -- were 91 and 108, respectively. Thus, the likelihood of falling during cross-country is a remote 0.067%, but if a rider falls off the mount, chance of injury is approximately one in six. In the 12-year period from 1995 through 2006, 8 deaths were recorded, which amounts to one rider fatality per 59,179 starters or per 1,183,610 jumps. One is unlikely to see better statistics on safety while driving a car. During the period from 2000 to 2006, there were three recorded fatalities. Of those, a young girl with the Swedish sounding name Eriksson at Galway Downs in California had eliminated herself at the water complex but the jump judge was unable to stop her from making a final and sadly fatal attempt. Most of the 2005-2006 incidents occurred at the lower levels (Beginner Novis 19, Novis 25, Training 25, and Preliminary 33) versus 10 at the Intermediate and four at the Advanced level. Whether incidents increased or decreased with the abandonment of phases A, B and C it is still probably too early to document. Captain A. S. Gleen argues in a recent article in The Chronicle of the Horse, that the road and tracks phase as well as the steeplechase prepares the muscles for the cross-country. Thus, the question arises, what good is achieved by eliminating these phases if it doesn't result in increased safety? Current discussions advocate letter-writing campaigns to the USEA as well as The Chronicle of the Horse from grassroots riders. USEF and USEA presidents have jointly written advice on tougher rules. At this time, one thing is clear: No association or federation can legislate safety - it must reside with the individual upper-level rider to assume this responsibility. Instructors may need to assume increased responsibility for students at the lower levels. Furthermore, the requirements for upgrading a horse and rider to the next level may be more stringent. However, the discussion must be based on factual circumstances of documented injuries and not perceptions. Where this leaves Swedish Warmblood horses in eventing is unclear. Although probably not as prominent as in dressage or show jumping, several horses have been very successful with eventing. Finnish Piia Paantsu with Karuso (by Krocket 651) has placed at the 4-Star level in Badminton and Sara Algotsson with her homebred SWBs (by Robin Z 723) has twice won the World Cup finals. This author began to take great interest in event horse breeding when my daughter-in-law Barbara Crabo joined the family. So far the greatest success was in 2005 with Barbara's homebred Eveready (by Irco Mena 763), and our Victoria's Electra (by Electro 778), both out of TB mares, placing first and second at the Richard Collin's National CCI* championship (long format) among 46 starters at Galway Downs in California. As of this writing, Eveready is completing his second CCI*** event at Jersey Fresh where another Swedish horse, Kejsarinna, ridden by Maya Black won the CCI**. I do not know how many SWBs are competing in eventing in North America, but the Swedish system has great potential to produce event horses by identifying stallions that can improve on dressage or jumping horses without sacrificing the reciprocal trait, whichever the mare needs. Breeding those stallions to TB mares of good quality should be the key to the event horse of the future. No other registry has progeny testing as an objective as the Swedish system and I hope in the future to see more SWANA registered event horses. The sport is great when responsibility and caution are exercised. Even in my 74th year, I managed to be in the ribbons at the lowest level of eventing, coached by my daughter-in-law, and I still strongly recommend trying the event to others.
Appendix horses are now eligible to receive the Swedish Warmblood brand which was not possible prior to 2007. Early last year, SWANA adopted a set of new registration rules, and as a consequence dissolved the appendix book. The new Book and Register system, which is very similar to ASVH’s system, consists of Books I-IV and Registers A-C all which have different standards and prerequisites (Download PDF). All horses subject to registration will be evaluated on a case by case basis and registered under the appropriate book or register. Any horse registered in Books II-IV and Register A-C may be upgraded on fulfillment of certain criteria.
Previously, four generations were required to move out of the Appendix book (Download PDF), irrespective of the grounds for which it had been evaluated and included in the first place. This catch-all type of registration system was without regard to degree or reason for inclusion. This old practice has been changed with the new rules and resulted in a more flexible breeding and registration system. The reasons why a horse is included or excluded from a particular Book or Register are taken into account. For example, differences between an offspring excluded from registration Book I occurs if the breeder simply forgets or omits registration of a TB mare with the Jockey Club versus an offspring excluded because the mare is derived from an unacceptable breed. The new system offers all horses a broader range of possibilities to ascend from one book or register to another. Since performance is one criteria taken into consideration during the registration process, presenting the horses before professional judges can therefore be extremely valuable. Judged inspections are an excellent way to obtain an early, professional evaluation on the potential of these horses.
by Ulf Wadeborn
The goal of the Swedish breeding registry is to produce horses that have a good and sustainable confirmation, are well rounded, trainable and competitive for all equestrian disciplines.
The question then is how to best breed to reach the goal and criteria of the Swedish Warmblood registry?
1) Mare selection: In my opinion, the careful selection of the mare is more important and difficult than the selection of the stallion. The reason why is because the stallions had to meet very high standards to be approved in the first place.. Therefore, the ideal would be to breed not only with inspected mares but mares that have received either Diploma or are registered Class I. The maintenance cost for a good versus a mediocre mare is the same however the potential return on the money will increase if the quality of the offspring is better. The rationale to breed a mare simply because she went lame is not a sensible breeding decision.. 2) Picking the appropriate stallion for the mare is also very important. many breeders are tempted to breed to the new and popular stallion. My advice is; a young mare should be bred to an older and proven stallion and an older mare, that has a long and proven track record can be bred to a younger stallion since you know what the mare produces. Another important factor in choosing a stallion is whether he compliments the mare or not. For instance, a mare with a very long back should be bred to a short backed stallion and vice versa. If the mare has one weak gait make sure that that gait is the strongest in the stallion. So before you breed your mare or stallion, you need to do a lot of research. There is a lot of information available, and of course SWANA is always available to help.
Master 850 has climbed his way up to seventh place in the WBFSH ranking of dressage sires. He has surpassed well known sires like Ferro, Florestan I and Ehrentusch on the top ten list. Above all, offspring like Max, ridden by Kyr Kyrklund, and Tip Top 962, ridden by Leslie Morse, have contributed to the high ranking since they have produced the most points in 2007.
The leader is still Donnerhall, followed by Weltmayer and the new guy on the list; Jazz. Lauries Crusador xx, Warkant and Davignon I placed 4-6.
The ASVH sale site is up and running. Check it out - perhaps your new Swedish Warmblood horse is offered for sale right at this moment. Go to the ASVH web site presented in English at www.warmblood.se
The approved stallion Corlensky G is sold to the owner of one of Germany’s largest studs: Gerd Sosath. Stall Waldhof, who sold the horse has instead bought the stallion Ludwig’s Champion by Sosath. Ludwig was champion stallion in Oldenburg and approved in Sweden both as a 3-and 4-year old.
The stallion Chirlon (by Ceylon out of Wisita 18395 by Kaliber, breeder Kenneth Säfström, Huaröd) has returned to Swedish breeding after being absent for 13 years has been awarded breeding class A by the Inspection Committee.
Chirlon was only active during two seasons in the 90’s, however several of his offspring have competed successfully at Grand Prix level in dressage. The 15 offspring that have been evaluated at the quality test have contributed to his BLUP index of 119 in dressage and 106 in jumping.
Helena Lundbäck’s successful mount Mynta (by Robin Z – Utrillo, breeder: H Rosén) is scheduled to foal by the end of May. The 20 year old mare is bred to Corlensky G.UPdate: Mynta has foaled -nine days early and the result is a filly. The duo is located on the west coast of Sweden, with Lundbäck’s former groom Pia Karlsson. Helena has decided on the name Darling for the foal. Sire is Corlensky G.
The Elite stallion Maraton 600 (by Utrillo out of Fairy 9175 by Caracas–Fairey xx) was born 1976, breeder: Brita Wehtie, has passed away at 32 years of age. Maraton was purchased by Flyinge, the National Stud as a foal. He had a successful show career under Rolf-Göran Bengtsson as well as a successful career as a breeding stallion. Out of his 1440 registered offspring, 508 have competed, many at the highest levels. His genes have been passed on to 260 mares entered in the studbook. Among his six approved sons, is Magini 695 who in turn has sired breeding stallions like Briar 899 and Magritte 780 (exported to Australia).
The 2007 stallion test winner First Wish 1103 will no longer be available for breeding at Tullstorp Dressage Stable AB. After a severe throat and respiratory tract infection last fall the stallion has developed the condition of roaring. Veterinarian Jonas Tornell discovered minor changes in the stallion’s throat when examining him in connection with a throat infection in September 2007. During the fall and winter, it quickly got worse, and First Wish 1103 now has developed the throat disease.
At the stallion approval as a 3-year-old, First Wish 1103 had no indication when examined in the throat. Hence, the disease has developed after the infection.
The president of the inspection committee Karl-Henrik Heimdal, DVM: This throat disease is a so called progressive disease that develops in varying time phases with different individuals until the final stage. The first symptoms of the disease often show at the age of 4-6 and develop into its final stage within a time period varying from a few months to a few years. A throat infection may sometimes initiate and hasten this development. This throat disease has a complex background, where large horses and horses with long neck are over-represented. Various studies have shown that the condition has a hereditary component. Accordingly, it is on the list of diseases that is regulated by rules of the ASVH as well as the list of defects of the Department of Agriculture DFS 2004:22. It shall be mentioned however, that a large majority of the off-spring of First Wish 1103 will definitely not get the disease.
Everybody who has off-spring or pregnant mares should be very proud of these. The amount of off-spring will be limited and the demand for them will be great, says Jan Brink. First Wish is an amazing stallion who has won everything he has ever participated in. According to many of my foreign colleagues, he is the best Fürst Heinrich off-spring ever seen. Of course I think it is sad that we have to take him out of breeding, but rules are rules and they must be followed. That is our policy at Tullstorp, Jan Brink continues. First Wish will now undergo surgery in Germany and then be transferred to his owner Helena Lindmark, who will be focusing on an interesting show career with him.
The stallion Cheers Cassini (by Cassini I out of Fleur III – Ramino) was presented at this year’s stallion test. However, due to a lack of official show results presented to the Inspection Committee at the time no decision could be made about the stallion. These results are now in, and the Committee has decided to approve the stallion based upon his excellent show career and his very interesting performance oriented pedigree. He showed and placed in many five-star CSI and CSI-W and also was part of the Sony-Ericsson team under Richard Davenport. After a bout of colic he underwent surgery and since then has retired from being ridden. The stallion was awarded breeding class AB, valid until the year 2013.
The 13 year old stallion was born in Germany, breeder Gerd Magens, and he is owned by Martin Dawes, England. His sire Cassini I is one of the leading sires in show jumping with 37 approved sons in Germany and many offspring performing at the highest level in show jumping. Cheers Cassini’s dam, Fleur, was herself very successful in the show jumping world with victories and placings in Grand Prix and World Cup under rider Michael Whitaker.
The 6 year old stallion Loredes 1107 (by Lauries Crusador xx – World Cup I) is back in Sweden for this breeding season. He was approved at the stallion test in 2006 and is also approved in Hannover, Holland and Westfalen. He was stationed in Germany in 2007 but has now returned for his duties in 2008. Loredes is the only stallion in Sweden by the very influential Lauries Crusador xx who himself produced more than 40 approved sons and more than 100 daughters awarded "statspremium" in Germany.
The premiere of the 2008 three year old tests took place in Åstorp, Skåne during April 29-May 1. A full 84 SWB-registered three year olds were inspected. The first diploma of the year went to the stallion Security (Sandro Hit-Donnerhall, breeder Helmut G Heidmayer, Germany, owner Birgitta Kjellin Häst AB) who received the scores 997897=49 and with being shown under saddle received a diploma in dressage.
During the first week of May 430 SWB-registered three year olds were inspected all over the country. The highest score so far (53 out of a possible 60) has been awarded to two stallions: Monopol Hästak (by Cuper out of Indra Hästak by Cortus, breeder/owner Hästak AB, Älmeboda) best jumper talent with scores 8989910. Detroit (by Don Frederico out of Arkona by Aarkling xx, breeder Wilhelm Carmienke, Germany owner Birgitta Kjellin AB, Kågeröd) best dressage talent with scores 1098899.
The 11-year old stallion by De Niro-Rubinstein will be standing at Flyinge, the National Stud. He has been shown successfully in Germany by Karin Rehbein. Together they have 49 victories and placings, out of which 43 are in M and S class up to Grand Prix. Dionysos covered 60 mares last year and has been available in Sweden through fresh, transported semen for several years. The owners Per and Eva Pileryd are now putting the Swedish rider Marie Christiansson who won the Swedish Championships in dressage for Young Riders last year on the stallion for his future show career in Sweden.
The National Championship for mares is held annually at the Strömsholm Riding Academy. Invited mares must have achieved a diploma rating at the three year old test in order to qualify. Mares that have scored a double diploma can only enter one discipline, either dressage and jumping. The horses are shown in hand and under rider. Mares competing in jumping are credited the free jumping score from the regional three year old test. One winner in the jumping division and one winner in the dressage division are chosen.
The newly North American approved (2007) Irco Marco son, King Louie, has been purchased by Royne Zetterman and Lars Forsström and is now back in Sweden after many successful years in the show jumping circuit in the US. “ An approved stallion with the performance pedigree Irco Marco in combination with a top class Irish Thoroughbred like Chou Chin Chow xx, is hard to refuse, says Royne Zetterman”
If you are interested, you can go online and check the scores from this year’s three year old test. Visit The ASVH Website then click on any of the venues published under Resultat 2008 in the right hand margin. The published list of results is pretty self explanatory, even if it’s in Swedish. The three year old test provides a first indication on how a stallion will pass on his traits to his offspring, so stallions to keep an eye out for are the ones that were approved four years ago.
A complete compilation of the results will be published later in the spring/summer. The three year old test also serves as an opportunity to qualify for the Swedish Sport and Breeding Championships in the fall.
Falsterbo Horse Show invites you to see the international stars from the Olympic Games, WC, EC in show jumping and dressage. The up and coming future stars are represented by the Young Riders. We have exciting international competitions, show classes with startling entertainment where horses, cars and dogs are some of the stars in the shows.The large exhibition area, with hundreds of vendors offers a wide variety of products; a perfect place to shop. Then, why not end the day with a delicious dinner in our restaurant. www.falsterbohorseshow.com
The Skanör-Falsterbo area offers a quaint holiday experience, close to beautiful beaches, small villages with wonderful restaurants and excellent lodging.
Several new stallions were approved at the Stallion Test this past February.Stallions approved as 3-year-olds: Download PDF
Stallions approved in Dressage: Download PDF
Stallions approved in Jumping: Download PDF
Stallions approved on Performance: Download PDF
The transfers of ownership recorded between February 9, 2008 and June 10, 2008 can be viewed here
We welcome your news, error reports and feedback! The SWANA Office can be contacted at office@swanaoffice.org. The editor of this newsletter can be e-mailed at editor@swanaoffice.org.
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