Not-So-Narrowed-Down Stallion Wishlist

Well, thanks to everyone on here who replied to my other thread, my list hasn't been "narrowed" at all haha, just changed arghhhh!

If possible, I'd like to get some opinions based mostly on conformation as to which stud would cross up best with MY mare. My goals are to hopefully achieve a longer neck/shorter back ratio, and add to her hind end a bit. Height would be pretty great, but "height" to me is anything over 15.2hh lol :) I would like to add a bit of refinement. I realize that stallion achievements and awards are important, but also that I do not (and do not plan on) show at very high competitive levels.


I've been in touch with all stallion owners except two (still waiting to hear back - so no guarantees if they're even an option). I have an order of preference in my head, but would really love some input from another few sets of eyes! I'd also love to hear which studs you would definitely NOT breed River to, and WHY.

Thanks to everyone who posted stallion suggestions on my other thread! The thing to remember is that I am a multi-discipline rider. River and I have competed successfully in dressage, hunter, show jumping, gymkhana and trail class... and not so successfully haha (but just as fun!) in reining and western rail classes. Currently I'm focused more on jumping and dressage and hoping to get into cross country. I imagine I'll always ride in several different disciplines.

Remember - I am located in Canada. The first four stallions are too. State of the Art is actually in the province where I may be working this summer, and the owners have an ultrasound and do AI right on the farm which would be great.

Can't seem to figure out how to post a photo directly on here??

Really wish I had more pictures of my mare! ... without me in them

River!


I REALLY like this guy... but I feel like he should have a longer neck, Riv's could use length as it is.

Color Guard
COLOR GUARD Reg. ECLIPSED BY COLOR Stallion Katriina Ruotsalo : 2010 International Stallion Guide for Sport Horses

This guy is HUGE, like 17.2hh... maybe TOO big!

Glorioso Noir
Glorioso Noir - Kaiser Stud

This is the stallion who is located near where I may be working. From what I've seen of his foals, he really does add refinement. His owner has been very nice too, which is a bonus haha.

State of the Art
Boulder Ridge Ranch - SOTA


This dude is incredible... but he seems to be build a bit sturdier than the others. Not a bad thing, but River is sturdy enough haha.
Diamond Stud
Diamond Stud - 2003 Oldenburg Stallion - (Diamond Hit x Lavarino x Rohdiamant) - Dreamscape Farm, Langley, BC, Canada

And then these two are located in the states. Goldmaker was recommended by several people on this board, and I must say the owner is very nice to deal with :) I originally emailed her in regards to another stallion of hers, but was persuaded to look harder at this guy.

Goldmaker
Goldmaker - Avalon Equine


Sempatico
Silverwood Farm's Stallions : : : Sempatico

I can't see the picture of your mare!

Haha really??? But you can see all the others?

I like color guard the best, but glorioso noir is a close second(: I see your point about the neck but I think some of the others have longer backs than you want haha. And im not a huge fan of goldmaker not sure why haha. I think its because im partial to horses with a longer leg like mine haha. From that one picture on state of the arts site he looks REALLY long in the body but it may just be the picture. And I keep changing my ming hahaha. I LOVE both of the 1st two stallions(:

I really do too... actually, the problem is that I like ALL of them lol. I agree that in that photo SOTA looks long in the back.. but then in other photos, not so much. What I really like about him is his finer build.

Color Guard is AWESOME, but definitely the sturdier of the bunch along with Diamond Stud... which, like I said, is fantastic - but River is already sturdy as heck lol.

And Glorioso is so HUGE!!! His owner said he tends to throw height (but, River is only 15hh).

Nice - for those who dont' want to click links, I figured out how to get a picture up :) Except for Goldmakers urghhhhh




Color Guard


Glorioso Noir


State of the Art


Diamond Stud


Sempatico

I really know nothing about breeding or a whole lot about conformation but I did notice that all of these studs, except for "Diamond Stud", have been set up with their front legs uphill of their back legs (making them look more built uphill than perhaps they truly are).
For most of them that isn't really an issue since they appear to be naturally somewhat uphill BUT that does not appear to be the case with Color Guard. He only looks level in his confo picture...but his back legs are downhill of his fronts...

Of course being built downhill is not the worst thing out there since my mare is 28, 3+ inches taller in the back than she is in the front, sound, and moves in a super uphill fashion that you would not expect from a horse with that flaw. In her case though, she was blessed with what's called "The Golden Triangle" where each of her hindquarter joints are angled+joined in a way that creates an equilateral triangle. That means that she has a lot of patootie power than ends up overriding the extreme downhill-ness and any inclination to just plod along on the forehand constantly. But most horses don't get that blessed.

Personally, out of these guys, I'm a fan of Diamond Stud the most - solely based on his shoulder angle and his hindquarter angle.
Color Guard and Glorioso are both tied for a close second just based on my easily swayed gut. Haha

FWIW, I really am not a fan of Sempatico's neck.

Actually I agree with this, not loving Sempatico that much. I have seen a few of his foals but... wasn't crazy about them. That said, I am not a huge fan of the pinto color marking and the horse has to be really striking for me to like it and not too loud. Conformation to me is 1000 times more important that color. You want a horse that is going to stay sound for a very long time and be able to do some work as well. Good luck with your choices.

I like the first 2 best but would like to see a more uphill mix with yours so number 2 might be the smallest amount over the first horse. If I were to buy one of those two to ride, I would have a hard time choosing.

I think I like Diamond Stud and the second one the best. Good luck on your search.

I actually agree - Sempatico is last on my list. I like Sota better, but kept Sempatico on the list because someone brought up the fact that Sota has paint/QH in his lineage, thus adding more breeds to the mix. I never looked TOO much into Sempatico, but from what I've seen and read about Sota offspring, they sound pretty good!

The way I figure, I'm ALREADY gambling with a mixed breed mare, so to me it's not a big deal to have the QH thrown in there... but I see the point of wanting to keep the mix to a minimum.

Also, I'm not positive that Color Guard IS set up on a hill???