As some of you know, I work at a place that was, once upon a time, a world-renowned Appaloosa breeding farm. The glory days are over, most of the horses are sold, and I have been given the task of sorting through all of the old office files, separating trash and treasure. One thing I found, amidst all of the stacks of stallion reports and ancient sales brochures, was a request from a Knabstrupper farm for some leopard Appaloosas (from the 70's, I think). They wanted to export them for outcrossing, and they had very specific requirements about the horses' coat pattern, among other things. I don't recall where the farm was based--perhaps the Netherlands somewhere? I could be wrong. I don't know whether they ever bought any horses from my boss, but I don't believe they did. Perhaps the colors in the pedigree were unsatisfactory, or import costs too high, or any of a myriad of factors.
They sent along, with their request, photos of three horses to show exactly the type and color they were searching for. I love these pictures. The horses are neat, but most interesting of all is the riders' garb and the, well, creative interpretation of Western tack. See for yourself.
First is a mare called Taronga, if I deciphered the handwriting correctly. Next is a mare called Balu. The last is a stallion named--wait for it--Poco Bueno. I was able to track him down and find the name listed in quite a few Knabstrupper pedigrees, but if there was anything about his individual achievements, it was all in Danish and I couldn't read it.
If anyone has any information about these horses, it would be interesting to hear!
They sent along, with their request, photos of three horses to show exactly the type and color they were searching for. I love these pictures. The horses are neat, but most interesting of all is the riders' garb and the, well, creative interpretation of Western tack. See for yourself.
First is a mare called Taronga, if I deciphered the handwriting correctly. Next is a mare called Balu. The last is a stallion named--wait for it--Poco Bueno. I was able to track him down and find the name listed in quite a few Knabstrupper pedigrees, but if there was anything about his individual achievements, it was all in Danish and I couldn't read it.
If anyone has any information about these horses, it would be interesting to hear!