I could not believe there’s a lovely show only 10 minutes down the road from us. I could not believe how big the show is and I could not believe DFR Patahas Redheart won a class from ” Alternative Coloureds”.
Absolutely thrilled to bits to have taken the first place over Spotted, Dun’s, Roan’s, Pinaloosa’s, Palomino’s etc
Just a quick hour out for Blu to try to take a bit “colty” behaviour out of him before a big show tomorrow!
Back in the City of Worcestershire this weekend, at the Three Counties Show Ground for the Horse Owners & Pony Exhibitors – H.O.P.E 2017 Malvern Festival.
Under the British Appaloosa Society, we entered Carick Redheart (Myka) and DFR Patahas Redheart (Blu) in the Appaloosa Youngstock In Hand class. With only these two in the class the result, Blu first and Myka second then Blu Champion and Myka Reserve Champion. Despite the lack of support in this class, both horses were turned out to the highest possible standard and gave a deserving show. It’s not an accomplishment as such but you have to be in it to win it….
Thankfully the World Breeds In Hand Youngstock class had better support, open to over 37 different breeds we were delighted that the Appaloosa was amongst the most desired. Blu taking a first and Myka third. The Championship was open to all class winners and second places from World Breeds Youngstock, Owner Bred, Stallion, Mares and Gelding under and over 14.2 and Mountain & Moorland any height any age. Delighted to say Blu took a Reserve Champion to a gorgeous Fjord.
I never make excuses for poor performance, on the whole, we have great days on the showing circuit but on this occasion, it is only photographic evidence that enabled me to justify our disappointing show in the Supreme Championship. Unfortunately, I found myself disrupting Blu…..his concentration was elsewhere and his trot was very uncoordinated and disunited! That’s showing…
We adore the County shows, a super day out for the family. This year with DFR Patahas Redheart (Blu) and Caricks Redheart (Myka), both participated in the British Appaloosa Society’s affiliated Youngstock Class.
A very, very hot day where the MC constantly repeated for competitors and horses alike to refresh with water from any of the taps on site, we were also allowed to compete without jackets. Thankfully this show is only ten minutes from home and despite the class running an hour late, we were home within three.
Always a worry entering a ring with jumps in, a bit of a distraction but at least we always walk around the ring a few times first, allowing the horses to see the scary objects.
Amelie and Myka did a beautiful straight show as did DFR Patahas Redheart with myself. The result, Blu first and Myka second, Blu then took the Championship.
After Amelie’s trial run last week with Caricks Redheart (Myka), today they put it into practice and represented the Redheart Appaloosa Stud proudly. They have created a lovely bond and today we were at the ApHC UK Spring Show held at Merrist Woods Equestrian Centre.
With Myka and DRF Patahas Redheart (Blu) on the lorry, we set off for Surrey at stupid O’clock as do most equine enthusiasts! Our early arrival enabled me to give Amelie and the horses a tour of the showground whilst allowing the horses to stretch their legs.
Our first class was the Most Colourful (open to ApHC UK A, B & NC) Myka took at 3rd place with Blu taking the first place, a great start to our morning.
Blu then won his Stallion class followed by the Championship. Next on the list was Myka and I, in the fillies class, being awarded a first place, followed by a Reserve Champion Female. This filly does not put a foot wrong, I am sure she will make a splendid broodmare here at the Stud.
Both young stock went forward for the Youngstock Championship, Blu went Champion and finished his English classes as Supreme Champion. Later he went forward for his USA classes, taking a first in the ApHC USA registered Colts, Stallions and Geldings any age. Such a wonderful day, it couldn’t get any better then he won his class and went Male Champion USA.
Amelie and Myka continued their partnership in the Potential Sports Horse Youngstock and the Open Sports Horse Type, taking a 3rd and 4th retrospectively.
It was a humid day and very warm indoors, the atmosphere was delightful as always and the horses really fulfilled my dreams. One thing I will always remember this show for….the day when the Judge, Julia Ryde-Rodgers request we all complete our shows, off the cuff. I have never been presented with this situation and quickly reverted to a basic dressage test. Allowing the Judge to see the horse under control at walk, trot and halt on both reins, we added a few tight circles along with a few steps back, it went well. Such good humor and a twist to our day which made the class very, very enjoyable, thanks to a creative Judge.
Here are a few pictures but we have loaded more on the individual horse’s page.
Our second outing this year, Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex, Rugby. The event was held by the United Saddlebred Association-UK and Foreign Breed Society, a European Championship Show with a programme packed with classes to suit ALL Foreign Breeds.
Todays Redheart was DFR Patahas Redheart aka Blu, our two-year-old licensed stallion. After a winter out and the Spring grass just recently, he is looking mighty fine.
The first class was Home Produced, open to pure or partbred Foreign Breeds. This class was indoors and very well supported. Blu was very settled and gave a great performance taking the second place to a beautiful Fjord.
Our second class, open Foreign Breed Youngstock, another well-supported class that resulted in a first place!
These placings qualified us for the Open Foreign Breed In Hand Championship.
Our next two classes were outside, a glorious sunny day and the testosterone certainly kicked in. With two rings running next to each other, Blu was quite interested in the goings on in the next ring? Quite a distraction for him but these things he must get used to and get over…
Our third class, Foreign Breeds with broken coats, what a mixture of beautiful horses, a fantastic second place, and our last class, Appaloosa with a free win as we were the only competitor. Disappointing but we made it our advantage, giving Blu an opportunity to have a proper good look at the ring next door!!!
These placings qualified us for the World Breeds In Hand Championships.
The Open Foreign Breed In Hand Championship & the World Breeds In Hand Championships.
These two Championships consisted of the first and second placed horses in over 16 classes.
Honored, with Reserve Champion in both classes!
Our Reserve Champion positions put us forward to the Supreme In Hand Championship.
We took the Reserve Supreme In Hand, absolutely overwhelmed!
A Redheart APPALOOSA @ The May Festival 2017……
Today, our imported colt from the Double Forest Ranch in Switzerland passed his 5 stage vetting.
Organized and attended by two of the British Appaloosa Society Directors at Oakhill Veterinary Cente
He is now a triple registered licensed stallion.
Foundation Appaloosa Horse Registry (FAHR) # 1042 92.9687%.
British Appaloosa Society (BApS) GRADE B.
The Appaloosa Club UK (ApHC UK) ‘A’ register.
Already a registered stallion with the ApHC 100% FPD & GAP 5.
Black (EE aa) homozygous LP & PATN1 stallion who is 5-panel negative.
This is a huge milestone for Redheart Appaloosas, breeding forward for Foundation Blood and many other qualities.
DFR Patahas Redheart – A Licensed Appaloosa Stallion
We watched and waited for his arrival in 2015….then on the 20th January he arrived.
One year later, we still pinch ourselves – he’s ours!
Happy first birthday Blu x
Something lovely about black and white photographs, especially when they have Appaloosas in them! Many thanks to Ben Lovegrove (our neighbour) who very kindly took some of the following photographs. A talented future photographer…
The beginning of 2017 has been the same as every New Year. Dark mornings, early dark evenings and a range of temperatures from minus 5 to 8 degrees.
The horses are out 24/7, as we seek approval on our planning application for a stable barn. They have thick muddy coats yet have a healthy shine, well they do say wellbeing comes from within!!
My Christmas present from my other half was a quad bike, feeding the horses has never been easier and it didn’t take long for them to realise the noise of the quad means food! Surprisingly the children show great willingness to help now.
Our newest addition to the herd, Myka has settled extremely well. At the bottom of the pecking order, she stays out the way of the older mares, very sensible filly although she plays a lot with Blanc which is lovely to see.
Our Swiss import, Blu is as quiet and friendly as the day he arrived, an absolute credit to the Foundation Appaloosa breed. We’re very satisfied to have him at the stud for our future breeding plan.
Our two-year-old filly Blanc is developing a cheeky yet adorable funny character. She makes a lot of funny faces and always seems very happy. She is very slowly maturing and until she grows out of this “unfurnished” state she won’t be entering the show ring anytime soon……
Ben….we adore Ben. Such a sweet kind colt yet quite insecure. He should mature over 16hh, therefore it’s going to take time for him to fill out but at the present moment in time, he’s looking rather well and conditioned.
Evee, after completing three years in the ring she now resides with the broodmares. She is a very big strong mare, with a leg in each corner. We aim to cover her with Blu later this year, planning on a black GAP 6 foal in 2018.
The main man…Reus. Full of character, highly intelligent, brave and very forward going since birth. I am looking forward to getting back on this boy! We finished riding him away as the nights drew in last year but hopefully we will find more time for him this year.
Our lovely PP, absolutely adorable in every way. In foal to Reus for an April colt? Let’s hope she passes on her LP gene because this boy will be for sale. Although if the sex scan was wrong, we would appreciate a non-characteristic filly!!!! Seriously, we only ever pray for healthy foals.
The best till last…Catori, a gorgeous horse inside and out. This mare understands me and our bond is strong. She’s current in foal, due April to Kiss My Finest Heart. This will be a full sibling to Reus and the late Easter. The suspense is unbearable as her sex scan proved 60% in favour of a colt, which will be for sale!
Foundations Appaloosas are very straight forward, Black & White……
It is my opinion that any Appaloosa entering a breeding programme should be tested for the 5-panel test. This test is for five different genetic diseases found in quarter horses and other stock horse breeds such as the Appaloosa.
Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED) Recessive
Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA) Recessive
Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis Disease (HYPP) Incomplete Dominant
Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) Dominant
Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy – Type 1 (PSSM1) Dominant
Read more: UC Davis Veterinary / Animal Genetics UK
Although our horses are pure 5 generations of Appaloosa’s, they have horses far back in their pedigrees which are known to have one or more of these genetic diseases.
Just look at Ben’s pedigree; Here.
ALL NEGATIVE HERE AT REDHEART APPALOOSAS FOR THE 5-PANEL
Wishing all our friends, family and followers a very Merry Christmas x