Three Redheart’s In The Ring……

When it comes to a yearling’s first show I can only talk of my own experience. At home, trips in the lorry, bathing, in hand leading and being taught to standing correctly, alongside many other educational lessons will ensure a sense of normality on the day. Whilst at the show, the day can unfold either way…

The Regional Appaloosa Club UK show at Summer House, Gloucester was the perfect introductory show for Easter. Crystal gave her an encouraging start, full of praise and reward. Easter amazed us all with her obedience, positive attitude and calmness. Her shows for the Judge were impressive and were rewarded with a first place in the Most Colourful, a second in the main registered fillies and delighted to say the Reserve Championship from the Females.

Easter was then taken to the lorry to enjoy her hay net whilst Katie and Evee continued their classes and myself and Reus stayed out the way until it was our turn in the ring.

 

Here are a few photos of the Three Redhearts Day Out……..

 

Crystal with Redheart Cateaster

 

 

Katie with Redheart Pascalius

 

Katie and Evee took a first in the young stock UK and USA fillies.

 Also awarded USA Reserve Champion  and UK Female Champion.

A lovely day spent with Happy Appy friends

 

 Reus had an educational day, with a fulfilled day of classes.

We took a few firsts and seconds, three Reserve Champions and the USA Championship.

A delightful day spent with delightful people.

The first show where three Redhearts stood in the ring…….

 

 

 

Sunny Southampton……

There are a few shows I look forward to each year and The Festival of Colour is one of them. It’s run by the Cadnam Show Society who produce a calendar of shows at Terry’s Patch, Bartley in Southampton. It holds approximately nine shows a year with a schedule full of classes to suit all. It’s also an amazing show for qualifiers, request a schedule from hazel@cadnamshow.co.uk and have a look!

It is a good 3 hours plus drive in the lorry for us but the atmosphere is adorable and on a sunny day just makes it that more enjoyable. This year we qualified both horses for the SWPA Championships and Royal London. Redheart Catorrius entered and won the British Appaloosa and Appaloosa Horse Club Main registered in-hand young stock but was beaten in the Championship.

 

 

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Redheart Pascalius entered and won the Open in-hand spotted horse/pony young stock and to my delight claimed the Championship.

 

 

A memorable photo from Sunny Southampton……

 

Happy Hearts………………….

Redheart Royale and Redheart Regal continue to attract my full attention. They have certainly found their feet, are gaining weight and developing just as one would expect. Their characters are shining through, both content to leave their dam’s for short periods as they play whilst on their adventures around the field……Needless to say I am delighted with their progress and never allow a day to go by without handling them. Here are a few moments………

Two Happy Redheart Appaloosas.


 

Winning in Warwickshire…..

Our second show of 2015 was a trip into the home land of William Shakespeare. The well organised event of the United Saddle bred Association “May Festival” (European Championship show and open show for all Foreign Breeds).

The in hand and especially young stock classes are usually early, to our advantage when the premises are less chaotic.

 Redheart Pascalius and Hevans EV Catorrius (Redheart Catorrius) were very relaxed.

The warm up was taken all in their strides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first class was the Coloured Foreign Breeds – Coloured & Dilutes, any age or sex. (e.g. skewbald, spotted, palomino, dun or dilutes.

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Evee took a fourth.

       

Reus took a first.

 

Our second class was the young stock.

A repeat performance, Reus first and Evee fourth.

 

 

 

 

 

The Championship was taken from the winners of the Foreign Breeds classes of veterans, coloureds, young stock, over 4 year old mares, over 4 year old geldings and stallions.

 

 

       

     

We are delighted to say Reus was awarded a Reserve Championship qualifying himself for H.O.P.E Supreme Show later in August.

 

 

 

Evee watched on whilst grazing, it was Reus’s turn this week…..as he won in Warwickshire!

The Redheart Race is on…….

 Redheart Regal (Blanc)  and Redheart Royale (Ben) having their first race….

 

Do you fancy a race around the field ?

 

 I will give you a head start…..since you’re a girl!

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Break into a canter then……

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 I’ll take the out side, after all you are only 10 days old !

 

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So you want to train for the Breeze up’s?

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 Ben, stop showing off, your 22 days older then me….

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Come on…..

 

Time out…….

After a few days in the round pen it was time to venture out into the big field.

Peyres Catori Cat is always a protective mother for the first few days.

By day four she was far more relaxed and was turned out with her new-born Blanc.

Pending registration name – Redheart Regal.

 

             

 

     

They have been out most days for a few hours but the weather has been unfair for foals….

 

                        

Foals always find a way to reach the grass.

 

 

I don’t think Catori lifted her head during her Time out…….

 

 

If it wasn’t for the ApHC UK…………

“The ApHC UK are pleased to announce a Special Award for commitment to promoting the Appaloosa in the UK as well as attending all the Club’s shows in 2014, this award has been presented to Paula Cooper with her Foundation Appaloosa colt Redheart Catorrius.

We understand that Paula and her horses had a good day at Royal Windsor Horse Show too.

Very well done Redheart Appaloosas.”

ApHC Award

If it wasn’t for the ApHC UK advert in Free Rein July 2007, my mother and I wouldn’t have attended.

 

 

If it wasn’t for the ApHC UK members who introduced their horses at this show we would never have caught the “Bug”.

If it wasn’t for the ApHC UK Directors continued support and direction I would have never made it to my first show without borrowing the required clothing and attire.

They are special ones, committing their time, energy and knowledge to support a breed they believe in.

They will always exceed your expectations and help you whatever your needs.

I am truly overwhelmed and honoured to receive this award.

This recognition gives me great strength and encouragement to continue my journey with Redheart Appaloosas.

Showing, producing, breeding and selling Appaloosas x Appaloosa horses within the UK.

Committed to the on-going development of Foundation Blood lines, Performance records topped off with Patterns and Colour.

 Thank you ApHC UK Directors & members.

KT Wins at Windsor…..

Let me introduce you to Katie Lynch…..our paths crossed a few months back when she enquired about Redheart Appaloosas. Katie grew up on her Great Aunty and Uncles farm; they bought her (and her sister) their first pony and allowed them to ride their older and bigger horses. Katie worked as a mother’s helper for a few different families in large private houses. Looking after some precious horses taught Katie how to meet perfection…..Her experience led her into small private racing yards and then she ventured into a large Equestrian Centre.

With a varied equestrian background and years of experience under her belt, Katie decided to go free-lance. Assisting with dressage riders, observing the training has been a highlight of her history to date. Therefore I can confidently say Katie has worked within some prestigious yards and people alike. Her equestrian experience is a huge asset and the best news is she has a passion for Appaloosas. Need I say any more!

 

After meeting the Redheart horses Katie was keen………with no in hand-showing experience we spent a few sessions at home working towards Katie and Redheart Pascalius competing at The Royal Windsor Show. Windsor is a big show, the perfect family day out whether you like horses or not!

The Copper ring again this year was situated by the fun fair and it certainly is a challenge with young stock. The up side is my girls had FUN!

The British Appaloosa Society Appaloosa class was an Open, (main & part bred). Katie and I were judged in the young stock taking a 1st and 2nd. Katie handled and tracked up Evee like a pro, beating myself and Redheart Catorrius.

 

Evee 1

 

Evee 2

 

 

The Championship was taken from the winner of the young stock and in hand over four year olds. Delighted to say Redheart Pascalius took the Reserve Championship to one of the most stunning Appaloosas I have seen, Desired Edition, with a lovely young lady called Megan Share. This is the very “loud spotty” who Reus fell in love with last year at The Royal Three Counties, he didn’t look twice at him this year?

 

It was a glorious sunny day, a good start to the season and a huge REDHEART feather in Katie’s hat.

We are proud of Redheart Pascalius as KT Wins at Windsor……

It’s a filly foal…..

Last night it was very warm and Catori was quite content being out but seemed to be stood close to the entrance to the field on her own which was very unusual.

Early Monday morning, Catori was showing signs of discomfort which subsided. Later, the tell tale sign of her dropped belly meant the foal had presented its self in the canal. At  4.10am this morning we viewed the safe delivery of a healthy few spot filly. Pending registered name Redheart Regal.

As expected, Catori proved to be a very protective mother and it was a challenge to meet the new arrival stable named Blanc. My youngest daughter said its “All Blanc”! (never guess she is learning French).

Given the foal looks all white and Catori was imported from France, the name has justification!

Blanc and Catori have a very strong bond and obviously  LP/LP which makes her a super breeding prospect.

They were taken out into the round pen this evening for 20-30 minutes, here are some photos of them.

      

We are delighted to see our second healthy Redheart Appaloosa on the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a GAP in our Breeding Programme……….

We have many factors involved in our breeding programme, we are only at the beginning. Below (in no particular order) are those factors achievable, parallel to confirmation and a performance record. I consider I have bought a future Stallion and semen from three of the most knowledgeable, trustworthy and respected Appaloosa Breeders within Europe.

Plans can change over night, personnel circumstances can change, accidents can happen but at the present moment we are here…..

 

 UNIQUE GENE POOL WITHIN THE UK

When we started breeding we wanted to create a new gene pool within the UK. There are many quality Appaloosas available for sale and at stud within the UK but to enhance a blood line would become a challenge as many are related. Thus the importation of our mares and future stallion.

 

THE GENETICS

Having learnt so much about this topic, it is only recently we realise with the development of the PATN1 gene test that we can confidently say moving forward we require a Stallion with LP/LP and PATN1/PATN1 to maximize our chance of producing loudly patterned foals.

We have taken our chances by breeding heterozygous x heterozygous (LP/lp) and bred some fantastic breeding base stock. Because of this we have secured a few years worth of Kiss My Finest Hearts semen to enable us not only to breed full siblings but with a chance of continued quality base stock for breeding purposes only. It is our aim to keep the fillies and sell the  colts, the odds of this we know are 50%/50% !!!!!!

Regarding our colt Hevans EV Catorrius, as a potential Stallion, he is not suitable to cover any of the Redheart mares. Not only is he related but the only female suitable would be Princesse Pascale and I do not want to dilute her blood line despite his outstanding performance record.

However, he does have a major role to play here at Redheart Appaloosas with his result from Davis being PATN1/patn1. Pending his Stallion license, we will plan to look for his future wife/s. A possible Few Spot or Snow Cap (LP/LP), PATN1/PATN1 filly/mare. With 100% FPD and a high percentage of FAHR blood line, along with great confirmation and a possible performance record?

Does such filly exist? We await his license before we get excited on this note….

 

THE FOUNDATION PEDIGREE DESIGNATION PROGRAMME (FPD)

An Appaloosa horse entered in the FPD programme must have 30 out of 30 horses in its first four generations of Appaloosa breeding to qualify at 100% FPD.

Therefore we realise 100% FPD is another goal to continue with. Princesse Pascale and Redheart Pascalius are both 100% FPD. To achieve a standard of producing 100% FPD foals it is vital we continue to proceed with 100% FPD Stallions.

Peyres Catori Cat is 90% FPD, only her grandchildren will meet the 100% FPD status. With her first filly on the ground, Redheart Cateaster at 97% FPD it is possible and in sight. It’s a long journey to obtain another generation of 100% FPD from this blood line but in my eyes it is well worth the wait.

Reus is 97% FPD and will only be crossed with 100% FPD mares to obtain any future foals to be sold as 100% FPD.

 

 THE FOUNDATION APPALOOSA HORSE REGISTRY (FAHR)

Learning about FAHR was a wonderful insight into the history of the Appaloosa. Peyres Catori Cat and Princesse Pascale are not eligible for this registry because their blood lines relating to the original Nez Perce Foundation horses are less than 75%. I feel quite passionate about this blood line, making every effort to enhance the percentage to produce FAHR eligible foals.

We have our first FAHR eligible foal at Redheart Appaloosas named BEN . Pending registration Redheart Royale  out of Princesse Pascale by RDF Ti Kha Atta Rain.

Our future Stallion will consistently produce FAHR eligible foals and we feel another goal has been achieved.

TRIPLE REGISTERED

Appaloosa Horse Club USA (APHC)

Appaloosa Horse Club UK (ApHC UK)

British Appaloosa Society (BApS)

When we started showing Peyres Catori Cat and Princesse Pascale we realised the potential of opportunities available in the showing / competing world.

When it comes to young stock the in hand classes are endless, having an Appaloosa that is triple registered opens many doors from National Breed Shows, Regional Show and the Agricultural/County level shows. We are also members of The British Show Horses Association, Western Equestrian Society, Sports Horse Society, United Saddlebred Association and a few more which allow us under one or more of the triple registration to compete in Foreign Breed Classes, Sports Horse, Hunter and many more.

If you wanted to go showing every weekend with an Appaloosa then it’s possible. The future of a Triple registered Appaloosa has huge advantages and another box we like to tick in our breeding programme.

 

 PERFOMANCE & CONFIRMATION

All our base stock have and will undergo a thorough examination under the Judges eye. An accumulation of Class Wins, Reserve Championships, Championships, Supreme Championships, Register of Merits (ROM), National status and Breed Registry Point awards have been achieved.

These horses have proven their selves to be suitable for quality breeding, by their own merits.

GENERATION ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM (GAP)

This is a programme through the APHC to promote Appaloosa x Appaloosa breeding. It requires two 100% FPD Appaloosas to be breed from. The resulting foal can then enter the programme at G5.

Redheart Pascalius is eligible and will be enrolled. Our future stallion is also eligible, therefore the future with Princesse Pascale’s off spring and Redheart Pascalius’s  blood line will continue with GAP 6 eligible foals.

Ben is also eligible for the GAP 5 status, he will be enrolled and if kept as an entire his progeny will be eligible for GAP 6 if he is crossed with a 100% FPD mare.

 

In honour of our first GAP 5 foal for sale, we bought Ben a number plate for our horse lorry!

G A P  5    REDHEART APPALOOSAS