By Chris Gould / CWHBA
Photography: Cansport
In late 2019, the important and influential Canadian Warmblood breeding stallion, Carthago Sun I (Carthago - Davos x Schampus xx) passed away. Born in 1996, he spent his breeding years in Alberta. Carthago Sun I was bred by Joe Selinger founder of JES Breeding Farm and St Georges Stable in Calgary.
Joe Selinger and his wife Edda stood ‘Sunny’ on their farm throughout his entire career, where he sired over 100 offspring. This number may seem small by European standards, but in the Canadian context it is very large.
His dam, Davos, imported by Selinger from Germany, was one of his foundation mares, bringing the valuable blood of Julio Mariner xx and Landgraf I to Canada. An early adopter of frozen semen, Selinger used stallions such as Calido, Coriander and Carthago I on Davos. However, it was Carthago that really clicked, producing three sons, two of which went on to be the approved stallions Carthago Sun I and III. Carthago Sun III continues at stud in Alberta with Wachter Horses.
In spite of losing his right eye early in life, Carthago Sun I, after becoming champion stallion at the CWHBA stallion performance test, went on to have a successful sport career competing up to 1m30. Many of his offspring, such as Cataline (Carthago Sun I x Power – Pilot) under the saddle of Tayah Sobie, and Condor II (out of Colibri x Caletto I), followed him into the jumper ring at Spruce Meadows and venues across Canada.
Jennette Coote, CWHBA studbook committee member, followed his career from the beginning. “As one of the early Canadian-bred stallions to be approved, he had a huge impact. A high percentage of his offspring were mares and very athletic performers.”
To emphasize this point, consider the full sisters Cera 99 and Cita 2000 out of Colibri (Caletto I). Both were CWHBA riding test champions. Cita 2000 was then exported to Germany where she competed successfully in five- and six-year-old young horse classes. Cera 99 was the first of many Sunny offspring that Calgary rider and trainer Andrea Harris competed on over the years. Prominent on the list is Chile (Cicada x Ferro) a mare she competed to 1m30. In Harris’s words; “Sunny was a remarkable stallion. I can't think of a single one that did not exceed expectations and I have had many. Chile was special; she was fast and careful, maybe too careful. Now she is an excellent broodmare producing for us.”
Clearly the longer term impact of this stallion will be through his daughters. With a significant number of registered daughters – many already entered and active in the breeding books – the future effect will be long lasting. The CWHBA offers condolences and thanks to JES Breeding Farm, for the outstanding contribution Carthago Sun I has made to the Canadian breeding program.
