By Liis Ira / ESHBS
Photography: Liis Ira
For some time now, Uriko (Untouchable - Wizzard x Lavito) had been considered an insider tip among breeders. But these times are long gone as, by now, a number of top (international) showjumping riders already have an offspring by Uriko in their stable.
The Estonian Sport Horse (ESHBS) Breeding Day and stallion selection was held at the beginning of May at the Tähtvere Equestrian Centre. Tähtvere stable is an active equine breeding centre in Estonia, where advanced breeding techniques such as embryo transfers, alongside aritificial insemination, are successfully practiced.
In their cosy surroundings, nine stalllions were presented to a committee of seven judges and two test riders. As an ex KWPN stallion test rider, and on this occasion an ESHBS judge, Hanno Ellermann explained; “Ivo Ots was a very talented jumping test rider as he presents horses just the way they are naturally without imposing himself. Dressage rider Dina Ellermann, unbeatable champion of Estonia in dressage, can in 10 minutes test if the stallions are in self-carriage and balanced, and if mostly jumping-oriented stallions can actually lengten their stride.”
The influence of Pikachu de Muze
For obvious reasons the testing was held without an audience, but breeders were able to follow via a live broadcast.
There has been some discussion over the years as to whether stallions are ready in the early spring of their third year to be tested under saddle. This year proved that they are. Peyton V, a three-year-old EHS stallion by Pikachu de Muze performed and jumped to a well-deserved ‘best in show’ title. He was bred by Peeter Viiard who, many years ago, also picked up and imported this phenomenal Kannan son.
Pikachu de Muze (Kannan - Ta Belle van Sombeke x Chin Chin) came to Estonia as a foal from the De Muze stud and has largely influenced Estonian sport horse breeding. He has produced some of our first Grand Prix level horses, including Dorado (ridden by Ireland’s Max O'Reilly Hyland) and Patrol V (for Great Britain’s Louise Saywell), as well as several 1m40 to 1m45 level horses. Out of his 21 descendants, more than half have shown results to at least 1m40.
He has also produced several breeding stallions, including Ponsee V, the sire of Ping Pong V who jumped into sixth place at the 2017 World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken under the saddle of Estonian international rider Paul Argus.
Of course, Pikachu became world champion of young horses at the age of six in 2006 in Lanaken with David McPherson (GBR) after being sold away from Estonia to Paul Schockemöhle. Unfortunately, another magnificient stallion, known as Pikap died in 2008 while jumping with Ireland’s Billy Twomey, after breaking a leg on landing from a fence... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
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