Well- I was already warned about this post and how my hair might be raised. All in all I was very thankful for those who recognize that a not so great horse or attribute of a horse cannot and should not be blamed on just one of the horses in it's pedigree.
After finally getting to the pedigree of the horse in question- on PAPER it is outstanding. He has so many "greats" all in one --it is simply stunning! There are 85 horses listed. Some of those repeated and if I counted correctly- leaving 58 different horses in the pedigree. Gold Melody Boy was 7 times and his parents 7 times, Roan Ranger 4 times with his dam 4 times (sire already counted extra), Boones Apache twice, Dell Teras Buttons twice, etc, etc. Other greats such as Orion, Rebel, King Supreme, Teenie Jeanie, Fields Delight etc etc. Why on earth is Buckeroo- who was listed only 1 time in this pedigree- taking the blame for this poor colt not being good enough quality to use for breeding- based on his pedigree alone????????? HELLLLOOOO!!!!! What about GMB (who I love), what about Orion- who again was stunning and produced very good horses, why not Rebel who again had awesome success with his get and grandget in the ring????? Why is Buckeroo the only horse out of 58 to determine this poor colt's fate as a breeding horse????
I want it to be very clear- a Pedigree is not everything, Buckeroo or not. It does and can help - but not for the reasons many have stated. Having a name in a pedigree that is well known to be a champion in the show ring means just that- it has been a champion under a judge that liked the way it looked and showed on that day in that ring. The Hype and Marketing of that horse can increase the branding power and in turn make it more famous. BUT- can it out live the fad and hype? For those who have not been around very long- look back- Can you really say Buckeroo is a fad or only marketing hype? Why on earth would Marianne Eberth dedicate her entire life and 2 of her 4 children go into the miniature horse business on just a fad or hype? Why would she manage and work so hard with a stallion that is 31 years old to be sure he maintains his reputation? Because she believes in him, she has seen time and time again his foals and grandget in other breeders' hands and barns produce more champion quality horses that have gone on to win with yet again new owners. This is not a fad or hype- this is a breeder who is truly dedicated to producing quality miniature horses for the industry as a whole- not just a fad for the year. She has outlived the hype, fads and titles of many, many horses that have won World titles and never again produced a show win winner. She did not make Buckeroo. She did not hype him or make him a fad. She complimented him with her love, dedication and good simple horse knowledge conformation and breeding- his qualities made him famous. His ability to reproduce "the Look" made him famous. The fact that Marianne worked her butt off to find mares to compliment him and to make sure the foals that she felt had a chance to win a title got placed in the hands of owners and trainers that knew what to do with them. If that love and dedication is the definition of hype or fad- then I need to re-read the dictionary.
I just told a new breeder the other day- you have to love the horse you are going to dedicate everyday of your life to. It has to be a horse that you like to look at and that you can believe in. Conformation should be the priority quality to consider, how the stallion will compliment mares or what type of mares you need to compliment him should be next and then pedigree, show titles, full sibilings, etc. From a resale or marketing standpoint- a horse that has a pedigree with consistent show champions or production of show champions can make your horses more valuable and in more demand. If it doesn't, why are there horse shows?
I want to thank those who came to the defense of the old man who is 31 this year and still takes my breath away when he jumps over his stall to tease whatever young Buck is taunting him. For those of who you think Buckeroo is just hype or a fad, I welcome you to come see him yourself and look at his foals and grandfoals here on his farm and tell him he is just hype.
Just my opinion. I will say one thing more- you won't see me get on this forum and bash some old stallion because he was one of 58 other horses in a pedigree. My Mom said, how would you like her to go to your website, pic a colt from your farm and post his picture, pedigree on this forum and bash him for the entire WORLD to see and say that it is nothing more than a colt and should never be bred? As mothers all say--- if you can't say somethng nice, then don't say it at all. Everyone is entitled to like or dislike something, but to publically tear down a horse that has had such an impact on what this industry is today- please save it till he is dead.
Robin-LKF
www.LittleKingFarm.com
[email protected]
