People talk so much about the importance of bloodlines when it comes to horses and honestly, I find that rather amusing when I consider my own horse, Rethy.
On paper, Rethy looks like a given international eventer. His dam produced Ariano du Quinze, who competes 3* with Maxime Livio, Bolzano du Quinze, who has been exported to South Africa as a stud, Vesuve, who runs at 1* with an amateur rider and Salambo, a mare who was rated as being the archetype of modern Anglo-Arab breeding. His dam was later sold to SA herself so I don't actually know what else she's produced more recently.
His sire, Gral des Verniers, was highly successful in producing quality eventing horses as well. He's got 180 foals competing at amateur and above in France alone.
Then, then there's Rethy.
https://78.media.tumblr.com/6b51aa0700ecf016df754f4baffb6c8b/tumblr_p6rue3reeg1v0dsu1o1_400.gif
All that potential and pedigree, yet I end up with the dark sheep of the family - or in his case the dark camel. A horse who's greatest achievements are throwing international level riders through 110 fences and mastering the Mare Stare despite being a gelding.
He thinks eventing looks like too much running and honestly doesn't get why I'm so big on flatwork, let alone dressage movements (the only acceptable leg yield is one headed away from a horse-eating tree, performed at a hand gallop).
It just goes to show that origins mean very little compared to personality; here's an Anglo bred and raised to be an eventer and what does he like best? Showjumping.
Warming, with Sleet and Heavy Icing
