[bay_blnd jmpr07]

Yes...Waldemar is staying a stallion...I have been keeping this a secret for over a month, but wanted to make sure my dreams didn't come crashing down before anything was planned....

My mom got in contact with the UMass Amherst Equestrian Coach early last month(January). She told him I had a Premium colt by Werbellin that we were planning to geld...He made a proposal...

Amherst would free lease Mars, train him, and get him through his 100 Day Test and to be used in their Hanoverian breeding program.

So...FREE training! FREE board! And I'd get a percentage of any breeding fees.

The coach came and saw Mars today and LOVES him. He says he has great legs for his age, a REALLY nice wither for his age and that I've done a great job on the ground with him and he's a well mannered young man. And he says his trot is fantastic! Straight lines from back to front and he really reaches and uses himself well even while being on the lead.

So Jerry(the coach) will be sitting down with his staff and talking about this idea. He REALLY likes Mars.

So if the rest of the staff gets on board(and it sounds like they will) Mars will be going to the Amherst barn(BEAUTIFUL facility!) and living in a SIX ACRE pasture with 2 other colts for a year to be a horse and build up all his muscles. Then he'd come in for more ground training(more intense ground work anyway).

And Jerry says I will deffinatly be part of Mars' training. BIG bonus for me! And Jerry trained Werbellin for 2 years when he was imported from Germany. AND Jerry rode horses in Germany during their 100 Day Tests.

I am SO excited for this opportunity!

Now the next step is to get accepted to the Stockbridge school(part of UMass Amherst).

He gave me some tips on feeding for Mars so those will be going into effect ASAP.

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

And just another note...


If Mars does NOT pass his 100 Day Test he will be gelded.

So he will ONLY be a breeding stallion if he passes and is approved for breeding. And he will only breed to approved mares.

[3WishesDun]

Wow! That's awesome!! They must really see a huge amount of potential in him. You must be so excited. Congratulations to you and Mars.

[JBandRio]

Sounds interesting!

Will you take him to an inspection at age 3 to see what inspectors think of him at that point? That might save a lot of grief and expense to get him to and through the 100DT. How old will he be when he goes through that? It's REALLY hard on a 3yo to get through that safely.

What EXACTLY is Amherst going to get from all this? The expense of getting him trained and submitted and through the 100DT is huge - do they really ONLY want breeding rights? What is going to be your involvement with Mars once they take over, besides being part of his training? He's going to need a lot of professional riding and training to have a chance at doing well at the test, and to have a chance to perform well after that to become something people want to breed to. This often leaves very little time for amateurs to ride these horses. Is that ok with you?

[Kissitgoodbye]

That is amazing! So do I get discounts! I am so happy for you! You so needed this wonderful news

Oh I can't wait for updates, and pictures and ect!

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Sounds interesting!

Will you take him to an inspection at age 3 to see what inspectors think of him at that point? That might save a lot of grief and expense to get him to and through the 100DT. How old will he be when he goes through that? It's REALLY hard on a 3yo to get through that safely.

What EXACTLY is Amherst going to get from all this? The expense of getting him trained and submitted and through the 100DT is huge - do they really ONLY want breeding rights? What is going to be your involvement with Mars once they take over, besides being part of his training? He's going to need a lot of professional riding and training to have a chance at doing well at the test, and to have a chance to perform well after that to become something people want to breed to. This often leaves very little time for amateurs to ride these horses. Is that ok with you?

The 3 year old inspection is on the "agenda".

He will be a long 3 year old for the 100DT. We haven't talked about a training agenda yet. The rest of the staff needs to be on board and then there will probably be a meeting with all of us on how to approach training and what I will and will not be allowed to do. But Jerry does want me helping with his training.

As far as I know Jerry's only talked about wanting him for a breeding stallion to stand at their farm.

Jerry will be his primary rider it sounds because of his involvement with Werbellin for 2 years and his years in Germany riding stallions in 100DTs.

I'm fine not competing him. I would work out something(try to anyway) about me riding him while having lessons. And I'm fine being his groom LOL

We don't have any specifics yet, just a general idea so far.

[Zoomarsgirl]

That is so awesome.. how exciting! A big congrats to you!

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

And Fiona has her own little news...

Wishing Rock Farm(where she used to be boarded) is interested in free leasing her and using her as a lesson horse.

So in late March/early April she will be leaving(a whole 10 minutes away LOL) to Wishing Rock. They'll try her out and hopefully it'll all work out. They take GREAT care of their horses and the barn manager really helped me in the beginning when I first got Fiona.

[Mare]

You must be sooo excited. Thats a dream come true. I wish you and Mars the best.

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

And if he ends up not passing and gelded...then I got myself a nice trained horse LOL