News - Redheart Appaloosa Stud

Foundation Appaloosas “GET” in the UK…….

August 8, 2015/0 Comments/in Hevans EV Catorrius, Kiss My Finest Heart, Peyres Catori Cat, Redheart Cateaster, Redheart Catorrius, Redheart Pascalius /by Paula Cooper

I really notice the work load getting three ready for a show and Friday night was a very late finish. As the sun came up Saturday morning the day started to unfold with an awe of excitement as Katie and Crystal turned up and we headed off too the Appaloosa Horse Club UK annual National Breed Show at Moreton Morrel. A two-day show full of APPALOOSAS, run exceptionally well by the ApHC UK directors who exceed themselves organising the whole event including a social evening with line dancing and silent auction to raise funds for the Club and maintain their Grass Roots Database.

Outside, we started the day under the UK judge Theresa Simkins where the three young stock competed in the Non Characteristic and Most Colourful Other class’s. Later the three horses continued to excel in their UK classes relative to their sex and age.

Indoor, Reus started the day under the USA Judge Michelle Pfender in the ApHC USA three-year old colts, FPD Halter for colts and Stallions. Easter and Evee both stepped up to the mark in ApHC USA yearling and two-year old fillies respectively. Later in the FPD Halter mares/fillies a very good friend Margaret Lawrence took Easter with ease giving her a lovely lead as I competed with Evee to comply with the ApHC USA membership requirements.

Throughout the day Reus was very calm and relaxed, he certainly is learning to stand quiet and switch off but he still likes to take advantage of a moment to “show off”. There is no reason other than “look at me male syndrome”. There are times when he grows to 17hh, screams and shouts then when he has everybody’s attention he looks embarrassed!!!! Taking USA and UK Stallion Championships, Young Stock Champion and Reserve Supreme made the day.

The pictures below are of Reus being awarded the M&J Walsh Shield for the Young Stock Championship.

The two small children are Youth members Poppy Spivey and Daisy Williams, they were so very sweet and quiet and gave Reus a kiss. They held a teddy bear named Liberty (aka Bertie). He was on his travels representing a charity called Lighterlife, who are a leading national weight loss company helping individuals to change their lives.

I think this picture shows clearly the sensitive nature of horses in general with regards to small children and hence why so many unfortunate children with disabilities gain so much happiness from horses. A wonderful moment captured by my mum and Simon Coates Photography.

Champion & Reserve Champion Young Stock. Margaret Lawrence with her two-year old gelding Teddy Crookberrow

HEVANS EV CATORRIUS’S DAY

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Evee in my opinion is still growing through the “gormless” two-year old stage just like her mum did but her neck is developing and she doesn’t look as bad as she did. Evee is very well in herself and coat but we are experiencing some two year old “tantrums” and “sulking”. One common factor I have experienced, – BEING TWO YEARS OLD. Just like my children and when showing Peyres Catori Cat, Princesse Pascale, Reus and now Evee at two they just want to see how far they can push you before you lose the plot!!!! Pushing the boundary in the ring where I am 100% sure they know they cannot be reprimanded…… None the less by the end of the day she was tired and gave some beautiful shows, taking the UK Reserve Female Championship with Crystal.

REDHEART PASCALIUS’S DAY

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Evee & Easter with Margaret

Eaters’s first show with Evee at the ApHC UK Midlands show was very relaxed. They didn’t even know they were both at the same event. Easter took everything in her stride and relied on Crystal as her security. It’s a bit different now, poor Katie and Crystal had to stay either end of the show ground and whoever was in the ring had a task obtaining the fillies attention. Both horses have bonded too much and Easter’s insecurity shows by consistently shouting for Evee. They got better as the day progressed and Margaret and Easter took the USA Reserve Female Championship.

One lesson we have learnt about the girls, they now need separating from each other, especially before our next event.

REDHEART CATEASTER’S DAY

Two classes we have never been able to enter, “Get of Sire” and “Produce of Dam” but this year we qualified for both. Having all three young stock (the only three in the UK) by the Stallion Kiss My Finest Heart, qualified us and brought home a first place.

Peyres Catori Cat the Dam Reus and Easter enabled them to compete in Produce of dam, again bringing home a first place.

For me this was the highlight of the day, competing against other superb breeding stock and to my delight on this day the Redheart young stock were clearly both Judges “type”. Their comments were flattering and very sympathetic towards the fillies performance because during their shows they were frightened from some rather distracting noise from dogs in the gallery but credit where credit is due, Crystal and Katie handled the situation well and there were no loose horses as they attempted a flight reaction…

A huge recognition for us, putting the Foundation Appaloosa Horse on the map in the UK and one moment of tense pressure that brought beaming smiles from ear to ear.

The three Redheart Young Stock taking the Get of Sire – Kiss My Finest Heart

Reus and Easter taking the Produce of Dam – Peyres Catori Cat

THE REDHEART YOUNG STOCK

A day when the ApHC USA & UK Judges gave the Redheart Young Stock the “GET” in the UK……

It’s My Pleasure…….

July 19, 2015/0 Comments/in Foundation Appaloosa Stallion, Hevans EV Catorrius, Redheart Catorrius /by Paula Cooper

This morning we headed off to the American Pleasure London Counties Horse Show run by the United Saddlebred Association-UK – American Saddlebreds. A wonderful opportunity for us to compete with the Foreign Breeds.

Our two and a half hour journey was straight forward and the M25 was clear during the early morning……We only had Hevans EV Catorrius / Redheart Catorrius on the lorry as poor Redheart Pascalius was still recovering from her slip at the ApHC UK Southern Show, fingers crossed for the hair to regrow before the ApHC UK National Breed Show.

We had a wonderful day competing in a handful of classes against some stunning seasoned horses.

After a successful day unfortunately our journey home was spent sat on the M25

BUT

It’s my pleasure to be promoting the Foundation Appaloosa……..

Life Event…….To Breed Your First

July 18, 2015/in Foundation Appaloosa Mare, Foundation Appaloosa Stallion, Hevans EV Catorrius, Kiss My Finest Heart, Peyres Catori Cat, Redheart Catorrius /by Paula Cooper

To breed your first born is a special moment and will be treasured.

To be fortunate to breed and keep your first born is very rewarding.

This Blog is a little insight of Reus’s journey to date, from Catori’s 14 day scan to the arrival of two very important certificates.

9^th August 2008 Reu’s Dam was born, Peyres Catori Cat.

February 14^th 2009, we imported her and started her in-hand showing career.

Kiss My Finest Heart

Catori was inseminated 21st July 2011 with the imported semen from Kiss My Finest Heart.

Peyres Catori Cat

17^TH August 2011 Catori finished her in hand career.

Winning the British Appaloosa In Hand Championship at The Royal County Berkshire Show.

13^TH June 2012, we had the most unexpected surprise, with no signs of foaling!

A brown non-characteristic colt, Reus.

Over the next 12 months he was educated and his future planned…..

We started 2013 with a few in-hand shows as a nice introduction. Reus proved to have inherited his mother’s confident traits and it was obvious we had our hands full.

As a two year old, 2014 proved to be a very testing show season. The high level of testosterone alongside his two year old tantrums gave us more determination to prove him. We persevered and happy to say we overcame a few issues, exceeding my expectations towards the end of the season.

The start of 2015 has been pleasant so far but the one major event we anticipated was Reus’s third birthday…..

To comply with the British Appaloosa Society and the Appaloosa Horse Club UK stallion licensing requirements, it was agreed to complete the five stage vetting with the independent vet on the same day for both societies. Reus’s application for his stallion license was organised a while back and booked for Monday 15^th June.

After liaising with both societies, completing the necessary documents, tests and fees, I am now very proud to announce, Reus’s is officially recognised as Hevans EV Catorrius with the ApHC UK (Grade A) and Redheart Catorrius with BApS (Grade A) as a registered licensed Stallion.

We will continue his competition career in hand for the remainder of 2015

The plan is to “collect” from him and hope to have semen available for the 2016 breeding season.

What a memorable Life Event….

Not what you want……

July 13, 2015/0 Comments/in Hevans EV Catorrius, Redheart Catorrius, Redheart Pascalius /by Paula Cooper

Sometimes the force is against you…..sometimes there are little signs and your gut tells you not to go ahead with your plan! Sunday was one of those days…..

After an amazing day with Redheart Cateaster I came home to work Evee and Reus and prepare them for the next day. All done, all good to go for our journey just over two and a half hours away.

Unforeseen circumstance set us off late but we made good time to junction 10 of the M4, then….round about after roundabout after roundabout. Under no circumstance would I give the horses a bad ride but in turn this made us very late.

We took the horses off the lorry straight into the ring which is something I never do and didn’t really think about under the circumstances. Therefore to expect a two-year old and three-year old to stand still was a big ask when their nostrils were flared and tails up!

Needless to say neither I nor Katie did any good and to be honest neither horse deserved to be placed. We used our time wisely, I worked Reus in a corner out the way and unfortunately Evee was not playing the game. It then became obvious she was showing the same miserable signs as four weeks prior at the APHC UK Regional show, season time!!!!

Reus settled and stood to win his class, take the Young stock Championship and Reserve Supreme Champion. Evee continued to be very “mare-ish” and disobedient with Katie.

During a ten minute break between classes Katie squared Evee up and took her back into the arena. Sometimes things happen so quick you don’t know what happened but the result was Katie getting kicked and Evee running loose. Katie was a little shocked and was controlling her painful arm with great dishonesty, something we all do but we all know everyone knows you’re in pain but you keep repeating I’m fine…trying to convince yourself I guess?

Horses generally run back to their comfort zone and sure enough the route to the lorry was with a sharp 45 degree turn. With a lead from the halter dragging, it was a certainty something was going to give. Evee slipped on the concrete and suffered minor superficial grazes, slightly shocked and possibly a tad winded?

It is amazing how horsey people are so quick to react and to everyone that helped, I thank you!

Needless to say our day was cut short as we loaded up and had a quiet slow run home.

All is well, Katie is a little bruised, Evee is sound and will probably miss a few shows while she heals and I have learnt to except sometimes when a mare is in season its best they stay at home!

We have the same red dot on the calendar now…..but its not what you want!

J’ADORE my filly……

July 11, 2015/0 Comments/in Redheart Cateaster /by Paula Cooper

Easter’s second show was an Open Performance Gala held at Three Counties Show Ground.

Her first class was called “World Breeds”, open to horses and ponies with performance potential. Easter was foot perfect, tracked up straight, stood for the judge, stood in line and was an absolute delight to work with. She was placed an honourable third from some quality proven and seasoned competition.

Our second class was for yearlings, colt, filly or gelding, we were in our “class” and placed first, delighted to be pulled forward into the Championship in fourth place.

I can ask no more from this filly at the present moment in time.

Redheart Cateaster

I adore this filly…..

No Words Required…….

July 5, 2015/0 Comments/in Redheart Regal, Redheart Royale /by Paula Cooper

A picture can say so much……

A Day in Derbyshire……

June 28, 2015/0 Comments/in Hevans EV Catorrius, Redheart Catorrius, Redheart Pascalius /by Paula Cooper

We like to arrive at any show at least an hour before our first class. Stretch the horse’s legs, offer them a drink and some kind of forage (grass / hay, depending on the venue) and assess the damage of poo stains from the journey! It doesn’t matter if it’s the same venue as last year, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the layout and get your bearings.

When we arrived they announced all rings were on time….brilliant! But then one class went over their allocated time and then the knock on affected the rest of the day. That’s Showing! We had plenty of time waiting and chatting to some very nice people who were curious as to our breed of horses, why they were plaited differently, why we didn’t use bridles and our dress code. Talk about promoting the Appaloosa to the general public…..

Redheart Catorrius and Redheart Pascalius were entered in the Rare / Foreign Breeds and later in the Spotted or Appaloosa Horse In Hand. Due to the time delay and the same classes open to ponies, horses in hand and ridden, the clash ended up running parallel. By radio contact, the Judges from both rings obliged by waiting in turn for each class to finish and the entrants to swap rings, enabling all competitors to participate in both classes. This was very much appreciated and was co-ordinated too perfection by Emma Rush the secretary.

It was a very humid day and Reus was amazingly relaxed, his shows were straight and to my delight on a loose rein.

He won both classes and placed Champion from ridden spotted pony and horse’s, spot coloured or spot bred ponies in hand and spotted or Appaloosa horse in hand.

This was Evee’s first show where she was directly amongst a lot of horses and people. It was a lot for her to take in and granted an immense amount of pressure. At first, out side the ring, she did loose the “plot” a few times. Katie kept her walking and reassured her with lots of talking and I think singing!!!

In the ring she gave a super show and both judges commented on how they were torn between the two Redhearts. Evee took a second in both classes and a Reserve Champion. All was well until the Monster Trucks started their display in the main arena. This was directly behind our ring, separated by a hedge. Evee was not impressed and lunged forward away from the noise, Katie held on to her and was given permission to face Evee the wrong way in the ring to enable her to see what ever she thought was going to eat her? I am so thankful to the judge and Katie, to educate and encourage young stock requires understanding, how will they ever learn otherwise? Not that we would meet a monster truck again? But you never know!

A long enjoyable Day in Derbyshire…….

Redheart Appaloosas at Royal Three Counties….

June 14, 2015/0 Comments/in Redheart Catorrius, Redheart Pascalius /by Paula Cooper

At the foot at the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, we always enjoy this wonderful County Show with or without horses.

With Redheart Pascalius and Redheart Catorrius entered, it was a blessing they were still clean and braided from the day before and ready to go. Arriving no more than 15 minutes after leaving home, we arrived an hour before our class.

The horses were unloaded and warmed up.

To our disappointment the ring was already an hour behind but it gave Evee and Reus an excuse to graze.

We had an enjoyable 30 minutes competing in the British Appaloosa Society main register young stock class.

Reus taking a first with Evee in second.

We then took the Championship in the same order.

The wonderful thing about County Shows is the other attractions available for the family.

Again, my children took full advantage of our day out!

Three Redheart’s In The Ring……

June 13, 2015/0 Comments/in Appaloosa Horse Club UK, Foundation Appaloosa Mare, Foundation Appaloosa Stallion, Hevans EV Catorrius, Kiss My Finest Heart, Peyres Catori Cat, Princesse Pascale, Redheart Cateaster, Redheart Catorrius, Redheart Pascalius /by Paula Cooper

When it comes to a yearling’s first show I can only talk of my own experience. At home, trips in the lorry, bathing, in hand leading and being taught to standing correctly, alongside many other educational lessons will ensure a sense of normality on the day. Whilst at the show, the day can unfold either way…

The Regional Appaloosa Club UK show at Summer House, Gloucester was the perfect introductory show for Easter. Crystal gave her an encouraging start, full of praise and reward. Easter amazed us all with her obedience, positive attitude and calmness. Her shows for the Judge were impressive and were rewarded with a first place in the Most Colourful, a second in the main registered fillies and delighted to say the Reserve Championship from the Females.

Easter was then taken to the lorry to enjoy her hay net whilst Katie and Evee continued their classes and myself and Reus stayed out the way until it was our turn in the ring.

Here are a few photos of the Three Redhearts Day Out……..

Crystal with Redheart Cateaster

Katie with Redheart Pascalius

Katie and Evee took a first in the young stock UK and USA fillies.

Also awarded USA Reserve Champion and UK Female Champion.

A lovely day spent with Happy Appy friends

Reus had an educational day, with a fulfilled day of classes.

We took a few firsts and seconds, three Reserve Champions and the USA Championship.

A delightful day spent with delightful people.

The first show where three Redhearts stood in the ring…….

Sunny Southampton……

June 7, 2015/0 Comments/in Hevans EV Catorrius, Redheart Catorrius, Redheart Pascalius /by Paula Cooper

There are a few shows I look forward to each year and The Festival of Colour is one of them. It’s run by the Cadnam Show Society who produce a calendar of shows at Terry’s Patch, Bartley in Southampton. It holds approximately nine shows a year with a schedule full of classes to suit all. It’s also an amazing show for qualifiers, request a schedule from hazel@cadnamshow.co.uk and have a look!

It is a good 3 hours plus drive in the lorry for us but the atmosphere is adorable and on a sunny day just makes it that more enjoyable. This year we qualified both horses for the SWPA Championships and Royal London. Redheart Catorrius entered and won the British Appaloosa and Appaloosa Horse Club Main registered in-hand young stock but was beaten in the Championship.