PINTADO DESPERADO

Pintado Desperado progeny at the 2008 Olympics

Gandalf & Angela Lloyd

Gandalf was purchased by Angela Lloyd as a yearling; a small, black, seemingly insignificant horse. Gandalf was bred by Gail Rosenvear out of 'Princess of Power' a Thoroughbred mare who is also Dam to several other very good eventers. His paddock name was to become 'Little' but Angela say's there is nothing little about his personality and he is not a hothead like your typical thoroughbred. Angela broke him in, trained him and took him through the grades to Three Star success. 

Angela & Gandalf  at Puhinui 2007

She was the only one to jump and compete him until he was purchased by Mark Todd. Angela & Gandalf won the Three star at Richfields at Kihikihi and were second at the Manakau City Puhinui Three day Event in 2007. It is a huge credit to Angela's training that her horse was considered by 'The Rider of the Century' let alone to be purchased by him.

Gandalf & Mark Todd

In January 2008 Gandalf was purchased by Mark Todd as his new mount to partner him on his journey back to the Eventing World after an eight year retirement. Not just low key Eventing to get his hand back in. NO!!! Mark's target was to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing by June of the same year. A huge ask of a new combination but one Mark felt up to.

The first steps for Olympic qualification were to attain two qualifying rounds at advanced level to enable them to compete in the Three Star at the Puhinui International at Manakau on 13-16 March 2008.

Events unfolded as follows:

1.   23-24 Feb 2008 - 3RD @ Arran Station, Hawkes Bay: Attained qualifying Dressage Score:39.6  /  Show Jumping 4 Faults  /  8.8 Time penalties Xcountry.

2.   1-2 March 2008 - 5TH @ Rotorua: Attained qualifying round in Dressage, Score 32.3  /  Show Jumping Clear  /  13.6 time penalties in XCountry.

 Dressage Riverdale 2DE, Rotorua 03/2008 (Photo Courtesy 'Take the Moment')

   Show Jumping Riverdale 2DE, Rotorua, 03/2008 (Photo courtesy 'Take the Moment')

Mark & NZB Gandalf  XCountry, Riverdale 2DE, Rotorua, March 2008.(Photo coutesy 'Take the Moment')

3.    5-9 March 2008 - 1ST @ Kelt Capital Horse of the Year show in Hastings in the Eventing Challenge. They were placed second after the dressage but a clear round in the Show Jumping saw them move up to take first place.

Show Jumping in the Eventing Challenge HOY 2008. (Photo courtesy of 'Take the Moment')

Show Jumping in Eventing Challenge HOY March 2008. (Photo courtesy of 'Take the Moment')

They now required qualification in two International events. The first at Puhinui in NZ and the second planned for Saumur in France. This meant if all went well at Puhinui, Mark and Gandalf would move offshore to England to be closer to the International events in Europe where Gandalf could gain experience in the larger atmosphere of International competition.

4.   14-16 March 2008 - 1ST @ Puhinui International CCI***, Manakau: Attained qualifying round in dressage Score 48.9  /   Xcountry 4 Time penalties  /   Show Jumping 4 faults.

Mark & Gandalf XC @ Puhinui 2008

In April 2008 they left New Zealand shores for England where they are based at Eddy Stibbe's.

5.  4-5th May 2008 - 17TH @ Osberton, England:  Dressage 58.1  /  Show Jumping 4 Faults  /  Xcountry 5.2 Time Faults.

6.  17-19 May 2008 - 6TH @ Saumur, France CCI***: Attained qualifying round in dressage, 53.9 = 25th  /  16.4 Time Penalties Xcountry moving them up to 13th  /  1 Time penalty in Show Jumping moving them up to 6th overall. Mark is now qualified and joins the short list for the Olympics.

7.  16 June 2008 - Mark Todd & Gandalf are named as one of our 5 Strong equestrian team to attend the Beijing Olympics. He joins Andrew Nicholson (Lord Killinghurst), Joe Meyer (Snip), Caroline Powell (Lenamore) and Heelen Tompkins (Surgoi).

8.  BEIJING OLYMPICS

10 August 2008 - Dressage - Mark and Gandalf finish 30th with a score of 543.

11 August 2008 - Cross Country - Mark and Gandalf move up to 29th at the completion of a brilliant clear round with 27.20 time penalties after Mark elected to take the safe route at a combination that was to be the undoing of our own Andrew Nicholson later in the day.

12 August 2008 - Show Jumping - Mark and Gandalf move up to 17th overall in the Individual results after clear show jumping.

An excellent result from a special combination in a very short time. It is very exciting watching one of Desperado's progeny competing at this level. We certainly can't take the credit for breeding Gandalf, as that was some years before we purchased Desperado, but he is the son of our stallion so it is still extremely exhilarating to follow Gandalfs progress.

9. A VERY SAD DAY

24 December 2009 - News breaks that Gandalf has been humanely uthanased.

EQUESTRIAN rider of the 20th Century, Mark Todd, this week faced the sad decision to have his 11-year-old Olympic horse NZB Gandalf put down as the result of a serious neurological disorder.

Gandalf was Todd's 2008 Olympic mount, and had recently suffered seizures, which made him blind in his right eye.

He had become a danger to himself and his handlers, Todd said.

"It was a very hard decision to make but the wellbeing of the horse is what we have to consider foremost," he said.

"Unfortunately we didn't get to see the best of him."

Unfortunately we didn't get to see the best of him."

This is a sad reminder of how fragile our horses are. At the end of the day they are expected to be extreme athletes and we have no idea at what stage we will be faced with the same difficult decision Mark has had to make. It may be early in a horses career as with Gandalf or preferably it may be later as with Charisma. Sadly many many talented horses have their careers cut short due to health or injuries and never get to enjoy their old age as we plan. We feel for Mark and of course Angela who proudly started Gandalf on his successful career.

Amber Parkes and Pintado Chevalle are sensational all-rounders who do exceptionally well in Dressage where they compete at Elementary level. Amber and Pintado Chevalle are consistently in the placings.

A testament to Ambers fantastic schooling, Pintado Chevalle was loaned to a visiting international rider for Pony Club Champs.

Lili Janse Van Rensburg from the Medunsa branch of the South African Pony Club attended the 50th Anniversary Jubilee of Horse Trials, Pony Club Champs.  Lili was fortunate to be loaned Amber Parks’ horse “Pintado Chevalle” a beautiful piebald mare, currently competing in elementary dressage.  The competition was held on Mr Keith Bennets’ beautiful farm, Tielcey Park, just outside Palmerston North from 21 – 24^th April. The general comments from the riders while walking the course were “Whoa, but these jumps are big and wide”. Lili was tied 3^rd after the Dressage Phase with 35 penalties in the International Class of 18 riders. Lili jumped a super round with one knock, in front of yet another huge crowd.  With the help of "Pintado Chevalle" the internationals placed 6th overall.  

Congratulations Amber Parkes and Pintado Chevalle, supreme champions at the Pinto Horse Nationals

March 2008 - Pintado Navaho Joe is a 9 year old Gelding owned by Kathryn Grant. Kathryn has just completed her first serious season of competition on Joe. She concentrated on Showhunter where Joe's natural jumping ability came to the fore. His natural rhythm and straight movement combined with his great knees and rounded bascule took him straight into the placings with Kathryn who is new to the discipline.

Kathryn & Joe at Rotorua

The culmination of the year was her 6th placing in the Junior Show Hunter of the Year Title class at HOY08 in a class of approx 40 horses. No mean feat for the previously inexperienced pair. 

 Kathryn & Joe receiving their 6th Ribbon in the Junior Show Hunter of the year Title Class @ HOY 2008

Joe has done the round of Pony Club events throughout the season including Dressage & Show Jumping.

 Kathryn & Joe at Rotorua Jan 08

They are currently working on lateral movements and collection & lengthening. He has a natural rythm and soft frame and we would love to see him have the chance to show this off in the dressage arena. 

 Charelle say's Joe is a very 'Cool Dude'. He is an uncomplicated ride and enjoys his work. He has happily settled into his new home for the present. He nickers to you when he sees you and comes when called. He would be the best horse in the paddock that we have ever had on our property. He doesn't gallop around or walk the fences even though he is paddocked by himself across the drive from Charelle's own Mares. He has a very easy going attitude and very good manners. He loves being brought into the Barn and I have even noticed Charelle has developed quite a soft spot for him by going the extra mile when grooming and giving him a massage. I believe she will be very sad when Joe leaves us although he has only been here a very short while and she has tried to stay detached.

His flying changes are now consolidating and Charelle believes he would make an awesome Junior or Amateur Show Hunter mount or a great First Hack for a Pony Club rider.

Joe & Charelle Jumping at home over schooling fences. Lovely even knees and round frame.

In Charelle's words 'He just gets in a rythm and cruises down to the fence adjusting himself for the take off and over he goes'. He has his Sires great temperament and attitude towards his work. Schooling Joe has made Charelle very excited about the prospect of our own Desperado youngsters.

Andrea Kewish(Nee Daniells) on their way to winning the Showhunter Amateur Highpoint class at Nth Island Showjumping & Showhunter Champs at Kihikihi December 2007:

Pintado Makoya & Andrea  Kewish (Photo courtesy of TJ Rising Photography)

Makoya and Andrea have enjoyed much success on the Show Hunter circuit.

More examples of the correct knees and rounded bascule of the Showhunter.

Below is a photo taken at Rotorua A & P Show very early in her Showhunter career

With Pintado Makoyas' striking markings, exceptional jump technique, and guidance from Andrea, this duo look set to continue impressing the Show Hunter fraternity.

Emma Steele is a proud mum with Pintado Delta and her first foal 'Stanhopes Johnny Magic' 

"Born 29th October 2006. His sire is  Stanhopes Diddicoy (German Warmblood) and Johnny is the first of only 2 Diddicoys in NZ.  A long awaited arrival, and he arrived almost 2 weeks early and had practically no white on him!! He is a very strong, athletic colt with lovely bone. Johnny has the nicest nature and is very level headed to deal with. He has powerful paces and is an exciting horse for the future. He carries the well know world class show jumping lines of Ico, Marco Polo, Gotthard, Gottward."

Emma plans to bring on Pintado Delta once her foal is weaned - We can't wait to see Pintado Delta develop under the Emma's experienced eye!  

 http://www.colouredwarmbloods.co.nz/

Pintado Clipart owned by Tina Fagan, throughout the 2007-2008 season Tina has been training him for a jumping career.

Tina & Clipart at WSHG Show Hunter Show at Cambridge

Tina and Clipart at Cambridge early 2008

 She is competeing in Show Hunter and Show Jumping and his development is well on track. Tina say's he has a great temperament and is very trainable.

Pintado Clipart (Flynn) at home

Flynn with his namesake

Flynn and Tina Fagan

Tina has advised that Pintado Clipart (Flynn) has just been sold (Mid 2008) to Neil & Sarah Hassall of Otautau, Southland.

Neil, Sarah and Flynn; we wish you all the best for the future.

Pinto Stallion sired by Pintado Desperado

Mariachi (Maguire)

Savannah Sport Horse Stud is located in the heart of Central Otago in the South Island.  The stud currently stands one stallion "Savannah's Mariachi" a registered NZ Pinto Sport Horse with TB and NZ stationbred (Gisborne) and Australian Stockhorse lines. 

Savannah Sport Horse Stud breeds quality athletic horses and ponies, suitable for all types of equestrian competition.  Quality young stock available. Service Fee for Savvanahs Mariachi (16hh Reg Pinto Horse Society) $600 plus GST Please contact: Maureen Maxwell, Springvale Road, RD, Alexandra, ph. 03 447 3723

Pinto Stallion sired by Pintado Desperado

Congratulations to Poetry Equestrian Stables, the proud owners of Token Romance, a pinto colt sired by Pintado Desperado out of a Cocky Golfer Thoroughbred mare set to mature around 16hh.

"What I like most about this colt is his flamboyant movement, a canter perfect for show jumping, his athletic conformation and the fact that he is over 3/4 tb. Token Romance has proven to be very trainable and was a joy to break in. They have found him to be naturally balanced and light to ride, he has comfortable paces and a willingness that makes him a desirable working stallion."

"After the breeding season he will start his flat schooling and do plenty of hacking on the hills around my mum's farm. Token Romance will be available next season to outside mares for a stud fee of  $500 LFG, which includes a $100 non refundable booking fee." http://www.freewebs.com/poetrystables/stallion.htm

Jack is a Grey & White Pintado bred from 'Parseille' a Grey Throughbred mare.

Pamela has shown in-hand gaining some very impressive successes in suitability classes.

1st 3 year old Gelding
2nd suitability for Pleasure
2nd Suitability for Hunter
4th Suitability for Sport

Pamela & Jack have a wonderful relationship and we are thrilled to watch on as Jack progresses under Pamela's careful guidance.

Ngatama (Tama) 3yrs Old

TAMA's STORY TOLD BY HIS OWNER CAROLYN WRATISLAV

Tama (full name Ngatama) was bred by Trish Emeny of Tauranga and is out of a 15.1hh coloured TBX mare called Splish Splash who was an intermediate eventer. I bought Tama as an unbroken 2 yr old and started him myself. He was really straightforward to bring on. At three he won both a sport horse and coloured horse class in-hand at the local A & P show.

Marakopa Magic & Tama

 At four he had already outgrown his Dad and had many placings in both ring classes and jumping. He came 6th in his first one-day event at novice level and started his first season hunting. He took to hunting so well that I had him out whipping after only a few weeks.

Tama on the Hunt Field

Unfortunately he suffered a serious paddock accident in an electrical storm and we nearly lost him. After around 12 months recovery he came back into work slowly, but has slight ongoing back problems from the accident which make him grumpy about dressage, ending his eventing career.

Tama on the Hunt field

He loves his jumping however and is the best hunter I've owned - he is now 10 (2007). He has won the Taranaki Senior Hunter Trials twice and has his name on a few other trophies.

Tama & Carolyn on the hunt field

 I am currently Deputy Master and Tama and I have led the field on many occasions. He is brilliant out front and very reliable - he loves his job.

Tama & Carolyn (Taranaki Hunt)

I have put my wonderful crossbred mare, Marakopa Magic (Maggie) in foal to Desperado this year in the hopes of getting another one like him. Maggie is due to foal in November 2008 (See 2008/2009 progeny to see Maggie's beautiful Dun Colt).

Maggie & Tama

Farewell to Tama

On the of 22nd July 2008 I received a very sad email from Carolyn in regard to her loss of her beloved Tama. After a dreadful paddock accident whereby he was severely kicked by his paddock mate of many years Carolyn and her vets fought to save him. After a battle over several weeks, during which everything possible was done, Tama continued to go down hill. Carolyn had to make the brave call to end his suffering and distress and say her final farewell to her hunting mate of many years.

'Happy Hunting TAMA'