Cover Story: Puccini J: To Tulsa And Beyond by Theresa Cardamone

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JPUCCINI To Tulsa And Beyond by THERESA CARDAMONE

Larry Jerome believes in letting a horse dictate the tempo of their career. That is exactly how he has handled his multi-faceted stallion, Puccini J. Arguably one of the most beautiful and correct sons of WH Justice, the gorgeous grey is out of one of Larry’s elite mares, U.S. and Canadian National Futurity Champion, Miss Giovanna, who is by MPA Giovanni.

“I thought that was the ideal mating,” Larry recalls. “Genetically, they were very compatible, not closely linebred. Giovanni brought the size, the hip, and a strong back; Justice brought a beautiful face and bend of the neck. Giovanni horses are level-headed and mellow;

Justice gives a show-ring attitude, plenty of snort and blow. When you get the right blend, magic can happen, which was the result with Puccini, who is the next step in the Jerland Farms breeding program.”

Michael Byatt plays an integral part in Puccini’s story. “His breeder, Larry Jerome, commands my respect,” states Byatt. “He has done so much for the Arabian horse. When he called

to say he had a special colt, I knew I needed to see him, and I was not disappointed. I had the privilege of showing Puccini’s dam to the title of U.S. National Champion Futurity Filly and his sire, the legendary WH Justice in Las Vegas. And I showed a Puccini filly owned and bred by Albidayer Stud to victory in the yearling filly class at Scottsdale in 2020. Family matters.”

Larry gave Puccini a chance to grow into his full potential. “After achieving success in halter at a few of the big shows, we thought it would be best for him to mature both physically and mentally,” Larry relates. “We decided to bring him home and let him grow up before adding another part to his career. We put Puccini in Western training with Roxanne Schall, while at the same time we bred him to a few select mares.

Roxanne was the trainer of choice because she has

a soft, quiet hand and would bring the horse along slowly. We soon realized that Puccini, like many of the Giovanni relatives, had the ability to become an incredible performance horse.”

Roxanne is particularly thrilled with how “smooth and soft-footed” Puccini is at all gaits under saddle and, with his natural motion, considers him national level for western performance. She and her husband, Jeff Schall, enjoy teaming

with Larry to maximize the stallion’s potential. “Puccini’s beauty, balance, athleticism, and stature make him eye-catching no matter the task at hand,” the Schalls aver. “He and his offspring personify the expression, ‘Best of all worlds!’ and we consider ourselves blessed to have this

magnificent stallion and Jerland Farms in our lives!”

Jeff describes Puccini as a kind, intelligent, and social horse with excellent manners no matter the situation. Be it the grooming stall, the breeding shed, or the show ring, he is superb in any environment. “Recently, we took him and one of our mares to a qualifying show,” says Jeff. “They rode together and were super good with each other. Both were champions there, then went on to be Champion Stallion and Mare at the Region 10 show.” The intent is for Puccini to parlay his Region 10 win into a U.S. National Champion Stallion title in Tulsa this fall.

Michael Byatt is looking forward to the challenge. “Many things made sense to me about bringing Puccini back to the ring in 2022,” he explains. “He has matured into a complete package: beauty and athletic ability. He

Above, clockwise: 2022 foals by Puccini J - a colt (x Marshantay), and two fillies (x Promisa J) and (x GA Ever Grand).

evokes memories of a modern-day Silver Drift, filling up the space he inhabits with his commanding presence. And he is so artistic, his carriage and eyes demand recognition. It is a moment that feels good and right.”

“I am looking at Puccini as having a dual career,” Larry states. “We think he could be the unique individual who succeeds in that endeavor. At the same time, we are creating beautiful foals with functionality.” Astute breeders have been paying attention; in addition to Albidayer’s Scottsdale-winning filly, the Orrion Farms-bred OFW Starling was recently named the 2022 Region 7 Reserve Champion Mare AOTH and three of Puccini’s 24 registered offspring were exported to three different continents, going to Ecuador, Belgium, and Iraq, respectively.

As his progeny begin to flood the show arenas of the world, Puccini J will continue to garner accolades of his own at the highest levels of competition. With a promising performance career on the horizon, the focus for now is on Tulsa and the U.S. National Champion Stallion title. ■