Gelding of the month

TEXT: GEORGIA HARLEY

LORD CARLOS

This month's gelding is Raffles, more formally known as Lord Carlos. Lorraine McHugh purchased Lord Carlos from Laurence Mowatt. The Mowatt family of Willowbrook Stud bred Lord Carlos using their imported Holstein mare, Carla. Laurence Mowatt did all the initial schooling of Lord Carlos before Lorraine acquired him in December of 2019.

Lord Carlos has just turned seven and is currently successfully competing with Lorraine in the 1.10m classes. For such a young horse to take everything in his stride with an amateur rider is lovely to see. Lorraine has big ambitions with this delightful young gelding, with one goal being to maybe even compete in the SA Derby one day. Lord Carlos has shown that this goal may well be in his reach; he is careful yet brave, and this winning combination is difficult to find together but ideally suited for a track such as Derby.

This youngster's bravery is often tested at home when he acts as the lead horse for other horses when training scary jumps! Lorraine feels this bravery kicked in at Raffles' first show, where he was uncertain about a jump, received reassurance from Lorraine, and has never looked back since.

With the guidance of Carl Boonzaaier and Mark-Lloyd Fox, Lorraine has managed to produce a happy, confident horse. She reports that he can still become a little anxious from time to time but that he continues to grow and improve with Lorraine ensuring he progresses gradually and carefully, to avoid setbacks and knocks to his confidence. Lord Carlos has offered Lorraine opportunities she simply didn't have when she was a younger rider, and she is determined to take the time necessary with Lord Carlos to get it right.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2002 L’Arc de Triomph a three-year-old son of Lady Killer xx sold for EUR 460 000. L’Arc de Triomph is currently number 16 on the WBFSH.

He knows what he was bred to do.

I am always happy working with him.

Over the years, Lorraine and Lord Carlos have formed a tight bond, with him running to greet her in the paddock, wanting to play. This partnership is thus not only creating memories in the showjumping ring but behind the scenes too.

BREEDING – INFLUENTIAL FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

Lord Carlos' pedigree is made up of a string of influential and talented horses. This all starts with his father, Lord Z, who is said to have influenced Dutch breeding with his jumping technique, mentality, and blood. Lord Z comes from the famous Holstein line number 206. Lord Z has three full relatives, one being another approved stallion, Lord Calandus. Lord Z is by legendary 'pillar' stallion and son of Lady Killer xx, Lord. Lady Killer xx was arguably the most significant Thoroughbred in shaping sporthorse breeding, and it is this strong Thoroughbred influence (64.45% Thoroughbred) that gives Lord Z his 'blood'. Lady Killer xx also sired the 'pillar' stallion Landgraf.

Lord Carlos' damline is just as impressive. His mother, Carla, is by Holstein stallion Contender. Contender's dam is the most well-known daughter of the foundation stallion Ramiro Z, Gofine. Contender won the 1987 stallion test, and then his son Contendro went on to win his stallion test in 1999. Carla's damline goes on to feature other influential names like the 'father of world breeding' Alme Z. Alme Z has produced not only international competitors but international breeders with the likes of Galoubet, I Love You, and Jalisco B. Jalisco B is the father of Quidam de Revel, who is the father of Nabab de Reve. This all proves that Alme Z is a true creator of winners. Carla's damline also features Capitol I, the father of Cassini I, Indoctro, Carthago, Cardento and Cento. Capitol I bred for scope and rideability and possessed one of the best damlines in Holstein. All of this indicates why Carla was such a good mare, competing in multiple disciplines with multiple riders and being successful with all of them. There is no doubt that the Mowatt's decision to name Lord Carlos after Carla was a wise one!

DID YOU KNOW?

Contendro was an all-rounder; he is ranked 42nd in the showjumping sire rankings, 5th in eventing and 63rd for dressage. Contendro produced Codex One, who won over EUR 1.5 million and went to the London Olympic Games.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

This pedigree and Lorraine's commitment to taking it slow create a horse like Lord Carlos, who is brave, careful and intelligent with a wonderful work ethic and loving nature. He is bred to be good. He is bred to win. He is bred to please.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT

Here we see Melinda Prinsloo and her heart horse Wind Singlet. The pair are currently competing in the 1.10/1.15m classes. They were due to go into the 1.20m classes at the end of last year, but due to an injury sustained by Melinda this has been delayed. Melinda says “I would like to be competing in the 1.20m classes by the end of the year and for my last show for 2022, I aim to do a 1.30m track. It will make me so proud and be an honour to step into the ring with this horse in that class after everything we have been through together. He makes me proud every round, no matter what height we compete in. He is a very tricky horse to ride and so many people and even trainers said that he would go nowhere but I kept believing and after many tears and even more falls, we are where we are now. It only takes one trainer to believe in you and your horse and I found him - David Wilken.