I rode my first stallion at the age of 14 (what better mount than a 3yo stallion for a lesson kid?) and have been around them off and on my whole life. Some better than others, but for the most part I’ve always gotten along well with the boys. I worked at a breeding farm and have always been really interested in the breeding industry so along the way I’ve been truly fortunate to get the chance to handle/sit on/meet some of the nicest stallions in the country.
Valentino Z – forever my favorite boy
Kinnaras
Cielo B
Cartier R
Diabolo D’Esquelmes
Obviously I’m not the rider on these boys in their “grown up” pictures. 😉 This is just a handful of the boys I’ve been lucky enough to meet and work with over the years. Sonntagskind is a total lamb, as is Sea Accounts, and I completely fell in love with Cascani and Justice at October Hill. Shine probably has one of the best dispositions I’ve ever seen on a horse, and while I obsessively stalked As Always for years I have no idea where he is now. Figaro B, Concorde B, Deja Blue B – all stunning. I would have gladly put Baron Van Gogh in my pocket and taken him home from the stallion testing in 2009. And so on and so on… there’s so many nice stallions and I’m obviously a sucker for the boys. Don’t tell all the others but no one will ever take the place of my favorite squishable, Valentino.
Who is your favorite stallion?
breedrideevent.com 
Serious Bannockburn Fan Girling. I am so sad Cielo B is no longer alive. He seemed like the coolest horse.
LikeLike
He was a pretty cool dude. There’s several of his babies here locally.
LikeLike
Wow! What a handful of opportunities for you!
I have ALWAYS been in love with the late Donnerhall. I believe he was a true Foundation sire for the Dressage world and of course, he just oozed talent. For Jumping, I’ve always been a true Canadian fan of the late Hickstead – the little horse that could!! And Western, I’ve always loved Peppy San – just a nice, correct Quarter Horse.
Safe to say I’m in love with the past!
LikeLike
I loved watching Hickstead as well. Although I doubt I could have ridden him, he didn’t look so much like an ammy horse!
LikeLike
Haha he was an ‘Eric’ horse 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Certainly was! While not Ammy friendly, he was just super!
For a more “Ammy” friendly stallion, I’ve always kept an eye on the Belafonte d’Avalon – he’s a little German Riding Pony I just adore!
But for the sake of owning a Quarter Horse, the “Gunner” line horses are just AMAZING.
LikeLike
I know nothing about breeding stallions bar the sires that pop up on the top horse pedigrees.
Owning two mares I hope to someday remedy that if i go down the breeding route with them later – but being based in Europe I’ll be looking at stallions a lot closer to home!
Those are beautiful boys that you got to play with!
LikeLike
Being in Europe, you should look up Cassini I. 😉
LikeLike
So many pretty stallions! Wish I could steal the GP dressage one as a hunter 😉
LikeLike
I don’t know anything about stallions so if I ever get around to breeding Lex (if she turns out to be a good horse) then I’ll be calling you!
LikeLike
Can I lay claim if it’s a boy yet? Or is it too soon?
LikeLike
I love looking at stallions and if I had the drive, I would have definitely been a repro vet for sure. Love working with babies. Right now the stallions I’ve been interested in besides the two I listed on my blog in the bloghop from L at Viva Carlos, I love Amazing, and Cassini I 🙂
LikeLike
Obviously you have good taste
LikeLike
LOVE Valentino Z-I was looking at him for my mare for 2015. Do you have much experience with any of his offspring?
LikeLike
Katie, send me an email! I’m very familiar with V and his offspring. charliebrowntb@hotmail.com
LikeLike
I own a mare who is by Valentino Z, she has an awesome intelligent brain and a very willing, sweet attitude. She is very athletic!
LikeLike
Cool, those are some awesome horses you got to play with! I don’t know much about any stallions (aside from the very little I looked into Lemgo and Landgraf who were pretty cool), sounds like a project!
LikeLike
Soooooo handsome!!! I love them all 🙂
LikeLike
Oh my goodness! Too much sexiness in one post! What awesome opportunities!
LikeLike
So great that you’ve been able to work with these amazing and handsome athletes. Can see why Valentino Z is your favorite!
LikeLike
You know I have a love affair with Balou but there are several that could be on the list.
LikeLike
My 15 month old colt is by Valentino Z & his mother, Jennebelles Noble Pride is by Cielo B! I love your taste!
LikeLike
I worked at Bannockburn in 2002. I foaled Cielo B and suggested his name. Concorde was already born when I started. Both were such sweet foals, but Cielo was an in-your-pocket baby. Grand Prix gelding Centurion B was in that group as well.
LikeLike