There was a moment at this year’s stallion inspections in Cavan when one felt that this whole process had turned a corner and was headed in the right direction.
On the Thursday morning, four out of five young colts who came before the judges progressed, having very positively met the requirements.
All four were the result of very thoughtful breeding on the part of their owners and were well prepared for their test.
Among them was one who really rose to the occasion. This was Fiona Sheridan’s three-year-old Chilli Lion.
Chilli Lion at the Cavan Stallion Inspections (Photo: Laurence Dunne/Jumpinaction.net) “He is a really forward-type of horse,” Fiona told me. “Nothing fazes him, it is just the way he is.”
‘The way he is’ does not come all by chance but rather through back-breeding that is performance-rich.
His sire Chillout was bred by Fiona’s dad in Ballymote, Co Sligo where he still resides.
He is by the great USA performer Abdullah, who starred both in show jumping and eventing for Conrad Holmfeld.
His dam was seven-eighths thoroughbred, by Love Tale, and in her background were the likes of Levmoss, Blue Lazer and the great Bahrain.
Chilli Lion’s dam, who was bred by that legendary producer of world-class eventers, Patricia Nicholson of Kells, Co Meath.
Sheridan recalled: “Susanne Macken told me that she and her mum had a mare for sale. I went and had a look and felt that their Coco Lion, by the Darco sire Ard VDL Douglas, would suit our Chillout.”
Among her performance brothers out of Cara Lion was Cruise Lion, by Cruising, who competed up to CCI3* level with USA champion Bruce Davidson. Another brother, Sea Lion, also competed for the USA up to CIC3* level for Pam Fisher.
Perhaps most interesting is the third dam of this young stallion.
She is Stream Lion, by Ideal Water, which brings us back to the incredibly successful Water Serpent. She bred Bruce Davidson’s Badminton CCI4* winner Eagle Lion by Gipfel.
It is also fairly certain that the fourth dam Laughtons Lass was by Battleburn, who was sire of Eddie Macken’s legend Boomerang.
So this is why I say Chilli Lion was not produced by chance. Rather, he is the product of traditional Irish greatness combined with that touch of international performance.
And, as I say, his arrival at the inspections was, for me, a significant moment which augurs well for the future.
Fiona says she will not be rushing that future in terms of coverings or performance.
“Because of his background I would like to have him go eventing, but we will see.”
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There was a moment at this year’s stallion inspections in Cavan when one felt that this whole process had turned a corner and was headed in the right direction.
On the Thursday morning, four out of five young colts who came before the judges progressed, having very positively met the requirements.
All four were the result of very thoughtful breeding on the part of their owners and were well prepared for their test.
Among them was one who really rose to the occasion. This was Fiona Sheridan’s three-year-old Chilli Lion.
Chilli Lion at the Cavan Stallion Inspections (Photo: Laurence Dunne/Jumpinaction.net) “He is a really forward-type of horse,” Fiona told me. “Nothing fazes him, it is just the way he is.”
‘The way he is’ does not come all by chance but rather through back-breeding that is performance-rich.
His sire Chillout was bred by Fiona’s dad in Ballymote, Co Sligo where he still resides.
He is by the great USA performer Abdullah, who starred both in show jumping and eventing for Conrad Holmfeld.
His dam was seven-eighths thoroughbred, by Love Tale, and in her background were the likes of Levmoss, Blue Lazer and the great Bahrain.
Chilli Lion’s dam, who was bred by that legendary producer of world-class eventers, Patricia Nicholson of Kells, Co Meath.
Sheridan recalled: “Susanne Macken told me that she and her mum had a mare for sale. I went and had a look and felt that their Coco Lion, by the Darco sire Ard VDL Douglas, would suit our Chillout.”
Among her performance brothers out of Cara Lion was Cruise Lion, by Cruising, who competed up to CCI3* level with USA champion Bruce Davidson. Another brother, Sea Lion, also competed for the USA up to CIC3* level for Pam Fisher.
Perhaps most interesting is the third dam of this young stallion.
She is Stream Lion, by Ideal Water, which brings us back to the incredibly successful Water Serpent. She bred Bruce Davidson’s Badminton CCI4* winner Eagle Lion by Gipfel.
It is also fairly certain that the fourth dam Laughtons Lass was by Battleburn, who was sire of Eddie Macken’s legend Boomerang.
So this is why I say Chilli Lion was not produced by chance. Rather, he is the product of traditional Irish greatness combined with that touch of international performance.
And, as I say, his arrival at the inspections was, for me, a significant moment which augurs well for the future.
Fiona says she will not be rushing that future in terms of coverings or performance.
“Because of his background I would like to have him go eventing, but we will see.”
Read more
Michael Slavin: DNA could end horsemeat scandals
Michael Slavin: All the beauty at Ashford Castle
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