Back! - Top Picks; Jumper & Dressage Horses

Hello all, I went on a short hiatus...Actually lasting longer then I had anticipated. But, I am now back!

And with that, I have my two weekly picks for show jumping and Dressage horses.

Meet "Graf Granini" a 9 year old gelding by Graf Grannus.
A beautiful black Hanoverian gelding, "Granini has a fantastic technique, and is currently competing 1.30m with scope and potential to do more." - Foxhill Sporthorses.

Although I primarily focus on showing Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds on CO, I'm a huge fan of any horse that excels and is a true representation of it's sport! So with that said, I'd also like to introduce...

Madison County a Prix St. George Schoolmaster. And yes, this horse is for sale!

Legends; Show Jumping's, Milton, "Simply The Best."

Watch A Video of Milton : click

Milton, dubbed Britain's number one Show Jumper and argued as the worlds greatest Show Jumper, bred by John Harding-Rolls. The great grey was born on February 16th, 1977. Milton was the son of the dutch-bred Show Jumping stallion, Marius.

As a weanling, Milton was purchased by Caroline Bradley who also rode his sire, Marius to winning title of, "Leading Show Jumper of the Year," in 1978. Mrs. Bradley had hopes, that Milton would be her ride to the Olympics. Caroline, trained and rode Milton until her un-timely death at the age of 37, in 1983. Knowing how devoted Caroline was to Milton and adamant that he was a horse with talent to reach the Olympic level, Mrs. Bradley's parents approached John Whitaker about riding the grey gelding.

John rode Milton to many successes which include over 1 million in prize money and an Individual Silver and Team Gold at the 1987 European Championships and winner of two FEI World Cup Finals.

Milton was retired from Show Jumping at the 1994 Olympia Horse Show.

Milton was known not only for his talent and successes, but also his personality in the ring. He would leap into the air on que, showing off to his many devoted fans.

John once described Milton as, "Simply The Best."

Sadly, in 1999 at the age of 22, Milton was euthanized due to intestinal complications.


Top Right Photo: (C) Kit Houghton

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Top Picks; Colored Stallions

Back on the topic of colored sport horses! Say hello to Umenno, a colored Dutch Warmblood stallion.

"Umenno possesses an incredible trainable temperament, flamboyant & powerful movement, a beautifully marked chestnut and white robe, and a pedigree of legendary ancestry...."

"Umenno has been bred with athleticism in mind. He is an expressive powerful mover with off the floor paces and an additional flick to the toe. Umenno is now showing tremendous ability in the showjumping arena now out of British novice and Discovery classes and finished jumping Newcomers (1.10m) as a four year old. In 2006 he qualified for the National Five year old classes winning both classes entered and left for Switzerland to commence his career on the International European circuit In 2007 he qualified for the National six year old championships winning the qualifying class. Umenno will be returning to compete with Joanna Storrie in 2009 where he will continue his showjumping career." - Solaris Sporthorses

Above image originally uploaded by; Solaris Sporthorses