Gracesporthorses Ranch
Fiona TYG
Fiona was foaled August 2019, so has just turned 5 and currently stands at a little over 16 hands. She is expected to grow another inch since her ancestors developed late. She is being ridden at a walk and trot under saddle, alternating with longing with side reins and working in hand. Her first year of training included:. ground-driving/double-lunged, lunging with side reins, loading into our trainer easily, standing for the farrier, "hanging out" politely with her trainer while other horses are being trained in the same ring or galloping/playing in an adjacent field. Her rider in the picture above is 6'2" with long legs.
She just started free-jumping (as much as our California footing allows since this has been limited over 2024 due to CA soil: VERY hard adobe and hot summer temperatures of 104 - 110).
Note about the pictures above:
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The above chute jumping picture was taken during one of her first jumping attempts (to see if she liked it and to assess her potential). She is showing much more bascule when she takes larger jumps... but that flat back over small jumps is an equitation riders dream. We plan to do more free jumping this fall with more height and breadth.
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She is now being ridden quietly in the ring without a lead and has never shown a tendency to buck, bolt or shy.. rather Fiona (true to her sires temperment, is innately brave and comfortable apart from the herd, and "stops to think" if unsure of anything new, then moves out once reassured of its safety... a credit to her year of "exposure for trust" training, that is often omitted in the current money-driven colt-starting.
She has a special pedigree with the rare "old fashioned' Hanoverian sire FABRIANO crossed with arguably the best of American Thoroughbred DNA (see Dam info below). Currently under saddle, but could also be a fabulous broodmare (the very successful hunter/Hanoverian sire, Westport, is of the Fabriano/Weltmeyer line and Debbie McDonalds horse Felix was a Fabriano son.)
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Fiona's full brother (see Fenomenon aka Flareon/Muffin) in the last two pictures above) was sold to an Eventing trainer in North Carolina and was registered Trakaener. He is pictured in the last two photos above, ridden by his trainer and owner of MacJordan Training Stables, and currently showing in Kentucky/Carolinas.
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BLOODLINE REFERENCES
Fiona's mother (Didn't You Know AKA Carmen) is a Northern Dancer, Pas de Nom, Distorted Humor, Seattle Slew, mare (see Didn't You Know under the "Bloodline References" tab).
Fiona's sire is Fabriano, a quality versitle Celle Hanovarian stallion. https://ihb.com.au/product/fabriano/
Here are the incredible results from the Stallion Performance Test he did in 1990 (Adelheidsdorf):
Overall score 133.02 / 1st of 36
Dressage score 128.55 / 4th
Jumping score 132.37
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Information on her classic "Hannoverian stallion of the year" sire Fabriano:
https://www.superiorequinesires.com/fabriano/
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Pictures of Fiona's sire, Fabriano: