Corrcullen >> Performance & Testimonials

Corrcullen’s first official evaluation was by Brendon Furlong DVM and Official vet for US Equestrian Olympic Team at the IDHSNA Inspection in 1999. Brendon is an Irishman and horse breeder and the veterinarian for Team Davidson where he saw Cully again. He was very impressed with Cully in terms of his quality in addition to his soundness.

He was started under saddle in February of 2000 and during the season did local shows in dressage, show jumping and mini horse trials, mainly for the experience. His first recognized show was the Virginia Horse Trials in October where he placed 8th in a field of 35 in Novice Horse, competing against two Olympic riders. His performance there encouraged us to continue his training in the eventing discipline.

Training has largely has been by our family with professional assistance and with occasional training periods with Bruce and Buck Davidson at Chesterland and Kevin Babington (Irish National Show Jumping Team) in Pennsylvania, Carol Kozlowski in Geneseo,NY and Lendon Gray.

In 2001 he competed in two recognized horse Trials at training level (GMHA and Millbrook). Corrcullen had been ridden and trained by Bruce and Buck Davidson at their Chesterland Farm where he spent a month in training in 2001. The Davidsons had him scheduled for a ride at GMHA but illness prevented it. Bruce Davidson said of Cully ““Talented jumper, honest, brave and brings you to the jumps”. Despite loss of his professional rider, he finished, being ridden by a 16-year-old girl who had never seen him before and had never evented. He had no crosscountry penalties and one rail down in stadium.

At Millbrook 2001, he was fifth, ridden by Diann Roffe Steinrotter who had only ridden him for the first time 20 minutes the day before. Diann commented after the event, “Great ridability, a good mover and wonderful temperament".

Still later in 2001 he spent a week with Kevin Babington (Irish National Showjumping Team) at his farm in Pennsylvania and later at a showjumping clinic at Laddbrook Farm. Kevin who is very familiar with Irish horses and is competing IDSH Carling King, stated “Great jumping technique, light off the ground and a good mind”.

In 2002 he was competed very successfully in eventing and dressage national competitions (see competitions below) by Carol Kozlowski. Carol has accepted him in training and will be competing him in the 2003 season. She is very impressed with his athleticism and his temperament.

Throughout the 2002, Crystal Gaskill has trained Cully and me in dressage and Connie Chave in showjumping. Crystal has said “that you only have to teach him once. Although he does not have the extravagant gaits of an upper level dressage horse, he is very rideable, rhythmical, consistent and has good focus and a great temperament”. She will be competing him at second level in dressage competitions this year. Connie thinks he can do it all in showjumping and will be competing him this winter.

Each of the professional trainer/riders has admired his athletic ability, manageability and his ridability. This year we will be continuing his eventing career with a move up to preliminary level. See competition schedule for present year.

At In-Hand competitions one of his sons was Reserve Champion Purebred Foal at the 2001 IDHSNA National Breed Show and was 4th at USDF Sport horse breeders show at Morvan Park July 02 in stud/geld yearling.

Competitions

1. Green Mountain Horse Association 2001 Training Level completed 10th National- USEA and USEA recognized ridden by a sixteen year old who had never ridden him before and had never evented.
2. Millbrook 2001 Training level 5th place, National- USEA and USAE recognized ridden by Diann Roffe Steinrotter
3. Genesee Valley Jumping derby 2002; 2nd and 5th places at training level, Regional show ridden by Carol Kozlowski.
4. Stuart Horse Trials and CIC** 2002; Open Training HC, 3rd best score, National- USEA and USAE recognized * finished on his dressage score with clear crosscountry and showjumping rounds.
5. Western New York Dressage Association Fall Finale and Championship 2002; training level test 4, 1st place, and First Level test 1, 1st place, National- USDF and USAE recognized * ridden by Carol Kozlowski.
6. Genesee Valley Hunt Horse Trials, 2002 Open Training 2nd place, National- USEA and USAE recognized * ridden by Carol Kozlowski. Again he finished on his dressage score with clear cross country and show jumping rounds.

* score sheets available on request.

Click here for more photos and video of Corrcullen in Competition

In North America there is ample evidence that Irish Draughts such as Corrcullen breed well with RID and IDSH as well as other breeds including Thoroughbred, Arabian and Quarter Horse. Although there is no significant experience to date with the continental warmblood cross, I am inclined to believe that cross would be outstanding. It is a well known fact that there is significant Irish Draught blood in the continental warmblood registries.

Sport and Pleasure
Corrcullen has hunted for two seasons with the Limestone Creek Hunt in Cazenovia, N.Y. He has proven himself to be a willing and bold first field hunter and has always been every bit a gentleman. When asked for permission to hunt a stallion, William Stack, DVM and MFH said “a horse of his caliber is always welcome at the hunt”.

Stallion Hype
It is difficult to avoid the use of buzz words and clichés that universally accompany stallion advertisements, however we do avoid the claim of prepotence, in that the stallion passes on (stamps) all his desirable traits to his offspring. Please refer to a brief discussion of this controversial topic under breeding philosophy. We would rather have you rely on available data, the observations of professionals, pictures and videos, to arrive at a conclusion as to whether one of our stallions is right for your mare.

“When you buy, use your eyes and your mind, not your ears.”
An old Irish Proverb

This should stand you in good stead in most instances. In addition to your own study and experience, you must be able to rely on the breeder/stallion owner. We expect that you will find us honest and reliable, and primarily interested in your satisfaction in choosing us to assist you in your breeding endeavors. For this reason, we offer both a live foal and a buy back guarantee.