TEXAS

THIS STORY IS ABOUT SUCH A DARN CUTE FOAL FULL OF BLING WHO HAS NOW GROWN UP TO BE A STUNNING GELDING. THIS IS THE STORY OF THE HORSE SIMPLY KNOWN AS TEXAS

TEXAS is by Calgary GNZ and is out of the amazing and much loved mare RR Triple X imported from Waitangi Sporthorses in New Zealand. Texas also has a pretty simple paddock name and it is just Texas. He is currently owned by King Ranch Equestrian and he is being partnered by Anneliese Wansey.

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Texas history is quite interesting and his early years have to be accredited to both his breeder River Ridge Equestrian (The Martin family) and of course the one who purchased him as a yearling just a little over 1 year old and started and produced him, Sarah McMillan.

This Grand Prix will be pretty special not only for Anneliese who is one of our youngest competitors but also Sarah who is also competing against him. When Sarah sold him it was a tough decision and there were a few tears shed, however she now tells us she couldn’t be more happy about the home he has as he is loved so much by the team at King Ranch Equestrian. As a producer of horses it is so lovely to see the special ones getting the chance to shine and be loved as the team at King Ranch are doing with Texas.

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Texas was born in 2013 as RR Callexo (Rex) when he moved to be with Sarah his name was changed to Texas as a little known fact about all horses Sarah produces are named after places.

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As we told you earlier, his sire is Calgary GNZ and Calgary is by Cassall Ask or for those wondering yes simply known as Cassall and that is where we will focus on tonight’s breeding part. Casall has been the Holsteiner studbook’s poster boy over the past years. Only very few stallions have had such an impact on the sport and on the breeding scene while still alive. There is no jumping horse studbook in the world that has not been influenced by Casall.

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Cassall is owned by Holsteiner Verband he was purchased as 2.5 year old by the time he was 5, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson took the ride. While most will know the rest of Cassalls story, he has had 3 name changes all because of sponsorship contracts.  Finch Farm who bred Calgary GNZ tell us a little more “Casall ASK is one of the world’s leading sport horses – winning multiple Global Champions Tour events as well as numerous Grand Prix’s and placing at the FEI World Cup finals in 2012.

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Casall ASK has recently retired after a stellar career, world championship, the Olympic games and the Global Tour. 

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Calgary’s dam Countess competed in Germany, USA and Canada having great success before retiring. Her sire is Calato a great sire and rated even higher as a broodmare sire, Countess descends from the famed Stamm 173 (Vase/Ramzes) which is responsible for producing Capital, a stallion who still has a major impact on the sport."

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So back to Texas, the day Sarah said goodbye Anneliese said hello and her story is below.

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Anneliese tells us that Texas just loves to smile, she also says he can be prompted by licorice but will often do it without.

Does Texas have any quirks? Yep he does…He hates not being the first one brought in from the paddock for dinner. Saying that he is also the quietest horse Anneliese has ever owned but randomly he will get the urge to leap all four feet off the ground and act like a stallion and there is nothing you can do to stop him . The good ones have to have spunk right? It helps drive them we believe.

Anneliese also tells us a funny story about the week he arrived home, he actually jumped out of his paddock over the gate showing just how much scope he actually has!

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Anneliese and Texas have been a partnership for a little over a year and every time they go out they just get better and better. One special highlight for them in the past year was winning the Chatham Park Futurity final at Waratah World Cup last year .

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Anneliese would like to thank Emcee Apparel for dressing her head to toe and she is incredibly grateful for their support. 

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Texas you were stunning as a foal, one of the cutest we have seen and all that bling! You are stunning now, and we cannot wait to meet you and see you shine at the GDP Classic in our Martin Collins Australia Grand Prix!

Photo Credit: Images provided by both Sarah McMillan and Anneliese.