"COR
DE LA BRYERE" - One Of The World's Stallion Greats
Article written by SHNZ
There
are not many horse breeders around the world, particularly those involved
with the warmblood
breeds, who have not heard the famous name "Cor de la Bryere".
This Selle Francais stallion who was inadvertently discovered and stood
at stud in Holstein, has left an incredible mark on world sport horse
breeding and, despite his recent passing in 2000, his legacy will be strongly
felt for many years to come.
"Cor de la Bryere"
or "Corde" as he was known, was born in 1968. His sire was the
French Thoroughbred "Rantzau" who was bred to be a jumper and
was a descendent of the hugely influential "Bay Ronald". In
1971 Rantzau was ranked in first place on the jumping rankings, while
also being ranked 5th placed sire for eventers, and 20th ranked sire of
dressage horses. Even after his death Rantzau remained among the top 5
ranked jumping sires for many years and was also one of the leading sires
of broodmares.
His dam was "Quenotte B" who was by "Lurioso", who
in turn was a son of the most influential Precipitation son, "Furioso".
Furioso was very highly regarded, siring the Olympic gold medallist "Lutteur
B" and the 1968 world showjumping champion "Pomone B".
Lurioso himself was also a sire of international showjumpers, so Corde's
dam side was of equally impressive jumping ability.
Cor de la Bryere was almost gelded at one stage of his life with suggestions he wasnt suitable sire material but more a "very useful sporthorse", however at this same time the Holsteiner Verband where on the look out for some french jumping blood to incorporate into their breeding programme.
Cor de la Bryere quickly made a strong impression on arrival to Germany by becoming the 1971 Champion of the 100 day stallion performance test. In his first season at stud, Cor de la Bryere covered 70 mares with four colts from this first crop becoming licensed. He was a stallion of great vigour and, even as as late as 1977, still served a full book of 111 mares. Reknown for his amazing jumping bascule and "cat-like" elasticity, combined with a marvelous temperament and beautiful canter, Corde soon became the ideal refining stallion to cross with the larger framed mares to produce more modern equine athletes that combined the German Warmblood power and substance with the Selle Francais lightness and athleticism to acheive some outstanding performers.
Cor de la Bryere's
outstanding jumping bascule that influenced the modern Holsteiner
Famous names hailing from the Cor de la Bryere sire line still dominate both modern dressage and jumping pedigrees, including the stallions Calypso I through to V, the Corrado and Caletto stallion families, international performers Coriander, Constant, Corlandus, Coriolan, Corrado, Cordalmé Z and many more. In both Australia and New Zealand, breeders have access to these bloodlines through a variety of imported Holsteiner, Hanoverian and Oldenburg stallions.
At the time of his death, Cor de la Bryere had sired 85 approved stallion sons and 65 State Premium Mares (including many Grand Champions), and had many approved grandsons and great-grandsons throughout all the German breeds.
Cor de la Bryere
Due to the high inheritability, this stallion is credited for putting his amazing jumping bascule into his offspring and influencing the modern day Holsteiner's jumping technique, so the blood of Cor de le Bryere is still held in the highest regard for showjumping right around the world.
Cor de la Bryere certainly made a tremendous impact on the modern performance horse during a lifetime that continued right into his 30's until acute heart disease ended his fruitful career. However a simple search on the internet or in any warmblood/Holsteiner breeding books reveals that despite his passing, the legend well and truely lives on.
Cor De Le Bryere was indeed a remarkable horse and sire of champions. Only time will now tell who the next stallion of this outstanding calibre will be!
Photos credits "The Holsteiner Horse"