Rhapsody, n: an instrumental composition irregular in form and suggestive of improvisation; an unusually intense or irregular poem or piece of prose.
It's entirely possible that his breeder was cruising the dictionary when Rhapsody popped out, because apparently his irregularly splotchy coat reminded her of this particular definition. Now fully mature and with a personality as big as he is, "Luke" also brags a temperament to match his name.
"He's really just kinda... wacky," Derian Kiger says, "for lack of a better word. He's this big, multicoloured stallion with an intense gleam in his eye, incredible athletic talent, and the curiosity of a cat. If you're used to 1400 pound cats." And the name, Luke? "He has his cranky days, just like anyone; he's too even-tempered to be a full-out cranky man, but he gets kinda snarky, and Lauri says that if he were a person, he'd have the attitude of the character Luke from the TV show Gilmore Girls. So Luke he became."
And as for that "incredible athletic ability," Derian and Luke are currently showing at Prix St. Georges dressage, which is clearly a testament to the patience and diligent training of both horse and rider. "He's a fun horse to work with," Derian reports, "but he can be a challenge. When he's focused, he's focused; riding this guy when he's focused is absolutely incredible. But when he's having a Luke day, it's over. No, he isn't dangerous... but have you ever seen a cat that's scared of a rolled-up sock, and they do that 'leap in the air, twist around, and bounce three times upon landing' routine? Yeah, well, remember that comment about Rhapsody being a 1400-pound cat...?"
Rhapsody isn't about to lose his happy home at Legacy, though, his owners are quick to assure. "He's proving himself to be a fabulous sire so far," Lauri says. "He has five babies on the ground, and I own two, both yearlings. They are the sanest of all my yearlings, and have incredibly sweet, willing personalities. Obviously I can't tell you whether they'll grow up to be sneaks under saddle, but if they continue the way they are, with all of Rhapsody's focus and none of his dorkiness... well, then. We might have found a formula for the perfect horse."
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Colour tests:
Agouti: a/a (Rhapsody does not carry the gene to make bay. if he is bred to a black [a/a] mare, the foal cannot turn out bay.)
Extension: E/e (Rhapsody is heterozygous at this locus: he can produce both dark (bay/black, E/-) or red (chestnut, e/e) foals depending on the mare.
Tobiano: To/To (Rhapsody is homozygous tobiano. He will always produce pinto offspring, no matter the colour of the mare.)
Rhapsody's stud book is currently open.
Mares must be approved for breeding to Rhapsody. Mares considered for approval must be of the following breeding:
- Arabian (foal must be registered Oldenburg)
- Thoroughbred (foal must be registered Oldenburg)
- German warmblood (for German warmblood foal)
- German Riding Pony (for German Riding Pony or German warmblood foal)
- Other warmblood breeds considered if the mare has an exemplary showing record.
** Rhapsody is not available to pinto mares.
Mares must be competing in one or more sporting disciplines (i.e. dressage, jumping, hunters considered--no saddleseat, halter only, etc.). They must have a clean bill of health and be UTD on vaccinations.
To request more information or to book a breeding, please contact Lauri via Clip Clop forum private messaging.
Progeny:
Tzigane: 2004 grey tobiano Oldenburg filly out of Candide.
Iliachenva'ar: 2007 chestnut tobiano Oldenburg filly, out of Magic In the Air xx.
Kirsadarke: 2007 bay tobiano Oldenburg colt out of Bakari (KWPN)
Rhequirement: 2007 black tobiano Oldenburg colt out of Romance Novel.
Rhuidean L: 2008 bay tobiano Oldenburg colt out of Bakari (KWPN).
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