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Eurodressage F.O.C.U.S
Nero, the White Mystery Friesian at Equitana 2007
March 21, 2007
 The picture of the white Friesian that was published in Eurodressage's
Equitana report earlier this week has caused quite a stir among readers
worldwide. So, here's the story behind this unusual crowd-pleaser:
If you're familiar with Friesians, you know that some of them suffer
from inbreeding problems. Thirty years ago, the German-based Hillner
family received permission from the Dutch Queen to cross-breed several
Friesian mares with Jalisco, an Arab stallion standing at stud at
Gestuet Marbach, to get some fresh blood into the breed. Exactly one of
the foals turned out grey -- a stallion named Negus. After he had spent
the first twelve years of his life un-trained, he changed hands.
His new
owner, Sylvia Parduhn, started schooling him and was very pleased with
his "bomb-proof" character, which allowed her to start riding a stallion
at this advanced age. Parduhn also bred several mares with him, and
again, one of the foals turned out a grey stallion -- Nero, the now
fourteen-year-old horse who impressed the Equitana crowds not only with
his color but also with his exceptional gaits.
 Parduhn, who runs a stable for holidaymakers near Fulda, was very happy
to see that Negus had passed on his impeccable character to his son, and
so she uses him to breed the pretty and character-sound horses she needs
for her farm. She does show him at competitions occasionally, and he has
earned one M- and several L-ribbons.
Nero is not a licensed stallion,
however, and taking a look at his offspring, it is unlikely that he -- a
three-quarter Friesian -- will become the sire of a new breed of white
Friesians. So far, he has one son -- by a Trakehner mare -- who is a
five-year-old pinto and will very probably turn completely white. Other
than that, his offspring come in all colors -- and Nero remains one of a
kind.
Text and Photos copyrighted: Barbara Schnell for Eurodressage.com
Related Link
Mind Blowing Equitana 2007
Fighting Windmills, Friesian Style
Archived Focus Articles in
The Gathering
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