Foreword
June 2010
Passion and Performance
This catalogue is by and large a collection of youngsters produced by the passion of a group of breeders, Dirk Dijkstra, Ann-Maree Cambridge and Heath Ryan, who are completely focused up on performance in the Olympic disciplines.These performance youngsters have been carefully produced with particular attention to the genetics, to dietary needs and parasite control. These performance youngsters are to this point painstakingly produced with a destiny possibility of Olympics.
One of the ingredients necessary for these youngsters to go forward and achieve their potentials is an owner/rider who is prepared to invest enormous amounts of emotion from here on in, during the destiny journey. It doesn’t matter how well we have produced these youngsters or how well they are genetically designed - until the passion of an owner becomes part of the mix they are nothing more than farm animals!
Auction of the Stars is all about the search for suitable partnersto link up with these youngsters that represent the vision of DirkDijkstra, Ann-Maree Cambridge and Heath Ryan. Unlike any otherauction in Australia, most of the youngsters in this catalogue havebeen carefully designed by competition riders. To be a successfulcompetition rider, we are very aware that genuine passion is a criticalpart of the ingredients. Nevertheless the saying that “the best ridersare mounted on the best horses” is more true today than ever before.
Once most riders have made a selection of a young horse, whether it is good, bad or indifferent, they will emotionally throw themselves at the partnership. We endorse this but make the observation that the most likely indicator of a superstar is genetics. There is some 30% inheritability of performance genetics. Also keep in mind that we promote the statistic that only 6% of the horse population carries the necessary talent to operate right at the top. Yes, there is the
occasional freak, but in the main this 6% population is made up of young horses by stallions of super competition worth, out of mares of super competition worth. Should you, as a buyer, select a young horse with great conformation, a great temperament that moves well, but not consider the performances of the individual’s parents, you are almost guaranteed a failure. You have almost the same chance of winning the lotto and I think all of us would feel very sorry
for someone if they were relying on winning the lotto to enjoy life. Well, it’s almost the same if you buy a horse without considering the genetics.
Auction of the stars in Toowoomba does bring a whole catalogue of genetically engineered young horses who realistically have a very serious chance of performing at the Olympic levels. All they need is the passion of a dedicated rider.
From the directors,
Heath Ryan and Ann-Maree Cambridge
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