Posted: 10th March 2016 | Back to news feed
Cyden Bodyguard Moorland is a stallion with a reputation for very un-stallion like behaviour. With a pedigree that is dripping in dressage royalty, his temperament is more that of a family pony.
Here Lara tells us about the stallion that has a special place on her yard.
How did you come across Bodyguard originally?
Having already bought Cadans in Holland, my Dutch contact took me to visit Bodyguard when I next visited Holland, looking for a young 3/4 year old. At this point I didn’t actually ride him, just viewed him under saddle with Astrid Langenburg. As you can imagine, I was star struck - tall, black with four white socks what more could I ask for.
About three months later, his owner called me to say he wanted to sell Bodyguard and would I take him to train and sell on, of course I answered yes. In the first few months I didn’t really enjoy riding him as he was very stuffy and didn’t have a trot at all, however I soon fell in love when he started to relax and let me ride him, this was a bond I hadn’t really felt with any other horse before. So, three years down the line he is still with me.
How long have you owned him?
He has been with me for three years but I have only just taken over full ownership of him recently.
Where is he currently at in terms of competition level?
Intermediate 1 level.
What are your hopes for the future?
To train him and compete him at Grand Prix level with Rhett Bird’s help along the way!
How old are his oldest youngstock, do you have any?
He already has a KWPN-approved son Guardian S, which for a stallion so young himself is a major achievement, as well as many young offspring competing and winning young horse classes here in the UK. He has approximately 100 youngstock on the ground; we have one of our very own Bodyguard offspring from last year, and two due this year.
What is he like to handle?
He is a dream, he is known as Mr Gentle Giant on the yard, as that’s exactly what he is, I have no problems with my nieces and nephews all under 11-years-old, leading him around and riding him, he really is that good. Don’t get me wrong if it’s time to collect from him he does get up tight but never dangerous. He is Mr Easy to look after and loves massages and cuddles.
What makes him special?
His temperament and want to do well nature, he tries so hard when you are riding him; he always wants to please, sometimes too much, bless him.
What is his character like?
He is a happy boy, and loves being in the first stable on the yard as he gets the first kiss and cuddle in a morning. At night he has his treat ball to keep him amused but this is normally found empty outside his stable in the morning!
What are some of his major placing’s?
He has won numerous Advanced Medium and Prix St Georges classes, qualifying him for the regionals. His best major placing to date was at Addington Regionals last year in a very hot Inter 1 section where he was placed sixth on 68.69% to a winner on less than 1% in front.
What is he like to ride?
He is an absolute pleasure, you can ride him every day, or give him a few days off and it doesn't make him difficult to deal with. He enjoys his work so will take as much as you throw at him. He is good to hack too, so it is nice to vary what he does including giving him a jump, which he finds very exciting.
What is his weekly schedule?
Monday and Tuesday he is schooled, Wednesday he is lunged, Thursday he gets hacked out, Friday is his day off, Saturday we do pole work, and Sunday is competition day or he goes for another hack.
How long will he stand at stud?
He will stand at Stallion AI Services for fresh and chilled semen for four/five weeks in two slots. The first in April/May and one towards the end of June.
Does he throw a particular type?
At the moment they have all been 16.2hh plus, quite big boned, but for me the biggest thing that all Bodyguard offspring owners are saying is their temperaments are truly amazing with such trainable attitudes. That's all I could ask for.
Cyden Bodyguard Moorland will be standing at Stallion AI Services for a limited period in April and June for fresh and chilled semen. Frozen semen is available all year round from Cyden Bodyguard Moorland, Cyden Oostings Amigo and Cyden Cadans M.
For further information contact Lara Dyson on 07920 452739, visit www.cydendressage.comor ‘Like’ the Cyden Dressage Facebook page for news of all three Cyden Stallions and other horses and ponies for sale.
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