Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Hi Kim and Steve,

 

I live about an hour from Rushcreek.  I campaigned a pretty good one back around 1989 or so....RC Steele.  He epitomized the A.W.Harris lines that Tom Wells eventually gravitated to for an Arabian Horse able to deal with the weather 'round here as well as the work.  Ellis Ruby certainly was integral in that.  If all Rushcreek horses were like those, those would be the only horses I'd've ever owned.  I still owned quite a few. 

Sometimes, though, in attempts to pretty-up the herd, genetics are added that do make  a prettier headed horse, but at the expense of size, bone, heartiness and overall ability to tolerate the work.

 

Like you said, Kim....the female lines, i.e., mitrochrondria....I'd look there.
I have faith that Stub (sorry, Lyle) will find a way to bring out what it was that was there when it was there.

 

Frank Solano
 

On 7/17/07, FXLivestock@xxxxxxx <FXLivestock@xxxxxxx> wrote:

Steve,

   I bet you do have some interesting stories.   There are certain traits I have always admired about some of the great Rushcreek horses.  I think those traits are still passed on in some horses from Rushcreek and some of those lines today.  If you look at some of the performance records, especially if those lines are on the dams side, you see the connection.  Does this mean that there will be a guarantee of a repeat of a Rushcreek Hans.....probably not.  There are lots of different variables that might not allow for this to occur today.  It probably would be a long shot even if Hans had been cloned. 

    I do agree with you that Ellis Ruby is the reason that Rushcreek even made it on the endurance map.  I feel he and his breeding program is a big part of why they still have the reputation in the sport.  I think like anything else, it is knowing what you like or look for in an endurance horse and then being able to find horses with those traits.  For me, Rushcreek still produces horses a significant number of horses with the traits I am looking for in an endurance horse or a breeding animal.

 

Kim Fuess

 

Kim Fuess

  

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