Breeding
Kalarama Stud reaches back in time to classic breeding through its infusion of bloodlines which have proven to produce performance horses.
Learn more about the infusion of South African-influenced breeding of American Saddlebred horses:
http://www.showhorse.co.za
Pedigrees tell you what others have experienced, says Joan Hamilton, breeding manager of Kalarama Stud, one of the American Saddlebred worlds most prolific contributors to the breed. We dont breed for statistics or worlds champions. I breed for the cross, which will produce nice horses, not just titles. They go hand in hand.
If you get the cross right, the rest can take care of itself, smiles the woman whose history and future have been tied closely to Kalarama Farm since she was a youngster. In fact, Hamilton displayed unusual aptitude for breeding desirable American Saddlebred horses in her teen years.
As she moves deliberately and efficiently about Kalaramas state-of-the-art laboratory where she personally oversees the processing of fresh-cooled semen from Kalarama Farms stallions throughout the breeding season Hamilton recalls a pivotal decision in the farms future. It occurred when her research and excellent instincts led her to create a clear direction for Kalaramas breeding program with her 1982 selection of two-year old Harlem Globetrotter. The handsome black sires outstanding progeny quickly recorded present-day Kalarama Farms name in the record books, with some of his offsprings wins occurring while Harlem himself was racking and trotting to one of his five worlds championships. As foundation sire, he joined Spring Valleys Deliverance and Lord OShea, both of whom were standing at Kalarama when Harlem backed down the trailers ramp onto the bluegrass farm that is the oldest operating American Saddlebred facility in the United States.
In 1997, the American Saddlebred Horse Association recognized Joan and her parents, the farms owners Paul and Frances Hamilton, with its prestigious Breeders Of The Year award.
Now expanded with (SA) Tornaado, Kalarama Cabernet and Kalarama clientele's stallions (SA) War Image, and Exalted Effect, Kalarama Studs breeding program generates crosses from a top band of broodmares available; hand-selecting the bottom line is one of Hamiltons gifts. I seek many things in a pedigree, but I have a special liking for the Stonewall King and CHWing Commander bloodlines. They've been so good to me, Hamilton says. That cross represents a solid, honest, game horse.
Her travels to South Africa to return important maternal and paternal lines to the United States have resulted in some of the most celebrated American Saddlebred stars in recent years. Hamilton remembers that on one South African journey, she noticed several outstanding colts that were, coincidentally, described as being by the same sire. Where is he? she inquired. Told that (SA) Vidas Yokozuna was deceased, she said immediately, Take me to his best son. After careful research, she imported (SA) Tornaado to Kalarama Farm.
Noting that some families throw characteristics strongly and others weakly, Hamiltons experience at Kalarama Stud has enabled her to test combinations and see the multi-generational result of her breeding decisions. Now working on the fourth generation of present-day Kalarama breeding, Hamiltons selections have produced a Worlds Grand Champion and more than 60 worlds champion American Saddlebreds, 50 percent of them born on Kalaramas fertile soil. Those get have become show ring and breeding favorites because of their success in every division and in the hands of trainers all over the country.
Youre invited to visit Kalarama Farm to see for yourself what insightful breeding produces. Contact us to schedule an appointment before your next breeding or purchase decision.