TESTIMONIALS PAGE

"Lets breed a foal" said my best friend,who is also my vet. Questioning the sudden enthusiasm to breed a foal, the responce was -"I have seen an absolutely stunning Irish Draught Stallion, his name is Avanti Amorous Archie and he would be ideal for our Irish Cob mare (Duchess)" I have been fortunate enought to own two pure bred Irish Draughts geldings over the last 25 years, both were lovely horses and very much missed after their passing. The idea of breeding a foal gained momentum and I contacted Archie's lovely owner, Rita Jennings. Admitting to Rita that I was clueless regarding the breeding of horses, she could not have been more helpful. Rita explained the breeding cycle (AI was to be used for Duchess) and took me through all the procedures that would be needed. The next step was to discuss the idea with my Duchess, who is best drescribed as a sensible Irish Cob around 15hh with a fabulous temperament and a leg at each corner, handsome rather than pretty is being polite. No nonsence Duchess came straight into season and I was on my way to meet Archie and Rita. Duchess ws not impressed at being left behind. A very warm welcome awaited me at the Avanti Stud, and Archie is a family member rather than just a stallion at stud, There are no stallion bits and chains here, just a stunning, happy relaxed horse who ambled over to us for a pat. Most horses have a good point or two, But Archie has a full house of good points. He has sustance and quality, he moves straight, up through his shoulder and over his back. He has perfect conformation with excellent length of rein. Factor in his competition record and his outstanding temperament and the result is a perfect horse. Duchess was inseminated the same evening and again the following day and has just had her second scan (heartbeat). Much to our delight she is in foal. Throughout the process Rita has been so helpful and we are looking forward to May 2011. Ann May

We are thrilled that our two RID brood mares that we chose to breed to Archie took first time by frozen semen, they wiil be the first Archie foals to be born in the USA (in2011) and we can hardly wait! Rita was fantastic to work with which made the whole experience stress free. Being A stallion owner ourselves we understand the importance of offering a great service, good communication and a friendly manner. Manu Forti Farm highly recommends Rita and her lovely stallion, the frozen semen was of excellent quality. Hopefully someday we will meet Archie and Rita in person! Thank you Rita and Archie, Simone and Doug Mackay,Wichita, Kansas,USA

www.manufortifarms.com Home of RID stallion Touch of the Blues

After having to change my plans and go down the AI route, with the age of my mare (16) and the injury she had substained I decided that a high fertily and high quality stallion was important to me. Having been recomended by a reputable dressage trainer (Mr. Edward Johnson) of a local stallion that fitted the bill I went to meet Archie. Words and photos do not do Archie justice and I cannot recommend enough that before making a decision on an Irish Draught stallion that you go and visit Archie and Rita. Not only does he have the most amazing light and correct paces, his behaviour and attitude to life is the most relaxed in a stallion that I have seen. His competition record speaks for itself and the amount of recomendations from breeders, studs and people who have seen him in the flesh are innumberable. On top of this you could not ask for a more helpful stallion owner who has a proper understanding of the mare owner breeding for pleasure, and the next 'star'!. I can only hope that when the little pitter patter of tiny hooves hit the floor next May (2011) that the foal takes his wonderful temperment and attitude to life like Archie. Lauren Larter

On the 14th December 2009, an Irish sport horse colt was born in South Africa, bred from frozen semen from the British bred RID stallion Avanti Amorous Archie. BSH Stud imported the semen from the UK at the end of 2007 and BSH Adventurous is testimony of a long, arduous but successful process of introducing a new bloodline into the very limited Irish Draught gene pool in South Africa.BSH Adventurous was bred from a 13 year old TB mare 'Pardon Gale', and from the moment he was on the ground, he distinguished himself from the other foals we have bred in the last 8 years.Calm and confident, he was quick to rise and drink and easy to lead out the first time. One can read over and over about Archie's temperament being passed on, but seeing it for yourself gives it new meaning. We are very excited about this new addition to Irish Draught Blood in South Africa and Adventurous' arrival has already sparked new interest in other breeders over here. Yvonne Flavell and Isobel Van der Stoep BSH Stud, South Africa

I have been breeding mostly part bred Irish Draughts in New Zealand since Laughtons Legend was imported to NZ from Maggie Spreckley in 1988 and Colmans Touch from Robin and Margaret Cook 1998. More recently I have been looking for different genes to add to our gene pool in NZ when I discovered that Avanti Amorous Archie RID was available by frozen semen and having seen his Sire Crosstown Dancer on an overseas trip I was delighted to be able to use him here. I now have a very nice 2 YO filly which won her class at our Royal Show in Christchurch against some big good looking colts and geldings. The English Judge told me she out moved them all. I have a Laughton mare currently being inseminated so I am awaiting news of her being in foal. Two other mares owned by another breeder, one a pure bred have already had positive foal tests at the same insemination station. Along with another Irish Draught enthusiast here we have been able to purchase Avanti Amorous Archie semen from Rita and will market it next season. We are nearing the end of the breeding season in NZ. It has been a real pleasure and great fun working with Rita via email and everything has run very soomthly. I hope it won't be long before we have several of Archies offspring competing in NZ and maybe increase the fortunes of our eventers in the UK. Best wishes to everyone in the UK who believe in and promote this fabulous breed. Lesley Spence Christchurch NZ ( all 3 mares are in foal)

Thank you for sending such good semen from Avanti Amorous Archie. Our mare was inseminatedon her 3rd day of season, 17 days later scanned in foal,scanned again 10 days later still in foal , great results for a difficult breeder. Thank you for your help. Gail and Stephen Payne of Hawklands Stud.Liver chestnut colt foal

Thank you very much for the efficient service and hospitatilty over the past 12 months. We currently have a stunning colt foal, son of the proud Diamond Lass and hopefully she is back in foal to Archie. Brian and Debbie Temple of Plum Park Stud.

Very very helpful, a 1st class service, my 1st time using Avanti Amorous Archie and hopefully will use him again. Looking forward to my foal next year. My mare took 1st time of being inseminated at 15 years young and scanned at 14 days and 29 days in foal. Thank You very much for your help. Debbie Budd. Filly foal

"Choosing a Stallion to use on my home-bred mares was the easy bit. Archie's looks, movement and temperament made him the obvious choice. And then it got even easier: great semen, on time, everytime! I was so delighted with the three Archie fillies in 2009, there was NO hesitation in aiming for some more in 2010. Thanks Rita - you and Archie are stars!! " Janet George of Indigo Irish Draughts 1 filly and two colts so far...

"After viewing many Stallions to put to my mare, I was recommended Archie and Rita through a friend - saw him and instantly fell in love and I KNOW it's going to be the perfect foal. Put him to my TB mare who is 15 years old and she took 1st time and stayed in foal - vets were amazed and said Archie had brilliant semen! 1st class service from Rita and I'm so looking forward to my foal next year. I would 110% recommend Archie to ANYONE wanting to put their mare(s) in foal - absolutely amazing horse and same goes for his owner - thank you so much for making my first time such a good experience - Sara and Molly" Miss Sara White . " Spring 2010 My 16 year old TB mare 'Molly' gave birth to a georgous bay filly 'Belle Amore' (just what was ordered) at 370 days. She is a big strong foal who is bold but very laid back and takes everything in her stride. At only 4 days old she was leading in and out from the field like a pro with her headcollar on with no problems at all. Archies laid back attitude to life has certainly come through to her, she is amazing and I could not have asked for more! Perfect, thanks so much Rita and Archie"

Over the course of several months looking for a stallion to put to my filly Willow, I was directed towards Rita and her wonderful Stallion Archie. I made a visit and was really impressed with Archie not only with his presence but with his super temperment and kind nature. Willow has had her 45 day scan and took first time. From start to finish the whole process went like clockwork and thats down to Rita, she is professional, friendly and extremely helpful. Many Thanks Janet Venni

We have just had our second foal by Archie out of our RID mare and they have both got his kind nature, calm temperament and stunning good looks. Rita is a star and could not be more heplful in making the whole process go smoothly. We would not hesitate in recommending Archie to anyone wanting a good solid foal. The only issue is that we are now overstocked but cannot bring ourselves to part with either baby! Thanks Rita Nick and Linda Wain

'I always knew I wanted to use a RID Stallion on my ISH Mare, it was just finding the right one. As soon as I met Archie, his manners, temperament and good looks told me I'd found the one. Being a 1st time breeder, I found Rita's help and advise an absolute godsend! My vets were amazed that she took on the 1st insemination as this was her 1st foal at 13 years of age. I am now the proud owner of a beautiful bay colt, who has Archie's temperament and laid back attitude to life. Thank you Rita and Archie' Jenny Long