Phoenician Stud is best known and reputed for owning and producing some of Riata's top Trakehner and
jumper horses. But how did it come to be? Why the Trakehner? How was Riata
before the current influx of this beautiful and versatile breed? Well, below is
the story of Phoenician and the Trakehner.
The Trakehner programme was established in early-mid June 2005, roughly a month
after the previously named "New Venture Stables" mini-barn was upgraded and
renamed to the breeding barn currently known as "Phoenician Stud". Back then,
Riata was a relatively new game, and there were not as many active back then as
there are now, for the game was still growing. Back then, Phoenician was a barn
where there were several competition Dutch Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, and
Hanoverians, a dabble of Oldenburgs, and with only a few KWPN broodmares around then. It was at that time
that I thought bringing and establishing an uncommon breed of horse in Riata
would be something worth doing, for it would broaden Riata's horizons, be
something challenging, and a goal to work towards. After much thought, research,
flipping through various books and surfing the internet, the Trakehner horse was
selected as Phoenician's new breeding programme. Trakehners were chosen for I
completely fell in love with the breed, and it just felt right
somehow. I was drawn to their athletic, streamlined good looks and kindly
nature. Seeing that they excelled in English disciplines practically sealed the
deal, and nothing would drag me away from it. The goal was to bring and show Riata this wonderful breed, and increase their existing numbers
in the near future.
So I embarked on a new journey of discovery. Back then, there was
only one Trakehner horse in the entire game -- a gelding named Atroicity,
owned by Danya from Lochraven Equestrian Center. Determined to bring in the
uncommon breed, Riata's second Trakehner was soon brought into the game -- the
stunning grey stallion, Maestro, who became the foundation stallion of
Phoenician's breeding stock. Shortly after his arrival came the striking young
chestnut stallion, Valkyrie. The plan was to have him as a second foundation
stallion, but they changed when it was decided he was to spend a year or two
solely competing, and to wait for him to mature a little more before being
available for stud. With the stallions well settled and well in hand, it was
time to turn attention towards the fine ladies that would most certainly be the most impacting
part of the programme.
As so, the foundation mares were brought in. First to arrive was the "mother of
mothers", Escudo, alongside the lovely Rhapsody, and slightly cranky Vienetta,
all lovely and ready to bring little bundles of joy to Riata. Then, it was time
to look competition-wise, where the names of successful Trakehners would no
doubt leave a lasting impact on the breed. Thus, that was when the fiery
chestnut Dynamit, and the graceful grey River Dance arrived to strut their
stuff in the jumping field. And finally to balance the picture out completely,
two young 2 year old fillies graced Phoenician with their youthful antics and
joy. These were no other than Phoenician's two most successful youngsters to
date, the talented Songette and flashy Skylark.
So, with nine new arrivals to the game, the stage was finally set, and only time would tell what would come from it.
When the first nine showed great skill in their respective fields and classes of
competition, I decided to step up the game a little more. Therefore in early
September, Phoenician Stud purchased a quiet gelding, Ransom Note, from a now
inactive player. This gelding is now one of Phoenician's top jumpers. Then,
later that month, Phoenician Stud became the new home to yet more Trakehners. First to arrive was the gentlemanly Arbros
(REAA), who is now Phoenician's
best known stallion due to his offspring's achievements, as well as the second
horse at Phoenician being awarded the prestigious title, and being only one of
two REAA titled Warmbloods in Riata. Tailing him were the
beautiful and now successful mares, Grenfell Lollipop and Grenfell
Hallucinations. A little later, four gorgeous mares, Finille, Aftermath, and Cyradis
were brought in to add colour
to the breeding stock, as well as the modest little mare, Sign Here. Accompanying them was Cyradis' young son, Chreteinne, who
soon found company in two new young arrivals -- Tipstern and Zekela, two
talented youngsters who no doubt had a lot to give to the programme. And
finally, Phoenician welcomed the newest member of the competition team, the
timid little mare, Iziano, who soon found out she had more to offer than she thought.
With the huge influx to Trakehners at Phoenician, I began looking towards the
future, where I could hopefully sell some homebred foals and expand the breed
Riata-wide. A newer player, Brandi, was also then helping exploit the Trakehner
horse. She brought in several beautiful examples of the breeds, and attained a
couple of breedings to Maestro. However, she quit the game shortly in early
2006, and sadly took her horses with her. However, a sale she had conducted
before then spread more of the breed about various members, and it was a great
start to the Riata public.
In October 2005, Phoenician Stud was blessed with the greatest gift of all --
new life. Eighteen tiny little vessels of life graced the broodmare barn and
gave the world joy at their first breaths. And in that foal crop, seven of them
were some of the first Trakehner foals born in Riata, and their future.
Phoenician Ainsley, the splashy little baby who found a new home first with
EmilyG at Classik Equestrian Center in April 2006. Then, Phoenician Finalle and
Encore found their new homes with Jen at Enria Sport Horses in late October
2006. The rest were sent to new homes as well in early November 2006 --
Phoenician Sargent with Melissa of Karnak Arabians, Phoenician Retro with
Silence of Stonelark Farms Inc, and Phoenician Adagio with Elise of Veweren
Warmblood Stud. Phoenician Viestra and Phoenician Chyrellos remained at Phoenician Stud, and mature incredibly
with each passing day. These babies are thriving in their new homes, and are setting an
excellent example for the 2006 babies, who appear to be even more adorable and
promising than ever.
Finally, though there was no need (it was too irresistable), the extravagant
chestnut stallion, Gallant Prince, arrived at Phoenician in March 2006 to
broaden the dressage string, for all the other stallions had primarily been
jumpers. He graced the 2006 crop with two beautiful foals, and with a wave of a
magic wand, even had two very lovely fillies in the 2005 crop! Then, in April
2006, the majestic Ivioren and adorable Avatar were the last to finally arrive
at Phoenician from Durand Equestrian Center. Ivioren went on to become one of
the top overall horses in the 2006 RSR season, and Annie is starting to pick up
her pace in RSJA shows.
Now, with the Trakehner breed firmly established in Riata, the Trakehner
Programme has come to an end. This breed that was once limited to a single
gelding has flowered and grown over time, and is now flourishing, with many
members owning a Trakehner and seeing it's fine qualities as a competition
horse. They are no longer classified as a rare breed, as it once was, which is
extremely fulfilling to see. With much interest sparking over this fine breed,
it is time for Phoenician to turn it's attention elsewhere. Many of Phoenician's
Trakehner stock have since found new homes, and it is very uplifting to see how
much interest there is in the breed. However, the
Trakehner will forever be valued at Phoenician, and no doubt what the stud will
be best known for, since they fill up practically a third of the stock here.
And so, the fate of the Trakehner horse is now cemented in Riata.
Thank you for reading about the Phoenician Trakehner Programme. With it now
successfully completed, Phoenician Stud is looking forward to hopefully
fulfilling our new goal to promote the Clydesdale-cross sport horses. With plans to take things slow for this,
progress will undoubtedly be very slow, but already, the beginning stages have
taken place and the tentative results have been very pleasing.
This page is part of an equine sim game called Riata and is in no way real.
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