San Diego was one of the three Donation babies born that year. He was an ET born by the sweet QH mare Bonnie. He was the first to arrive and he looked so much like his dam from the start except he had huge ears! He was born contracted over the knees and that took about two months to resolve. With limited turn out he got to spend a lot of time with us and with his big ball that he loved to chase around and pounce on. Once he was able to rejoin his brother and sister the three were inseparable and he spent long months with them in the big pasture chasing and being chased.
Three Donation babies-Kreation, KLM, San Diego
We had chosen Soprano as the sire because one of Donation's older offspring was a top-level eventer (Royal Lufftanzer) and Soprano was producing some very nice eventers. Donation was a strongly stamping mare and I see a lot of her in Diego but he definitely got the better movement of his sire with a lot of swing and elasticity and a slightly longer body. He was inspected by the Oldenburg German judge and given some nice comments and the premium mention.
He was sold well prior to weaning but he stayed with us until the summer of his first year and then he moved to Two Jack Farm to grow up and eventually get started under saddle.
Soprano by Sandro Hit
Shelly (his owner) and Noel (his trainer) know him best and have this to say about him:
“I'm not quite sure where to begin, but want to start by thanking Veronique of Formosus Sporthorses for entrusting us with one of her foals. I was immediately captured by San Diego when I first saw his photos on the website. There was something about that bright, inquisitive and smart-looking eye, as well as lovely big ears, that just drew me to him. I was also fortunate to have in mind a true horseman who I felt would be the right person to realize Diego's full potential. Meeting Diego in person was even better! He was friendly and curious and loved to be around people. One could tell that he had a wonderful upbringing and good handling as there was little that seemed to faze him. I was even more thrilled to see that he loved to play with the big balls and had a bit of precociousness. I'm so looking forward to seeing what his future holds.”
“Diego came to me in the fall of his yearling year. I was immediately struck by his confidence and trust in humans. He clearly had good handling in his young life which made it much easier for me to start and grow a relationship with him. Diego’s curiosity and desire to understand is an asset that is so important. These desires of his lead
Noel Clark on San Diego
me to engage in a two-way conversation with the horses and Diego has never left that conversation with me. It may take him some time to grasp something but when he does, it sticks. Diego is also yet to have an awkward stage. His physical attributes make it easy for him to find balance and access his power. One of my favorite elements is his goofy character and willingness to be himself. When I start to add all of these things together I realize what a pleasure it is to have the opportunity to work with such a nice horse with such a strong foundation.”
Diego is progressing well in his training and the goal is to get him to some jumping competition in the near future.
Owner and worrier in chief at Formosus Sporthorses in Alberta she's been breeding horses for over 18 years. Warmblood, warmblood crosses, and a few saddlebreds. She loves handling mare and foals and is passionate about giving foals the best start possible.
