Alternate view on Sovhov-2 line
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Recently the Institute of Horse Breeding is promoting the creation of new lines within the purebred Akhal Teke horse, Sovhoz 2nd included. In this article I would like to contemplate on the matter of existence of distinctive features of Sovhoz 2nd descendants to qualify him as a line founder.
“The line is a group of animals descending from one outstanding individual, which extends beyond the borders and different breeders and includes stallions as well as mares”.
How much does Sovkhoz 2nd and his descendants comply with this statement?
Here is what the main registrar of the State Studbook and the initiator of the new line, Dr. T. Ryabova, writes about this stallion: “Amongst the representatives of the El descendants his great grandson dark bay 1010 Sovkhoz 2nd (671 Gindukush- 1630 Okisi) is remarkable for his progeny…” It’s pointed out that he did not race and did not excel in breed shows. “An outstanding endurance” is pointed out as one of the qualities of the horse that was tested in long distance rides with hardship to test the horses.
To be fair I would have to remark the high ridability qualities of the horses that participated in such raids, but I can barely count that as criteria to determine the workability of a pureblood horse. Such raids can not be classified as sport. It’s an extreme tourism in its’ purest form. Possibly for local (domestic) breed of horses this can be a tool for selection purposes, but not in this case.
Other things aside, Sovhoz 2nd resembles El to the smallest detail. I recall the impression Sovhoz 2nd made on Vladimir Petrovich Shamborant after he visited stud farm “Komsomol†(nowadays Niyazov’s), where the stallion was at the time in 1992. He was telling us that when he saw that horse, it was as if he traveled back in time to his youth and saw his stallion El. So phenomenal was the resemblance of these horses. The same resemblance with their predecessor occurs with Sovhoz 2nd’s son Melesur and his grandson Elsai, whose name literally means “I’m Elâ€.
Follows with T. Ryabova’s arguments for the line Sovhoz 2nd: “Sovkhoz 2nd was also successful as a sire (not clear in addition to what?). He was used widely in different horse breeding farms in Turkmenistan including “Komsomolâ€,… the successors f his dynasty are Saklanma, Polot, Melesur and Melekulan- out of the mares from the family of the best daughter of Sektor- buckskin Sabyrli â€â€¦
The fact is that in combination with other mares Sovhoz 2nd did not produce any outstanding offspring. So the dam line of the above mentioned stallions have played the most important role. I must say that these stallions were in demand, but I would not unite them into a separate line under the flagship of Sovhoz 2nd. The stallions themselves possessed average racing qualities and did not become champions in any of the breed shows. The importance of Saklanmi descendants did not expand beyond the boundaries of Kazakhstan. Mentioned with hopes Galaly have only got the hopes of his owners. Melesur’s offspring is of high quality, tall, powerful with plenty of bone, but do not poses any characteristics outside of line El’s. The best son of Melesur- Gazyr Shael has become the world champion in 2003. Not because of an outstanding breeding, but for his harmony, elegance and noble forms. Racing qualities of Melesur’s other son, Mamai are greatly exaggerated. Mamai is a typical sprinter and was not successful in classical prizes. It is difficult to call other sons of Melesur remarkable. The successes of “Americans†Hrom, Holm and Arim have got a “verbal character†and are passed on through the word of mouth.
Works of Polot to my mind deserve more attention, than being under the flagship of his pretty average sire. If there is such a necessity for the new line, branching from El line than the line founder should undoubtedly be Polot. Polot has given a treasure of champions of all levels of the breed shows and has also produced excellent racers. The names of these horses are well known and there is no need to mention them again. Apart from that Polot and his offspring differ greatly from his ancestors and other El horses in type and exterior. Polot’s offspring can be characterized with long, spacious lines, unusual, typical to them breeding [well-bred or thoroughbred look] and refined, roman profile. While mostly line El is famous for its collected look, medium lines and straight or even conceive profiles.
Sadly, while approving the linear structure of the breed, the Institute is not interested in the opinion of breeders and specialists.
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The translation from Russian to English was done by Darya from AVAT Stud and published on Jessica’s Teke Blog.
