Here are some of Mark’s comments about Aberjack. “When we were back in New Zealand a few years ago I was specifically looking for an eventing stallion. He would have to have good conformation, a good temperament, have three good paces and jump with a good technique. If he had good bloodlines then that would be a bonus, I never thought I would find everything in one horse, but I did in Abjerack. The point that most interested me was the fact that he was by the thoroughbred sire, Aberlou, who has been the most successful and influential sire in New Zealand’s sport horse breeding. Aberlou is most famous as the sire of Blyth Tait’s great eventing pair Messiah and Delta. Both were world class horses with Messiah winning the 1990 World Championships and the amazing little mare Delta who had many top international placing including a 2nd place at Badminton. Aberlou has sired many other top horses both eventing and show jumping in New Zealand. Blyth also looks like he has another top one in the making in Eze who recently won the CCI** Punchestown (Ireland). Aberjack is also a direct male descendent of Abernant who has been one of the most influential sires of jumping horses throughout the world. (Since this letter, Nufarm Alibi, another Aberlou daughter, won the Puhinui *** and was 5th at Badminton 2002)."

"I was impressed with the way he felt when I tried him, both with his movement and his jump and he seemed to have the perfect temperament. Geoff and Anna had played round with him on the farm with Anna taking him to a few dressage shows and Geoff using him for cattle work on their farm and going hunting. He was so quiet that he could take their young children round the farm on the front of the saddle and “Jacko” would take absolutely no notice."

"Right from the start he was a delight to deal with and to train and showed a natural aptitude towards cross-country. He jumped so well that if I had the time I would have liked to try him more as a straight show jumper as I feel he could have gone quite long way in this field."

"Although we only covered a few mares with him as he was still competing, from a wide variety of mares he has stamped them with the image of himself. All have lovely heads and fronts on them, with good bodies and correct legs and with a look of quality about them, even from the heavier non-thoroughbred mares. They all seem to have inherited his amazing temperament and everyone has commented how easy they are to handle.”

*** See pedigree details ***