THE CHAMPAGNE GENE
Our Champagne AQHA Stallion
The champagne gene has been around for a long, long time, it has to have
been as it is a dominant gene & you cannot produce a champagne horse without
a champagne parent. It cannot be carried as a hidden gene.
The gene dilutes black to chocolate, red to gold, bay to amber & palomino or
buckskin to ivory. It also has other unique characteristics which make for
positive identification. Foals are born dark & shed lighter, they are born
with piercing blue eyes which change to amber & brown within the first few
months. Their skin is pink, noticeably around the muzzle, eyes & under the
tail. Later these areas develop a blue, grey freckling but not mottling. The
coat of a champagne has a beautiful metallic sheen & the colours sometimes
seem almost pink or peachy. They occasionally have reverse dappling.
The champagne occurs in only a few breeds, one being the American Quarter
horse. Research in the last ten years has recognised the gene although at
present there is no DNA test of proof & the AQHA have yet to add champagne
to their colours although they will allow "carries champagne dilution" on
registrations.
The International
Champagne Horse Registry offers registration for horses of this colour
after satisfactory proof has been presented. My stallion has been accepted
onto the registry & with great excitement introduced a new line previously
undocumented!! I have lived with champagnes since 1978 & it is wonderful to
have all my questions answered, I knew there was something special,
something different. Although this is a beautiful, interesting & always very
exciting colour to live with we must never forget the other qualities we
must have to put a GOOD horse on the ground.
