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Shandy Bridges
Jericho Farm
Newbridge
Penzance
Cornwall
TR20 8PS
UK
01736 788930
07769 865385
info@kernowanimals.com
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.