Avonbrook Stud - Stallions

Senior Stallion Marcus Aurelius (2001)

Marcus Aurelius is predominantly Crabbet Arabian with Davenport lines through his grandsire Ben Rabba, a horse who features prominently in performance arabian breeding in the USA. Through Ben Rabba he is also in direct male descent from Nasik - an important Crabbet line that was lost in the UK until the lease of Ben Rabba by Beatrice Paine for the 1979 and 1980 breeding seasons. Marcus bears a strong resemblance to his sire Aurelian and particularly to Ben Rabba.
Marcus' dam Fiesta Magica is a product of the successful performance arabian breeding programme at the Coed y Foel stud of Dianna Whittome and was herself dam to 5 Advanced endurance horses.

Marcus has been with me from the age of 18 months and lives cheerfully with and alongside mares, colts and geldings.  His easy relaxed temperament has made him a joy to have around and he has passed this on to all the youngsters I have by him.

Marcus' ridden career started in earnest in 2008 when he was prepared and presented for the NaStA performance test over 2 days in August. Marcus was successful in this, showing his abilities in Novice level dressage, pre-novice level cross country (now BE 100) and showjumping in addition to loosejumping, in hand presentation, vettings and assessor’s ride. His cross country round drew particular compliments from all three assessors and his results allowed him to be graded as an Arab Horse Society Premium Performance stallion with the resulting benefits from the AHS to the owners of performance mares through the scheme. His preparations included 3 outings under saddle at AHS “C” shows where he won 2 classes and a championship at Novice level and gained a 2nd place at his first attempt at Restricted level which took place in top company at the Arab Horse Society National show that year.

2009 saw Marcus consolidate his ridden performance across the disciplines adding low-level eventing (80 – 90cm) and low-level endurance (20 miles) alongside his dressage and showjumping. Unfortunately the ill-health of his rider limited what could be achieved and, in 2010, Marcus concentrated on his ridden showing in the very capable hands of Kirsty Brown.

During 2010, he gained many accolades with numerous wins and high placings and also championships during the season, mainly under saddle but also in Crabbet classes in-hand where he stood National Crabbet Reserve Champion Stallion at the AHS National Summer Show. He was also named Leading Sire at the Welsh Crabbet Show through his part-bred sons Avonbrook Silver Eagle and Avonbrook Silver Augury. His main achievement during the year, however, was to qualify for the Hutchinson Staff Ridden Arabian Stallions at the Horse of the Year Show – and to be placed 4th on his first appearance at HOYS in what remains his only full showing season.

Marcus commenced his endurance career with his novice season in 2011. He progressed through the levels in the subsequent years with the ride being taken over by Becky and Katherine Bertram as they became old enough to be accepted as being in charge of a stallion out on the trail. In 2014 his efforts earned him 8th place in the overall National Young Rider endurance ratings together with trophies from the Heart of England EGB Group and also from the Crabbet Organisation. In 2015, her last season before leaving for University, Becky partnered him to wins at FEI YR1* (80km) and CER 100km level. As Katherine took the ride back, his activities returned more towards showjumping and ridden showing.

Marcus continued to compete with my daughters in occasional showing classes while also competing in endurance with a high proportions of wins and championships - starting with winning the Overall Ridden Championship at the 2011 Welsh Crabbet Show with 12 year old Katherine in the saddle. He was also Reserve Male Champion in hand at that show with 14 year old Becky handling. He was also winning at unaffiliated elementary dressage with an adult rider and showjumping at 90-100cm level with her and also in smaller classes with Katherine. He qualified with her for various of the Cricklands league finals from 2013 and thoroughly enjoyed attending on several occasions, behaving perfectly as the only stallion in the midst of several hundred horses and ponies and travelling with one of our pony mares ridden by Becky.

Other highlights have included the 2013 World Crabbet Convention at Addington where, in addition to appearing with Avonbrook Odin and Annia Aurelia in hand as part of the Ben Rabba group, Marcus was also shown to the delegates under saddle on the flat as part of a ridden stallions group and over fences as part of the finale with Katherine riding. He was also shown by her on two of the three occasions on which he appeared at the BBSH stallion parade at Hartpury College. Marcus' performance achievements and, more recently those of his progeny, have made them regulars in the AHS Performance Horse Awards. In 2014 Marcus was not only the winner of the pure-bred Arabian section but was also the overall winner beating the winners of the Anglo and Part-bred sections. His points also contributed to Katherine winning total to take the Junior title in 2016.

In 2017, Katherine's last year at school and her school's first year in the competition, Marcus qualified as part of the team from Prince Henry's High School for the NSEA championship plate (to be held in December 2017) in showjumping. He competed for the school as an individual at the NSEA Hickstead meeting in May 2017, again being the only stallion among several hundred competitors. His sons Avonbrook Odin and Avonbrook Silver Augury have qualified in the 110cm showjumping class for the NSEA Championships (Oct 2017) and the NSEA Championship Plate (Dec 2017) respectively. Another son, Avonbrook Silver Eagle, qualified as part of the school team in the 80cm jumping with style class for the NSEA Championship Plate, as did Avonbrook Odin in the 110cm class as an individual. The NSEA competitions have formed the main competitive focus for the year but Marcus has also had a few outings showjumping in BS affiliated classes at 90cm British Novice, 95cm Amateur and 100cm Discovery heights.

He continues to shine at whatever is asked of him, the latest being at stick and ball practice for Katherine's most recent interest in polo which he finds nearly as much fun as mounted games!

Marcus Aurelius is tested CA and SCID clear, LFS carrier and will stand in the UK during 2018 by natural covering and frozen AI. Frozen semen stored in the UK is also available for export to Europe. Frozen semen for use in Australia and New Zealand is held in Australia. Mares with Arabian bloodlines must have been tested clear of the LFS (Lavender Foal Syndrome) gene. This can be carried out for around £30 on samples of mane/tail hair with root bulbs and the cost may be offset against the stud fee.

Stud fees are £800 purebred Arabian mares, £600 others. 50% non-refundable deposit, 50% 48 hour live foal. Fees for packaging and transport are payable directly to Stallionai.com (UK and Eur frozen) or Genemovers (Aus and NZ frozen).

Premium awards are available from the Arab Horse Society on registration of progeny from mares approved within the scheme (open to all breeds and free to apply).  The nature and quantum of the awards are under review by the AHS Council.  Please refer to the Premium Performance Scheme website at www.ahs-premium.org.uk. for the current levels.