First published in The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine Volume I Issue IV July 2017.
Celebrating the Champions – Verlenzia
The influence of the Vervaldee blood around the world is well known; he spent his latter years at the Ajman Stud in the United Arab Emirates, siring champions such as AJ Mardan (ex Felicia RLC). However, it was Andrea and Paul Taylor who first brought this famed Versace (Fame VF x Precious as Gold) son to our shores and at their Tucana Arabians in Essex, England, that the Vervaldee line lives on through his son, Vivegas (ex La Dolce Vita), as well as his daughters at the farm including Nyvariah (ex HT Nyah) and the beautiful Verlenzia.
Vervaldee was sired by Versace, a son of Fame VF (Bey Shah x Raffoleta-Rose) and out of the beautiful Precious as Gold (El Shaklan x Autumn in Gold). Versace was , a stallion widely regarded as one of the leading sires of the past decade and was, sadly, taken all too soon from this world. Vervaldee’s dam was also by Precious as Gold, being the NV Beau Bey (Bey Shah x Bint Miss Fire) daughter, Giavanna. The cross with these two horses was made four times, resulting in the acclaimed mare, Venetzia, but it is Vervaldee who has, undoubtedly, had the most impact. Sadly he, too, would pass ahead of his time, but his progeny are certainly continuing his lines well.
Verlenzia was bred by Andrea Taylor with Lisa Dunn, being out of the mare they co-owned together at the time, Legacy’s Sonata, a daughter of Legacy of Fame (Legacy of Gold x Fames Elegance C) and out of SC Psavannah (Padrons Psyche x Expressive). Foaled in 2009, Andrea now owns this enchanting mare outright and together, they have had much success in the show-ring.
Verlenzia. Credit Sweet Photography.
“I have only ever shown my horses lightly,” explains Andrea. “I don’t like to bring them out, week after week, and prefer to bring them to, sometimes, just one or two shows a year. A definite highlight was Verlenzia being named Gold Junior Female Champion in Aintree in 2010 while still a yearling. Those were the days before the yearlings had a separate championship, so it was a great win for us.”
Having had time off for breeding, producing the filly Venizwayla by Van Gogh AM (Magnum Psyche x Ynazia HCF), Andrea decide to bring Verlenzia back to the show-ring this year. “I like to have fun with my horses,” she tells me. “I condition them myself and I produce them myself. I know that I am not a professional trainer, but I enjoy showing my horses myself and we always have fun, regardless of where we are placed.”
At the start of June, Andrea loaded up Verlenzia to take her to her local C Show, HoCon. Elegant and graceful, this deep chestnut mare catches your eye whenever you see her, and there was little wonder that she won her class in style. Later, in the Senior Female Championship, Verlenzia was garlanded with the champion roses as she took the title. “It was wonderful to win with Verlenzia,” smiles Andrea. “I often feel that she can be overlooked in favour of some of the younger horses, but every time Verlenzia goes to a show, she leaves with more fans. I may well take her to the British Nationals this year, just for some fun!
“I love that I have this precious Vervaldee daughter to breed from. I don’t breed my mares every year; I’d rather take my time and wait for the right stallion to come along. I may breed her to my young stallion Nesj El Nostalgy (Khidar x Quiriz) in the future, but for now, I am happy to just enjoy the moment.”
First printed in The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine Volume I Issue IV July 2017. To enjoy further content such as this, please visit The Arabian Magazine Shop.
