(Gone Gold X Foxton Frosty Dawn)
Last Updated on Oct. 22, 2016
When we started our search for a new colt to add to our breeding program, we looked for all the usual things.
The colt had to be outstanding Morgan type, be an easy, natural mover showing great athleticism - length of stride and impulsion. He had to have great conformation and that little extra 'something' that drew your eye back for a second, then a third look. He had to have a soft eye, chiseled features, and of course, the Morgan attitude - that is curious, willing, personable and very trainable. We found those attributes in UNCONVENTIONAL. These were all first and foremost - and as an added bonus - 'Connor' is a rare Silver Dapple Bay !!
What is a Silver Dapple you ask ???
Silver Dapple is a dominant dilution gene that affects only black pigment, with an added affinity for lightening the mane and tail. So, in Connor's case, with him being a Bay horse - his mane and tail are diluted to an almost white color and the black on his legs is lightened to a chocolate brown.
Connor is one of a very short list of proven Silver Dapples in the Morgan Breed. At the end of 2007, there were only 20 confirmed Silver Dapples in the Breed !!
By breeding to Unconventional, there is a 50% chance that the resulting foal will also be a Silver Dapple. Connor is tested "Ee" (heterozygous for black), Aa (heterozygous for Agouti), N/N (meaning he did not get his sire's cream gene), and Z/n (heterozygous for silver dapple). Like all heterozygous silver dapples, Connor will pass on his silver gene to an average of 50% of his offspring, and he can sire bay silvers (like himself), brown silvers (if the mare contributes a brown Agouti and Connor does not pass his bay Agouti) or black silvers.
For more information on the Silver Dapple gene, you can check out the information on the 'Silver Dapple Morgans Project' website at www.mindspring.com/~morgans/silvermorgans.htm
We are very thankful to Laura Behning of Brookridge Morgans, not only for all her work on the Silver Dapple Morgan Project, but also for breeding Unconventional !! Connor represents a huge part of her dream to see the silver dapple color saved in the Morgan breed, and we think he is going to produce some amazing offspring to keep the Silver Dapples alive and well in the breed. You can see many photos of Connor in his first year and 1/2 at Laura's website at www.brookridgemorgans.com/2006colt.htm
Connor first foal arrived in 2009 and is also a carrier of the Silver Dapple Gene ! Check out the pics of Coulee Bend Orion - he is a great example of the quality foals that we will be expecting from Connor !!
| Sire Gone Gold |
Sire Adiel's Casino Gold |
Sire Sweet's Dexter |
| Dam Eden Rose |
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| Dam Kennebec Topaz |
Sire Medomak Cavalier |
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| Dam Kennebec Opal |
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| Dam Foxton Frosty Dawn |
Sire Foxton Society Beau |
Sire Society Statusmaster |
| Dam Dores Day |
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| Dam Foxton Smokey Dawn |
Sire Topside Midnight |
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| Dam Foxton Felicia |
By D.L.C. Consulting Inc.