The legend of Bravio continues in this ‘clone like’ son, Balitor, who we refer to as the happiest horse on earth!  His joyous nature is contagious and you can’t help but smile when you meet him.  But don’t let this good natured guy fool you, he’s got everything it takes to be a big time performer as well. He definitely has his sire’s knack for versatility.   Started under saddle by Jessica Gaytan Thornburg, Balitor is already displaying his talent for Dressage, reining, jumping and trail competition.  And his delightful personality is second only to his athletic ability.  In conformation, he’s got his parent’s big body and excellent bone. Balitor has already exceeded his sire’s height (currently 16.3h) and he’s got BIG, BOLD, movement.  He’s the best blending of pure Spanish and Portuguese bloodlines. He’s bred for functionality, as well as beauty.

Despite his young age, Balitor is also making history as the first confirmed Andalusian stallion to carry the “pearl” gene in the world!   Originally nick named “The Bravio/Chica dilution gene” by the Champagne Registry...it was later isolated by UC Davis in October of 2006 and officially named “Pearl”. This gene...in it’s singular form (on a solid colored horse of bay, chestnut or black), has no apparent physical manifestation.  However, when combined with a single cream gene (such as in a Palomino, Buckskin or Smokey Black, it produces a horse that appears double dilute!  These “pearl” horses are often also metallic in appearance, like Balitor in his summer coat. 

UC Davis worked in conjunction with the New Dilutions group, and other contributors, including Sommer Ranch, to isolate this gene. We are currently waiting for UC Davis to publish their findings but it is believed that they will announce that this Pearl gene is also located on the same allele as the Cream gene. Thereby making it impossible for a double cream dilute horse to also carry a Pearl gene. As of the first of 2007, there are no confirmed double pearl Andalusians.  Sommer Ranch is utilizing their unique Pearl stock in an effort to produce, what will hopefully prove to be the very first homozygous Pearl Andalusian in the United States. As an added bonus, Balitor carries a chestnut gene and is also capable of producing black and black pearl foals. We are currently on foal watch for his first foal to hit the ground in May of 2008.   

We hope you have the opportunity to meet this handsome fellow in person, but in the meantime we hope you enjoy the photos and video clip on this page. Balitor had the privilege of participating in a fun filled professional photo shoot in November of 2006. The beaches of Summerland and the mountains of Ojai made for a breathtaking backdrop to our lovely stallions.  (Xerox also modeled for the crowd of photographers that gathered from locations around the world!) We look forward to seeing our boys in future calendars, magazine ads & articiles, as well as hanging on the walls of artist galleries.

Balitor started his breeding career in 2007 and we eagerly await the first arrivals! He will be standing again in 2008.  Multi-mare discounts are available year round.  Be sure to contact Sommer Ranch for a color brochure and current DVD.

SOMMER RANCH  ANDALUSIANS

P.O. Box 750 Acton, CA 93510

(661) 269-4614

sommerranch@earthlink.net