Looking to build a foundation herd for an appaloosa-harlequin program? Here is one for your consideration!
DVAF Dear Heart is a lovely maiden with appy and harley genetics on the top and bottom of her pedigree. Her dam, DVAF Jewel-ee, is a gorgeous platinum harlequin sired by the most prepotent harlequin appaloosa in the United States to date-- Vintage Cashmere U-Taupe-ia. Taupie is a striking, well-proven harlequin appaloosa male. At the time of this writing, he has 53 offspring on the ground of which 74% are expressed appy or harley.
Dear's sire is the elite-fleeced, banner winning stud--Rare Gem Harley's Davidson. Davidson is fawn like his CH sire, FTAF's Privateer, and his dam is a harlequin out of a platinum harlequin, LV Rockford's Bella Gris. Bottom line here, Dear Heart’s appaloosa and harlequin genetics run deep. While Dear’s fleece is not spotted, she carries an Ee a1a2 color genotype and a variegated coloration throughout her fleece— both data points for a great candidate for rare fleece colored offspring.
And for those interested... a bit more about Platinums. Platinums are one of the rarest harlequin expressions and coveted by breeders of this type program. Dear's maternal gdam is ALSO a platinum harlequin and grey color champion. Dear's appaloosa genetics on her dam's side of her pedigree boasts Aussie Rockford out of Hannahruh and Chiquita Import. Appaloosa genetics on sire's side are a double up on Hannahruh. Having multiple platinums and on the top and bottom of the pedigree is VERY unique!
Dear Heart has a soft-handle with dense and crimpy fleece. She has curb appeal galore with a pleasing head style and an extremely clean apron and lower blanket. She has a perfect bite, a clean current fecal report from Oregon State University and weighs 135 lbs.
Dear Heart was shown in 2023 as fawn but was dinged in the ring for "color uniformity". As you will see from the pictures to the right, Dear's fleece carries the variation in coloration that is representative of appaloosa and harlequin genetics. While this variation is sought after in appaloosa-harlequin programs, it does not always fair well not in a fawn competition.
Dear Heart's maiden breeding was to TB herdsire, Rare Gem Sea Senor. Sea Senor has been color genotyped as EE a1a2. He carries no dilution and two black alleles—the perfect pairing for expressed and unexpressed ee appaloosa females. By pairing with such a female, offspring have the potential to be appaloosa, harley or TB. This pairing stacks the odds of producing an exceptional offspring!
If you are interested in breeding for rare fleece colors, you can also read our recent article in The American Alpaca Journal: Breeding for Rare Fleece Colors by
Clicking Here
