Endurance Stars of France
Persik, foundation sire: 1969-2001
Persik, who stood in France from 1975 until 2001, is considered by many to be one of the best producers of endurance horses, able to pass his numerous good qualities to his famous get. These include endurance greats, Kid, Loustik, Makonia, Tex, Outlaw Persik, Varoussa, Dynamik, SyIène of Drômme, Melfenik, and Krempolis, to name a few.Persik was imported from the Russian racing stud, Piaygiorsk, at Tiersk, by Jean Cougul along with two mares. In 1972, equestrian tourism was on the rise in the south of France, and riders and park rangers needed horses. According to historians, the stallion Persik, was a stand-out. The 15.3 h, grey was from the Skowronek line, with Nasseen on the paternal side and Arax on the maternal side. Dikarka, great-grandmother to Persik, is the mother of famous Padron in the USA.
The National Park of Cevennes (P.N.C.) was improving their foundation stock and were looking for 'horses having blood and papers'. Yves Richardier was charged with setting up a breeding program for the Park, and he turned to the Arabian to improve the endurance of the horses. He paid 30,000FF (about $6,500) for Persik. To emphasize and to select good lines, the raids (endurance rides) were revived as they had been when the soldiers tested their mounts. The test at Florac was used as an examining ground, and Persik won this 2 day 130 km ride in 1975 and 1975. His breeding program began in 1975 and lasted until 2001, producing 325 foals.
It is documented that Persik had a certain number of morphological qualities which contributed to his success as a champion and breeder, including an excellent skeleton on strong and dense bones, a solid back line supported by strong kidneys, good slope to the shoulders and the croup, good musculature, even after several months of rest, and a good head with the end of the nose downwards, which offered good balance.
Today, the Persik line is fully in evidence on the French team. Emilie Lambert piloted Gourbi, sire Arques Perspex (Persik x Mintze) to 2nd place at the La Baule CEIO in 2003 as well as 9th at Punchestown. She also rides the mare Fidji (El Fabor A Siracuza (by Persik). Jean-Philippe Frances also rides Persik line horses. Denoura Du Barthas is by Persik x Diamidra, and Clément Bonafe rides the mares Fidjy and Griboulle, both out of the Persik mare, Pikardie. Many more Persik line horses are riding endurance trails in Europe...including the 2003 Gold Medal winner at La Baule and at Punchestown, Gimini Courthouse, by Ramoth out of Flame of April by Persik.
A la prochaine fois, Pamela [More to Come]