Measuring 1.67cm the French Chestnut stallion "Le Tot De Semilly" is considered amongst one of the greatest progenitors of the Selle Francais Stud Book of today based on his strength, style, suppleness, carefulness and the winning spirit of real showjumpers coupled with an exceptional mind but more importantly passes these qualities onto his progeny.

In 1972 Jules Mesnildrey in Normandie France, in his search for a broodmare turned to "Germain Levallois" the horse tradesman based in the Saint-Lô region. He was presented with the mare "Venue du Tot" a French mare with a great deal of blood, line bred on both dam and sire line to the Thoroughbred stallion "Ultimate xx" a daughter of the "Juriste" out of "Relique" by "Laurier Thyme" "Venue Du Tot" was bred four times before Jules Mesnildy chose the National Haras Selle Francais stallion "Grand Veneur" in 1975, a popular State Stud Stallion as one of France’s leading sires based on the performance of his progeny at the national championships in Fontainebleau. Sire of over 75 Selle Francais stallions and many more in Belgium and across Europe. Grand Veneur was a product of three very important French sire lines, "Amour Du Bois x Le Micoche x and Jus De Pomme by the thoroughbred sire "Orange peel" Veneurs dam Tanagra G (not to be confused by the Tanagra that produced Jalisco B) also produced the two International jumpers "L'Elue de Veneur and O'Veneur"

In 1976 Le Tot De Semilly was born, M Levallois purchased the colt from M Mesnildrey and gave him to his son Eric to ride when the colt came of age. From their first season together, he took centre stage with offers placed on the stallion from around the world, the National Haras were also eagre to purchase this exceptional product. He jumped with a fabulous foreleg technique and often compared to his sire Grand Venuer's progeny as having greater suppleness through his back. Le Tot De Semilly and Eric Levallois as a team made their names in the sport. They won no less than 22 International and 63 National Grand Prix's winning almost 200,000 euros in prize money.

Le Tot De Semilly dedicated his early years to sport and his breeding career did not take off until the age of eight as he slowly gained popularity earning the French Breeders confidence as a potential acclaimed International star, but as he won title after title the French rushed to infuse his blood into their breeding programes, covering over 100 mares a year, the maximum authorised at that time by the National Haras. However such was the demand and popularity that he was granted 150 "Carnet De Saille" covering certifcates each year, with every one being served. Even in 2002 at the age of 26, Le Tot still covered 106 mares placing him 18th most popular stallion in France, while his son, "Diamant de Semilly" took 9th place with 139.

Amongst the mares presented we find "Weihaiwej" an 1984 Oldenburg mare renown world wide for her blue eyes and for her successful show jumping career. She succeeded in all the most important international competitions, winning also two gold medals at the ’94 World Championship in Hague, ridden to success by the German champion Franke Sloothaak who visited him in 1999 and produced the chestnut filly Tai Di San Patrignano later bred to Quidam De Revel in 2004 and Jadis De Toscane in 2005. These bloodlines have now entered the embryo transfer programe of "Haras De Couvains"

Once again Jules Mesnildry went on a quest to find himself another broodmare with different bloodlines that he could breed to "Le Tot De Semilly" and this time Germaine presented him with "Venise Des Cresles" with part of the deal encorporating a free covering to "Le Tot De Semilly". Sadly Venise died giving birth and the colt was given to Germaine to raise with another orphan foal, this colt foal was to become yet another great French Legend "Diamant De Semilly! His owner describe him as "an exceptional showjumper and sire that transmits to his offspring his wonderful canter, his balance, his scope, his strength, his ease and an uncommon suppleness, quoting him as the "dream horse"

Diamant de Semilly like his sire was also ridden by Eric Levallois and together were members of the French gold winning team at the world championships in Jerez and winning the team silver medal at the European championships the following year. In 2002 they won the Team World Champion and 9th in individual place, were Champions of France, and team silver medalists at the 2003 European Championships in Donaueschigen. His great potential has already been revealed in 1999 when he was France's 1st Category Champion at the jumping criterium. Regularly ranked in international classes, Saint-Lô GP CSIB, winner of the Stallion World Championship in 1999 Caen CSIA, preselected for Atlanta Olympic Games 2000, 4th in Lummen and Modena Nations Cups 2001, 8th Munchen and Saint-Lô GP CSIA. 11 clear rounds over 12 in Nations Cups within Rome, Aachen, Donaueschingen.

In 2004, after a good start, winner of Auvers GP CSI, he was short listed for Athens Olympic Games, but because of a tenodinitis was unable to attend. He ended successfully the 2005 show jumping season winning the two Grand Prix CSI*** at Saint-Lô and Caen. In 2006 he placed 3rd at Auvers CSI** Grand Prix, 1st at Pioltello CSI*** Grand Prix, 3rd at Cervia CSI*** Grand Prix, 3rd in the Grand Prix at Normandy Horse Show, ending his career as a showjumper by winning the Grand Prix of Liège CSI****

Other international competitors by Le Tot de Semilly, include Michael Whitaker’s "Ashley" Fabrice Dumartin’s Coppelia de lÉpine, Rodrigo Pessoa’s Gandini Fidji du Fleury, Bolero de Brécey HN, Héloise de Semilly (represented Australia with Jeff Bloomfield at Jerez), Dohitzun Guernica, Étoile du Château, Fétiche du Pas, Fidélio de Ravel and Elkintot, who represented Italy at Jerez.

Diamant De Semilly was yet another Selle Francais stallion that was approved into the Holstein Studbook, and in 2007 his son "Diarado" bred by Tinghold Horses in Denmark, out of a Coraddo x Contender mare made world wide headlines selling for over 1 million euros purchased in partnership by the "Holstein Verband, Paul Schokemohle and Van Uteryt in Holland. Gaining the title of "Holstein Supreme Champion par excellence" at his stallion licensing and described as "ravishingly handsome and a genius over the jump, brilliant in his type, superior in his appearance and extremely precious in his bloodlines A winning stallion from top to toe combined with fantastic movements and a jet black coat. His abilities seem endless – effortless, quick and superior with an ideal bascule" He was the topic of every conversation at the Holstein stallion approvals. Like pearls on a string he combines the big names of the Holstein breeding through his dam which is by the outstanding sire Corrado out of a Contender-Lord-Ramiro dam. Amongst the highly successful descendants of the grand Holstein lineage 318 d2 are the international show jumpers Cabrio/Toni Hassmann, Morales/Dr. Michael Ruping and numerous licensed stallions such as Corofino I and II, Coriano, Crawford, Chello I and II as well as the licensing-champion Camiros. Coupled with the blood of "Le Tot De Semilly it is hardly surprising that Diarado's entry stud feee was set at 1500 euros and in 2008 covered over 1000 mares! His progeny have very much been in demand selling for excellent prices at the elite auctions across Europe.

In more recent years in the competition field it is the AES licensed stallion son of Diamant De Semilly "Eurocommerce Vancouver" approved by the KWPN the following year, that has shown good success. His dam is a purebreed Anglo-Arab thoroughbred with, according to the rule, her percentage of Arabian blood accurately in two decimal points after her name. Perpétua du Crocq 45.21 % is out of Fangio AA who is a son of the legendary Arlequin AA- also a sire to the Oldenburg show jumper progenitor Zeus. Perpétua’s dam Vertu AA produced, with Rif du Crocq and Véloce de Favi, two licensed stallions and, the international show jumpers Hélios of Patrick Caron and Nabab de Mouliot. In his performance report he had a 9 for scope and an 8.5 for jumping aptitude whereby he was not only the best of the those specially bred for jumping but he also came throught the test as the overal champion. His perfoemance results from 2004 to 2008 include, 1st Grand Prix 1.50m Rogge, 5th Best Stallion qualification Zwolle NE, 2nd Stallioncompetition 1.40m Den Bosch, 8th International competition 1.45m La Coruna ESP 2007, 6th International competition 1.50m La Coruna ESP 2007, 7th International competition 1.50m Rotterdam NED 2007, 9th International competition 1.50m Arezzo ITA 2007, 4th Best Stallion qualifiaction Zwolle NED 2007, 4th Stallion Show KWPN 1.40m Den Bosch NED 2007, 4th Dutch Champion Mierlo NED 2006, 2nd 2nd round Dutch Champion Mierlo NED 2006, 3rd Grand Prix 1.50m Hengelo NED 2006, 7th CSI 1.50m Verona ITA 2005, 6th CSI 1.40m Verona ITA 2005, 3rd CSI 1.50m Valkenswaard NED 2005, 10th Grand Prix 1.60m Geesteren NED 2005, 2nd VHO Trofee 1.40m Den Bosch NED 2005, 7th CSI 1.45m Amsterdam NED 2005, 1st International stallion competition 1.50m Hengelo NED 2004, 4th CSI 1.50m Verona ITA 2004, 5th Grand Prix 1.60m Valkenswaard NED 2004, 6th International competition 1.50m Valkenswaard FRA 2004, 1st CSI 1.30m Zwolle NED 2004, 1st National stallion competition Denekamp NED 2004

Photos courtesy of Haras De Couvains