Geordi Byrne and Callaho Sequoia Vella have had a cracking show so far, placing second in the 1.35m A2 on day one and winning the 1.40m two-phase on day two! The pair made their debut in the 1.40s at the SA Derby last year, and are proving to be formidable contenders at the top level of the sport; it surely won’t be long before we see them venturing into the 1.50m classes.
Callaho Sequoia Vella was one of the top sellers on the 2019 Callaho Auction, and has been carefully produced up the grades by Geordi. She is a nine-year-old mare by the unforgettable Callaho’s Sampras (Stakkato x Liberio H x Calypso II). Sampras was known affectionately as ‘Pete’ and had incredible success under the saddle of Lorette Knowles-Taylor, winning several 1.40m classes before his untimely passing at just eleven years of age. Sequioa Vella was one of the first Sampras progeny to be sold on auction, alongside Sigmund who jumped in the Open classes with George Coutlis last year. Sampras also sired Callaho Sha Rukh Khan who placed third in today’s 1.30m class, as well as a handful of other 1.40-1.50m horses based in Europe. On the upcoming auction you will find Sequoia Vella’s full brother, Callaho Supa Vella, as well as the flashy broodmare, Solada (Sampras x Concreto x Polydor) who is in foal to Innovation X.
Sequoia Vella’s dam is Lola Vella, who is by one of South Africa’s top and most sought after showjumping sires Callaho’s Lissabon, out of a Raphael mare. Lola Vella has also produced Callaho Chivello (Chiletto) who jumped up to 1.30m with Reine Marshall, Callaho Cavella (Catoki) who recently jumped her first 1.20m with Lisa Williams, and the five year old Conte Vella (Contendro I) who was purchased off last year’s auction and is being expertly produced by Graham Winn for Elsie Parkin.
Geordi and Callaho Sequoia Vella are certainly a partnership to keep an eye on for the future!