CHERRY CREEK CANADIANS

1. Thomas de Viger Bloodline

Also called the Viger line (pronounced as "V-jay", not "vigger"). Until recently, this bloodline used to be the most prevalent.

This line derives from a bay stallion, Thomas de Viger (#3393) foaled June 2, 1947. This horse was bred by Gilbert E. Arnold of Grenville QC and owned by Jean-Baptiste Gagnon. Thomas de Viger was sired by Thomas (#2334) a black stallion, and his dam was Sarcelle de Cap Rouge (#2264), a black mare.

One of Thomas de Viger's sons, Arnoldwold Viger (#3770), a black, can be found in the pedigree of nearly all stallions of the Viger line. Arnoldwold Viger had a succession of different owners until 1971, when at the age of eleven, he was purchased for use in the breeding program at Deschambaults, QC. He resided there until his death in 1979. More refined and elegant than any of the stallions previously used at Deschambaults, this stallion was very prepotent and was consistently able to pass his quality and traits on to his offspring. Proof of this was the fact that in 1978, more than 25% of the "Class A" stallions in Quebec were sired by him.

Arnoldwold Viger sired three stallions in particular, which were used frequently due to their size, appearance, good looks, and dispositions: La Gorgendiere Viger Coco (#4040), La Gorgendiere Viger Duc (#4049), and La Gorgendiere Viger Fablo (#4125). (La Gorgendiere being pronounced like: "La" "Gore-john-dee-air" by the way.)

These three stallions were all full brothers out of the same mare, La Gorgendiere Miquette (#3891). Interestingly, they each had different characteristics and were quite dissimilar looking in appearance. Of the three, Coco was a slightly taller, more finely built, leggier horse. Fablo was a tall, large boned, and rather angular looking horse. Although he himself was not the most handsome looking Canadian, he seemed to be able to consistently throw very typey, although sometimes taller, offspring. Of the three, Duc was the most typey representative of a Canadian Horse, and was a true jet black. He was very handsome and had a striking "pointed together at the tips" ear set which often can be found in his offspring. All three of these stallions were very prepotent and tended to consistently pass on their conformation, calm and quiet natures, and good dispositions to their offspring. As of 1998, all three of these venerable stallions have died.

The second son of Thomas de Viger was Tonka Wonka (#3738), a chestnut stallion. He sired only one son, Walken Wonka Nimrod (#4578), a black foaled in 1981 and who remains alive today. This stallion is basically unrelated to all of the other Viger stallions of today, but unfortunately is seldom used. We had heard rumors that this horse was oversized however when seen in person, it was quite obvious that this was an undeserved reputation. In reality, he is a very nice looking and kind stallion who unfortunately has been used all too infrequently for breeding by mare owners. This is very unfortunate as he is now quite aged, and this unique branch of the Viger line may soon be lost if breeders do not make a concerted effort to bring quality Canadian mares to him. At present Nimrod has only one son standing at stud.

The last two sons of Thomas de Viger were Prince Zola (#3582), who had no male offspring, and Arnoldwold Larry (#3718). This horse had only one son, Ewenbrae Larry Prince (#3991) who had no surviving male offspring.

In general, our observation has been that Viger horses are truly "Canadian" in appearance, and usually have very nice, sensible temperaments. Although still quite numerous, the Viger line is gradually becoming less common due to the increasing prevalence of the Brio or Fox line.

Other Information:

For photos of some of the horses from the Viger bloodline, see the Canadian Horse Stallion website set up by Anne Belanger of Ferme Franchere:  http://groups.msn.com/2p0/lignviger.msnw