Quote:
Personally, I think the real key to success is in making choices combining pedigree AND phenotype.


That goes without saying (which is why I didn't mention it).

It would be stupid to choose a horse based on pedigree if he didn't have correct conformation (but a lot of people do that).

It would also be stupid to choose a horse based on phenotype without regard to pedigree (and a lot of people do that, too).

Personally, I select a horse based on phenotype first, and if the horse passes my criteria, then I will research further. If the horse doesn't have good conformation, I look no further.

You do not need both for a horse to be successful.

A look at some of the winning performance horses will tell you that phenotype wasn't the first selection criteria. I also know quite a few cowhorse breeders that choose their breeding animals based solely on pedigree.

Some winning horses don't have a close proven pedigree behind them, so that will tell you that horse wasn't chosen because of pedigree.