<< It kind of supprises me since the little I know is
 that the Russian lines are supposed to be very athletic. Although my horse
is
 relatively small (14.2h) he has powerful (but not big) hindquarters and does
 a wonderful extended trot which really covers ground. 
  >>
Yes indeed - these traits are shared by many Egyptians, who are among the
ancestors of many Russian horses.
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