British Breeder Magazine December 2021

BRITISH 

BREEDER 

December 2021 

What a Year! 

British Bred Success 

in 2021 

Futurity reports 

The Equine Bridge & 

Stallion Event - An 

Extravaganza for 

British Breeders 

Features: 

Studbook Reports 

Vet insight: 

EHV – The Risk has 

not gone away 

WBFSH: 

Sire Rankings 

BRITISH BREEDER| 1

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PAYING ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS THAT COUNT 

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2 | BRITISH BREEDER 

EXPERTS IN STUD NUTRITION. For problem solving advice 

Tel: +44 (0)1371 850247 (option 2) nutrition@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

May Issue - Index 

Welcome from the editor 

Cover 

Myspires Emilgo Pro, by Comilfo Plus Z 

out of Equina B, earned Elite at Writtle 

with breeder, Lianne Verity. 

Production 

Designed and Produced by 

Horse IT Ltd & Solutions Website Design 

Subscriptions & Contacts 

If you would like to ensure you never miss a copy 

please contact: info@british-breeding to subscribe. 

Editorial: 

Rachael Holdsworth 

Email: rachael@holdsworthpr.co.uk 

Telephone: 01903 891637 

Advertising Sales: 

Contact: Sasha Melia: 07799 701521 

Email: britishbreeding@gmail.com 

Production: 

Jane Marson: jane@horseit.com 

Telephone: 01394 450850 

Legal Notice 

We have ensured to the best of our ability that at the 

time of going to print the information in this 

publication is up to date. All advertising and editorial 

content is supplied by third parties and all design and 

layout remains the property of British Breeding and 

cannot be reproduced in print, digital or any other 

format without advanced permission. 

Copyright All rights reserved. No part of this 

publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval 

system, transmitted, in any form or by any means, 

without the prior written permission of the copyright 

holder, British Breeding of Great Britain, nor be 

otherwise circulated in any form or binding or cover 

other than that in which it is published. 

As the year comes to a close, we are 

faced with yet more uncertainty with the 

number of covid cases on the rise again 

and the question of renewed restrictions 

still hanging over us. 

Yet there is much to celebrate this festive 

season, as we reflect on a year that 

began under strict lockdown conditions 

but evolved into an equestrian golden 

story for our top athletes. 

We take a look at some of the Futurity 

graduates that have excelled at the 

top of their sport this year. Those now 

achieving success were assessed in the 

early days of the Futurity programme, 

and we are now starting to see more 

British riders on British bred horses 

competing at the highest level. It can 

only be a matter of time before that 

includes Olympic and World 

Championships. 

It is positive news that British Dressage 

are leading the way in adopting a rule 

change to ensure its members have 

their horses registered with the Central 

Equine Database (CED), supplied and 

managed by the Equine Register on 

behalf of DEFRA. This is a move that 

Contents 

4-8 

10-13 

14-23 

24-37 

38 

40-43 

46-47 

48-55 

56-58 

62-63 

64-65 

would be well adopted by other 

disciplines, helping to improve the 

welfare and traceability of horses, as 

well as encouraging more owners to 

recognise and record their horse’s 

breeding. 

As we finish this magazine, we are all 

systems go for our biggest event ever 

– the combined Equine Bridge, Stallion 

Event, Futurity Awards and Masterclass 

with Isobel Wessels. This promises to 

be an extravaganza of all things British 

Breeding and an event not to be missed 

with something for everyone whether 

you are a breeder, owner or rider. 

I look forward to seeing you there. 

The Next issue of British Breeder 

Magazine will be published in January, 

featuring the Stallions that will be shown 

at the Stallion Event and horses entered 

for the Equine Bridge. All submissions 

for inclusion in this issue must be 

received by the final copy date – 

Monday 17th January. 

I wish you all a very happy New Year. 

Rachael 

Discipline and Breeding News 

British Bred Success in 2021 

Futurity Report – Physical venues 

Virtual Futurity Report 

Auction Report 

Stallion Event & Equine Bridge 

Feature - WBFSH Sire Rankings 

Studbook News 

Veterinary Insight - EHV: The Risk Hasn't Gone Away 

Product Feature – Blue Light Benefits Pregnant Mares 

Product Focus 

BRITISH BREEDER| 3

News 

Arko III Clone is Born 

The birth of a clone to international show 

jumping legend, Arko III, was 

announced in August. The Arko clone 

is the combined efforts of UK based 

genetic preservation company, Gemini 

Genetics, and their partner and world 

leader in animal cloning, ViaGen Pets 

and Equine. Arko’s clone will enable his 

legacy to continue after his sad passing 

earlier this year. 

By the world famous Argentinus, out 

of Unika, Arko III was the Number 1 

Showjumper in Europe in 2004, 2005 

and 2006. His earnings are over £1,2M 

and in addition to his impressive show 

jumping achievements, he is also the sire 

of many world class horses including 

stallions Argento and Aristio. 

Arko’s owners, Pat, John and Lisa Hales 

of Shaw Farm stud, commented ‘it was 

an extremely sad day for our family 

when we lost Arko, he was truly a horse 

of a life time. The birth of his clone was 

very emotional. We believe it is not only 

exciting for our sport worldwide but 

especially for the future of Great British 

breeding for years to come. We look 

forward to breeding many more 

champions from this wonderful 

bloodline.’ 

The Hales family are internationally 

renowned for their successes with Arko 

III and his influence on equine sport and 

breeding. They have been awarded 

numerous accolades over Arko III’s 

career while Arko himself was crowned 

British Equestrian Showjumper of the 

Year on an unprecedented five 

occasions. 

Arko’s clone was generated from a small 

skin sample from Arko original that was 

genetically preserved by UK based 

genetic preservation company, Gemini 

Genetics. Founded and sister company 

to world leading equine semen 

collection and distribution centre, Stallion 

AI Services, Gemini Genetics is a newly 

established animal genetic preservation 

company, specialised in regenerative 

genetic banking and partnered with US 

based cloning company, ViaGen Pets & 

Equine. Lucy Morgan, manager of 

Gemini Genetics, undertook the 

preservation. ‘We are thrilled at the 

successful birth of Arko’s clone. A 

much-loved stallion in terms of his 

outstanding performances and his 

unique and full of life character, it is 

brilliant to have enabled his cloning so 

that his outstanding legacy can continue. 

Gemini Genetics are thrilled and highly 

privileged to have facilitated this 

amazing revival of Arko III via his 

genetic twin’. 


Arko at the 2004 Athens Olympics 

Genetic preservation and cloning can 

enable the revival of once in a lifetime 

horses and other performance animals, 

in addition to breeding from geldings 

and preservation and regeneration of 

females. Other famous horses to have 

been cloned include Cruising, gelding 

Gem Twist and eventing stallion Chilli 

Morning. The technology can also be 

used to support rare breed populations 

as well as being available for cat and 

dog owners. 

Once preserved by Gemini Genetics, the 

valuable tissue sample was shipped to 

their partner cloning company, ViaGen 

Pets & Equine, who completed the 

cloning process. 

Blake Russell, president of ViaGen Pets 

& Equine, commented, “Here at ViaGen 

Pets and Equine, each project is truly 

special. Over the last 15 years of 

bringing our technology to clients 

around the world, we have enjoyed an 

amazing opportunity to share each 

special journey with our clients. With 

more than a thousand healthy, cloned 

foals delivered to clients now, each foal 

represents a unique story, and each 

project brings unbelievable joy and 

enthusiasm.’ 

For further information on genetic 

preservation and cloning, visit Gemini 

Genetics via www.gemingenetics.com ; 

in association with ViaGen Pets & Equine 

https://www.viagenpets.com and the 

charity Nature’s SAFE, 

https://www.natures-safe.com 

BD Announced the 

passing of Linda 

Whetstone and 

New Interim Chair 

As we go to press we learned of the 

sudden passing of British Dressage 

Chairman, Linda Whetstone, on 15 

December 2021 at the age of 79. An 

obituary will appear in our next issue. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with 

Linda’s family and friends. 

The British Dressage Board of 

Directors convened for an emergency 

virtual meeting this morning 

following the news. The Board 

collectively expressed their sadness at 

the news, conveying their condolences 

to Linda’s family and friends, while 

paying their personal respects and 

tributes to Linda to mark the extraordinary 

contribution she made to the 

sport. 

Directors discussed options for the 

position of Chairman on an interim 

basis, and agreed a short-term 

appointment should be made from 

within the Board to cover the role 

during the first half of 2022. 

BD Finance Director Caroline Godfrey 

was unanimously voted into the role 

of Interim Chairman with immediate 

effect, on the basis that this would be a 

temporary arrangement only to allow 

sufficient time for a permanent 

successor to be elected by members. 

The late Linda Whetstone Chair of BD 

BD Interim Chair Caroline Godfrey

News 

BD Lead the 

Way with CED 

Registration Rule 

British Dressage (BD) is encouraging its 

members, as responsible horse owners, 

to help ensure greater data accuracy, 

traceability and biosecurity of the 

national equine herd by making sure 

their equines are listed on the Central 

Equine Database as a requirement of 

BD horse registration process from 1 

January 2022. 

It is a requirement by law that all equines 

living in the UK are registered on the 

CED, which currently contains over 1.5 

million records. The CED is designed to 

protect all British equines and their 

owners by providing the national core 

data that underpins essential services, 

such as equine lifetime traceability, 

biosecurity, disease surveillance and 

control, food chain security, animal 

welfare, fraud prevention and border 

security. Owners and riders can check if 

their horses are already listed by using 

the National ChipChecker - if your 

horse appears when searched, it's got a 

record. Most horses with a UK passport 

and microchip should be listed as the 

PIO will have passed the info over to the 

CED. 

BD are also strongly recommending that 

members sign up to Equine Register’s 

Digital Stable to facilitate this process 

and ensure your records are correct and 

up to date. This also helps to provide 

more effective traceability and bio-security 

measures to protect horse welfare. 

The Digital Stable provides a secure link 

to the Central Equine Database (CED), 

supplied and managed by the Equine 

Register on behalf of the Department 

of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

(DEFRA). Members will be able to create 

their ‘Digital Stable’, which will show the 

data held on the CED about them and all 

the horses officially recorded as being 

owned by them. 

As well as the data held, the Digital 

Stable enables users to record the 

location of their owned equines and 

their vaccination status (both current and 

historic). This information supports 

traceability and biosecurity protecting 

you and your horses from infectious 

diseases through live targeted national 

disease alerts that are relevant. 

To get started, members simply need to 

create a free account online. For user 

safety, this process requires verification 

of identity, using the same state-of-theart 

secure digital verification systems 

used by banks, governments and the 

NHS. This protects the users and their 

equine data from criminals who might 

try to impersonate them online to make 

fraudulent claims. 

The secure ID verification process only 

happens once as part of the registration 

process. Please note that this data is only 

used to verify your identity and as soon 

as the process is completed, the 

information supplied is deleted and not 

stored. 

Once sign up with the Digital Stable has 

been completed, users will be invited to 

download the free Digital Stable App 

to your mobile phone, where owned 

equine information will be automatically 

available as a secure online record, 

referred to as ‘digital passport/ 

smartcard’. This Smartcard can then be 

checked at BD venues and events to 

underpin biosecurity and help protect 

competitors and their equines when they 

compete. 

The need for accurate national data was 

highlighted by the Equine Influenza 

outbreak in 2019, which affected so 

many BD competitions, as well as the 

Equine Herpes outbreak in Europe 

earlier this year. The use of Equine 

Register’s systems by BD Members will 

help keep BD competitions, competitors 

and equines safe and play an important 

role in the protection of all UK equines. 

British Dressage’s Chief Executive Jason 

Brautigam commented; “Creating an 

alliance with the Central Equestrian 

Database and Equine Register as 

been one of our aims since it was first 

launched. In leading the way with 

requiring registration, BD is acting in the 

best interests of the national herd, as well 

as keeping members and their horses 

safe, while helping them to fulfil their 

legal obligations as horse owners. 

The requirement is in place from the New 

Year, although there will be a gradual 

phasing in over the course of 2022 to 

allow members sufficient time to adapt 

to the new process. It’s quick and easy to 

get started and already being used by 

horse owners across the UK. 

Thank you to members for embracing this 

additional requirement, you’re helping to 

be a trailblazer on this important step in 

equine welfare.” 

Time to check 

Transporter 

Authorisations 

The Animal and Plant Health Agency 

(APHA) is reminding all animal 

transporters to check the expiry date of 

their current transporter authorisation 

and apply for renewal at the earliest 

possible opportunity, to ensure continued 

authorisation. Transporter authorisations 

are valid for 5 years, and a significant 

number are due for renewal in 2022. 

UK transporter authorisations are 

required for those transporting animals, 

as part of an economic activity, on 

journeys over 65km within, from, to and 

through GB. Transporter authorisations 

apply to, amongst others, those who 

move horses within Great Britain in 

connection with professional riding, 

livery and stabling. They also apply to 

those moving horses for the purposes of 

animal rescue and/or charities. 

There are two types of transporter 

authorisation; Type 1 (short journey) 

which are required for journeys over 

65km and up to 8 hours in duration and 

Type 2 (long journey) which are required 

for those transporting animals for 

journeys over 8 hours. 

In order to comply with current welfare in 

transport regulations, animal transporters 

must submit an application to renew their 

authorisation. Failure to do so risks heavy 

penalties if transporters are found to be 

operating without valid authorisation. 

Renewal application packs are available 

from APHA’s Welfare in Transport team, 

who are also available to discuss any 

queries or for details of how to apply for 

a UK issued transporter authorisation. 

Further information on Transporter 

Authorisations can be found on 

GOV.UK. 

BRITISH BREEDER| 5

News 

Highway Code 

Review SI laid in 

Parliament 

1st December 

An SI (statutory instrument) has been 

laid in Parliament (1st December) 

covering a number of changes to the 

Highway Code. The Government 

initially promised to review the 

Highway Code in November 2018 in 

response to the Cycling and Walking 

Investment Strategy Safety Review. 

The Government launched a 

consultation on the amendments of the 

Highway Code review in July 2020, 

which are specifically designed to 

benefit walkers, cyclists, and 

equestrians. 

The BHS has been part of the Highway 

Code Stakeholders Focus Group to 

ensure that horse riders have been 

represented as vulnerable road users 

in the review of the Highway Code 

consultation. 

BEVA celebrates 60th Birthday 

with 60 faces and some cake 

As part of its 60th birthday celebrations 

on 18thNovember, BEVA highlighted 

60 exceptional individuals who have 

had an impact on the equine veterinary 

sector. BEVA asked horse owners to join 

in too, celebrating by sharing birthday 

cakes with their vet or veterinary 

practice. 

“Our 60 faces initiative celebrates some 

of the many outstanding people who 

have left an indelible mark on the 

profession and whose actions 

complement BEVA’s work in 

championing progress and/or diversity” 

explained BEVA President Huw Griffiths. 

As nominated by BEVA members, the list 

of 60 faces showcases those who have 

truly inspired, influenced and progressed 

the equine veterinary profession for 

the better. The faces range from16th 

Century humanist Thomas Blundeville to 

21st Century social media entrepreneur 

Ebony Escalona. 

BEVA’s official birthday on 18th 

November – the date BEVA held its first 

meeting back in 1961. Each of the 60 

faces were also highlighted on the BEVA 

website. 

“It was a really tough challenge to 

whittle the list down to 60 people as all 

of the nominees were exceptional 

individuals,” said Huw. “The list 

showcases some of the best-known 

names in the industry as well as some 

heroes whose stories are less well known 

or who have been consigned to history. 

“It’s not a “Top 60”, nor are all the faces 

vets, but it does highlight the breadth of 

people who have impacted what we 

do”. 

Check out the 60 Faces here: 

https://www.beva.org.uk/60-Faces 

The BHS Dead Slow campaign 

messaging about how to pass 

horses safely on the roads has been 

proposed, as well as reducing the 

advisory speed to pass a horse from 

15 mph to 10 mph. Also included is 

how to pass feral/semi feral horses 

on Exmoor, Dartmoor and the New 

Forest, and advice for equestrians to 

take the BHS Ride Safe award. 

Now the proposal has been laid to 

Parliament, the measures are subject to 

a 40-day approval process. If 

approved they will start to apply to 

road users at the end of January 2022. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/ 

consultations/review-of-the-highwaycode-to-improve-road-safety-for-cyclists-pedestrians-and-horse-riders 

Every day for a month, two faces were 

released on BEVA’s social media 

channels as part of the build-up to 

6 | BRITISH BREEDER

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BRITISH BREEDER| 7

News 

Ben Maher & 

Explosion pick up 

awards 

Ben Maher and Explosion W both picked 

up awards at the Horse & Hound Awards 

2021 in partnership with NAF. 

After the 2020 virtual awards, the 

sponsors and guests were all excited to 

return to a glittering in-person 

celebration, held on 1st December at 

Cheltenham racecourse. More than 250 

people attended, with celebrities from 

across the equestrian world present. 

Explosion W picked up the Bloomfields 

Horse of the Year Award whilst Ben won 

the NAF Five Star Magic Moment of the 

Year award for his and Explosion W’s 

exceptional performance at Tokyo 2020 

which saw them win Individual Gold. 

Other winners included World Class 

Performance Director, Dickie Waygood, 

for his outstanding contribution and 

Olympic Eventing medallist Tom 

McEwen. The full list of winners were: 

Bloomfields Horse of the Year: 

Explosion W 

Stallion AI Services Pony of the Year: 

Redwings Phoenix 

Uvex Helmets Professional Rider of the 

Year: Tom McEwen 

Pikeur Amateur Rider of the Year: 

Lauren Innes 

NAF Five Star Magic Moment of the Year: 

Ben Maher winning Olympic gold 

Tommy Hilfiger Equestrian Young Rider of 

the Year: Ruby Hughes 

NAF Five Star PROFEET Farrier of the 

Year: Chris Bailey 

Horse Dialog Equestrian Club of the Year: 

Stoneleigh 

Absorbine Groom of the Year: 

Tilly Hughes 

Dengie Volunteer of the Year: 

Adrian Bigg 

Baileys Horse Feeds Vet of the Year: 

Elizabeth Frew 

Outstanding Contribution: 

Dickie Waygood 

Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement: 

Allister Hood 

British Equestrian performance director 

Dickie Waygood accepts the NAF Five Star 

Magic Moment of the Year 

award on behalf 

of Ben Maher. 

Photo Peter Nixon 

Horse & Hound 

British Equestrian’s Young Professionals Programme 

welcomes new cohort of aspiring equestrian entrepreneurs 

British Equestrian has inducted a fifth 

cohort into its Young Professionals 

Programme, which aims to help young 

people build a wider skill set to support 

their personal and career development in 

the equestrian industry. 

The 12-month Young Professionals 

Programme, which is delivered in 

collaboration with British Dressage, British 

Eventing and British Showjumping, has 

been running since 2017 and is open to 

young people who have recently set up 

an equestrian business or are planning to 

do so in the near future. The programme is 

built around a series of interactive 

workshops with specialist speakers, 

covering a broad range of topics essential 

to running any business. These include 

putting together contracts, understanding 

employment law, conflict management, 

insurance and finances, and building a 

personal brand. 

This cohort’s first workshop was held on 

Monday 15 November at Hogarths Hotel 

in Solihull. Georgie Wheeler, who 

oversees the running of the programme, 

began the day by delivering a brief 

introduction that gave participants a taste 

of what they can expect from the next 12 

months. 

In the morning session, successful London 

salon owner Ricky Walters shared the 

journey of growing his business and 

creating a unique concept in SALON64 – 

part salon, part cocktail bar, part 

comfortable place to fix your make-up 

and charge your phone. Ricky talked 

about the lessons that he’s learned along 

the way, including the importance of 

creating a business model that stands out 

in a saturated industry and how to create 

added value for customers in order to 

increase revenue. 

In the afternoon, Jane Holden from the 

English Institute of Sport led a personal 

development planning session, where 

participants were asked to think about 

what they need to do in order to achieve 

their aspirations and to consider their 

identity as a person, athlete and potential 

business owner. By understanding their 

values, strengths and purpose, they can 

begin to drive decision-making and take 

steps towards their goals and life 

fulfilment. 

“I set up my own business a few years 

ago now, and now it’s time to look at 

improvements and what I can do to make 

it better,” explained Saffron Creswell, who 

joins the programme this year. “Today has 

been really, really beneficial. I love what 

we did this morning – getting an insight 

into Ricky and how he’s managed to make 

it work. Obviously it’s very personal, but 

getting ideas is always helpful. In terms 

of the personal development session, 

working out what’s important to me is 

going to help me progress my business. 

I’ve never really looked at my values so 

specifically – I probably know them deep 

down and use them every day, but being 

able to channel them is going to help with 

decision-making and working with horses, 

owners and everything else.” 

David Hamer, Head of Performance 

Pathways, commented: “The equestrian 

industry, like so many others, has faced 

severe disruption and uncertainty as a 

result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, 

more than ever, we need to deliver 

initiatives like the Young Professionals 

Programme to young people who are 

transitioning into the equestrian workforce, 

so they get the support and help they 

need to shape and formulate their career 

and business aspirations. “We know that 

the majority of equestrian athletes need to 

support their sporting aspirations with a 

viable business, so this programme offers 

a bespoke and unique process of support 

and education to enable these young 

people to do this alongside training and 

competition.” 

8 | BRITISH BREEDER

WINTER WELL WITH 

RE-COVERY MASH 

INCREASE 

FIBRE & 

WATER 

INTAKE 

YEAR ROUND SUPPORT 

Feed as and when needed during changes of season, especially during 

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To support change of routine 

Post training & competing 

Following Foaling 

While sick or convalescing 

For reduced turnout or box rest 

For nutrition advice or further information on our feeds 

please call +44 (0)1622 718487 

Email: info@saracenhorsefeeds.co.uk 

or visit www.saracenhorsefeeds.com 

WORKING WITH 

NEW 1.5KG 

TRAVEL POUCH 

BRITISH BREEDER| 9

News - British Breeding Success 

British Team & individual success at FEI European Championships 2021, Avanches 

WHAT A YEAR THAT WAS! BRITISH BRED SUCCESS IN 2021 

What an incredible rollercoaster of a 

ride we have all had following 

equestrian sport in 2021. From the 

uncertainty of events in the shadow 

of the pandemic, to the euphoria of 

Olympic and Championship success, 

owners, riders and breeders and their 

horses have shown a determination to 

overcome adversity and deliver their 

best performances. 

Home grown success is special, and one 

of the highlights of this year was 

watching Sarah Bullimore ride her 

diminutive home-bred, Carouet, to take 

individual bronze and team gold medals 

at the FEI European Eventing 

Championships in Avenches, 

Switzerland. The call up achieved a 

rare feat for Sarah, whose last European 

team appearance in 2015 was with 

Carouet’s dam, Lilly Corrine (Lovis 

Corinth). The 15.2hh Carouet, known as 

Elfie, was Lilly’s first offspring and was 

born by embryo transfer, by Balou Du 

Rouet who also sired Sarah’s prolific 5* 

campaigner, Reve Du Rouet. 

“He thinks he’s 18.2hh and has a huge 

stride,” Sarah told Horse & Hound. “ 


You just have to remember before you 

leap off as if you’re on a big one and 

smack your feet on the floor! 

Carouet graduated through the British 

Breeding Futurity evaluations, earning an 

Elite score as a foal in 2011. 

“Elfie always had such presence – he 

was a confident, cocky little devil, very 

sure of himself. But all Lilly’s offspring 

have been lovely to back and break 

in. I think it helps they spend their early 

days in a field next to the school, so they 

watch and learn. 

Sarah Bullimore on Carouet

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“At the time I was starting him, I was 

looking for other horses for owners too. 

I looked at hundreds and kept coming 

back and seeing him on the lunge or 

long-reining and thinking there was 

nothing out there even half as good as 

this. He might be a couple of inches 

smaller than most, but the quality has 

always been there.” 

Boyd Martin riding On Cue 

Corouet was a reserve nominated entry 

for the Tokyo Olympics earlier this year 

and his recent results include third in 

the CCI4*-L at Burnham Market last 

autumn, sixth in the CCI4*-L at Bicton 

Horse Trials this June and second in the 

CCI4*-S at Burgham. 

Ros Canter has had a great season with 

Lordships Graffalo, by Grafenstolz out 

of Cornish Queen (Rock King). Bred by 

the Lordships Stud at Writtle University, 

Graffalo earned a high Gold score in 

the Futurity as both a foal and when he 

returned as a 2 year old. 

Now owned by Michele Saul, Lordships 

Graffalo, known as Walter, has been 

with Ros since he was a 3 year old and 

is quite a character. In May last year, 

Ros told her facebook fans that Walter is 

the yard clown. 

“[He is] completely unique! This boy 

is an entertainer. Apart from loving his 

sleep, he is a practical joker and makes 

us laugh! I always say that if the world 

was ending, Walter would be the last 

man standing. However, he is also 

extremely talented and is a beautiful 

model of an event horse. Pretty in the 

dressage, fast and brave cross country 

and careful and scopey SJ. I can’t wait 

to step him up to 4 star!” 

William Fox-Pitt riding Grafennacht 

She achieved this in September 2020 

when the pair finished second in the 

CSI-S 4* for 8/9 year olds at Burnham 

Market, and have gone on to achieve 

top 3 placing at 4* this year. Their top 

results for 2021 include 2nd 

Blenheim CCI4*-L (double clear), 1st 

Blair CCI4*-S (double clear), 3rd 

Somerford (2) OI (double clear), 2nd 

Bicton CCI4*-L (double clear) and 1st 

Aston-le-Walls (2) CCI4*-S (double 

clear). 

“He’s the nicest horse I’ve ever ridden 

cross-country because he goes as fast 

as you want him to go and when you 

sit up he slows down in balance,” Ros 

told Horse & Hound after her copybook 

cross country round at Blenheim. “He 

was on it today – he didn’t bat an eyelid 

at the people, and made it feel easy 

which is exciting”. 

12 | BRITISH BREEDER


Ros Canter on Lordships Graffalo 

Grafennacht as a foal 

Pencos Crown Jewel 

A half sister and stable mate to 

Lordships Graffalo, Pencos Crown Jewel, 

by Jumbo out of Cornish Queen is also 

achieving success with Ros. Known 

as Jasmine, she was bred by Penny 

Wallace and gained an Elite Futurity 

score as a foal in 2009 and consistent 

high gold scores as a yearling, 2 and 3 

year old. Owner, Annie Makin, bought 

her at 6 months old, and took the risk of 

having two ETs from her before she was 

backed because she thought she was 

something special. Pencos Crown Jewel 

was 7th and the Best British bred in a 

58 strong class at Osberton 5 year old 

championships. Now owned by Annie 

and Kate James, she has crept up the 

levels and made her 5* debut at Bicton 

in September, delighting all her 

connections to finish 4th. 

Maryland 5* winner, On Cue, ridden 

by Boyd Martin, is British bred by Alyse 

Clancey and her daughter Jolyse 

Bell-Syer. Alyse developed the ‘On 

Horses’ breeding programme, which 

started with Augermist, a mare by the 

Hannovarian, Augermann, out of a TB 

mare, Gay Emma (St Elmo). Purchased 

with potential for dressage, the mare’s 

talent was in crossing the country and 

she went on to complete Badminton, and 

Burghley 4* Event clear three times. 

On Cue, by the Selle Franacais 

showjumping stallion, Cabri D’ Elle, out 

of On High, by Primitive Rising, is the 

great granddaughter of Augermist. Born 

in 2006, On Cue graded First Premium 

with BEF Futurity in 2007 with 8.26 / 10 

Eventing and 8.16 / 10 in Show 

Jumping. As a Yearling she had two 

outings in-hand showing, standing 

second in the Bramham Young Event 

Horse Class, ad third in the Hunter Class 

Great Yorkshire Show. Cue was just out 

of the top ten at the Burghley Young 

Event Horse Finals in 2011 after doing a 

lovely test, and jumping clear. 

With Four Event outings in 2011 and 

three outings 2012, she was competing 

at novice level and proving to be bold 

and honest, and consistently good in all 

phases. 

On Cue was sold to Sinead Halpin in the 

USA and won their first event across the 

pond in 2012. Boyd Martin took over 

the ride in 2019 and the combination 

had success through the levels, finishing 

4th at the Land Rover Kentucky CCI5*-L 

in April and winning the USEA AEC 

$60,000 ACH in August. Their 

Maryland 5* win made history, 

breaking a 13 year drought since an 

American has stood on top of the 

podium at a 5* event. 

William Fox-Pitt rode the “super-easy” 

mare, Grafennacht, to second place at 

the Boekelo CCI4*-L in the 

Netherlands, leading the way for the 

British team to secure victory in the 

final leg of the FEI Eventing Nations 

Cup. Amanda Gould’s 9 year old, by 

Grafenstolz out of Nachtingall (Narew), 

was bred by Susan Eggleton, who rode 

the dam to 13 BE wins up to Intermediate 

level. Scoring 8.97 at the Futurity as a 

foal, Grafennacht was graded elite as 

a yearling, a rare accolade at that age. 

Grafennach started competing with Tom 

Jackson in 2016, winning the 4 year old 

Young Event Horse class at West Wilts 

and the 5 year old Young Event Horse at 

Great Witchingham the following year. 

William Fox-Pitt took the ride in 2018 

and the pair made their 4* debut with 

a double clear at Burgham CCI-S 4* in 

2020. 

At Bicton in June, William Fox-Pitt’s 

dressage test on nine-year-old 

Graffenacht was one of the best of the 

afternoon performances in the CCI4*-L, 

earning him 30.4 for 11th place overnight. 

William told H&H, “Graffenacht is 

probably the best mare I’ve had, though 

I’ve ridden lots of lovely mares. 

I think she’s the real deal,” said William. 

“She’s a doer, she just says, ‘Get on with 

it’. She’s quite a hardy thing, she has 

her own opinions, but she has a lovely 

temperament.” 

Grafennacht missed Blenheim when a 

blood test revealed she was not 100%. 

Speaking of their performance at 

Boekelo, William told Horse & Hound, 

“She’s a super-easy mare – anyone 

could ride her – and she ran really well. 

Grafennacht’s owner, Amanda, has 

American connections, so the plan is for 

her to head to Kentucky three-day event 

in the spring, which will be exciting.” 

BRITISH BREEDER| 13

British Breeding - Futurity Report 

New talent shines at BB Baileys 

Horse Feeds Futurity 2021 

HS Blue Too - Tracy Kidd Photography 

Following a year of uncertainty 

and the successful adaptation 

of the Futurity series to a virtual 

series in 2020, it was good to 

get out and about, see some 

familiar faces and some new 

comers, and enjoy watching 

a host of lovely British bred 

young horses at the Baileys 

Horse Feeds Futurity 

evaluations held at physical 

venues this year. We decided 

to run a hybrid version of the 

series, with the virtual option 

still available for those 

unwilling or unable to attend a 

physical venue. But there was 

an appetite among breeders 

to get out to events and entries 

were strong at all venues. 

Team of Evaluators: 

Richmond: Katy Holder-Vale, Les Smith; 

Hothorpe: Katy Holder-Vale, Carron 

Nicol, Darrel Scaife; Writtle: Katy 

Holder-Vale, Debbie Edmundson, Zoe 

Warren; Exeter: Lesley Peyton Gilbert, 

Charles Upham, Carron Nicol; 

Catherston: Lesley Peyton Gilbert, David 

Trott, Vets: James Crabtree (Richmond), 

Jane Nixon (Hothorpe, Catherston), 

Olwen Lloyd (Writtle), Liam Kearns 

(Exeter) 

Nutritionists: Liz Bulbrook 

Scorers: Anna Lowndes, Lucy Simpson 

Richmond EC – 23rd August 

Top score of the day went to Sharon 

Whiteway’s HSS Blue Too earning 9.025 

and an elite premium for showjumping 

for his delighted owner. Known as Kelly, 

this lovely colt foal is out of Sharon’s 

daughter’s competing mare, 

Wotherspoon SA (Indorado), who 

jumped successfully in Grand Prix and 

Six-Bar with Lara Whiteway both at 

home and abroad. “She is only 15.1hh, 

but she had a huge heart and was 

versatile. She jumped 2m10 in a 

six-bar competition and then a grand 

prix the next day”, said Sharon. “I chose 

Chacco Blue II for his brain and his legs, 

and to add quality. We definitely got 

the legs and I am pleased with the result. 

Time will tell if he’s got the brain.” 

The top yearling was Bairbre Duncan’s 

Trick of the Light, a gelding by the late 

Party Trick out of Ringfort Pandora 

(Douglas) who was graded into the 

SHB(GB) head studbook in 2020. He 

scored a 9 for his frame and the 

evaluators commented that this yearling 

was scopy, very elegant and modern 

and showed real potential for eventing. 

With an overall score of 8.4 he earned a 

gold premium. 

Joanne Thomas’s gelding, Larz Robert, 

by Landpirol out of SS Roccia (Caritano 

Z), was the top two year old, with a 

score of 8.65 and a gold premium also 

in eventing. Joanne had always wanted 

something with Capitol 1 bloodlines, 

and when she was offered Roccia she 

jumped at the chance. “She was 

already in foal to Landpirol and 

produced Rubin, who was such a lovely 

foal that I decided to go back to the 

same stallion”, said Joanne. The plan is 

to sell Robert so he can go on to event. 

Trick of the Light - Tracy Kidd photography 


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BRITISH BREEDER| 15


Two lovely three year olds on equal 

score shared the top spot for this age 

group. Fein Crusador, by Feinrich out 

of a Lauries Crusador mare earned a 

score of 8.275 for dressage for Fiona 

Casswell and Oliver Gibney’s Olistar’s 

Big Dream, by Big Star out of Viselia 

(Andiamo), scored 8.275 for 

showjumping, both taking a gold 

premium. Oliver started breeding when 

he was 15 and lost his foundation mare 

last year after 25 years. 

“I have two mares at home 

now, and I try to choose 

stallions that will improve 

my stock year after year. I 

thought Big Star would really 

compliment my mare who 

is quite old fashioned, and I 

managed to breed something 

really modern in Big Dream”, 

Larz Robert - Tracy Kidd photography 

explained Oliver, who also runs a 

microchip business and a hair salon. 

“I’m a hobby breeder really!” he says. 

Olistar’s Big Dream went on to achieve 

the top price at the Futurity Elite Auction. 

Oriana Ashbank, a two year old filly by 

For Ferrero out of a Gribaldi mare took 

the top dressage score, earning 8.6 for a 

gold premium for owner Vince Boorman. 

She impressed the evaluators with lots of 

quality, power and good balance. 

Fein Crusador - Tracy Kidd photography 

Olistar’s Big Dream - Photo Horsepower Creative 

Sannabays Love Potion - Tracy Kidd photography 

The top dressage foal was Sannabays 

Love Potion, by Lestingdale VS out of a 

Benvenuto mare, with a score of 8.4 and 

a gold premium for Lauren Piercy and 

Sannabays Sport Horses. The evaluators 

commented on good cadence and lift in 

the trot. DMS Duchess of Deerleap, by 

Duke of Deerleap out of Trefddyn Coco 

Chanel (LC Arctic Prince) was the highest 

scoring dressage yearling for owner, 

Keyrah Brown. 


Oriana Ashbank - Tracy Kidd photography


Beaumont Watteau 

Hothorpe – 24th August 

A large turnout at the British 

Showjumping National Training 

Centre saw youngsters of excellent 

quality throughout the day and four 

coveted elite premiums were awarded. 

The top score of the day went to Rachel 

Crook’s impeccably bred colt foal, 

Beaumont Watteau. This lovely bay 

colt scored 9.1 and an Elite premium for 

dressage. The evaluators commented 

that this was a well developed foal with 

nice topline and good suspension and 

rhythm in trot. 

Rachel Crook who has been a successful 

Futurity breeder for many year, is proud 

of this charming colt: 

“I was delighted that Beaumont 

Watteau did so well at the Futurity. He is 

by Wavavoom out of my Elite 

Hanoverian mare Delta Lady (Don 

Frederico x Imperio) and like all 

Wavavoom’s foals, he has an 

exceptional temperament and paces 

and should do well in his future career 

in dressage. His dam was also bred by 

Lynne Crowden and there is a wealth of 

world class horses in this mare line. He is 

for sale to a good dressage home.” 

The Woodlander connection continues 

with Woodlander Sequoia who was the 

top three year old with a score of 9.025 

and an Elite premium for dressage. This 

impressive black colt, by Secret out of 

an Impario mare, made his debut at the 

2021 British Breeding Virtual Stallion 

Event, and impressed the Futurity 

evaluators with his power, presence and 

big ground cover in his paces. 

Sequoia’s success at the Futurity was 

a nice surprise for his breeder, Lynne 

Crowden: 

“It was a bit of a surprise that Sequoia 

came top in his group among such 

strong entries. He was still such a big 

and unfinished three year old but with 

three very good paces. He descends 

from a historic Woodlander Trakehner 

favourite mare family which brought us 

Grand Prix mare Woodlander Donna 

Summer. He is WBS-UK licensed and 

will be at stud again this year.” 

An Elite premium score of 9.025 also 

went to the lovely sports pony foal, 

Gorsebrook Hot Totty. This filly, owned 

and bred by Sally Hibbert, is by Pennal 

The Great out of Rafthouse Gee Tee 

(Mossrose Triumphant). This gorgeous 

foal also graded gold with the SPSS and 

became Joint Reserve Supreme 

Champion of the 2021 SPSS Season. 

Sally Hibbert is pleased with the result 

of using a Welsh Section D stallion to 

produce a sports pony: 

“I knew from the day Totty was born I 

was going to have a very confident little 

filly. My choice to use a Welsh Section D 

primarily was conformation purposes. 

By using Pennel The Great, he has given 

me something slightly more compact, a 

fraction more bone, I still have a lovely 

length of rein, clean lines through the 

gullet, great movement through the 

shoulders and a slightly neater head and 

muzzle. 

Woodlander Sequoia photo credit Horsepower Creative 

I've always loved Section D's. They are 

such versatile ponies and are so badly 

overlooked when it comes to breeding 

part breds. I'm incredibly excited for 

Totty's future. The Dam is back in foal 

to Pennel and is expected to foal late 

Spring 2022.” 

Gorsebrook Hot Totty 

BRITISH BREEDER| 17


Sarah Blackshaw’s Grand Cru earned 

an Elite Premium with a score of 9 for 

dressage. This beautiful buckskin colt is 

by the multi-disciplined, Legrand, out of 

a Quadroneur mare. 

Sarah is delighted with her Futurity result: 

“We felt very lucky to have bred Grande 

Cru this year and bringing him for 

evaluation at Hothorpe Futurity this year 

was the ‘ icing on the cake’, so to speak, 

as it confirmed how we felt about him. 

“He has progressed well and we hope 

will be destined for a bright future. It was 

a hard decision for me to advertise him 

as I felt he should have the opportunity 

to remain entire . It was then a close 

call on whether he would be going to a 

wonderful home in America or go to a 

new home in Wales as one of Mrs Erin 

Rheanne Hornsey first potential Stallions. 

We very much hope that Grande Cru, 

aka ‘ Casper’, will be one of her foundation 

stallions for her new Stud Farm in 

Wales and wish her all the best. Casper 

seems very settled with his new friends 

and we look forward to hearing how he 

progresses over the coming years.” 

In another great result for Woodlander 

Stud, Woodlander Feinster Prinz, by For 

Emotion out of Woodlander 

Dornroschen (Dimaggio), was the 

top two-year-olds, with a high Gold 

premium score of 8.85. Since his Futurity 

Evaluation, Feinster Prinz has passed his 

WBS-UK stallion licensing and Lynne 

and her team are looking forward to his 

future: 

“I am so thrilled with this result. He is full 

brother to the Oldenburg licensed 

stallion For Kingdom and will now 

hopefully follow in his footsteps. He 

was Champion Stallion at licensing 

with WBS-UK. He is also half brother 

to Woodlander Farouche through his 

amazing dam Woodlander 

Dornröschen.” 

Katie Harvey’s Pinkys Sweet Victory 

was the highest scoring yearling at this 

venue, earning 8.105 for a gold premium 

in eventing. A buckskin gelding by 

Amoureux, out of Brackenspa Pandora, 

the damsire is Crown’s Wonder Pearl, 

a cremello Danish Warmblood stallion 

that carries two dilution genes, hence all 

foals from solid-coloured mares will be 

palomino or buckskin. 

Katie tells us a bit more about this lovely 

youngster: 

“I bred him because I loved his mum 

so much, she was my heart horse. He 

was my second foal from my mare and 

I couldn’t be happier. He’s got a lovely 

stamp to him with a decent amount of 

Grande Cru - Photo Kate Simpson 

bone but he is also so light on his feet, 

he just floats. Combined with his cheeky 

personality and very clever brain, I think 

he will excel at anything we put our 

minds to. At only 4 months old he would 

pop over a 5 bar gate for fun!! Having 

only ever bred one foal before him I can 

honestly say it’s the most amazing 

Woodlander Feinster Prinz - Photo Tanja Davies 

Pinky's Sweet Victory - Photo Kate Simpson 

experience I’ve had. Taking part in the 

British breeding futurity has been 

incredible, the vets and the evaluators 

feedback really has been wonderful. 

Pinky’s Sweet Victory means so much to 

me and I can’t wait to see what the future 

brings for us.” 



Writtle University – 25th August 

Another busy day for evaluators at the 

popular Writtle University venue. 

Myspires Glamour Girl took the top 

score of the day with an Elite premium 

score of 9.25 for Dressage. This super 

filly foal, by Glamourdale out of a 

Sandro Hit mare, was bred by Lianne 

Verity at Myspires Stud. “I bought the 

mare, Veronica, in 2014 because I have 

always loved Sandro Hit from my early 

years of research and she is exactly what 

I wanted. Glamourdale is one of the top 

dressage stallions, but I felt he would 

really suit the mare and give me 

something special. From day one the 

quality was there, she was strong, very 

friendly and inquisitive, and she has 

lovely markings, pure black with a white 

star – you can’t order that!”, said Lianne, 

who sold the filly at one month to Jenny 

Lyon, who also owns the filly’s maternal 

brother, Myspires Fider Hit. “I am 

extremely proud to get an elite for 

dressage – this is such a strong section 

with the larger studs”, added Lianne. 

An Elite premium also went to Isabella 

Furno’s filly foal, Nemesis Redemption, 

with a score of 9.025 for dressage. This 

filly is by D’Avie out of a Spirit of the Age 

Old mare. This venue proved successful 

for Lianne Verity, who took a second 

Elite premium with Myspires Emilgo Pro. 

By Comilfo Plus Z, out of a Cum Laude Z 

mare, this colt foal scored 9 for 

showjumping. 

Myspires Glamour Girl - All photos by Tanja Davis 

Ravello 

The top two year old was Ravello, 

owned and bred by Liz Ball at 

Bramble Stud. The colt, by Revolution out 

of Limoncello (Londonderry), earned a 

Gold premium for dressage with a score 

of 8.775. 

Bramble Stud also bred the highest 

scoring yearling, Solitaire, by So Unique 

out of the same Londonderry mare. With 

a Gold premium score of 8.525 for 

eventing, this mare is proving versatile 

for the stud. 

Solitaire 

Nixi, owned by Claire Moore and bred 

by Martin Schleicher, was the top 3 

year old, with a score of 8.5 and a Gold 

premium for dressage. This lovely bright 

bay filly by Formidable is out of Ulysca 

(United) who also has Gribaldi on the 

dam side. 

Nemisis Redemption 

Nixi 

BRITISH BREEDER| 19


Glebe Farm, Exeter 

26th August 

Dressage rider, Sammie Gualtieri, 

welcomed the Futurity evaluations to 

her lovely yard at Glebe Farm on 26th 

August, where another outstanding entry 

of quality youngsters were evaluated by 

Lesley Peyton Gilbert, Caron Nicol and 

Charles Upham. 

The top score of the day went to Kate 

Day’s colt foal, Mid-Summer 

Masterpiece, who earned an Elite 

premium for eventing with a score of 

9.265. By Donthargos, a premium 

Oldenburg stallion that was considered 

the free jumping sensation the 

Oldenburg licencing in 2019, out of 

Ephesians Proverb, a Kings Master mare 

who also has Contender in her damline. 

The evaluators commented on the foal’s 

lovely length of rein, good saddle 

position, length of stride and motivation. 

Kate was having an excellent day as 

she also bred and presented the highest 

scoring yearling of the day, Master 

Colorado, out of the same mare. By 

Diacontinus, this bay colt scored 8.85 for 

a high Gold premium in eventing. 

Baron Jack was the top three year old 

of the day, earning an Elite premium for 

dressage with a score of 9.075. By 

Baron out of Nibeley Charisma’s 

Cracker (Union Jack), this striking colt 

was bred by Zoe and Hazel Bailey in 

Cornwall. Mathew Baker bought him last 

Christmas Eve, having been tipped off by 

Bonus 

Master Colorado 

Baron Jack 

Silver Harmony 

All photos by Tanja Davis 

Roland Tong and Ben St John James, 

who he used to ride for at Swanmore 

Stud. “I wasn’t actually looking for a 

horse, but I spoke to Hazel and went 

to see him and that was it”, explained 

Mat, who is based at Glebe Farm. Mat 

produces some of the liveries at Glebe 

Farm and does a lot of teaching as well 

as having another competition horse of 

his own. He hopes to compete ‘Baz’ as a 

5 year old and is aiming for the 

international young horse classes. “We 

have a few of his relations on the yard, 

all bred by Hazel and Zoe, and they 

have such lovely temperaments. Baz 

took three days to back and then I left 

him for two weeks, but I could just hop 

on him and ride him round the block. 

He is just the easiest young horse I have 

had”. 

Rachael Farley-Claridge had an eventful 

trip to the venue after her filly had been 

difficult to load, but the trip became 

worthwhile when Silver Harmony took 

the top two year old score of the day. 

By Silver Zenif out of Hallieluja Bey 

(Kouvay Bey US), this smart grey roan 

scored 8.2 and a Gold premium for 

endurance. “I am absolutely delighted”, 

she said. 

The futurity evaluations are also open 

to 4 and 5 year olds to enable them to 

qualify for the Equine Bridge. Martina 

Marketis brought along her 5 year old 

dressage colt, Bonus, by Belisimo M 

out of a Lake Street Envoy VII mare, 

and completed the ridden and in-hand 

assessments to earn an excellent gold 

premium with a score of 8.9, and is 

qualified for the Equine Bridge in 

January. 


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BRITISH BREEDER| 21


Catherston – 27th August 

A popular venue with local breeders, 

the day at Catherston attracted another 

extremely high quality entry and as 

always was quite a family affair with a 

welcoming friendly atmosphere for all. 

Dr Jane Nixon, who has headed the 

veterinary team for the Futurity 

evaluations since it’s inception, 

commented that the standard was as 

high as she had seen. Resident stallion, 

Timolin, by Totilas out of Samira (Sion), 

sired the top scoring horse in four of 

the five age groups and two of the 

three additional Elite premium scores 

assessed at this venue. 

The top scoring foal of the day went to 

Sally Bullen’s Borough Tennerpenny. 

By Timolin out of a Borough Pennyz 

(Cevin Z), this lovely colt scored 9.55 

to earn an Elite premium for eventing. 

Borough Pennyz is a second generation 

home bred mare for Sally, and 

jumped into the limelight at the 2012 

London Olympics where despite being 

one of the youngest horses she finished 

11th on a double clear with Vittoria 

Panizzon on the Italian team. The pair 

enjoyed a successful eventing career 

and the mare has now returned to Sally 

to breed. “The foal will stay here until 

he is weaned, and then we’ll make our 

minds up what to do with him. Borough 

Pennyz is in foal again to Timolin, which 

is great!”, said Sally. 

Nyctaeus earned the top yearling 

score of 9.1, earning an Elite premium 

for eventing for breeders, Daniel and 

Rebecca Andrews. Sired by Timolin out 

of Dawn Surprise (Don Ricos), this is 

the mare’s second foal, and the couple 

chose Timolin after seeing him at 

Bobbington BE event. “I happened to 

be stood next to Jenny Loriston-Clarke 

and mentioned that we were 

interested in using him”, explained 

Rebecca. “Then we were really lucky to 

be hands on and helped get him ready 

and tack him up which was amazing. 

From then, being on that side, we 

decided that we definitely wanted to 

use him. I think we chose him because 

he’s obviously dressage bred but he 

can jump so it was nice to have the 

options. And Timolin is so lovely and 

quiet”, she added. “We’re amateur 

breeders really. I don’t want to say we 

do it for fun, because it is expensive, but 

we have got a nice brood mare and 

she seems to throw quite nice young 

horses. So we now have one each 

and Dan would quite like to event”, she 

added. 

Nyctaeus - Photo Holdsworth PR 

Another Timolin progeny, Catherston 

Thriller, was the top scoring two year 

old, with a score of 9.025 earning an 

Elite premium for dressage. This dark 

colt is out of Sweetheart who was 

bought by Jennie Loriston Clarke from 

Brightwell Sales. “She was doing 

really well with my daughter Lizzie 

(Murray) who was riding her and 

at Prix St Goerge level and working 

towards Grand Prix. 

Henza Shes On Fire - Quorum Photos 

Then she started to go a little bit lame 

and looked uncomfortable and when 

we eventually had her x-rayed we 

found that her neck had been damaged 

by a stake. This effectively ended her 

ridden career but she has bred some 

lovely foals”, explained Jennie. “Thriller 

is very nice, he’s still in entire, he’s got 

quite a lot of bone and seems to have a 

lovely temperament. I suppose I should 

sell him really!” 



One horse in particular stood out, the 

4 year old Catherston Tuxedo, who 

completed the in-hand and ridden 

assessment to earn the highest ever 

Futurity score of 9.775, an Elite 

premium for dressage qualifying him 

for the Equine Bridge and catching the 

eye of many on the day. The 

evaluators gave a perfect 10 for his 

frame, which matched the 10 awarded 

by the vet for potential, and comments 

included super conformation, complete 

package correct condition, athletic and 

beautifully put together. 

Catherston Tuxedo is by Timolin, out of 

Catherston Georgia. Jenny 

Loriston-Clarke explained, “She has 

really interesting breeding because 

she’s by an American saddle bred 

stallion out of a Hanoverian mare. 

The stallion, called Number One Guy, 

came here from America for quarantine 

and was quite a striking horse – he 

was a liver chestnut with a blonde 

mane and tail. I asked the owner if I 

could use him and they said that was 

fine, I could use him on one mare, and 

Georgia was the result. 

“Tuxedo is very talented like his father. 

He is still entire and we might keep him 

as we haven’t got that mare anymore 

and he is so talented. He also jumps 

beautifully and he could do eventing 

or dressage but, to me, dressage is 

definitely his forte. He’s already doing 

changes, he’s just very green in the ring 

because he hasn’t been out very much. 

He qualified for the NexGen finals and 

now we’re going to do dressage over 

the winter and do a bit more with him. 

He really is a lovely horse, and so easy 

to deal with. I will probably get him 

graded next year and then breed from 

him when he’s 6 years old”, said Jenny. 

The lovely young stallion, Upsi Britannia, 

was the highest scoring three year old 

for Lucinda Fredericks, earning a score 

of 8.83 for eventing. He is by Upsilon 

out of Little Britannia (Jaguar Mail), who 

is the daughter of Lucinda’s prolific 

winning eventing mare, Headley 

Britannia, who won Badminton, 

Burghley and Kentucky three day events 

among her many accolades. Upsi will 

be kept entire and continue to 

develop his eventing career alongside 

stud duties. 

The 4 year old filly, Catherston 

Tarantella, by Timolin out of Accrabella 

(Dornekoenig) also earned an Elite 

premium for dressage with a score of 

9.215. 

In eventing, the colt foal, Tarry Flynn, by 

Timolin out of Tayvale Illusion (Balloon), 

earned an Elite premium with a score 

of 9.075, while two sports ponies also 

gained an Elite premium a piece. The 

filly foal, Henza She’s On Fire, by FS 

Numero Uno out of a Dressman mare, 

scored 9.2 for owner and breeder, 

Diane Killshaw. Golden Storm, a colt 

foal by Hilkens Gold Card out of a Sir 

Shutterfly mare, scored 9.025 for 

owner and breeder, Carrie Passmore. 

The 4 year old filly, Catherston 

Tarantella, by Timolin out of Accrabella 

(Dornekoenig) also earned an Elite 

premium for dressage with a score of 

9.215. 

In eventing, the colt foal, Tarry Flynn, by 

Timolin out of Tayvale Illusion (Balloon), 

earned an Elite premium with a score 

of 9.075, while two sports ponies also 

gained an Elite premium a piece. The 

filly foal, Henza She’s On Fire, by FS 

Numero Uno out of a Dressman mare, 

scored 9.2 for owner and breeder, 

Diane Killshaw. Golden Storm, a colt 

foal by Hilkens Gold Card out of a Sir 

Shutterfly mare, scored 9.025 for 

owner and breeder, Carrie Passmore. 

Tarry Flynn - Quorum Photos 

Catherston Tuxedo - Photo Holdsworth PR 

BRITISH BREEDER| 23

British Breeding - Virtual Futurity Report 

Virtual 

Futurity 

2021 

Stolen Beltara 

The 2021 Bailey Horse Feeds British 

Breeding Futurity virtual series was 

extremely well supported by breeders. 

Overall futurity entries this year were 

evenly split between those who opted 

for physical venues and those who chose 

the virtual option, indicating that even as 

we are cautiously opening up again for 

physical activities, a virtual option will 

continue to have a place in future. 

Initially implemented out of Covid 

necessity, virtual evaluations of foals and 

youngsters have become an interesting 

tool in making evaluations more 

accessible to breeders in remote 

locations. In this respect, the Futurity has 

been a bit of a trendsetter: since our first 

virtual series in 2020, we have seen 

virtual evaluation initiatives spring up all 

over the globe, with great success! 

These new virtual evaluation techniques 

have interesting additional benefits to 

offer, such as cutting down on the need 

to travel young horses, which reduces 

stress for owners and horses alike. Virtual 

evaluations enable us to use a range of 

international evaluators irrespective of 

their physical location. 

Experience shows that virtual 

evaluations are often “stricter” than 

physical equivalents, as video footage 

allows for a rigorous analysis. Clips can 

be slowed down, paused, and 

repeated, providing interesting insights 

about biomechanics and movement. 

Entries in the virtual Futurity have been 

taking great care to produce high quality 

video footage to the exact specifications 

and requirements of the evaluators. The 

veterinary evaluations were carried out 

by Dr Jane Nixon supported by our 

nutritionist experts generously provided 

by Baileys Horse Feeds and aided by 

Astral Whitfield. 

The team of international evaluators 

included Hans-Heinrich Brüning from 

Germany and Rik van Miert from 

Belgium who were supported by our 

experienced British evaluators Katie 

Holder-Vale and Lesley Peyton-Gilbert. 

Says British Breeding Director 

Dr Eva-Maria Broomer: 

“While it was an absolute pleasure this year to be able to 

offer a return to physical evaluations, we still saw a strong 

interest in our virtual series. With uncertainties around 

Covid not likely to go away for some time, we can see this 

continuing strongly in future. Additional benefits, such as 

reducing travel and offering greater accessibility, make 

virtual evaluations an important part of our future activities. 

“Pulling together the Virtual Futurity is an enormous amount 

of work, for the breeders who have taken such great care to 

produce high quality video footage to our very exact and 

demanding specifications, to the team of admin 

supporters and evaluators who have worked tirelessly 

behind the scenes to complete all the evaluations. 

Without everyone’s support, none of this would 

have been possible!” 



EVENTING 

Future Guilty Pleasure 

Just over 40 eventers completed this 

year’s Virtual Futurity evaluations, with 

strong entries and good scores achieved 

across all ages. 

Future Sport Horses continued their 

exceptional Futurity record with the top 

foal by the breeding sensation Future 

Guilty Pleasure. Future Perfect Pleasure 

is a charming colt who gained a highly 

impressive Gold score of 8.65, the 

highest in the Eventing section of the 

virtual Futurity across all ages. He is out 

of a Herald mare, Future Panache, bred 

by Julia herself who told us more about 

her breeding operation and bloodlines: 

“We have about 7 mares at home, 

along with 5 stallions, and we usually 

breed around 6/7 foals per year. 

“Future Perfect Pleasure is by our stallion 

Future Guilty Pleasure who at only 5 

years old has already racked up an 

astonishing breeding record, including 

siring the previous 2 years’ top eventing 

Futurity entries, a record which he 

continues this year as top eventing 

sire of the Virtual futurity! Out of the 8 

youngsters by him in this year’s Futurity, 

4 are in the top 10 within the Eventing 

discipline. 

“We also bred Guilty Pleasure’s mother 

Future Guilty Secret and his 

grandmother, Future Golddigger, giving 

Perfect Pleasure 4 generations of our 

own breeding on the top line. 

“His mother Future Panache and her 

mother Future Golden Glove were also 

bred at our stud. Future Golden Glove 

is the mother of another of our licensed 

stallions, Future Prophecy. This is the first 

time we’ve bred from Future Panache. 

She is a beautiful looking mare, very 

good moving, very athletic and sporty. 

Perfect Pleasure is gorgeous, very tall 

and leggy, which is a trait shared by all 

Future Guilty Pleasure offspring. Future 

Panache is currently in foal to Future 

Hepsilon who is a squarer, more 

powerful jumping model. 

Future Hepsilon makes very strong and 

powerful foals. 

“Future Perfect Pleasure has been sold to 

Poland as a Stallion prospect and future 

ride for one of the Polish Event Team that 

rode at Tokyo, along with the 3rd placed 

eventing top scorer Future Idyllic 

Pleasure who is the full brother to last 

year’s top scorer Future Iconic Pleasure. 

If he licenses as a stallion, I would like to 

ship semen back to the UK to use in my 

breeding programme. 

“At only 2 years old, Future Guilty 

Pleasure was the top scoring AES 

eventing stallion of 2018. I truly believe 

that he is a very very rare horse to have 

achieved that. He also had the 

National Champion Eventer at the Elite 

Foals Series (Future Classic Pleasure), 

and his maternal sister was 4th (Future 

Guilty Liaison). He also had the 

Champion Sport Horse Foal at the 

National Hunter Show - the most 

prestigious Foal Show in the Country. 

“He is in training with JP Sheffield and 

has been out competing at BS Novice 

and Discovery. We are focussing on his 

training rather than competing as there’s 

plenty of time to be on the circuit over 

the next few years. 

Brookmist Legitimate Pleasure 

Getting the foundations established, so 

we are set up for higher level sport is far 

more important to me than pot hunting 

right now. He could go into any of the 

Olympic disciplines, so we will wait to 

see which he enjoys the most. 

At the moment I’m hoping for Eventing 

as that’s where my passions lie, but if 

he leans more towards showjumping or 

dressage, we will take our direction from 

him. I feel utterly privileged to have this 

horse in my life, and it’s a huge 

responsibility to offer him the best 

education I possibly can during his 

formative years.” 

BRITISH BREEDER| 25


Future Guilty Pleasure continues his 

success as a Futurity Progenitor, with 

his son Brookmist Legitimate Pleasure 

heading up the Eventing Yearlings with 

a Gold score of 8.4. “Dougal” to his 

friends was originally bred by Rache 

Cook who share her emotional journey 

with us: 

Myspires Prime Ravante 

“I didn't really have a breeding 

programme , it was more for fun for both 

me and my late partner, with the hope 

of a future superstar for me to compete. 

Sadly due to my sad circumstances he 

had to be sold and the hope of any 

other future breeding from the mare were 

sadly halted. 

“Lady loxinia (lucy) was also a 

homebred so the plan was to keep the 

line going at the same time as having fun 

with some breeding . I produced Lucy 

myself and had many seasons eventing 

up to Novice, my confidence stopped 

her going further. Alongside eventing, 

we also competed at British Dressage up 

to Elementary and unaffiliated up to 

Medium. Sadly a rotational fall put a 

stop to her ridden career, as she then 

lost her confidence jumping so we had 

always said when the mare stops at a 

jump, it's for a reason, so we will breed 

from her. And that's what happened! 

“When we had decided to put her 

in foal we went and had a chat with 

Bridget Parker, a good friend and a past 

employer who has a very good eye for 

breeding as well as many other things, 

for some advice as she knew the mare 

as well. She recommended Future Guilty 

Pleasure. We then went to the stallion 

show at Addington to meet the stallion 

and made our decision: he was the 

one.” 

Sarah Ettridge purchased Dougal and 

was a first time entry to the Futurity 

evaluations this year and enjoyed the 

virtual evaluation experience: 

“I'm an amateur event rider running my 

land agency alongside coaching and 

riding. My other two horses are now 

18 and 16 so he'll play out with them 

for now and perhaps do some in hand 

sports horse classes and then follow 

in their eventing tracks when he's old 

enough.” 

Among the 2-year-olds, the stand out 

entry was Lianne Verity’s Myspires 

Prime Ravante, by her own bred stallion 

Myspires Revolution out of an Andes 

XX mare, achieving a convincing Gold 

score of 8.525. Lianne is a very 

experienced breeder and longstanding 

supporter of the Futurity: 

“I found Higgs on a social media advert from Northern Ireland 

from where he joined us at weaning. He has been part of our 

family ever since. I am still very much in contact with his 

breeder Sarah Whiteside who still has his mum and older half 

sister." 

- Kerry Varley 

“I was 22 when I put my first mares in 

foal in 2008. The following year, two 

foals were born. One of those foals is the 

sire of the top scoring 2 year old in this 

year’s Virtual Futurity Dressage 

Evaluations. “I live on a farm and always 

had the dream to breed my own 

coloured warmbloods. It started with 

those two foals and then kind of 

escalated into a bit of an addiction. I like 

variety so I have got broodmares and 

youngsters for every discipline. My goal 

is to breed top quality horses in different 

colours, and over the years I have 

produced a wide range of them.” 

“I only have a field at home, no sand 

school, so most of the time I don’t see 

them properly until the day I bring them 

to the Futurity. It’s really hard to evaluate 

the movement when you haven’t got an 

arena. 

“All my horses live out together on a big 

marsh, mares, foals, and youngstock. 

Having them all together in a mixed age 

group teaches the youngsters manners 

and respect going forward, and 

everyone who has had a youngster from 

me has said how easy they are to work 

with. I think they grow their confidence in 

a herd environment.” 

“Myspires Prime Ravante’s dam has 

mainly been a broodmare. In 2011 she 

produced Myspires Heart of Gold, a 

coloured stallion by Sambertino who is 

licensed with the AES. Her sire Andes 

XX, so she’s got a lot of blood in her. 

Myspires Prime Ravante is for sale and I 

personally think he has got the potential 

to be a Stallion Prospect. 

“This year I put 8 foals and one 2 year 

old through the Futurity this year and 

achieved 7 golds and 2 elites which I 

am thoroughly pleased with.” 

The top scoring Eventing 3yo was the 

young stallion Lynara’s Higgs Bozon 

(Osmium x Paradiesvogel) whose Gold 

score of 8.61 also qualifies him for the 

British Breeding Equine Bridge 

programme in future. 



Lynara’s Higgs Bozon 

“I had lost my 5star horse 7 weeks 

before my daughter was born and 

wanted to find a horse to follow in his 

footsteps and to be a new best friend 

to Luke’s life long field buddy Louis 

(now retired). I had ridden two horses 

by Osmium before and had my 

heart set on finding another. Osmium 

passed away when Higgs was a 

foal, so he is literally one of the last/ 

youngest Osmium sired horses as no 

frozen semen available. 

“Higgs has turned out to be smarter 

and more talented than we could 

ever have imagined, and it was his 

temperament combined with his 

valuable bloodlines that made us 

decide to go down the line of having 

him graded as a stallion. 

“Henk Minderman from Breeders 

Elite came and assessed him in 

person and loved his pedigree and 

everything about him, so he is now 

a licenced stallion and has two foals 

due in 2022, one of which is related 

to Oliver Townends Olympic horse 

Ballagmor Class. 

“Higgs took part in Futurity as a 

yearling scoring 8.75. It was great to 

be able to take part in virtual 

evaluations as I have two small 

children and I could get Higgs’ videos 

done while they sat on the sidelines 

rather than having to take the whole 

family in the lorry to a show venue on 

a day out. 

“I plan to produce him slowly. As he 

finds everything so easy, it would be 

very easy to ask too much of him. 

I’m hoping to aim him at a Nexgen 

class in both eventing and dressage 

and also at BD young horse classes 

alongside his stud duties. 

“He is the kindest, most affectionate 

horse you could ever meet and has 

grown up with my two little children. 

He has been allowed to be a horse 

since day one and lives out 24/7. 

Ultimately, he is a family member 

and I hope he takes us on some great 

adventures! 

“He has the talent, brain and heart 

to go to the top, so I’m very excited 

about what the future holds. I still get 

goosebumps every time I watch him 

trot across the field towards me.” 

You can follow Higgs on 

www.facebook.com/LynaraHiggsBozon 

BRITISH BREEDER| 27


SHOWJUMPING 

The showjumping section of the virtual 

attracted over 40 entries, just over half 

of which achieved a gold score, showing 

that the quality of showjumping stock 

coming forward is becoming stronger 

and stronger, largely thanks to breeders 

focusing more on the quality of their 

broodmares and investing in excellent 

motherlines. The consistency of quality 

that comes from using a good motherline 

was illustrated by the fact that two of 

the age group top scorers, the leading 

yearling and leading 4yo in this section 

came out of the same mare! 

One key difference between the Futurity 

evaluation and some other foal 

assessments or shows is that the canter is 

a vital part of the process in recognition 

of the fact that this is a key gait to 

determine the future potential of a 

showjumping foal or youngster. We 

have adjusted the weighting of the 

marks to ensure that in showjumpers, 

conformation and canter are weighted 

twice as much as walk and trot, with the 

veterinary evaluation staying the same 

at 20%. 

The leading entry in the Showjumping 

section was by the up-and-coming 

young stallion Chrysler Key SR who very 

much impressed at last year’s British 

Breeding stallions webinar. Lorenzo CK 

achieved a solid gold score of 8.8. The 

evaluators particularly remarked on his 

powerful and ground covering canter 

and excellent saddle position. 

Lorenzo CK is from the first crop of 

Chrysler Key, all of whose Futurity 

progeny gained gold scores. Carron 

Nicol tells us more about the young 

stallion: 

“Chrysler Key has everything going for 

him, good looks, class, quality, super 

movement and an athletic, careful jump 

with an abundance of scope and speed 

making him the ultimate sports 

model. He has super bloodlines. He is by 

Comme il Faut who is ridden by Marchus 

Ehning . This great stallion has won over 

1.6million euros. Comme il Faut’s mother 

is Ratina Z the most successful mare of 

all time, winning double Olympic gold 

medals (1992 and 1996, and the World 

Cup of 1993. She Won World Cup 

Finals, the European Championships, 

the Grand Prix of Aachen, individual 

Olympic Silver, double Olympic Team 

Gold, Team Gold at the WEG and the 

list goes on. 

“Chrysler Keys’s mother line is also very 

impressive, his Grandmother 


Lorenzo CK 

Renaissance is also the Grandmother 

of Verdi, Olympic medal winner and 

winner of 2.9 million euros under Mikael 

Van de Vleuten. 

“Chrysler has a lovely temperament and 

attitude; he loves to work and jump, and 

we have very high hopes for him in the 

future He covered a select number of 

mares in 2020 whose foals are due this 

year including two of our own 

Showjumpers whose embryos we 

implanted into surrogate mothers. 

Cadenza 

“We are delighted with his first crop of 

foals who all have lovely, athletic 

conformation and excellent movement. 

Lorenzo’s mother, Dakota, jumped to 

1.40m level as a 7yo before being sold. 

Her motherline is outstanding. She is half 

sister to the BWP approved Grand Prix 

stallion Nanking van de Donkhoeve. 

Another half sister, Imperatrice van de 

Donkhoeve, was successful 

internationally at 1.45m level.”


Among the yearlings, the leading entry 

was Cadenza, a filly by Carridam out 

of an Argentinus mare who also had 

the top scoring showjumping 4yo! 

Cadenza achieved a score of 8.15 with 

consistently good marks across all 

gaits. 

Falanta Mother of Showjumping 

3yo Moneypenny 

We caught up with her breeder, Tim 

Baty: 

“We have just the one mare, Aloof JX, 

who has now produced 5 daughters. 

She is by Argentinus out of a Pinnochio 

mare and was bred by Jane Maxwell, 

who bred a lot of very good horses. 

The mare is an old fashioned, charming 

type with lovely breeding and very 

straight forward. 

“She comes from a very strong and 

proven mother line. Her maternal 

brother Rubiroso JX has competed 

internationally up to 1.45m under the 

saddle of Keith Shore. The line goes 

back to the Westphalian mare Romy 

who produced countless successful 

show jumpers, including Evelyn Beyer's 

mare Calimba de Luna, who is 

grandmother to the 5* Eventer 

Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend and Tina 

Yates's 1.50m jumper Interactive 

Mortgage who is now competing with 

Jonas Vervoort. 

“Cadenza was bred for showjumping, 

but we have tried to be versatile by 

paying attention to good movement 

and conformation. We chose Carridam 

because he has a fantastic 

temperament, is scopey and 

complemented the mare. We think this 

cross has worked well, and Cadenza 

has been maturing very well over the 

winter months. She is probably going 

to be the sharpest of the 4 I have bred 

from the mare. 

“We are in the privileged position of 

not having to sell Cadenza, but she 

would be for sale to the right person. 

The plan is to produce her and get out 

to some shows and sell her that way – 

it is the way I have always done it. 

“We also have a nice 3yo by Amilio 

Sanchez – but we simply ran out of 

time to put her forward for the Futurity! 

For next year, she is in foal to Friedrich 

der Große” 

Tim produces the youngsters himself 

and is currently working on a 5yo 

daughter of Aloof JX by Rhodium, with 

the help of the dressage rider Gareth 

Hughes. Rose Gold completed her 

Futurity evaluation at Richmond and 

achieved a gold score of 8.073, 

qualifying her for the Equine Bridge. 

The leading entry of the 2yo section 

was Ninelle who achieved a Silver 

score of 7.53. Her breeder, Stacey 

Cook, told us more about her lovely 

filly: 

“I only have a very small breeding 

programme, with just one broodmare 

who is now retired from breeding, 

Ninelle was her last foal. I have mainly 

bred just for myself, although I have 

had to sell a couple along the way. My 

first foal was born in 2008 and have 

bred just 5 in total, 4 of them out of 

Ninelle’s mother Ninon d’Elle. 

“I’ve had Ninon d’Elle for 16 years, she 

is a Selle Francais mare and she 

successfully competed up to 1.30m 

including winning the 5year old Grand 

Prix at Arena Uk back in 2006, before 

an injury cut her career short. She has 

got a fabulous temperament and she 

had so much potential to go on to even 

bigger things, she does seem to pass 

on her talent and temperament to her 

offspring. 

“We chose Pankake mainly based on 

his breeding, I used to own a mare very 

similarly bred to him who I just adored, 

and after speaking with his owner 

about his temperament too, decided he 

may complement our mare. 

“I plan to keep and compete Ninelle 

myself, as I have also done with her 

half sister, maybe one day I will use her 

to breed from, too.” 

The top scoring 3yo was Moneypenny, 

a daughter of Golden Eye out of a 

Classe VDL mare who gained a Gold 

score of 8.2, qualifying her for the 

Equine Bridge programme. She is a 

very attractive and elegant young mare 

with a big jump. 

Golden Eye was bred by Carron Nicol 

and is now competing internationally 

with Harry Charles. He is by Carron’s 

own stallion Fantaland whom she 

competed at Grand Prix level. 

Carron tells us a little more about 

Moneypenny’s dam: 

“Moneypenny’s mother, Falanta, was 

jumped to 1.40m level before being 

used as a Broodmare. She is by the 

Chin Chin son Classe VDL out of a 

Corofino mare. Her half brother 

Boyscout also jumped well and 

competed up to 1.45m. The direct 

motherline produced the international 

1.50m stallion Casanova Z and further 

back the 1.60m horses Onisha, Colino 

and Countdown. 

“Moneypenny has just been 

backed and is showing a super 

jump under saddle and will 

start shows in the spring. 

I am delighted that she also 

qualified for the Equine Bridge 

programme in future." 

Carron Nicol 

BRITISH BREEDER| 29


...SHOWJUMPING 

The top scoring entry of the 4-year-olds was Vallee 

d’Or, a half sister of our leading yearling, by 

Viscount 22. This lovely young mare bed by Tim 

Baty achieved a Gold score of 8.18, which qualifies 

her for the Equine Bridge programme. 

Viscount 22 finished the 2011 Hanoverian Stallion 

Licensing as the most expensive jumping stallion. 

At his 70 day performance test in Adelheidsdorf in 

2012, he achieved a jumping index of 138 jumping 

and interestingly a relatively high dressage index 

of 126. His highlights were the cross country (9.25) 

and temperament (9), with high marks for his jump, 

his trot and his canter. 

In Vallee d'Or we can see those attributes, 

particularly in her very positive work ethic and 

excellent temperament. 

The evaluators remarked that this young mare shows 

a lot of presence and a lovely, forward thinking 

attitude. She was selected for the Futurity Elite 

Auction where she attracted some very strong bids, 

but in the end, the breeders decided to keep her 

and produce her themselves, as she has been such 

a pleasure to deal with. 

Vallee D’Or - Photo Horsepower Creative 

DRESSAGE 

“I started breeding 

warmbloods in 1990 and I 

bred thoroughbreds before 

that. I think I bred the first horse 

in about 1982/83 when I 

was 32/33, so I have now 

been doing this for around 

40 years. In my dayjob, I am 

a headhunter and have been 

since 1979. 

I currently own 6 or 7 

broodmares for myself and 

have a further 2 or 3 mares 

in partnership. All come from 

exceptional motherlines. 

For Your Love is a really 

special State Premium mare. 

She is the half-sister to 

Wavavoom, and comes from a 

wonderful state premium mare 

called Louisiana, whose 

mother, by Davignon, I bought 

as a rising 3 year old in foal." 

- Lynne Crowden 

Woodlander Infinity - Photo Horsepower Creative 

This year’s virtual dressage section was 

the strongest attended out of all 

virtual Futurity categories with well over 

70 entries successfully completing the 

evaluation. As always, we saw a very 

interesting spread of offspring from 

British based stallions and stallions from 

abroad. The overall top entry in the 

Virtual Futurity series with an excellent 

Elite score of 9.15 came from 

Woodlander Stud with Woodlander 

Infinity, a beautiful filly by In My Mind 

out of the For Compliment daughter For 

Your Love. “For Your Love is a really 

special State Premium mare. She is the 

half-sister to Wavavoom, and comes 

from a wonderful state premium mare 

called Louisiana, whose mother, by 

Davignon, I bought as a rising 3 year 

old in foal. 



“For Your Love is by For Compliment, 

that year I bred 3 mares to him. She was 

a fantastic foal and we were offered a 

lot of money for her by a big German 

producer. We bought her back to the UK 

as a yearling and did our first embryo 

transfer with her as a 3 year old. She 

then returned to Germany to do her 

mare performance test and some 

competitions. Another of her foals was 

Wild Love, by Wild Child, whom we 

sold for 6 figures in Germany as a 5yo. 

He went on to have the highest dressage 

score in his stallion performance test in 

2019. 

“I chose the stallion In My Mind, 

because I fell in love with him at his 

stallion licensing. He is by Ibiza, another 

stallion I love and have used, out of a 

Fidermark mare, allowing me to cross 

breed with the F-line. In my Mind is a 

really strong, powerful horse. We like to 

breed horses that have the potential to 

compete at the highest level. They need 

to be strong if they’re going to go on, I 

think we now have 7/8 Grand Prix 

horses. For me, strength is the most 

important aspect. If they are strong and 

rideable, they can take training. 

“Woodlander Infinity represents 

generations of Woodlander breeding, 

from our totally consistent Westfalian 

foundation mare line that has so far 

produced internationally licensed 

stallions. I am thrilled with the result.” 

In the 2yo dressage category, it is a 

pleasure to introduce two charming 

youngsters who tied for top score. 

King Frank is a charming colt by 

Incognito out of a Ferro mare. He scored 

7.875 in his Futurity evaluation and 

made a very good impression with his 

beautiful conformation and active walk. 

His breeder Jackie Harvey-Knight told 

us a bit more about him: 

“As a vet, but a new breeder, at times 

this year I’ve felt a little out of my depth. 

All the people involved with the British 

Breeding Futurity have been so lovely 

and helpful. I am currently launching a 

new breeding venture (JHK EQUINE) as 

I am passionate about breeding quality. 

“Having evented for over 25 years, I 

find bloodlines so interesting and 

incorporating world class pedigrees 

from across the disciplines paramount to 

injecting true class into our offspring. I 

am eager and excited to showcase my 

future foals and youngsters as I believe 

the Futurities (both at venues and virtual) 

offer British Breeders a wonderful 

opportunity to highlight and raise 

awareness of exceptional bloodlines 

and to encourage breeders throughout 

the UK and beyond to strive continually 

for quality.” 

KL Matchsticks also scored 7.875 in his 

Futurity evaluation, with very positive 

remarks for his conformation and 

veterinary evaluation. He is by the British 

stallion K L Mac out of a Damon Hill 

Mare. His breeder OIivia Sealey tells us 

more: 

“KL Matchsticks’s stable name is 

Crunchie. He was actually home bred 

here at Kington Langley Stud. We are an 

established show jumping stud, but since 

I have come along, we have begun to 

move into dressage breeding, too. 

“Kington Langley Stud’s owner bred 

Crunchie’s sire, K L Mac. We chose to 

use him on our dressage mare Pioneer 

Rosie, who competed to Grand Prix. She 

is a proper old fashioned Dutch 

warmblood mare and a lovely, lovely 

horse. Crunchie was her second foal. 

She is now 15 and we were lucky to buy 

her 4 years ago due to her sustaining a 

career ending injury. She can be a little 

bit sharp and hot, so K L Mac with his 

really nice temperament complimented 

KL Matchsticks - Photo Bethan Rose Bailey 

her very well. 

King Frank 

“Crunchie is everyone’s favorite, if you 

walk across the field, he comes across 

to greet you. All of K L Mac’s offspring 

have really friendly natures and lovely 

character. Crunchie is growing fast in the 

field, so in another 2 years he will start 

ridden work. We’ve kept him entire, and 

we will break him in as a 3yo and assess 

him. I would like to produce him as a 

4yo old and we’ll just see how we get 

on. His movement is incredible, he has 

a fantastic trot, and I am excited to do 

some young horse classes with him. 

“We currently breed about 10 of our 

own per year, and we also take in mares 

for other people, breeding up to 40 

mares each season. We also do quite a 

few stallion collections, collecting up to 

13 stallions every season from walk-ins 

and we have a few residents here. We 

actually own Veni Vidi Vici V, a chestnut 

stallion by Heartbreaker. He’s breeding 

quite a few top jumpers. We do all sorts 

of disciplines. That’s what’s really nice 

about K L MAC, he goes on quite a few 

eventers, dressage mares, and jumpers, 

so a bit of all round.” 

BRITISH BREEDER| 31


...DRESSAGE 

In the 2yo section, the top scoring entry 

was Michelle Dawson’s filly Stolen 

Beltara by Belissimo M out of a 

Rousseau mare who gained a lovely 

Gold score of 8.375. 

Michelle, who in her day job is an 

anesthetist, is a passionate small 

breeder: 

“I’m a small breeder of dressage horses 

who prioritises temperament and 

trainability. Stolen Beltara is by 

Belissimo, an international GP stallion 

known for his wonderful temperament. 

“I have owned Stolen Beltara’s mother 

Amira for about 4 years and I’ve just 

sold her. I’ve had another foal from her, 

by Branduardi. She is by Rousseau out 

of a Flemmingh mare. I found her when 

I wasn’t looking for another broodmare 

but her bloodlines were so good I 

couldn’t resist. She is a half sister of the 

champion stallion Boston, sire of 

champion stallions Borsalino and Bernay 

and damsire of Lord Europe. She’s a 

very kind mare with beautiful movement. 

“Stolen Beltara did well at the futurity as 

a foal scoring 9, 9, 8.75 for her paces. I 

was delighted to hear she was top 2yo 

in the virtual futurity this year. Stolen 

Beltara is my second home bred 2yo to 

do well at the futurity. The first was Stolen 

Secret who was 2nd in 2018. She has 

gone on to score 80% at British 

Dressage, finish 4th at the Winter 

championships and 4th at the 

Nexgen 5yo championships with Sonnar 

Murray-Brown. She was tipped for the 

top by judge and Olympic rider Severo 

Jurado Lopez. To have Stolen Beltara 

do even better than Stolen Secret is very 

exciting, especially as I only breed 2-3 

foals a year. 

“I’d like to keep Stolen Beltara, have her 

trained up to Grand Prix and do embryo 

transfers with her in the future. But, like 

most breeders, if the right offer came 

along, I wouldn’t be able to refuse.” 

The 3yo section was led by Seagry 

Viceroy who was the only 3yo in the 

Virtual series to gain the accolade of 

Elite Premium. His score of 9 also 

qualifies him for the British Breeding 

Equine Bridge Programme. 

His breeder Keith Taylor of Seagry Stud 

tells us more: 

“Seagry Viceroy is a 3 year old embryo 

transfer gelding by Vitalis out of our own 

bred Premium Hanoverian Mare Seagry 

Firstamour by For Romance I. He has an 

outstanding temperament and three high 

quality paces. His frame and size are 

exactly what you would expect from 

Vitalis whilst his beauty and active hind 

leg are inherited through his dam. 

Stolen Beltara 

Seagry Viceroy - Photo Keith Taylor 

“He is a half brother to Seagry Danita, 

the 2020 highest scoring Futurity Elite 

3 year old. Viceroy is now backed and 

proving to be exceptional under saddle. 

His dam, Seagry Firstamour, herself an 

embryo transfer and Futurity Elite foal, 

was the highest scoring mare at her 

BHHS performance test and a high 

scoring finalist at the Shearwater YH 

finals 2020 and 2021. I have still got 

her and she’s currently 7 years old and 

has so far had 3 embryo transfers. She’s 

schooling at Prix St. George at home 

and competing at advanced medium. 

She was in 3 different classes at the 

Nationals this year. 

“Vitalis is a highly sought after stallion, 

whom I’d hoped to breed from 

previously. I believe he is focusing on his 

breeding career having competed up to 

small tour himself. He’s bred some really 

top stallions himself, such as the famous 

Valverde. 

“I’ve been breeding for over 14 years 

now from our home in North Wiltshire. 

We only breed Dressage horses here 

and only in small numbers. For the last 

6 years, we’ve only really been doing 

embryo transfers from this line. 

“We have backed Viceroy ourselves, 

and he has been absolutely brilliant if 

I’m honest. He’s been one of the easiest 

if not the easiest I’ve ever had to back. 

He’s been really quick, with a fantastic 

stable mind, very trusting, sensible type, 

really lovely nature. He has been turned 

away until the spring and then we’ll 

bring him back into work and see how 

he goes, probably do some young horse 

classes with him. 



“I retired from my professional career to 

start breeding, having worked for 

Diageo as a CEO for 16 years. I’m not 

sure I’ll breed horses for much longer, 

but it’s lovely to be surrounded by 

beautiful horses. But I do have people 

that help me including my Stud Rider 

Abbey Newbury. She is fantastic with 

young horses in particular and was on 

the young rider team at the European 

Champs a few years ago.” 

The top scoring 4yo of the series was a 

daughter of Flammengold out of a 

Buddenbrock mare. Fenella gained a 

Gold score of 8.225, qualifying her for 

the Equine Bridge, and was bred at 

Hanoverian Stud. The evaluators 

remarked on her harmonious 

conformation and positive attitude. 

Katy Holder-Vale tells us more: 

“Fenella’s sire Flammengold is well 

known for his successful progeny, 

having 4 Grand Prix and numerous up 

and coming dressage horses. The dam 

Butterfly competed up to Elementary and 

has bred 5 foals, of which the oldest was 

sold to Germany. 

“Fenella has already gained 84 BD 

points and has won 14 classes in Prelim 

and Novice. She has qualified for the 

area festivals and regionals. Last year 

she achieved Premiums Mare Candidate 

Fenella 

with the Hanoverian Society, with high 

marks for her paces, jump and 

rideability. She has a charming 

character and is happy and brave in 

everything she does.” 

SPORTS PONIES 

Ghabar For Pleasure 

Britain is truly the home of pony 

breeding, illustrated by the 

quality and variety of sports 

ponies coming forward for 

futurity evaluation every year. 

Evaluated for a specific target 

discipline of dressage, 

showjumping or eventing, the 

evaluation of pony foals and 

youngsters places a strong 

emphasis on correctness and the 

type of movement that children 

are able to ride. 

The top scoring pony foal entries were 

both by the same sire, Hulst Mando. 

Ghabar Mandos Girl is a beautiful filly 

with a lot of presence and expressive 

movement, earning her a Gold score of 

8.425. 

Her breeder Damien Harris tells us a 

little more about about her breeding: 

“Mando’s Girl’s dam is no other then 

the elite state premium mare Greatest 

Hit. Before coming to the U.K. she 

produced three state premium 

daughters who have also gone on to 

produce licensed sons and state 

premium daughters themselves. 

Greatest Hit is also the dam of the 

Weser-Ems licensed stallion 

Chartstürmer WE. 

“Mando’s Girl’s sire is the young 

stallion Hulst Mando who in his first 

crop of foals sired the elite foal tour 

national champion. Every foal this 

young stallion has sired has achieved 

the prestigious gold premium from the 

British futurity.” 

ando who in his first crop of foals sired 

the elite foal tour national champion. 

Every foal this young stallion has sired 

has achieved the prestigious gold 

premium from the British futurity.” 

Ghabar For Pleasure is a colt foal who 

gained equal scores with Mandos Girl, 

tying for top position for the Virtual 

Pony evaluations. He convinced the 

evaluators with is particularly elastic 

trot. His mother was bred in this country 

by Linda Kubik Jones. 

BRITISH BREEDER| 33


...SPORTS PONIES 

Damien Harris explains: 

“For Pleasure is a very special colt. His dam is out of a very well 

bred Sec C mare, and she is by the world champion Morricone, 

who needs no introduction and who has produced countless 

outstanding dressage horses and licensed stallions. I bought 

the mare as a filly because I was very interested in this cross, 

crossing top dressage warmblood and pony lines to produce FEI 

ponies for the future. 

“Hulst Mando who is proving time and time again he can 

produce top quality foals to many different types and breeds of 

pony mare.” 

Among the yearling entries, the top scorer was Rockwood 

Classic Beau by Summer Solstice out of a Crossdrum Spurs mare 

whose harmonious and correct conformation and gaits earned 

him a Gold score of 8.2. 

The evaluators noted that he was very well presented and 

showed a lovely relaxed and positive attitude with regular, 

rideable gaits. 

His breeder Charlotte Caple is delighted with the result: 

Taraco Casanova 

“I am over the moon that Rockwood Classic Beau was the 

highest scoring pony yearling. The compliments we received 

from the evaluation are a testament to his temperament and 

breeding. Owning and having produced both his dam and sire 

I look forward to what the future holds for Beau” 

The top scoring entry in the 2yo category is Calton Ruby Rose, a 

charming coloured filly by Amour G out of a Romany VI mare. 

She received a Gold score of 8 and convinced the evaluators 

with her lovely conformation and correctness. 

Her breeder Catherine Alton tells us more: 

‘Calton Ruby Rose is the first pony I have bred. I had the vision 

of breeding a versatile athletic pony who would be able to 

excel in each discipline. It took me a long time to find a stallion 

who has suited my mare Maisey VI, and I am delighted with my 

choice, Amour G. I am very pleased with how Ruby is 

developing and I am extremely excited for her future career.’ 

The top entry among the older virtual entries to the Futurity was 

Taraco Casanova, a Welsh section D gelding bred at Taraco 

Stud by Trevallion Enzo out of a Trevallion Valentino mare. He 

gained a very good Silver score of gained a very good Silver 

score of 7.88. The evaluators remarked on his expressive trot 

and nice presentation. His owners Elizabeth and Catherine 

Gandy are proud of what he has achieved so far: 

Rockwood Classic Beau 

“We are thrilled with this result and the 

recognition it gives to the purebred Welsh 

Section D as a sports pony. We bought 

Taraco Casanova (“Charlie”) as a 

two-year-old from his breeder Tara 

Coppins of Taraco Stud because of his 

similarity in bloodlines to our retired 

Section D, who has competed 

successfully in dressage. The Virtual 

Futurity has been a great opportunity to 

obtain such a detailed evaluation of his 

potential and the plan is for him to 

progress on to a dressage career with us.“ 

- Elizabeth and Catherine Gandy 


Calton Ruby Rose


ENDURANCE 

Vlacq Dizzy Rascal 

It is always a pleasure to 

welcome endurance entries to 

our Futurity evaluations, and 

the virtual series has proved 

extremely popular with 

breeders from across the entire 

UK. The great variety of entries 

are demonstrating the breadth 

and depth of endurance 

breeding and the use of 

Arabian bloodlines in this 

country, which is very 

encouraging to see. 

The highest scoring entry across all ages 

from the virtual and physical series 

combined was Vlacq Dizzy Rascal 

by Vlacq Zibaq out of Vlacq Sulime 

who scored an impressive Elite mark of 

9.025. 

We caught up with his breeders, Sue 

and Laura Pyke: 

“Vlacq Dizzy Rascal is an Anglo Arab 

gelded foal and he not only came 3rd 

of all 2021 virtual Futurity entries across 

all disciplines, he also ranked equal 

10th nationally. I'll take that, as a small 

breeder doing my own thing on a hill 

in North Wales! Dizz looks like a little 

horse, he has done from the outset. Yes 

he is curly and elastic like all foals, but it 

is so easy to see the horse he will be, his 

proportions, his balance. 

“He is very much the Vlacq recipe, 

combining two of our foundation 

damlines from over 40 years ago, 

with both our TB Premium stallion Hipu 

Who (who sired a lot of eventers and 

showjumpers) on the damside, and our 

Premium Arabian stallion Shah Shadow, 

twice on the sire side. He needs no 

introduction, having sired Golden 

Horseshoe, Red Dragon and plenty 

of FEI horses. This makes for a known 

quantity in terms of temperament, and 

true to form, Dizz is a very happy and 

engaging young horse. It also delivers 

powerful movement, which we value, 

and he doesn't disappoint. 

“As a sire, Vlacq Zibaq is proving very 

consistent in the exceptional 

conformation and disposition of his foals. 

We have taken pure, Anglo and 

part-bred Arab foals of his to futurity 

evaluations; he hasn't many stock on the 

ground but they've each scored solid 

Golds or higher, only losing marks due 

to inexperience really. 

“It does make the hard 

work worthwhile to have a 

panel of experts give 

structured assessment of 

your stock. The Zibaq stock 

are long lined horses, yet 

compact and strong over 

their backs; they have 

wonderful walks, so I'm 

certain they will gallop well; 

they have several gears of 

trot including some very 

expressive yet economical 

ones and, importantly for 

any performance discipline, 

but particularly appealing 

for anyone looking for a 

future international 

endurance horse, they canter 

well, naturally, and are built 

uphill in the frame." 

BRITISH BREEDER| 35


...ENDURANCE 

“Dizz's dam is a true stamp of British 

first-cross Anglo. A liver chestnut small 

riding horse stamp that was my own 

riding horse, could jump far better than 

I could, and was Reserve National 

Champion on her only trip to the AHS 

National Champs, as a veteran. Now in 

her 20s, her first foal also topped the 

futurity rankings for the sport and is 

now a strapping three year old colt. 

When lockdown first happened I wasn't 

hopeful we would get her in foal again 

without some veterinary assistance, but 

it happened to plan and she is the most 

devoted mother. I have repeated the 

breeding again. 

Gifted Spirit SMB 

“Everyone that met Dizz as a foal was 

impressed by him, so it was a shame that 

there was no futurity venue close enough 

to us to take him to, to be assessed. After 

roping in much help, borrowing an 

arena and enlisting technical support 

with a reliable broadband connection, 

we filmed (in the wind and rain) and 

made sure we had all the angles and 

information the panel needed. 

“It's a lot of work, in truth, and I suspect 

the virtual entrants are watched and 

rewatched more closely than their 

in-person counterparts. Even if you plan 

to go to a venue with your youngster, run 

through the checklist for the virtual 

evaluations as it helps you, as handler, 

to understand what the panel need to 

see, and what they are looking for to 

make their linear scores come about. 

“I'm very happy that whenever we have 

had a youngster assessed, they have 

scored well, but also that we've had 

great feedback on the calibre of the 

horses, their preparation and turnout. It 

is important to make a good impression, 

especially as endurance as a sport is 

suffering repeated bad press over recent 

years. Anglos are few and far between, 

and there are so many Arabs out there 

that no longer represent the true riding 

type, who simply don't stand up to the 

physical or psychological work of 

performance disciplines, that it can feel 

like there is nowhere to showcase your 

stock. 

“The futurity evaluations gives breeders 

large and small another option and 

valuable data for the future. Vlacq Stud 

will continue to breed the types of horses 

that we ourselves would love to ride; I 

think that is important. Showring quality 

to look at, tried and tested soundness on 

both sides of the pedigree, 

good-natured horses that will become 

partners to their riders. 

We joke that Vlacqlings are "distilled, 

not cocktailed"; not many studs maintain 

their foundation lines, and every 

generation is proving to be an 

improvement on the last, sometimes in 

very small ways, but the aim is always 

to set each horse up for the best future it 

can have. 

“Vlacq Dizzy Rascal will hopefully have 

a bright future, whichever sport he is 

tested in, but for now he is growing, 

learning and being a horse. Breeding is 

a long game, and preparing an 

endurance horse for the big time is just 

as long and winding a road; everyone 

involved has a long wait for results in 

that sense and it is no surprise that good 

breeders have packed up and riders are 

experiencing a keen shortage of quality 

horses on the market. 

“We will hopefully have some more 'Z 

foals' to come and will continue to 

support the futurity scheme when we 

can.” 

Among the yearling entries, the highest 

scoring endurance horse was Gifted 

Spirit SMB with a high Silver score of 

7.85. Yearlings are always a difficult 

age to present and assess, but Gifted 

Spirit showed a lovely kind attitude and 

much potential. We caught up with his 

breeders Sarah and Peter Howard from 

SBM Arabians: 

“With correct conformation, 

clean limbs, superb effortless 

movement and a very nice 

temperament, he is a son of 

the multi-international 

champion Wortex Kalliste 

( France) who regularly gains 

top marks for his movement. 

His dam Hadiyya SBM ( by 

Psadisho Ibn Esstashan 

(Germany )) is a daughter of 

Tosca de Forgehill ( France) 

who in turn is a granddaughter 

of the renowned stallion 

Drug ( Russian studbook) who 

to this day remains the only 

purebred Arabian to have 

been both European 

racehorse champion and 

European halter champion in 

2 successive years.” 

Sarah and Peter Howard 

- SBM Arabians 



Seren Auros 

The highest scoring 2yo of the virtual 

series was Seren Auros, a charming 

gelding by Dandini out of an Aurilla Gold 

mare who achieved a nice Gold score of 

8.1 and whom we had already met as a 

yearling in the 2020 series. He showed 

a lovely positive attitude and covered the 

ground very well. 

Originally bred at Seren Arabians, he is 

owned by Emma Chivers who is 

delighted with the result: 

“I am over the moon with Mr Darcy's 

(Seren Auros) results and Futurity grading. 

I am extremely lucky to have this guy in 

my life and look forward to our future 

together, not only in an endurance and 

sports career but as a companion and 

friend.” 

In the 3yo category, it was a pleasure to 

welcome another horse from the 

experienced breeding of Anne Brown in 

Gadebrook Blade who achieved the 

highest endurance score in this age 

group with a Gold mark of 8. The 

evaluator noted his harmonious and well 

developed frame and correct gaits. This 

score also qualifies him for our new 

Equine Bridge Endurance scheme, which 

for the first time will provide an 

opportunity for Futurity endurance 

graduates to be presented under saddle. 

His owner Susan Hawes is delighted with 

him: 

“I bought Blade from his breeder, Anne 

Brown of the Gadebrook stud, last year 

as a potential endurance horse. I really 

enjoyed getting him ready for the virtual 

Futurity and am sure that the handling 

he received will pay dividends when it 

comes to backing him later this year. I 

understand that British Breeding intend to 

provide an equine bridge opportunity for 

endurance horses in 2022 and I would 

very much like to participate.” 

“I am a great believer in the value of the Futurity 

scheme as an indicator of true endurance potential. 

For example, Blade’s full brother, Kaalif, was the 

leading 2 year old and 3 year old in the endurance 

section in 2012 and 2013 and went on to win the Arab 

Horse Society’s performance horse championships for 

endurance in 2019.” 

Sausan Hawes 

“My other Advanced endurance horse, 

Samba B (Sambist / Jazmyn) was 

awarded higher first premiums in both 

2013 and 2014 and was also the leading 

Futurity endurance horse 2yo in 2014. 

Both Blade and Samba B are 

clearly destined for great things 

as their Futurity results 

indicate! 

Gadebrook Blade 

BRITISH BREEDER| 37

British Breeding - Auction Report 

British Breeding 

Futurity Auction 

promotes British 

bred horses to a 

wider audience. 

So many British riders are on 

foreign-bred horses – why? The 

feedback – riders and investors don’t 

want to travel the length and breadth 

of the country to see one horse, they 

wanted to see a range of horses in one 

place. The second ever British Breeding 

Futurity auction, this year for the first 

time organised as a hybrid physical 

and online event, brought them together, 

with participants from as far afield 

as Scotland and Cornwall. Viewers 

nationwide could see the foals and 

horses in the flesh or by livestream. 

All horses in the auction must achieve a 

gold score, well above average in ability 

and potential and be black type on the 

mother line. 

The Futurity selection creates a high 

level of trust and transparency as all 

participating foals and horses 

Evelita du Ruisseau Z 

have already been assessed by vets, 

nutritionists and evaluators from an early 

age. They have to tick all the boxes, from 

proven pedigrees to solid Futurity 

scores, before passing another pre-sale 

vetting. 

Says British Breeding director Jane 

Skepper: “Our overall vision is for British 

riders to compete at Championship level 

on British horses and make it easier for 

investors to buy British.” 

“We had 17 eventers and showjumpers 

and 11 dressage horses at the beautiful 

facilities of the National Training Centre 

– we’ve had a lot of support from British 

Showjumping.” 

The inaugural auction in 

2020 – the year of Covid-19 – was 

online only with a wide audience via 

Clipmyhorse. “A lot of bids came from 

abroad but this has died down because 

of Brexit. 2021 was a hybrid auction, 

prospective buyers could see horses in 

the flesh and bid at the venue or online 

but we were surprised; a lot viewed 

in the afternoon, went home and bid 

online. Livestream also gave a sense of 

involvement rather than pre-recorded 

videos – we made it an occasion.” 

Having a stallion present with offspring 

in the auction is another idea – “It can 

help boost the sales by a British-bred 

stallion – this country has good stallions 

but their success is less known compared 

to Europe.” 

Eros Zeus 

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An Extravaganza for Breeders…. 

The biggest British Breeding 

event yet, Covid 

permitting, will be held at 

Arena UK, Lincolnshire, on 

12th February, introducing a 

new concept for the Equine 

Bridge, the Stallion Event 

and the Futurity Awards. The 

event will raise the profile of 

our stallions and British bred 

horses, and celebrate the 

achievements of our 

breeders. 

The Equine Bridge 

Organised as a two-day “performance 

test” style event with high profile 

international trainers and evaluators, 

the purpose of the Equine Bridge is to 

support the transition of the very best 

Futurity series candidates into the sport. 

The top entry in each discipline of 

eventing, showjumping and dressage 

will receive a £1000 bursary to be 

used towards the costs of starting the 

most talented British bred horses in their 

competition career. 

Centred on the equine athlete’s needs it 

brings together all stakeholders, riders, 

owners, breeders, trainers and the 

Olympic disciplines to identify and 

nurture talent. British Breeding has 

expanded the scope of the project to 

provide additional ongoing 

opportunities for owners and breeders. 

The Equine Bridge is open to horses and 

ponies aged 4 to 6 years, who have 

completed a BB Futurity evaluation as a 

3, 4, or 5 year old and achieved a score 

of 8 or above and have demonstrated a 

level of ridden competence. 

The Equine Bridge provides opportunities 

and support for the equine athlete as 

they transition into the sport. 

The Healthy Equine Athlete 

With the growing need to maintain a 

“social license to operate”, equines in 

sport can no longer be taken for granted 

and we must respond positively to the 

challenges over equine welfare. 

The British Breeding Futurity and British 

Breeding Equine Bridge programmes 

support breeding and management of 

horses and ponies for longevity and 

soundness by collecting data to improve 

future breeding decisions and by 

providing detailed professional 

veterinarian and allied professional 

feedback to optimise the management 

and production of young horses and 

ponies. 

As part of the Equine Bridge programme, 

every horse or pony undergoes a 

detailed soundness and performance 

evaluation with our senior veterinarian 

and her team of allied professionals, 

comprising an experienced master 

saddler, a master farrier and a qualified 

nutritionist. 

Identifying Equine Talent 

The aim of the Bridge is to identify young 

horses and ponies who have the 

potential and talent to represent Great 

Britain at FEI level. By identifying horses 

and ponies not only with the ability to 

reach the highest levels, but with the 

constitution and longevity to stay 

successful at that level, the Bridge 

provides invaluable information for those 

seeking to invest their resources, from 

owners to riders and other stakeholders. 

To determine the talent and potential of 

the Bridge candidates, the horses and 

ponies are presented in a two-day 

programme, incorporating training 

with renowned top trainers, ridden 

assessments and veterinarian and allied 

professional evaluation session. 


BRITISH BREEDER| 41


provides pedigrees, linear profiles, 

evaluators’ comments, videos and 

photographs. All evaluations are carried 

out by an independent team of experts. 

British Breeding invites all interested 

riders and investors to attend the Bridge 

to take advantage of the opportunities to 

meet the horses and their breeders. 

A “catalogue” of equine Bridge 

candidates including pedigrees and 

relevant background information (such 

as previous Futurity scores and linear 

descriptions) will be available. 

The Equine Bridge is supported by 

Baileys Horse Feeds and Zoetis. 

The "Ride British" Project 

Our vision for the Bridge is to create a 

mechanism to fulfil the need to the 

industry to source the best horses for the 

best riders and to understand and 

overcome the impediments that are 

currently leading to good horses not 

fulfilling their potential, and talented 

riders being unable to find good horses 

in this country. Riders and investors tell us 

that they need to be able to come to one 

place where they can see a good range 

of suitable horses to choose from for the 

future. The Equine Bridge provides an 

excellent opportunity to observe these 

young horses as they are put through the 

rigorous 2 day programme, designed 

to provide reliable information about 

ability, soundness and rideability, with 

access to our public database, which 

Futurity Awards 

Celebration 

As a result of the current COVID case 

numbers we feel it is irresponsible to 

carry out the dinner at this time. 

We will be awarding the Futurity winners 

of 2021 at the Stallion Event during the 

day. 

Further information will be announced 

nearer the time. 

We hope to be able to hold our annual 

awards dinner at the end of the 2022 

season. Information regarding this will 

be release in due course. 



Stallion Event 

The Stallion event will be held on Saturday 12th 

February and will showcase the very best of both 

young and established British based stallions from 

all three disciplines. Breeders have long since valued 

this event for the diversity of bloodlines and ages 

on display, with stallions representing all UK sport 

horse and pony studbooks. The Stallion Event gives 

mare owners and the wider public an opportunity to 

see stallions perform in the arena as well as having 

access to the stable area. Studbooks and breeding 

organisations will be represented in the trade stand 

area. 

The day will start with eventing and then 

showjumping sires, then the arena will be cleared 

for the dressage stallions. Each stallion will show 

his paces in the arena giving mare owners a chance 

to watch their technique and way of going in a live 

performance. The stables will be open from midday, 

offering a unique opportunity for visitors to meet the 

stallions, up close and personal, and to chat with the 

connections of each stallion about their credentials 

and suitability for your breeding plans. 

Tickets for the Stallion Event also give access to 

watch The Equine Bridge. For details, visit 

www.british-breeding.com. 

Photo - Kevin Sparrow 

AES Masterclass with 

Isobel Wessels 

The stallion event is sponsored by Baileys Horse 

Feeds and Zoetis, in association with 

Competition Stallions. 

Tickets for the Isobel Wessels Masterclass can be bought 

separately or as part of our VIP package – 

visit www.british-breeding.com for details. 

The grand finale on Saturday 29th January will be a 

Masterclass with Isobel Wessels, generously sponsored by 

the Anglo European Studbook. The AES Masterclass is a new 

concept for our annual Extravaganza, rounding off the two 

day event with a spotlight on training and preparation for the 

international stage. 

Isobel will work with some young horses and dressage stallions, 

giving a unique insight into her training methods and providing 

her invaluable perspective and international judge's eye. 

Isobel has been involved with riding, training and judging 

dressage for the last 30 years. She trains riders all over the UK 

as well as abroad. Having trained many horses to Grand Prix 

and won no less than 25 national titles over the years, ten of 

them aboard star horse, the late Chagall, Isobel Wessels is no 

stranger to success. Alongside riding, competing and training, 

Isobel has also achieved the status of FEI 5* Judge making her 

one of only four in Britain. In this role she judged at the 2017 

Senior European Championships, multiple European Championships 

for U21s riders, World Cup qualifiers, Nations Cup 

competitions and, of course, at the FEI-WBFSH World Breeding 

Championships for Young Dressage Horses. 

Photo - Kevin Sparrow 

BRITISH BREEDER| 43

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BRITISH BREEDER| 45

Feature - WBFSH Sire Rankings for 2021 

The World Breeding Federation For Sport 

Horses Recently Announced The Official 

WBFSH Sire Rankings For 2021. 

As the official and reliable source of 

verified rankings based on FEI 

performance data, the WBFSH Sire 

Rankings have long been the barometer 

of the global sport horse breeding 

industry. The rankings provide an 

invaluable resource to breeders in 

identifying breeding trends and sire lines 

who have proven themselves again and 

again in breeding the top performers in 

the sport. 

Among the dressage stallions, we see the 

previous leaders, Johnson and his sire 

Jazz, moving from 1st and 2nd position 

into 2nd and 3rd, with the great late 

Sandro Hit moving up from 3rd place 

and now ranked number 1 in the world. 

For the eventing stallions, last year’s 

leader Grafenstolz still ranks highly in 

3rd position, with Diarado staying in 

2nd place. The top ranking eventing sire 

2021 is a long standing favourite in the 

great Jaguar Mail who moved up from 

3rd position in 2020. Among the 

showjumping sires, the top two 

places remain unchanged in Diamant de 

Semilly again taking second place and 

Chacco-Blue remaining the leading 

sire. Toulon, who occupied 3rd place 

last year, is now ranked 6th, with Casall 

moving up from 5th to 3rd place. 

Chacco-Blue’s impressive and long 

standing record as a breeding sire 

reached further heights this year, which 

saw him the most represented stallion at 

the Tokyo Olympics with no fewer than 

5 offspring. The stand-out progeny was 

again the great Explosion W, bred by 

WBFSH Jumping Breeder of the Year 

2019, who went on to secure individual 

Gold with Ben Maher. 

Chacco-Blue is a Mecklenburger stallion 

by Chambertin out of a Contender mare 

and was bred by Karl-Heinz Köpp. He 

has held on to world ranking number 1 

position for 5 consecutive years now. 

The Tokyo Olympics also provided 

an excellent opportunity for the Selle 

Français stallion Jaguar Mail progeny 

to shine. Among them, Vassily de Lassos 

stood out by securing Australian Team 

Silver and Individual Bronze for Andrew 

Hoy, following an excellent performance 

at Luhmühlen in June, which also saw the 

combination in 3rd place. Another 

Jaguar Mail offspring competing at 

Tokyo was Colorado Blue, 

representing Ireland under the saddle of 

Austin O’Connor. 

Jaguar Mail has been in the Top 3 of the 

WBFSH Sire rankings since 2017. 

Sandro Hit 

He is by Hand in Glove XX out of a 

Laudanum XX mare and was bred by 

Bernard Pierre Le Courtois. 

As the official and reliable source of 

verified rankings based on FEI 

performance data, the WBFSH Sire 

Rankings have long been the barometer 

of the global sport horse breeding 

industry. The rankings provide an 

invaluable resource to breeders in 

identifying breeding trends and sire lines 

who have proven themselves again and 

again in breeding the top performers in 

the sport. 

Among the dressage stallions, we see the 

previous leaders, Johnson and his sire 

Jazz, moving from 1st and 2nd position 

into 2nd and 3rd, with the great late 

Sandro Hit moving up from 3rd place 

and now ranked number 1 in the world. 

For the eventing stallions, last year’s 

leader Grafenstolz still ranks highly in 

3rd position, with Diarado staying in 

2nd place. The top ranking eventing sire 

2021 is a long standing favourite in the 

great Jaguar Mail who moved up from 

3rd position in 2020. Among the 

showjumping sires, the top two 

places remain unchanged in Diamant de 

Semilly again taking second place and 

Chacco-Blue remaining the leading sire. 

Chacco-Blue’s impressive and long 

standing record as a breeding sire 

reached further heights this year, which 

saw him the most represented stallion at 

the Tokyo Olympics with no fewer than 5 

offspring. 


Feature - WBFSH Sire Rankings for 2021 

The stand-out progeny was again the 

great Explosion W, bred by WBFSH 

Jumping Breeder of the Year 2019, who 

went on to secure individual Gold with 

Ben Maher. 

Chacco-Blue is a Mecklenburger stallion 

by Chambertin out of a Contender mare 

and was bred by Karl-Heinz Köpp. He 

has held on to world ranking number 1 

position for 5 consecutive years now. 

The Tokyo Olympics also provided 

an excellent opportunity for the Selle 

Français stallion Jaguar Mail progeny 

to shine. Among them, Vassily de Lassos 

stood out by securing Australian Team 

Silver and Individual Bronze for Andrew 

Hoy, following an excellent performance 

at Luhmühlen in June, which also saw 

the combination in 3rd place. Another 

Jaguar Mail offspring competing at 

Tokyo was Colorado Blue, representing 

Ireland under the saddle of Austin 

O’Connor. 

Jaguar Mail has been in the Top 3 of the 

WBFSH Sire rankings since 2017. He is 

by Hand in Glove XX out of a Laudanum 

XX mare and was bred by Bernard Pierre 

Le Courtois. 

Celebrating the Great Sandro Hit 

This is a special year for Sandro Hit who 

achieved the top position in the dressage 

stallion rankings for the very first time. 

Our celebration of his breeding 

achievements is tinged with a little 

sadness, as at the age of 28, he passed 

away earlier this year only days after 

we witnessed outstanding performances 

by his progeny at this year’s Tokyo 

Olympics, which saw the entire US 

Dressage team mounted on horses 

that were either direct descendants, or 

grandsons of Sandro Hit. On the gold 

winning German team, we enjoyed a 

wonderful performance of Showtime 

FRH under the saddle of Dorothee 

Schneider, with Salvino, ridden by 

Adrienne Lyle, helping to secure silver for 

the US team. 

In this year’s WBFSH Dressage Sire 

Rankings we encounter his genetics 

twice more in the top 10 ranked stallions 

with his son Sir Donnerhall I in 4th and 

his grandson Spielberg in 8th position. 

Not directly reflected in the sire rankings, 

but nevertheless significant when we 

think back on this stallion’s achievements, 

it is also as a dam sire that we see 

Sandro Hit’s great influence. Perhaps 

the most famous horse out of a Sandro 

Hit mare is Isabell Werth’s former world 

number 1 ranked Weihegold, who is 

still winning at Grand Prix today, 5 

years after Rio and 7 years after her 

international Grand Prix debut. What 

is interesting about Sandro Hit is that 

he was not bred for dressage. His sire 

Sandro Song is by the thoroughbred 

Sacramento Song XX and out of a 

Gepard mare, who comes from 

the famous showjumping G-Line of 

Gotthard. His dam Loretta is by the 

Ramiro son Ramino who was champion 

of his performance test at Adelheidsdorf 

in 1983. He stood in Oldenburg from 

1983 to 1987, at the same time as 

competing in showjumping with Melanie 

Kötter. The pair won team gold at the 

European Junior Championship in 1987. 

Sandro Hit passed his original stallion 

licensing and completed his 100 day 

performance test with average marks. It 

was only when Dr Ulf Möller produced 

him for the dressage section of the 1999 

Bundeschampionat World Breeding 

Championship for Young Horses at 

Arnheim, the precursor for the FEI – 

WBFSH World Breeding Championships 

for Young Dressage Horses, that Sandro 

Hit found his true calling and gained 

international fame. 

Jaguar Mail (Above) Chacco-Bue (Below) 

When we look more closely at Sandro 

Hit’s pedigree, we discover that he 

marks the beginning of an exceptional 

motherline. His dam Loretta gave birth to 

two more licensed stallions, in Royal Hit, 

by Royal Dance, and Diamond Hit, by 

Don Schufro, arguably her best son. 

It is therefore without a doubt that 

the blood of Sandro Hit lives on, not 

merely through his direct sons and 

paternal grandsons, but also as a highly 

influential damsire and through his 

own exceptional mare family. We look 

forward to following their success in the 

future. 

BRITISH BREEDER| 47

Studbook - News 

Tantoni Salamanca 

AES UK Stallion Grading Series 

The Anglo European 

Studbook rounded off the 

2021 season with a 

successful UK Stallion 

Gradings Tour, held at a 

number of public venues 

around the country. It is a 

great pleasure to introduce 

a range of promising young 

horses with excellent 

pedigrees and exciting 

potential for the sport. 

Says AES Studbook representative, 

Dr Eva-Maria Broomer: 

“We pride ourselves in our thorough and 

transparent grading process. Equine 

welfare is important to us, so being 

able to organise a tour, rather than just 

one central venue, cuts down on travel 

time and stress for these young horses. 

Creating a relaxed and welcoming 

atmosphere benefits the horses and their 

handlers, but also our evaluators who 

get a better impression of the true 

capabilities of the horses. 

“At some venues, we are now able to 

offer a full vetting and x-rays on site 

alongside the grading process. This 

was a bit of a pilot project for us this 

autumn, and has been highly beneficial, 

as it allowed us to have a direct dialog 

between the grading team and the 

veterinary professionals.” 

The first leg of the grading journey took 

the team to Oxfordshire, where they 

licensed Jay Halim’s promising young 

stallion Midnight (Comme Il Faut x 

Numero Uno), bred by G Swinkels. Midnight 

was purchased by Jay, who has an 

excellent eye for potential, as a yearling 

at the Bolesworth Elite 

Auction in 2018. The stallion convinced 

the judges with a super temperament 

and rideability, showing great scope 

and hind leg technique over a fence. 

His trot was very elastic, and his canter 

exhibited the natural balance that is the 

hallmark of a great showjumper. 

Midnight comes from an interesting 

motherline. Grandmother Daina looks 

back on a successful international 

showjumping career at 1.45m, and is 

half-sister to a successful dressage horse, 

the Kennedy gelding Atlantic. 

The team then visited the famous Talland 

School of Equitation where the focus 

very much moved to dressage. A 

particularly interesting young stallion 

was Pippa Hutton’s Nature (Intro K x 

United), bred by G.C. van der Koppel, 

who impressed with beautiful type and 

rideability. He has excellent 

conformation and balanced, expressive 

gaits. Certainly a horse to watch for the 

future. 



J.R.P. Cassius Kannan 

Don Pedro 

So Very By Design 

Neverland Lost Boy 

The tour finished on a high with a visit 

to Moor Hall in Cheshire. This grading 

event was generously supported by 

the nearby Stallion AI Services, a 

world class centre for semen collection, 

who had provided goodie bags and 

vouchers. 

Joining the ranks of new licensed 

dressage stallions was Claire 

Cooper-Wyatt’s own bred So Very By 

Design (Devivio x Osmium). This very 

beautiful young horse showed great 

elasticity in his gaits and wonderful type. 

Devivio is owned by Claire and himself 

a very promising stallion whose crop 

are showing incredible consistency and 

promise. 

So Very By Design was a regional 

champion at the Elite Foal Tour in 2018, 

beating offspring from a wide range 

of established international stallions. 

His mother Volivia is an AES Select 

Studbook Mare who gained a type 

premium at her mare inspection. 

From the experienced breeding 

operation of Jonathan Parrot we met 

two stallions by Casanova du Domaine 

Z with wonderful temperaments and 

great hindleg techniques. J.R.P. Call 

Me Casanova (Casanova du Domaine 

Z x Silvio) exhibited a positive and 

calm attitude and naturally loose and 

expressive movement. J.R.P. Cassius 

Kannan (Casanova du Domaine Z 

x Kannan) had excellent jumping 

technique and harmonious, athletic 

conformation. 

Still very green over the fences, but 

showing excellent potential and scope 

with a wonderful, expressive and 

balanced canter and harmonious, 

uphill type was Don Pedro (Domani van 

den Overweg x Landor S), bred and 

owned by Alexander King. He is from 

a breathtaking motherline. His dam is 

the half-sister of two 1.60m horses in 

Hellmond van den Bisschop and Inco 

van den Bischhop whose successes 

under the saddle of Martim Portela de 

Morais include a win at the CSI 3* 

1.50m at Villamora in 2020. 

Another stand out stallion was a little 

powerhouse. Neverland Lost Boy 

(Cavaliers Floris x Porsch), bred by 

Michael Walsh, is Irish bred and 

showed an enormous jump with 

excellent technique and confidence. The 

evaluators noted is excellent front leg, as 

well as his elegant, athletic type, super 

attitude and naturally expressive and 

balanced movement. 

Another exciting new stallion to join 

the AES portfolio is Tantoni Salamanca 

(Sezuan x Rubin Royal) bred by 

Georgina Pole-Carew of the Tantoni 

Stud. He is a large-framed young 

horse with a lot of presence and 3 

expressive gaits, paired with a wonderful 

temperament. His breeding goes back 

to the Earl of Merveldt’s wonderful mare 

Falaise, with numerous close relatives, 

including a son of the mother’s full sister, 

winning at international Grand Prix all 

over the world. 

Says AES evaluator, Lucy Simpson: 

“We would like to thank all our breeders 

and owners for a successful and highly 

enjoyable autumn gradings tour. We 

saw a great variety of promising young 

stallions that have a bright future ahead 

of them. We are already looking 

forward to our next grading events in 

spring 2022.” 

If you are interested in participating in 

one of our gradings or would like to 

find out more, do not hesitate to email 

lucy@angloeuropeanstudbook.co.uk, we 

would be delighted to hear from you! 

BRITISH BREEDER| 49


Biddesden Palikari - 

NaStA Performance Testing 2021 

Arab Horse Society 

Premium Performance 

Scheme Expands For 

By Caroline Sussex 

The AHS is very pleased to welcome 

seven new Premium Performance 

stallions to their Premium breeding 

scheme. The first two both successfully 

completed the tough two-day 

National Stallion Association 

(NaStA) test in August. The Scheme has 

expanded this year to include Ridden 

Merit Stallions with a high qualification 

requirement. To date five new stallions 

have entered the scheme under this 

qualification. 

BIddesden Palikari and Yawl Hill Big Yin 

have been awarded Grade A Premium 

status by the Arab Horse Society, to 

complement their NaStA classification. 

Both are home-bred so we warmly 

congratulate their breeders, The Hon 

Finn Guinness at Biddesden, and Kirsty 

Wiscombe at Yawl Hill. 

BIDDESDEN PALIKARI is a handsome 

6 year old young pure Bred bay Arab 

Stallion. He is by the famous stallion 

Dhruv who was himself a champion. 

Dhruv’s movement was one of his special 

features and Palikari, who is yet to 

appear in public under saddle, has 

promising paces for the future. He has 

begun his eventing career. YAWL HILL 

BIG YIN (“Ash”) is a 9 year old 

Yawl Hill Big Yin in endurance 

grey Part Bred Arab who is actually 

50% Arabian and 50% thoroughbred. 

Interestingly, his sire was another son of 

Dhruv and his dam is Connie an Anglo 

Arab. Ash is already a FEI 1 * winner at 

100kms in endurance. 

Premium mare owners – of any breed 

- who use these talented stallions will 

receive monetary rewards from the AHS 

on registration of their foals. Other 

Nominated mares receive awards. 

Breeder Esther Groen’s endurance 

stallion WATT DU COLOMBIER is 

among five Premium stallions to qualify 

under the new Ridden Merit rules this 

year. He is a double 160 kms proven 

stallion competing with low heart rates, 

super recovery and the easiest 

temperament. Interestingly, he is by the 

famous Arques Perspex by Persik and his 

dam is also by Persik so he is quite 

closely line bred. Watt has had two foals 

who entered the British Breeding Futurity 

both getting gold premiums. 

Multi Ridden Champion, SILVERN 

PRINCE, aged 22, was bred and owned 

by Caroline Sussex and earns the 

Ridden Merit status from his wins under 

saddle. In 2010, he became HOYS 

Ridden Arabian Champion, taking 

Yawl Hill Big Yin jumping 

Reserve in 2011. He is by Premium 

Stallion Prince Sadik, out of Premium 

Mare, Silvern Image. Silvern Prince 

already has a daughter who has just 

received Premium Mare status. 

Another daughter, Binley Silvern Tahlia 

just missed Elite status by 0.6 at the 2016 

Futurity Grading! He has other offspring 

just starting out in endurance who have 

also done well at the Futurity evaluation. 

ZAYIN ZACHILLES comes from Paul 

Simmonds famous racing stud – Zayin. 

Zachilles has had an exceptional career 

on the track and stands at 15.2hh. He 

is by Kaolino out of CS Comete. His 9 

racing wins made him Reserve ARO and 

British Bred Champion 2014. Zayin has 

also competed in endurance with 2 x 80 

km Grade 1 in 2021. 

MAN OF DREAMS is by the Multi 

group 1 winning sire, Nizam out of 

Dantes Dream. His bloodlines include 

Champion racehorses being a blend of 

bloodlines including Crabbet and Polish 

and Middle Eastern lines. He was the 

winner of 7 races including the Qatar 

Equestrian Handicap and HH Sheikha 

Bint Mubarak Ladies World 

Championship. In 2013, he was British 

champion racehorse and after 5 seasons 

of racing. He is a half brother to dual 

race winner and CEI 3-star Endurance 

performer Terminators Dream and CEI 

2* winner Mayday Dream. 

TANNASG ANSOMROB owned by 

Seonaid Paterson. Tannasg Arabian stud 

is a small family run stud 50 minutes from 

Edinburgh and Glasgow. Ansomrob is 

by Psyches Boy out of Tannasg Roulette, 

a fascinating pedigree incorporating 

a mix of lines blended to produce this 

lovely looking bay stallion qualified 

through his superb endurance record. 


Breed 

more 

winners 

India Thomson (South 

West, West & Midlands) 

07500 878204 

Your partners in care 

Vanessa Allen (East Anglia 

& East Midlands) 

07809 340181 

Gina Burgoyne 

(South East) 

07776 248972 

Carrie Newman 

(North) 

07776 248947 

Jane Smith 

(Scotland) 

07776 248961 

Dominique Winpenny 

(N.I) 

07736 885876 

www.spillers-feeds.com ©Mars, 2021 

BRITISH BREEDER| 51


Riding Horse of the Year Kellythorpes Obsession. 

Image courtesy 1st Class Images 

2021 has been a very 

busy year for the British 

Riding Pony Studbook. 

In addition to the 

many shows running 

breed classes around 

the country, we also 

launched a new Stallion 

Assessment that was 

held in August at Solihull 

Riding Club. 

Our assessors came from the Trakehner 

Verband which allowed a completely 

independent and fresh perspective on 

the stallions forward. All marks awarded 

were confidential to the stallion owner, 

allowing the assessment to be a one-off, 

risk- free opportunity for the stallions 

forward to have a “dry run” at an 

assessment format. 

The Squire. Image courtesy Holly Hall Photography 

The highest marks of the day (55/70) 

were awarded to Martine & Lee 

Harding’s Sport Category registered 

The Squire (Acado x Oldhills Princess 

Belle by Rotherwood Peter Pan) bred 

by Wayne Rees. This 4 year old stallion 

was praised for his temperament and 

harmonious paces. The other stallions 

forward were also highly scored with a 

number of 8s awarded. 

After very positive feedback from the 

participants we will look to again work 

with the Trakehner Breeders Federation 

on running a joint event in 2022. 

Another new addition to the calendar 

was the Great British In Hand Show 

that was run at Kelsall Hill EC on 18th 

September. Each of the 12 Mountain & 

Moorland breeds plus the British Riding 

Pony, Hacks and Riding Horses were 

represented at the show. Each overall 

breed champion then came forward for 

the Larnleigh Stud Supreme under the 

spotlights of the evening performance. 

The British Riding Pony (Show Pony) 

Supreme and overall 5th placed pony 

was Karen Stanley’s yearling Dowhills 

Grandeur (Jackets Shades of Blue x 

Glenrowan Maythyme by Strinesdale 

Mastermind) bred by Jane Cross. 

Dowhills Grandeur British Riding Pony Supreme at 

the GBIHS. Image courtesy 1st Class Images. 

The British Riding Pony (Show Hunter 

Pony) Supreme was Mrs Hill’s homebred 

Cowance Midnight Echo who is 

currently on loan to Ella Stephens. This 6 

year old mare is registered in the Sports 

category of the studbook and is by the 

dressage stallion Bernwode Benedict x 

Cowance Capability Brown by Simply 

Blue. The Hack Supreme was also a 

British Riding Pony, this time the licensed 

stallion Sandboro Royal Affair (Llanarth 

Aristocat x Immediately by Notnowcato) 

owned and bred by Kelly Phillips. 

The last big show of the season was 

Horse of the Year Show where success 

by British Riding Ponies were too 

numerous to mention. Among the many 

champions hailing from the studbook 

were Wycroft Beethoven (Show Hunter 

Pony), Barkway Take That (LR/FR), 

Absolutely Classic (Part Bred), Forgeland 

Hyde Park (Hack & Intermediate) and 

Kellythorpe Obsession (Riding Horse). 

The NPS/Derby House Performance 

Scheme is still open. If you have a British 

Riding Pony that has competed in any 

discipline this season then please register 

on https://www.nationalponysociety. 

com/performance-scheme-2/ for your 

chance to win fantastic prizes. 

www.nationalponysociety.com 

Telephone - 01420 88333 

Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 5.00pm 

studbook@nationalponysociety.com 

membership@nationalponysociety.com 

admin@nationalponysociety.com 

shows@nationalponysociety.com 



The TBF ran it’s annual 

mare grading alongside 

the NASTA stallion 

performance test at Solihull 

Riding Club on 24th 

August. 

Four mares were graded with an 

interesting range of bloodlines. 

Champion and reserve were both 

bred by Godington Stud. Champion 

Godington Ursula is a 5 year old 

daughter of the Anglo Arab Icare 

D’Olympe out of the Elite Mare 

Godington Uppsala (Roland) and she 

confirmed her Premium mare status 

by successfully completing her mare 

performance test later that day. The 

judges Mr Paul and Mrs Susan Attew 

praised her very correct limbs and 

outstanding sport horse credentials. 

The year older Godington Balenciaga 

(Herzensdieb x PM Godington 

Barcelona (Elite Godington Hannibal)) 

also earned Premium marks and 

competed her performance requirements 

through the NASTA Stallion Performance 

Test. The judges felt this lovely mare 

could excel in all three disciplines and 

had tremendous breeding potential. 

Rebecca Jackson presented at the 

Trakehner grading for the first time with 

a charming daughter of the late Grand 

Prix stallion Latimer. Volatis Elfentime 

was shown with her well grown colt foal 

at foot and she carries the important 

broodmare sire blood of Tycoon and 

Consul in the next generations. The 

judges felt she showed herself off very 

well when loose and was a very good 

broodmare for the Trakehner studbook. 

Volatis Elfentime 

Photo Sophie Jones 

Champion PM Godington Ursula. 

Image courtesy Holly Hall Photography 

The tobiano mare Honeybrook Candice 

(Count Lindeau x Epik) was graded into 

the Studbook and has joined the Volatis 

Stud broodmare herd. Showed by Sacha 

Shaw with a big moving colt foal at foot, 

the judges commented she was a lovely 

deep broodmare type with evident 

breeding potential. 

Honeybrook Candice - Photo Holly 

Hall Photography 

Congratulations to all the mare owners 

on their successes and thank you to the 

team at NASTA for organising a very 

successful joint event. 

Trakehners continue their success in 

sport over the Autumn. Holme Park Flirt 

(Holme Grove Prokofiev out of Holme 

Park Fantine (Holme Grove Solomon)) 

was part of the winning Scottish team at 

the Celtic Challenge Home International 

endurance event. She won her 2 day 

120km class and has convinced many 

endurance enthusiasts as to the great 

qualities Trakehners hold for the sport. 

Holme Park Flirt winning at the 

Home International 

Godington Stud continue to have a good 

run of results with their eventers into the 

Autumn months. Godington Ultimo (Der 

Duerer x Roland) had a strong double 

clear at Moreton Morrell and Aston le 

Walls whereas Godington Balenciaga 

has been very competitive with top ten 

placings at Aston le Walls and Swalcliffe 

ODEs. 

Paradressage rider Laura Gulliver has a 

new Trakehner to run alongside Garuda 

K. Laura took Jo Alderton-Whitworth’s 

Farok V Singing (Hofrat x Munchhausen) 

to the Keysoe CPEDI3* alongside 

Garuda K with top 5 placings for both 

horses in the Grade IV and a plus 71% 

in the freestyle for the licensed stallion 

Garuda K. www.trakehners.uk.com 

BRITISH BREEDER| 53


Goldenstorm 

The Sports Pony Studbook Society 

The Sports Pony 

Studbook Society 

Celebrating Success 

Following from the success of our virtual 

events in 2020, we took a blended 

approach to SPSS Gradings in 2021. 

There were full “in-person” stallion & 

mare gradings at a number of venues 

plus the opportunity to eGrade mares 

or present a stallion for a prE-grading 

virtual “eAssessment” (both by supplying 

video footage). Overall, we were 

delighted with the success of this 

approach and the successful stallions 

and mares will be featured in our next 

article. 

For youngstock, a hybrid approach was 

offered to SPSS passported or 

overstamped youngstock who could be 

evaluated in person at an SPSS event or 

they could be evaluated through the 

British Breeding Futurity (both 

in-person & virtual). An SPSS Premium 

was awarded to those who scored from 

70% to 79.9% (or 7-7.99 if marked by 

Futurity) and an SPSS GOLD Premium to 

those that scored 80% or more 

(8+ at Futurity). 

The scores were then converted to 

percentages and all eligible youngstock 

went forward to the SPSS End of Year 

Youngstock Awards. 

We are delighted to announce that the 

2021 SPSS Supreme Youngstock 

Champion title goes to the pony foal 

Henza She’s On Fire. Bred by her owner, 

Diane Kilshaw, She’s On Fire is out 

of Diane’s SPSS ELITE Head Studbook 

mare Sophie who had already produced 

a 15 foals including a Bundeschampion, 



a Vice-Bundeschampion and 3 licensed stallions 

in Germany before Diane bought her. She’s On 

Fire was evaluated at the Catherston Futurity event 

where she received perfect 10s for both her walk 

and canter, gaining 9.2 overall and a Futurity Elite 

Premium. 

Unusually, the Reserve Supreme Youngstock 

Champion title is shared this year, between 

two equal scoring SPSS registered foals - Sally 

Hibbert’s Gorsebrook Hot Totty and Carrie 

Passmore’s Goldenstorm. Both gained 9.025 at 

their in-person Futurity Evaluations and so were 

awarded Futurity Elite Premiums. Carrie’s colt has 

2 SPSS graded parents, being out of Carrie’s 

homebred Susie Shuttle, who is also the dam of 

the 2020 SPSS Reserve Supreme Youngstock 

Champion as well half-sister to the Gold medal 

winning Para-dressage mare, Midnight (also bred 

by Carrie). Sally’s filly was the first sports pony 

to receive a Futurity Elite Premium in 2021 and is 

Sally’s first foal out of her SPSS Head Studbook 

mare, Rafthouse Gee Tee I, who is by a Morgan 

stallion out of an Arab cross British Riding Pony 

mare. 

Overall, 20 of the 39 youngstock entered for the 

SPSS evaluations gained SPSS Gold Premiums 

and the rest got Premiums. All the 2021 SPSS 

Youngstock title and rosette winners are listed 

below. 

The SPSS Youngstock award winners are: 

Supreme Youngstock Champion; Top Foal; Top 

Pony; Top Filly 

Diane Kilshaw’s Henza She’s On Fire (FS Numero 

Uno x Dressman I) 

Gorsebrook Hot Totty (Above) Henza She's On Fire (Below) 

Joint Reserve Supreme Youngstock Champion; Top 

Small Horse; Top Colt 

Carrie Passmore’s Goldenstorm (Hilkens Gold 

Card x Sir Shutterfly) 

Joint Reserve Supreme Youngstock Champion 

Sally Hibbert’s Gorsebrook Hot Totty (Pennal The 

Great x Mossrose Triumphant) 

Top Yearling 

Naomi Maxted-Massey’s MM Sweet Sensation 

(Woodlander Sir Gorgeous x FS Champion De 

Luxe) 

Top 2 year old 

Alison Staveley-Smith’s Tarnbrook Telstar (Land 

Star x Honeypot Sporran) 

Top 3 year old 

John & Dawn Rose’s Delaroche Royal Gold 

(Hilkens Gold Card x Prins Alfred), bred by Lucy 

Sheldrake 

Top Gelding 

Rachel Ablett’s Dance of Provence (SPSS Elite 

Dance of Joy x Dancier) 

Tel: 07703 566066 

Email: sportsponies@gmail.com 

www.sportpony.org.uk 

BRITISH BREEDER| 55

Feature - EHV 

EHV: THE RISK HASN’T GONE AWAY 

Just because EHV is no 

longer making equestrian 

news headlines, the risk 

hasn’t gone away. 

The outbreak In Valencia 

earlier this year may now 

be slipping to the back of 

everyone’s minds, but now 

is exactly the time owners 

should be making sure their 

biosecurity protocols are up 

to date and discussing 

vaccination with their vet, 

says Zoetis vet 

Wendy Talbot. 

Lessons learnt from living 

with COVID-19 

Living in a world with COVID-19 has 

given us a reality check about how 

airborne disease can take hold and 

wreak havoc in a matter of months. We 

have learnt how keeping our distance 

and washing our hands can reduce the 

risk of the spread of the virus and how 

vaccination can provide protection. 

COVID-19 has also helped us to 

understand why herd immunity is 

desirable: when a large portion of a 

community (the herd) becomes immune 

to a disease, it makes the spread of 

disease from person to person less likely. 

As a result, the whole community 

becomes protected - not just those who 

are immune. Who knew that the ‘R 

number’ would become common 

parlance too: as the average number 

of secondary infections produced by a 

single infected person it’s an important 

concept to get to grips with when 

discussing the spread of disease. 

These safeguards and concepts are also 

imperative to understand and implement 

to protect our horses from the risks of 

EHV. If there could be a small upside for 

horse owners from COVID-19 it may be 

that it has helped to clarify the 

importance of vaccination and 

biosecurity. These should always remain 

our watchwords to minimise infectious 

disease risks to our horses. 


Feature - EHV 

Understanding EHV 

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) is a 

contagious viral infection causing 

respiratory disease, abortions and 

neurological disease. EHV-1 and 

EHV-4 are the most common; the former 

is responsible for respiratory disease, 

abortion and neurological disease while 

the later can cause respiratory disease 

and more rarely abortion or 

neurological disease.1 

Exposure to the virus occurs in an 

estimated 80-90% of horses before they 

are two years old and once a horse has 

had the virus it can reactivate, 

particularly during times of stress or 

compromised health. Like the human 

cold sore virus, EHV lies dormant in the 

majority of horses after they recover from 

infection and it will periodically recur.1 

Once the virus is reactivated the horse 

will shed virus into the environment 

possibly causing new outbreaks. This has 

the potential to affect the health of the 

whole yard.2 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for EHV. 

Once a horse has the virus it is likely to 

remain a carrier for the rest of its life. The 

best form of control is prevention of 

active disease or speedy 

implementation of measures to limit virus 

spread if disease occurs. 

What are the signs of EHV? 

Your horse will need to be tested by a vet 

to determine whether the virus is 

present but signs of respiratory disease 

are very similar to equine influenza and 

can include: 3,4 

• Fever 

• Nasal discharge that 

goes from clear to thick 

and yellow 

• Weepy eyes 

• Swollen glands 

• Cough 

• Lethargy 

• Reduced appetite 

• No obvious signs but 

you may have noticed a 

consistent reduced 

performance. 5 

BRITISH BREEDER| 57

Feature - EHV 

How does a respiratory 

disease cause abortion? 

The inhaled EHV-1 enters the blood and 

travels to the pregnant uterus. The virus 

damages the placenta resulting in a lack 

of blood supply to the foal, ultimately 

causing abortion.4 

EHV-1 abortion occurs predominantly in 

mares in the last third of pregnancy but 

usually there are no warning signs with 

the mare continuing to be bright and well. 

Infection on a breeding premises can 

result in the rapid loss of large numbers 

of foals ('abortion storms'). Unfortunately, 

foals infected before birth usually don’t 

survive.4,5 

What is the link between EHV 

and neurological 

disease? 

Equine Herpes Virus 

Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a rare 

but serious neurological disease caused 

by EHV-1. The virus affects the nervous 

system and infected animals can become 

paralysed and usually have a poor 

prognosis.3,6 

Why we need to vaccinate 

“The subject of EHV 

vaccination is raised each time 

there is media coverage of 

neurologic herpes but u 

nfortunately this is shutting the 

stable door after the horse has 

bolted,” says David Rendle, who 

is an RCVS and 

European Specialist in Equine 

Internal Medicine.“ As with all 

diseases, vaccination needs to 

be used as a preventive measure 

in advance of a disease 

outbreak and not be a knee-jerk 

response in the event of 

disease.” 

Vaccination does not prevent individual 

horses from developing neurological 

disease but It can reduce the risk of virus 

spread and therefore reduce the risk of 

disease outbreaks. 7 

Horses most at risk of EHV 

Breeding studs and yards with pregnant 

mares can be particularly vulnerable to 

outbreaks. Moving and mixing horses 

with others increases the risk of spread of 

infectious disease so competition horses 

and those attending futurity evaluations, 

gradings and shows are likely to be at 

increased risk. Vaccination and 

rigorous biosecurity measures are ever 

more essential in these instances. 

EHV is present in infected nasal or ocular 

discharges and can be transmitted by 

direct horse-to-horse contact such as 

nose-to-nose touching. Coughing can 

spread the virus through the air over short 

distances. It can also be spread by 

sharing infected equipment, including 

wheelbarrows, brushes and buckets and 

via the hands and clothes of people 

who have been in contact with infected 

horses.4 

How does vaccination help? 

Vaccination plays a pivotal role because 

it helps tip the balance in favour of the 

horse’s immune system. Although 

vaccinated horses can still be infected 

with EHV, it significantly reduces the 

presence of the virus in the environment 

(viral shedding), the severity and spread 

of the respiratory disease and the 

frequency of abortion.7 

Reduction in the incidence of EHV-1 

abortion has been attributed to 

widespread vaccination in pregnant 

mares. 6,8 

When should I vaccinate? 

Vaccination and subsequent boosters for 

young horses should be timed to provide 

the maximal level of immune protection 

for the stresses associated with weaning, 

transport, relocation, introduction into new 

social groups, yearling sales, 

training and performance events.1 

Mares should be vaccinated during 

pregnancy; together with all other horses 

on the premises for the most effective 

protection.9 

How can I prevent my horse 

getting ill from EHV? 

Reducing the risk factors for EHV 

involves: 2,4,7 

• Minimising stress: such as that 

caused by overcrowding, heavy 

parasite burdens, poor nutrition, 

climatic extremes, concurrent 

disease and mixing animals 

from different social groups 

• Good biosecurity: avoid contact 

with other horses, don’t share 

equipment, bowls or stables 

• Hygiene: humans can spread 

EHV indirectly via their hands 

or clothing if they have been in 

contact with an infected horse 

• Quarantine of new horses 

• Isolation of infected horses 

• Don’t mix unvaccinated horses 

with vaccinated ones 

Help - I think my horse may 

have EHV…… 

If you think your horse may have any 

symptoms of respiratory disease, it’s 

sensible to isolate them immediately and 

contact your vet to discuss the next course 

of action. In most cases horses will make a 

good recovery from EHV respiratory 

disease, the prognosis is guarded for 

those with EHV neurological disease.1 

If you take away just one message from 

reading this article let it be this: Choose 

to vaccinate and to give your horse the 

protection it deserves. Vaccination is easy 

and it’s been proven to be effective at 

reducing the risks of respiratory EHV and 

reduction in abortions. Speak to your vet 

to book your horses’ vaccinations now. 

References: 

1. Allen GP. Respiratory Infections by Equine 

Herpes Virus Types 1 and 4. International 

Veterinary Information Service. 2002. 

2. Slater J. What is Equine Herpes Virus? 

Accessed August 2019. https://www. 

horsedialog.co.uk/Health/WhatisEHV. 

aspx 

3. Davis, E., Disorders of the Respiratory 

System, Eds Reed SM, Equine Internal 

Medicine. 2018, 313 

4. Allen, GP. Epidemic disease caused by 

equine herpesvirus-1: recommendations 

for prevention and control. Equine 

Veterinary Education; 14(3):136-142. 

2002. 

5. Slater J. Equine Herpesviruses. Eds, Sellon 

DC and Long MT. Equine Infectious 

Diseases, Chapter 14. 2nd Edition. 

Saunders Elsevier, St. Louis, Missouri. 

2014, 151-168. 

6. Lunn, D. P., Davis-Poynter, N., Flaminio, 

M. F., Horohov, D. W., Osterrieder, K., 

Pusterla, N., & Townsend, H. G. Equine 

herpesvirus-1 consensus statement. 

Journal Of Veterinary Internal Medicine / 

American College Of Veterinary Internal 

Medicine, 23(3). 450-461, 2009. 

7. Ivens P, Rendle D, Kydd J, Crabtree J, 

Moore S, Neal H, Knapp S, Bryant N, 

Newton JR. Equine Herpesviruses: A 

Roundtable Discussion. UK Vet Equine, 

July/Aug. 2019 

8. Kydd J, Townsend H, Hannant D. The 

equine immune response to equine 

herpesvirus-1: The virus and its vaccines. 

Veterinary Immunology and 

Immunopathology 1, 2006;111,15-30. 

9. American Association of Equine 

Practitioners. Risk-Based Vaccination 

Guidelines. Available at: www.aaep. 

org/-i-166.html. Accessed June18, 20: 


DO YOU BREED 

REDUCE 

THE RISK OF 

ABORTION 

YOUR HORSES? 

ALL HORSES ON BREEDING YARDS OR IN 

CONTACT WITH PREGNANT MARES ARE 

AT RISK OF EQUINE HERPES VIRUS 1&4 1 

ASK YOUR VET ABOUT VACCINATION 

Information brought to you by Zoetis 

the manufacturers of Equip® EHV1,4 horsedialog.co.uk/equineherpes 

@horsedialog /HorseDialog 

References 1. American Association of Equine Practitioners. Risk-Based Vaccination Guidelines. Available at: www.aaep.org/-i-166.html. Accessed June 18, 2014. 

Further information can be obtained from Zoetis UK Limited, First Floor, Birchwood Building, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7LP. 

www.zoetis.co.uk. Customer support: 0835 300 8034 CustomerSupportUK@zoetis.com. 

Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible). Date of preparation: April 2020. MM-09168 

BRITISH BREEDER| 59

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Effective light therapy for mares 

Benefits include: 

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The benefits of Equilume’s blue wavelength light are 

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Product Feature - Equilume 

BLUE LIGHT BENEFITS 

PREGNANT MARES 

– NEW RESEARCH 

The horse’s natural reproductive 

period coincides with the light-filled days 

of summer. The desire to breed mares 

early in the year means that many foals 

are born at a darker time of year than 

Nature intended. This has 

consequences for breeding efficiency. 

Often, early foaling mares experience 

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Specifically, it is the blue light 

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For pregnant mares, extended daily light 

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foal birth weights (average 4kg 

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Product Feature - Equilume 

New research presented this year at 

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mares wearing blue light masks in the 

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pregnancies, earlier post-foaling 

ovulations, developed larger follicles, 

and produced foals that were more 

mature at birth. The exciting studies, 

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Vienna, Austria, also found that foals 

from mares wearing light masks in the 

final months of pregnancy were 15 

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did not receive 

additional light. 

The two-year study was conducted at 

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Germany. The blue-light stimulated 

mares developed larger follicles in the 

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bred sooner after foaling. Foals born 

from mares wearing blue light masks 

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demonstrating that the light perceived 

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the foal and influences their physical 

development in utero. During the 

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months, when longer hours of natural 

daylight stimulates the normal mature 

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in the mare’s reproductive hormones 

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after foaling. This facilitates a shorter 

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These new study findings show how 

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BRITISH BREEDER| 63

Product Focus 

The Challenge of Providing Chew Time 

for Equines with poor Dentition 

The number of enquiries regarding poor dentition and how to use hay replacers to the 

Dengie Feedline has increased significantly in recent years and the winter months are 

when enquiries peak each year. Interestingly it’s not just older horses that present a 

challenge, dental issues can be seen in younger horse’s too. 

One of the few feed companies to attend BEVA this year, Dengie highlighted the 

different formats of fibre available for horses with poor dentition, focussing on 

Alfa-Beet which can be soaked to a soft mash before feeding. Dengie’s team of 

experienced nutritional advisors are on hand to answer any feeding queries. 

More Information on how to get in touch can be found on the Dengie Website 

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Product Focus 

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British Breeder Magazine December 2021

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