I have just finished compiling the results of the Show & Grading for the Warmblood Breeders’ Studbook, the forcibly renamed BWBS. What a delight the show was although a very long day for horses breeders and our really good Dutch Judge, Frank Jespers.
The first thing that was pleasing was the mix of old and new participants and the increasing number of younger breeders. I know we are no longer allowed to be "ageist" but breeding needs new blood and a fresh energy to old and practiced ideas plus some new thinking. I am not too keen on novelty for the sake of it but every dressage breeder wants to find the next new lines!
The second thing was the quality. The standard of mares for the Grading was excellent and also six mares were put forward for performance testing (with none of mine making up the numbers). Again, the type and breeding were good. The days seem thankfully to have past when people come to the show with badly plaited and groomed horses, no ability to run or present them, and a very strange idea of conforming to the society dress code. In this, I am a reactionary and like respect paid to the traditions of the society.
One of the loveliest young mares would have been accorded a Select title but was not eligible because her studbook paperwork did not meet the standard. This is so frustrating when people are misled by organizations who name themselves in such a way that people become confused. There are a number of apparent "Hannoverians" that are not truly so as they were papered by the Hanoverian Horse Register and not the British Hanoverian Horse Society. The latter is a Studbook, the former isn’t. The difference is verification of pedigree and once a horse is "papered" by a non studbook, the pedigree data is not acceptable without DNA tests etc. All very confusing for a layman/woman. The answer is only to use a WBFSH studbook for your registrations, however tempting it might be to take the quick and cheerful route!
So…a great show and a wonderful judge who was the originator of the Pavo Cup in Holland. His perspective with his stallion experience, breed show experience and as a rider-trainer was one of the best. Luckily, he had some good subjects in front of him. One was a wonderful foal that I had given an Elite Premium to at Arena UK so it was a real vindication to have an International Judge come to the same conclusion (and I think he was even better when I saw him the first time). The Supreme Champion was by the new and fashionable Sandro Hit son Soliman de Hus (impossible to pronounce but easier to write) and I would have bought this horse in a heartbeat. Uphill, well connected through the back and always in rhythm, a very desirable horse and to move like that as a yearling is incredible.
We were very content with our Champion and Reserve in the Mare Grading and the Mare Show. Both were Select and Gold Medal awards, which is just as well as I have to admit to some shameless Medal Hunting for them. Foxy Lady, our home bred Florencio and half sister to Rockstar took the Champion’s spot and she had to be graded as her foal is by our BWBS stallion Del Amitri. The reserve, St Pr Limoncello has a foal by the young stallion, Christ and did not need to be presented but could have gone straight into the Select book as a State Premium mare. Both duly won their Gold Medals in fine fashion and in very hot and lovely company.
Limoncello’s foal, Clapton (or Eric in the stable) was a complete git and refused to do anything but jump on his mother, bite her and generally carouse. He is so much a stallion even at a couple of months of age. The other colts did very well too with Carsten’s own horse Winwood, by ‘Voom taking the Reserve Foal Champion. The girls had a good day too with both Mama Mia and Havana winning their yearling and two year old classes. All good fun! The team was probably the best for some time, led by Carsten and Vicky but centred always around our champion plaiting groom, Dawn. These are the people to work with. Dawn travelled each day, did her own horses first and plaited 8 horses including foal (who are very difficult).
One of the most interesting observations about the results at the Show, is the consistency of a truly great horse. Both Foxy Lady and Limoncello have been, in their time, Foal Champions, Youngstock Champions and now Mare Champions. All have been under different judges. It shows that the really wonderful animals are easy to see in a consistent way whatever your studbook politics!
The previous week I had been described as making an "impassioned plea" for the Futurity and I guess it was just that. I get very fed up with the not so silent minority who do not see the judges’ appraisal of their animal as a basis for improving their breeding. I must stress that they are the minority. It is disappointing if breeders do not take the chance to really have an honest focus on those aspects of their breeding that should be the priority for improvement. Conformation, particularly over the top line, really does affect the ease with which a horse can be ridden uphill to the bridle. Correct angle of limbs, in my experience, is less of an issue as long as there are only very minor deviations that don’t relate to soundness. Athleticism and the wish to go forward is fundamental. Of course, a horse can be overfed and under exercised or turned out and may in time turn into an athlete as it gets fitter, but the basic plateau of good energy rather than hyperactivity, is a matter of breeding and husbandry.
We are today discussing the team for our next (and last) event with is the BHHS show at Hartpury. I am organizing some ridden young horse dressage classes for Hanoverian horses from 3 to 6 plus, so our team will need to be good. I am also Show Director so lots of running around and the chance to loose a few pounds with all the exercise. I just hope my knee holds up as I cannot deal with crutches as well! This will be a relatively minor outing for us although next year it will be lots of Voom Hanoverian foals, and some new young mares for grading. Yeehah!
Since the World Breeding Champs, nothing has been quiet or simple. I have done two Mare Gradings at Member Studs in Oxfordshire and Devon, a Futurity in Cornwall, loads of interviews for some of my Search projects (the head hunting day job), the Addington Regionals (spectator only) and the Brightwells Auction.
In no particular order, they have all been good with both Rocky and Rosie with Michael and Maria Eilberg doing well. The Nationals will be wonderful and this was unexpected as last year was already so good. Voom and Farouche will do the young horse classes: Rosie is in the PSG and Inter I and Rocky has an invitation for the PSG based on his Premier League results. As usual we will have our little tent and I am reminded as I write this that I have done nothing re catering or drinks. My mother is in hospital yet again so time is at a premium.
The Addington Auction was also fun and Santana sold to my surprise and delight to some old friends (30 years or so). It was at the time mixed feelings as we thought that perhaps the last thing they needed was another horse but this young ‘man’ is so lovely that, hopefully, he will also be an Eilberg partnership horse with some stud work for good measure. There were a couple of other interested people and an under-bidder but my biggest surprise came after the auction when three people rang to see if they could buy him. Why did they not just bid?
I am already thinking about next year’s foals and we are still trying to sell our farm so I can move closer to a motorway or train to get to London. No joy so far. On a day like today when the sun shines, you would not want to be anywhere else. I am of course at my desk in my office, slaving on the keyboard and phone. Good scenery though as Carsten brings past my window, one by one, each of the eight stallions we have here for preparation and presentation at the Stallion Grading at Hartpury on 30th and 31st October. There’s still lots to arrange for that. I am off to Warendorf to the Bundeschampionat for two days…a real flying visit but I need a small break!