Latest from Horse & Hound in World-breeding-championships

‘I’m not completely sure it’s the right thing, but at least the FEI is making an effort,’ says William Funnell about changes to the five-year-old World Breeding Championships

William Funnell — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:28:18 +0000

Top British showjumper and UAE chef d’equipe William Funnell talks about the importance of aligning rules and pays tribute to “a fantastic human being”

It was with great sadness that we learnt last week that the great course-builder Bob Ellis had passed away. He brought on the art of course-building in this country in leaps and bounds, with his own style of loop-backs, and I know he was immensely proud of designing the courses for the London Olympics in 2012.

He was always there to help while we walked his courses and he was unfailingly constructive. What he did to help young course-designers was typical of the man – he was such a giver – and that next generation coming through is just a part of the huge legacy he leaves. He was a fantastic human being.

Back on grass

With the Hickstead Derby coming up this week and having been away on chef d’equipe duties for the UAE squad recently, I wanted to get some competition practice on grass. So it was lovely to find time to go to Suffolk County show.

It really brought to light just how great these shows are for educating young horses as well as providing an opportunity for crowds to watch our sport. We are the main ring entertainment, so British Showjumping (BS) needs to make sure these shows are better supported.

To do that, the classes need tweaking because the rules surrounding the height of the fences and the qualification of the horses in classes like the international stairway is proving too restrictive. The stairway started life as a route to being picked for a team and I’m not sure that’s the case anymore.

The ridiculous thing is that I’m preparing my horse for the international competitions at Hickstead this week, but I need to change its tack to compete in these national classes. This is because of some controversial and much-debated new BS rules regarding bitting, nosebands and certain rein attachments.

The FEI’s rules are all made with horse welfare as top priority, so there has to be a case for BS sticking to the same tack regulations as those in place for international competitors.

Helping with young horses

I brought up in a column last year what a disgrace the five-year-old championship jump-offs at the FEI WBFSH (World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses) Jumping World Breeding Championships have been over the past couple of years. Hopefully the introduction of an optimum time in Lanaken this year is a positive move.

I’m not completely sure it’s the right thing but the options are limited – style and performance can be controversial and tends to favour big, flashy horses on the day. So at least they’re making an effort and hopefully BS can implement the same FEI rules to the British young horse championships, which act as a selection for Lanaken.

All roads lead to Hickstead

I was in La Baule last week helping Joe Stockdale on the Nations Cup team that finished fourth. Britain’s chef d’equipe Di Lampard has done a great job trying to slot in a few new horses this season and it’s been super to see Adrian Whiteway and Chacco Volo doing so well ahead of the World Championships in Aachen in August.

Depending which horses Ben Maher and Scott Brash have available to them will make a massive difference to the strength of the British team, but once again we’re quite short of new up-and-coming partnerships.

I’m bringing the UAE riders to Hickstead this week as part of their build-up towards the Nations Cup there next month. With our young Billy Stud horses in action ahead of our summer auction on 23 June and preparing Dublon for another tilt at the Derby, it’s going to be busy!

● What classes would you like to see at county shows? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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Extra changes to young horse World Championships to support welfare and ensure ‘age-appropriate competition’

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Extra changes to young horse World Championships to support welfare and ensure ‘age-appropriate competition’

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 30 May 2026 13:21:26 +0000

More changes have been made to the Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses, owing to “growing focus on horse welfare and the importance of ensuring our young horses are developed and competed in an age-appropriate way”.

H&H reported that the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) had announced changes to the final for five-year-olds at this year’s event; these will now be judged using an optimum time, after concerns were raised about “racing against the clock” in 2025. The federation has also introduced minimum eligibility requirements (MERs) to ensure horses are prepared for the championships.

Now the WBFSH has confirmed that five- and six-year-old horses will take on smaller tracks, in the qualifying rounds and finals of the championships. Courses for five-year-olds will be set at 1.20m, rather than 1.25m as previously, in the first two qualifiers, and 1.25m rather than 1.30m in both rounds of the final.

Six-year-olds will jump 1.30m in the first qualifier rather than 1.35m. The second qualifier stays at 1.35m but the final will also be at 1.35m, rather than 1.40m as previously.

Seven-year-old horses will jump 1.40m in both qualifiers and 1.45m in the final, as previously.

“These updates are the result of constructive discussions between the WBFSH, the FEI and stakeholders from across our sport,” WBFSH general manager Nadine Brandtner told H&H.

“As breeders, riders and organisations responsible for the future of sport horses, we recognise the growing focus on horse welfare and the importance of ensuring that our young horses are developed and competed in an age-appropriate way. The adjustments to the championship format and the introduction of MERs are intended to support the long-term development of young jumping horses, while maintaining the sporting quality and international relevance of the championships.

“We believe it is important that our sport continues to evolve, guided by both experience and responsibility towards the horses in our care.”

The full guidelines, including MERs, are available on the WBFSH website and the updated championship schedule will be published before entries open.

“These updates reflect the ongoing discussions between the WBFSH, FEI and stakeholders across the sport, initiated in response to increasing focus on age-appropriate demands, horse welfare, and greater clarity and consistency in the framework for young horse competitions,” the spokesperson said.

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‘A good thing’: major rule change for World Championships for young horses welcomed

Becky Murray — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:49:41 +0000

Changes have been announced to the jumping World Championships for young horses following concerns about horses “racing against the clock” at last year’s competition.

The World Breeding Federation of Sport Horses (WBFSH) and the FEI confirmed an “important update” to the format for five-year-olds at Lanaken; these classes will be judged using an optimum time, instead of against the clock.

The federations said the change will “place greater emphasis on correct and educational riding, reduce time pressure and better support the developmental stage of younger horses”.

Minimum eligibility requirements (MERs) have also been introduced – to ensure horses arrive at the championships “with an appropriate level of preparation”.

Five-year-olds must jump three clear rounds in CSIYH competitions or within a “selection procedure organised by a national federation” over fences of at least 1.15m, in the year of the championships. The same applies for six-year-olds, but over fences at least 1.25m, and for seven-year-olds at 1.35m.

Last year’s five-year-old final generated widespread concerns over horses “racing against the clock”. William Funnell raised this in his H&H column (9 October 2025) and WBFSH committee member Katy Holder-Vale told H&H rule changes were under discussion as “a lot of people felt that the five-year-old horses were under pressure to go fast” (news, 12 March).

Too many unprepared

Ms Holder-Vale told H&H that during a meeting of the WBFSH, FEI and stakeholders including riders, it was agreed that “too many five-year-olds were not very well prepared and didn’t cope very well with last year’s course, and there were too many in the jump-off”.

“Horse welfare has got to be the first thing you think of. It’s important that we’re showing care for those young horses and we believe this is a sensible strategy,” said Ms Holder-Vale, adding that it is hoped federations will introduce similar changes nationally.

“It will be more difficult for horses to qualify, but the hope is that the horses presented at the final are well prepared to come to a championship.”

Breeder and young horse producer Carron Nicol was a spectator at last year’s World Championships for young horses and told H&H it was a “difficult watch”. She attended the meeting and supports the optimum time format.

“I think it’s a good thing,” she said. “If you keep racing horses against the clock, they don’t learn to jump in the correct way. They must learn to jump in balance and accept the rider’s aid. Once you start galloping horses round, more rein is needed, and it makes for a lot of mistakes – that’s not the way to produce horses.”

A positive step

William Funnell told H&H the new format and MERs are “a step in the right direction”.

“It’s going to be a learning curve for everybody the first year, but racing five-year-olds around definitely didn’t work last year,” he said. “We’re ruining a lot of horses doing that – and the fact they’re doing something about it means that it’s not OK.”

William added that he would like optimum time to be brought in for the British young horse championships at Hickstead, which are a qualifier for Lanaken.

“We could be ahead of the game here and it could be good practice for getting the optimum time,” he said.

H&H has approached BS for comment.

An FEI spokesperson told H&H the FEI and WBFSH have shared views on the continued development of the World Championships for young horses “with a strong emphasis on safeguarding the welfare of young horses” – and the FEI worked with the organising committee and WBFSH to support this aim.

> What do you think of the change? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

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William Funnell on producing young horses: ‘The five-year-old world championships at Lanaken made uncomfortable viewing’

William Funnell — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:25:23 +0000

William Funnell questions whether racing five-year-olds against the clock at the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) World Breeding Championships is the best way to produce horses to become future stars of the international sport

We at The Billy Stud don’t tend to take many horses to the annual World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) World Breeding Championships for Young Horses at Lanaken and every time I arrive there, I think perhaps, as the largest breeders in the UK, we should really start having a bigger presence. But I left this year in no doubt that we’re doing the right thing.

I think, as they’re world championships, people lose sight of the fact we’re trying to produce our horses in the best way possible to reach the best of their abilities and this year’s five-year-old final made for uncomfortable viewing at times.

There has to be a better way to produce our five-year-olds within the sport than racing them round like that. Many lovely youngsters will have come away from that with a very negative experience. Judging five-year-olds on style and performance would be a far preferable option.

We had two horses in the six-year-old championship and they were jumping over very fair courses, although at 1.40m they were tough. However, because of the qualification system there, one horse that jumped double clear didn’t get into the final, whereas horses who went faster but with one fence down did.

People were going daft on the second day trying to qualify. Showjumping young horses is about achieving clear rounds, not going against the clock, so that’s poor management and it did leave a bitter taste.

As breeders, The Billy Stud is in the fortunate position of being well known enough – as well as having our own auctions – that we can sell our four- and five-year-olds without having to overdo them in the ring.

But for many breeders, these championships will be their only shop window and becomes the be-all and end-all. However, we must not lose sight of what we’re trying to achieve.

The seven-year-old finals do work well and successful horses in this age bracket go on to achieve greater success in the ring. Obviously, every horse is different, but few of the five- and six-year-olds we ever hear of again.

Success at home

In contrast to Lanaken, I thought our British young horse championships at Hickstead in August – which act as a qualifier for the world championships – were a massive success.

Because of the clear-round bonuses on offer, we didn’t see anything like the crazy jump-offs of Lanaken. With excellent course-building, too, this event is only going to grow in popularity, especially with the Horse of the Year Show young horse finals now a mish-mash of age groups and nothing to be proud of.

Several top horses that have been bred in this country were sold cheaply by their breeders, so the money isn’t going in their pockets. Hickstead’s location makes it easily accessible for foreign buyers, meaning it is an excellent shop window to help ensure British breeding can be commercial.

Making our national title something to be proud of

Lanaken also hosts Belgium’s national championship, contested by all their top riders and won this year by Jos Verlooy. I’m embarrassed to tell people that our national champion is decided over 1.40m, at a show nobody attends.

Could our national title be decided at the British young horse championships at Hickstead instead? Surely there’s a venue who could host it on a weekend and return it to the flagship status it once had?

Brits rule the world

What a performance from the British team to win the Longines League of Nations (LLN) Final. The unique format has made the LLN enthralling viewing and Scott Brash, Ben Maher and Harry Charles are the dream team, but there are many other combinations to be excited about, all of which is positive for the sport.

● What has been your experience of breeding or producing young horses, either at home or abroad? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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Miracle horse and teenage rider win at world breeding championship: ‘We couldn’t be prouder’

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:27:59 +0000

A miracle horse with “quite a story” behind him has won the seven-year-old title at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Belgium (24–28 September).

Augustus Z, a son of the great Zangersheide stallion Aganix Du Seigneur out of Vigo D’Arsouillies mare GCS Athena, was ridden to claim the gold medal in the final by 19-year-old Eoin Brennan.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Augustus Z, he’s an amazing horse,” said Eoin, who also won silver in the six-year-old consolation final at the championships with Fernhill SDF Five Star.

But the home-bred Augustus Z’s journey to being crowned world champion has been far from straightforward. The gelding is owned and bred by Eoin’s vet father Tim Brennan, but as a three-year-old, he had an accident while on the family’s walker at home and initially suffered neurological problems.

“About a week after his accident, these problems developed and hence he has very bad stringhalt when he’s walking,” said Eoin, who then set about the long recuperation process with the youngster. “We gave him six months in the field, not sure if it was going to get any better or any worse. Thankfully it stayed the same and it never stopped him from cantering or jumping – his jump was always amazing.

“I started to compete him as a four-year-old, then a five-year-old, all the way up. Thankfully he’s always been an incredible horse for me.”

Eoin Brennan on his jump-off tactics: “I committed and set off from about 10 miles away!”

At Lanaken, Eoin and the athletic, imposing Augustus Z triumphed in the seven-year-old final after an electric 10-way jump-off, taking out an early stride between fences one and two on Bernard Mathy’s 1.45m course.

They maintained their pace to edge home ahead of 16-year-old Belgium rider Niels van Rossem with BWP gelding Speedy Van Klapscheut (Chaiton FZ x Peppermill), bred by the van Rossem family. Completing the podium was Thibault Thevenon of France with Selle Français stallion ICI Et La Courcelle.

“My original plan was to do seven strides from fence one to two, until just before I went in when Ger O’Neill and Jason Foley gave me the idea that, because my horse has a massive stride, they thought he’d be able to do it in six strides,” said Eoin, whose showjumper brother Tim was representing Ireland in the Rabat Nations Cup in Morocco while Eoin was in action in Belgium.

“So I committed and we set off from about 10 miles away from fence two! But the horse has so much scope; then I followed my plan for the rest of it. Augustus was unbelievable. So I’m very happy.

“Credit to the whole team, who put in incredible effort,” added Eoin. “My father puts incredible effort into the breeding and looking after the horses. He’s also a vet, which is very handy – he can look after the horses at home and keep them right for me.”

Finishing fourth with a double clear from first draw was another Irish representative, Leah Stack and Aggie Van De Start Z, who was bred by Jan van Alken and is by the same stallion as Augustus Z. Her compatriot Niamh McEvoy followed in fifth with the third-fastest time of the day on Irish-bred stallion Boleybawn Alvaro, but with one fence down.

Three world titles in a row for Mikey Pender

Ireland proved once again at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championship for Young Horses why its breeders and producers are admired the world over, the nation’s young horse jumping squad dominating throughout.

Mikey Pender sealed an astonishing third world title in a row by topping this year’s five-year-old final with Marta Hughes-Bravo’s HHS Private Ryan. The Irishman followed up on his successes in 2023 with five-year-old HHS Ocala and in 2024 with seven-year-old champion HHS Mercedes, all from the Kilkenny-based Hughes Horse Stud.

A field of 18 progressed to the jump-off to decide the five-year-old championship, including a second ride for Mikey in HHS Evora. But it was the El Barone III Z x High Shutterfly KWPN gelding, whom Mikey has only been riding for the past six weeks, who triumphed by a near-three-second landslide from last draw.

The silver medal went to Olympic Van’t Roosakker VK Z (Doron Kuipers) and Ireland’s Jason Foley took bronze riding Martin Egan’s Irish mare Tysons Lady Lux (Tyson x Luz Z), bred by Dublin’s Shay Hesnan.

“All praise goes to everyone who has helped bring Private Ryan to where he is today – it’s brilliant when you get a day like this,” said Mikey. “He is naturally very fast and we flew round the jump-off, keeping exactly the right pace – not too much, not too little – and that worked fantastically.”

Britain’s highest-placed representative with an immaculate double clear in ninth was Sandy McLean with Tom Williams’ consistent Diora PS.

Topping the 118-strong five-year-old consolation final was Tabitha Kyle of Ireland with Zangersheide mare Ottani Z. Third-placed Nicole Pavitt was the leading British contender with BWP stallion Umberto II Van Het Geninsteinde, owned by Amber Bundock and bred by Bethy Noens.

The world six-year-old gold medal went to Dutch rider Max van de Poll and KWPN mare Ortane, the sole combination to deliver two clear rounds. Last year’s five-year-old world championship-winning rider Niamh McEvoy claimed silver as the fastest four-faulter with relatively new ride, the “phenomenal” BP Othello (Ganesh Hero Z x Tygo), an Irish Sport Horse bred by the Hughes brothers of Ennisnag Stud and owned by Fiona and Michael Roche.

Read the full report from the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championship for Young Horses at Lanaken, Belgium, in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops Thursday, 2 October.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Laura Tomlinson: ‘I’m more excited than I’ve been in a long time’

Laura Tomlinson — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 09:20:46 +0000

Top British dressage rider Laura Tomlinson reflects on the World Breeding Championships, Pony Club fun and Britain’s medal chances at the Europeans

I recently had the privilege of riding our seven-year-old home-bred Full Moon II at the World Breeding Championships in Ermelo, and it was indeed an experience. The standard of horses there was unreal. I found it a little scary that most of what I could hear being called across the collecting ring was “more” and “poll up”, as some very young horses were being pushed to what may well be their limit.

It will be interesting to see how many of the top three in each age category go on to be successful at grand prix. Historically, not as many as you might expect have, given the talent we see at these championships.

There were a few horses at the top, and some that were a little lower in the placings, that I would certainly have liked to take home. And it is still exciting to have had four British horses represented, all of whom were presented in a lovely way.

Fun times for the smalls

My week preceding the championships consisted of early-morning riding for me, in order to get my training done before heading off to Pony Club mini camp with my middle two children for three days, followed directly by four days of junior camp with my eldest.

She also had to fit in the qualifiers for the Pony Club polo championships (my husband’s department), which were held at Cowdray just after Ermelo. I feel as though I have done my time!

Mini camp was fabulous for the littlest people, and junior camp was brilliant too, with the children doing and learning a variety of things on and off ponies, including road safety and bitting.

The Pony Club polo championships includes camping, which adds an extra element for parents too. Needless to say, come Saturday morning tack-up time, there were a few grown-ups who were struggling. But what an incredible opportunity for children to have an amazing time with two and four-legged friends, while playing a team sport.

We’re now on holiday and recovering from the mayhem, but I have to say how grateful we are to the Pony Club for their efforts in teaching our children in such a fun way.

Looking ahead

Now while I catch my breath, I’m starting to look towards the autumn and winter, and to reflect on the season gone. Overall, it was a slightly mediocre one for me, but I start to assess what has gone right, what has gone wrong, why that is, and what I can do over the winter season to improve and prepare for next year.

My homework will vary from horse to horse and for some it will be the beginning of their proper competitive careers. So I plan how to get them out to the local venues we’re lucky to have nearby.

Going for gold

I cannot finish writing without wishing the British team the best of luck for the European Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck at the beginning of September. I don’t believe we have had a British dressage team this strong since 2012. If each of our British horses perform as they have this season, they can win the gold.

At Aachen, I watched Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep do, in my opinion, the best grand prix, Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Blue Hors Zepter the best special and Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB the best freestyle – and that was without Lottie Fry on Glamourdale competing. It makes me more excited than I’ve been in a long time to watch the championship to come.

Meanwhile, Carl Hester is also on a very exciting horse in Fame, while Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca are reliable when it comes to bringing home the bacon on the day. The strength in our team is not just having one superstar – it’s the fact that all four members are capable of contributing to a team gold-medal score.

● Do you agree with Laura that Britain can win gold in Riesenbeck? Let us know your predictions at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your views published in a future edition of Horse & Hound magazine

This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 31 August, 2023

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Meet Nalegro – the young Valegro nephew who could give Lottie Fry a hat-trick of world titles

Polly Bryan — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 07:32:23 +0000

The British riders and horses who will compete at next month’s Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses have been revealed, and among them is Nalegro, the five-year-old stallion who could give Britain’s Lottie Fry her third consecutive young horse world title.

Lottie claimed the six-year-old title in 2021 and the seven-year-old title in 2022 with Kjento, and there seems to be no end to the talented horses coming out of the Van Olst stables with Lottie on board. This year it will be the approved stallion Nalegro stepping into the limelight at the championships on 3-6 August to contest the five-year-old championship, ridden by Lottie but representing the Dutch KWPN studbook.

There is something extra special about Nalegro – he is by Painted Black out of Valegro’s full sister Jalegrofleur, making him a nephew of the great double Olympic champion Valegro.

His famous relative is even referenced in his stable name: “Valegro is called Blueberry, so we call Nalegro Blackberry,” said Anne Van Olst, during her display with Lottie at the 2022 London International Horse Show, featuring Nalegro.

Lottie Fry at home with Nalegro. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Lottie describes Nalegro as “a really top character” and “really trainable”.

“He loves to work, loves to learn new things and finds everything so easy. He has so much power in his little body and manages to control it in an amazing way,” she said. “He gives me the feeling of a future grand prix horse, that’s for sure.”

And Carl Hester, owner of Valegro, has made it clear that he is a fan of Nalegro as well: “Valegro was well known in his day for his canter. His canter always scored 10s when he was doing young horse classes. With Nalegro, you get the same feeling that this horse is capable of 10s because of the incredible power in his hindleg and suspension.”

British entries for the Dressage World Breeding Championships 2023

Four horses have been selected to represent Britain at the championships in Ermelo, the Netherlands, while three more British riders will be in action riding foreign horses.

For the purposes of these championships, a horse is classed as being British-bred if it is registered at birth into a British studbook, irrespective of the country it was born in or nationality of its breeder.

The six registered British studbooks are the Anglo-European Studbook, Breeders Elite, British Hanoverian Horse Society, Warmblood Breeders Studbook UK, Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain and British Rhinelander in the British Hanoverian Horse Society. Only horses registered with one of these at birth is classed as British-bred at the Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses.

However, in the event that no qualified horses meet this criteria, national federations may enter “foreign-bred” horses, provided they are ridden by riders of the same nationality as the national federation.

Amy Woodhead and MSJ Viva Dannebrog at the Hartpury British young horse semi-finals 2023. (Image credit: KEVIN SPARROW)

The four “foreign-bred” horses heading to this year’s championships to represent Britain are:

Five-year-olds

Amy Woodhead (GBR) with the Hanoverian mare MSJ Viva Dannebrog

Owner: Emma Blundell

Breeder: Mount St John Equestrian (GBR)

Breeding: by Vitalis, out of Diva Dannebrog, by Don Schufro

Six-year-olds

Beth Bainbridge (GBR) with the KWPN gelding My Pride

Owner: Elite Dressage

Breeder: Stal Timmers (NED)

Breeding: by Toto Jr out of Hare Reina, by Johnson

Seven-year-olds

Laura Tomlinson (GBR) with the Oldenburg gelding Full Moon II

Owner: rider and her mother Ursula Bechtolsheimer

Breeder: Wilfried and Ursula Bechtolsheimer (GBR)

Breeding: by Fürstenball, out of Goldika, by Gribaldi

Sarah Rogers (GBR) with the Oldenburg gelding gelding Forest Hill

Owner: Ursula Bechtolsheimer

Breeder: Wilfried and Ursula Bechtolsheimer (GBR)

Breeding: by Fürsten-Look, out of Ulysca, by United

Listed as reserve for the seven-year-old section is:

Sarah Millis (GBR) with the KWPN gelding Le Zorro BH

Owner: rider

Breeder: Black Horses (NED)

Breeding: by Hero, out of Brendy, by Florencio 2

Full Moon II winning at the National Dressage Championships, ridden by Sarah Rogers (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Foreign-based British riders selected for the Dressage World Breeding Championships 2023

Three British riders have been selected to compete at the championships, riding horses representing other countries. These are:

Five-year-olds

Lottie Fry (GBR) with the KWN stallion Nalegro, representing the NetherlandsOwner: Van Olst HorsesBreeder: JL Hanse and Van Olst Horses (NED)Breeding: by Painted Black, out of Jalegrofleur, by Negro

Phoebe Peters (GBR) with the NRPS stallion Everest, representing the NetherlandsOwner: Van Olst HorsesBreeder: Van Olst Horses (NED)Breeding: by Especial, out of Fresia, by Negro

Joseph Hunt (GBR) with the PRE stallion Druida De Centurion, representing SpainOwner: rider and Yeguada CenturianBreeder: Yeguada Centurian (ESP)Breeding: by Per Bago, out of Trovadora Centurion, by Oceano Cen

Also listed as reserve for the five-year-old section is:

Lottie Fry (GBR) with the KWPN stallion Nacho, representing the NetherlandsOwner: Van Olst HorsesBreeder: S Maakenschijn (NED)Breeding: By Negro, out of Benetton, by Krack C

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7 things you always wanted to know about breeding, but were too embarrassed to ask

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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Thoroughbreds to be recognised at Olympics, but still can’t contest World Breeding Championships

Becky Murray — Mon, 15 May 2023 17:22:10 +0000

Thoroughbreds will be recognised at the Olympics for the first time – but they will still not be allowed to compete at the World Breeding Championships for Young Horses.

Previously, full thoroughbreds including retired racehorses competing at Olympics were listed as “breeding unknown”. But from next year at the Paris 2024 Games thoroughbred breeding will be recorded on starting lists and results. Breeding will also be listed for thoroughbreds at all FEI competitions.

The move follows discussions between the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF), the World Breeding Federation for Sports Horses (WBFSH), the FEI and the International Stud Book Committee.

“The issue arose because, under a memorandum of understanding between the FEI and the WBFSH, only member studbooks of the WBFSH have historically been credited, and the WBFSH only has members that specifically breed horses for the Olympic disciplines,” said a EMHF spokesman.

Paull Khann, EMHF secretary general and member of the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses steering group, welcomed the news.

“Much effort is made around the world to encourage the owners of retired racehorses to explore second careers for them,” he said.

“This recognition will both further the message that thoroughbreds do go on to compete with distinction in other equestrian disciples and prompt more thoroughbred owners to consider this retirement option for their racehorses”.

WBFSH general manager Nadine Brandter added that the organisation recognises the “extensive influence” the thoroughbred has had on sport horse breeding and development – and that “undoubtedly the thoroughbred deserves recognition”.

“We believe that it is the entire equine sector that must stand together to face this challenge, and so it is natural that the WBFSH would support this”.

But despite this, the WBFSH has confirmed that thoroughbreds will still not be permitted to compete at the World Breeding Championships for Young Horses.

“The WBFSH recognises the significant impact that the thoroughbred has had, and still has, on the development and evolution of the warmblood and thus sport horse, but unfortunately, being classified as a non-WBFSH breed, the thoroughbred is not eligible for participation in the World Breeding Championships, nor for inclusion on our WBFSH rankings,” a WBFSH spokesman told H&H.

“To enter the World Breeding Championships for Young Horses, the horse must be registered in a studbook that is a full member of the WBFSH, meaning its main purpose was to be bred for one of the Olympics disciplines.”

Lottie Fry lands back-to-back world breeding titles with ‘the perfect horse’

Polly Bryan — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 11:32:10 +0000

Lottie Fry has continued her dream summer by landing the seven-year-old world title at the Dressage World Breeding Championships in Ermelo, the Netherlands, riding the Negro x Jazz stallion Kjento.

Lottie Fry and Kjento have now secured back-to-back titles at these championships, having won the six-year-olds in 2021. This year, they achieved a final score of 85.79%, which included a 10 for trot – the only 10 awarded in this class – an eight for walk, 9.2 for canter, 9.5 for submission and 9.8 for perspective. They finished almost 2% ahead of second-placed Destello OLD (Dimaggio x Fuerst Fugger), ridden by Germany’s Beatrice Hofrogge.

Australian judge Maria Swenessen described Kjento as “an exciting and super moving horse”, as well as “a pleasure to judge”.

Lottie described the KWPN breeding stallion, who is owned by Van Olst Horses, as “the perfect horse”.

“Kjento has the most amazing character; he is almost like a gelding in the stable,” she said. “He is super chilled but as soon as you pick up the reins, he is super sharp and ready to go.”

This win comes off the back of Lottie’s double individual gold at the World Dressage Championships last month with Glamourdale. She also rode to glory on the CDI3* at Ermelo, with a double win riding her Tokyo Olympics and 2021 Europeans team medallist Everdale. The pair scored 76.13% to lead the grand prix ahead of Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand and Queenparks Wendy, before topping the freestyle with a huge 84.34%.

Further British success

Britain’s Sadie Smith also excelled at the Dressage World Breeding Championships, finishing fifth in the seven-year-old final riding her own British-bred mare Swanmore Dantina, who was the highest-placed seven-year-old mare.

The Dante Weltino x Charatan W mare, who was bred in the UK by Ben St John-James, was the British six-year-old national champion in 2021, and in Ermelo posted a final score of 78.98%, which included nine for trot, 7.5 for walk, 8.5 for canter, eight for submission and 8.8 for perspective.

“She really is a once in a lifetime horse and after a tough year she brings me so much happiness,” said Sadie of “Dia”.

The other seven-year-old British representative, the British-bred Waverley Fellini (Fürstenball x Sandro Hit) and Greg Sims, finished 12th in the small final with 73.34%.

The six-year-old title went to Germany’s Eva Möller with Global Player OLD (Grand Galaxy Win T x Don Schufro). The British-bred Denton RMD (Dream Boy x Don Schufro) finished ninth in the final, ridden by the Netherlands’s Bart Veeze, while Britain’s Beth Bainbridge rode Blue Hors Zackorado (Zack x Florencio 2) to 15th position in the small final.

The five-year-old championship went to Denmark’s Victoria Vallentin with Lyngbjergs St. Paris (Blue Hors St Schufro x Blue Hors Rockefeller).

Meet Kjento – the young dressage stallion everybody is talking about

Polly Bryan — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 15:34:31 +0000

When he won the 2021 six-year-old title at the World Breeding Championships, Kjento became the dressage stallion of the moment, so no-one was surprised when he went on to claim the seven-year-old title as well. Polly Bryan discovers why he is so special...

Kjento dressage stallion fact file

Year of birth: 2015

Colour: black

Height: 17hh

Breeding: by Negro, out of Poriana, by Jazz

Studbook: KWPN

Approved by: KWPN, Oldenburg, Westfalian/RPSI

Breeder: AJ Van Os

Owner: Gertjan Van Olst

Stud fee: €1,700

‘Kjento is something special’

Gertjan Van Olst can’t hide his pride and delight, when it comes to the success of Kjento, the young dressage stallion who won both the six-year-old title at the World Breeding Championships in 2021 and the seven-year-old title in 2022 under Lottie Fry. Gertjan had spotted something exceptional in this stallion as a two-year-old, and now here he is, proving to the world how extraordinary he is.

“Kjento is something special, and for a horse you expect a lot of to win something like that is a real confirmation, a fantastic feeling,” says Gertjan.

Bred by the Van Os family, close to Gertjan and his wife Anne’s Van Olst Horses operation in the Netherlands, Kjento caught Gertjan’s eye from the start, and not just for the similarities he bore to his sire, the Van Olsts’ legendary stallion Negro – sire to the great Valegro, among many other top horses.

“I liked Kjento very much, but in the beginning the breeders didn’t want to sell him. They agreed I could buy half of him when he was two, just before the stallion show that year,” remembers Gertjan, explaining that while Kjento sailed through the first round of KWPN assessments, he was in fact sent home from the second.

“But then they put a saddle on him, and from the first moment under saddle Kjento was unbelievable.”

Kjento went on to win his stallion performance test with a score of 90 out of 100 – “everyone was crazy about him from that point” – and Gertjan swiftly purchased the second half of him.

In the years since, Kjento has become one of the most popular dressage stallions in the Netherlands, and further afield, with 670 offspring by the time he turned seven. For Gertjan, the most exciting thing about him is the legacy he represents, as a son of the Van Olst stud’s flagship stallion.

“From when he turned two, he had so much movement and his mechanics were super – all the qualities Negro had. Of course, Negro was getting older and I thought, ‘Here was a son of Negro with his potential – I need him’,” says Gertjan.

At home, Kjento lives next door to his now 27-year-old father, and they are strikingly similar to look at, with the same friendly temperament.

“Kjento loves cuddles,” says Lottie. “He’s the cutest thing in the stable, not like a stallion at all, but more like a Labrador – until you get on board.”

For Gertjan, Kjento embodies everything that made Negro so special, but in a decidedly modern package, with long legs and an elegant outlook thanks to his dam, the elite mare Zoriana, by other eminent Dutch stallion, Jazz.

‘The most amazing feeling in the world’

In British Olympian Lottie Fry, Kjento looks to have the perfect sporting partner. Already a world breeding title-holder, having won the seven-year-old final in 2018 with Glamourdale, Lottie eased Kjento through rain-soaked performances at the 2021 World Breeding Championships with the ultimate composure. It wasn’t until the scores landed that the emotion broke through – the final total was an unprecedented 96%, with 10s for trot, canter, submission and perspective, and it was a euphoric moment for all Kjento’s connections.

“I don’t even know how to describe this horse: the most amazing feeling in the world. I think if you look up the word ‘power’, then he is the definition,” said Lottie afterwards.

“Kjento finds everything so easy, which is quite unusual when a horse has such big paces,” she explains. “He finds extension easy, collection easy; whatever he does, he does well. He’s just incredible, and only getting better.”

Kjento is now training the prix st georges movements at home, while the breeding season promises to be equally busy for him.

“He is a very uncomplicated stallion, who finds it very easy to combine breeding and sport – and that is not always the case with stallions,” says Gertjan, reporting that while his superb stallion performance test results meant Kjento was immediately popular with Dutch breeders, for those in the UK and Germany he remained somewhat in the shadow of his famous sire, and the Van Olsts’ other star stallions, Glamourdale and Everdale – until now.

“The great thing about Kjento is that he will be a good fit for a lot of mares, probably 80% of mares. He’s big, beautiful and he has everything: character, soundness, type. Kjento is a very complete horse, one of the most complete I’ve ever had,” says Gertjan.

With Kjento’s first crop of foals now turning two, and showing “power in the movement and a nice connection through the back”, Gertjan admits he has his eye on several of them. Kjento may be young, but he is already producing the sort of youngsters that are getting the Van Olsts as excited as they were about him five years ago.

Trendy stallions come and go, but with Lottie on board, and a flourishing breeding record setting him up well to follow in the great Negro’s hoofprints, Kjento is one you can expect to hear a lot more about in coming years.

“Negro has been unbelievable and he means so much to us, so to have Kjento to carry on his legacy is just perfect,” says Gertjan. “We think he is the next Negro.”

Future champions and returning stars: time to get excited for the World Breeding Championships

Polly Bryan — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 15:15:47 +0000

The 2022 Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses kicks off tomorrow (8 September) in Ermelo, the Netherlands, and for anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the future of top level dressage, this is an event worth paying attention to. Here’s why we can’t wait for the Dressage World Breeding Championships…

1, History would suggest there could be a future world champion among the contenders

In 2018, Lottie Fry rode Glamourdale to win the prestigious seven-year-old title at these championships, becoming the first British rider ever to take this title. Four years later, the pair were crowned world champions at the World Dressage Championships in Herning. They were joined on the podium by double bronze medallists Dinja van Liere and Hermes – the horse who was third in the six-year-olds at the same World Breeding Championships in 2018. If that’s not proof that this is a championship to take note of, we’re not sure what is.

2, Britain’s Lottie Fry will be aiming for back-to-back titles

It’s not just senior world titles Lottie Fry has under her belt. She rode Van Olst Horses’ Kjento to win the six-year-old championship in 2021, and this formidable pair will be back for more this year. It was announced while Lottie was in action in Herning that Kjento has been selected to bid for a back-to-back title by competing in the seven-year-old section this year. Precious few combinations have achieved double titles at these championships, with Britain’s Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche among them. Can Lottie and Kjento join this elite club?

3, There are four exciting horses representing Britain

In a twist unique to the World Breeding Championships, combinations represent the country of the studbook in which a horse was registered at birth, rather than the nationality of the rider. For this reason, Lottie and Kjento, being KWPN, will represent the Netherlands. But there are four super horses set to fly the British flag in Ermelo, albeit one will be partnered by a Dutch rider. The following horses have been selected for Britain:

Six-year-olds

Bart Veeze (NED) with the British Hanoverian stallion Denton RMD

Owner: Jan van den Heuvel

Breeder: Rosie Moreton-Deakin (GBR)

Breeding: by Glock’s Dream Boy NOP, out of D’Jadore, by Blue Hors Don Schufro

Beth Bainbridge (GBR) with the Oldenburg stallion Blue Hors Zackorado

Owner: Blue Hors APS

Breeder: Paul Rode (GER)

Breeding: by Blue Hors Zack, out of Roxanna, by Florencio I

Seven-year-olds

Sadie Smith (GBR) with the British Hanoverian mare Swanmore Dantina

Owner: Sadie Smith

Breeder: Ben St John-James (GBR)

Breeding: by Dante Weltino OLD, out of Charatana, by Charatan W

Greg Sims (GBR) with the Oldenburg gelding Waverley Fellini

Owner: Greg Sims and Stena Hoerner

Breeder: Sara Longworth (GBR)

Breeding: by Fürstenball, out of Lady Sunshine, by Sandro Hit

4, There are plenty of top grand prix riders in action

While the start lists at these championships feature a lot of riders who specialise in young horses, there are also a fair few very familiar names to be spotted as top grand prix riders show off the horses they hope will be stars of the future. In 2022, look out for Dinja van Liere (Mauro Turfhorst, 5yo), Frederic Wandres (Fashion Prinz OLD, 5yo), Adelinde Cornelisson (Luquido, 6yo), Sabine Schut-Kery (Gorgeous Latino, 6yo), Emmelie Scholtens (Las Vegas, 6yo) and Daniel Bachmann Andersen (Zac Efron MT OLD, 7yo), among others.

5, We’ll see a British Olympic team horse in action

The schedule also includes a CDI3* grand prix, with two exciting British combinations entered: Anna Ross and Habouche, winners of three middle tour classes at the Crozet DI3* recently, and Lottie Fry, who brings forward her 2021 team horse Everdale. Lottie has competed the 13-year-old stallion relatively sparingly in 2022, having focused on her World Championships ride Glamourdale, so we will all be excited to see this medal-winning combination from the Tokyo Olympics and 2021 European Championships back in action.

‘The first time I rode her she ditched me, but since then she’s been fantastic’: Scores exceed 90% as future equine stars crowned

Polly Bryan — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 10:04:57 +0000

Becky Moody and Magic Dream absolutely blew away the competition with the highest of the young horse scores at the NAF Five Star Hartpury Festival of Dressage, posting a huge 92.6% to win the five-year-old semi-final.

The Govenor x Swarovski mare’s score included 10s for the trot and way of going, as well as 9.5 for overall impression, and the win crowned a super week for Becky, who achieved a very impressive hat-trick of wins in the CDI3*.

Magic Dream is owned by Jo Cooper, and was bought from a video during lockdown in 2020.

“We found her through Rebecca Dudley, an agent in the Netherlands who we have worked with quite a lot. She rang me and said she’d seen a lovely three-year-old over there. When I saw her video, what I really loved about Magic Dream was her reactions. She wasn’t massively spectacular but she was very elastic,” reveals Becky.

“When she arrived, she was lovely, but the first time I rode her she did spectacularly ditch me on the floor. Something just upset her and I wasn’t staying on. But since then she has been fantastic.”

The mare already has a national title to her name with Becky’s stable jockey Anna Burns winning the national prelim silver title on her at last year’s National Dressage Championships.

Of their mark at Hartpury, Becky said, “You never really know what you’re going to get in a young horse class, but I did think the judging was quite good in the young horse scores she got. You never quite expect 92.6% though!

“Hopefully she is going to be a grand prix horse of the future. She shows real capacity for piaffe already, and she’s got a very good brain and engine.”

Second to Becky Moody and Magic Dream was Holly Bates and Hillgrounds Feinline.

‘He reduced me to tears because he tried so hard’

Blue Hors Zackorado and Beth Bainbridge posted the highest of the young horse scores across the World Breeding Championship selection trials with 89.6% in the six-year-old section.

Zackorado is by Blue Hors Zack out of the Florencio mare Roxanna, and was bred by Paul Rode. The breeding stallion is standing with Elite Stallions in Britain this year, in a lease agreement between Lorna Wilson and owners Blue Hors Stud in Denmark.

“The horse is just absolutely delightful. He is just wonderful,” said Beth. “He reduced me to tears in my test today, because he tried so hard.”

The young stallion scored nines for all three of his paces and perspective, and 8.8 for submission.

Beth Bainbridge and Blue Hors Zackorado at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage 2022 (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Second to Blue Hors Zackorado and Beth in the selection trial were Sarah Rogers and Full Moon II, but the results were reversed in the six-year-old semi-final, with Sarah creeping ahead of Beth to win on 88.6% with the Bechtolsheimers’s home-bred Fürstenball gelding, who took the five-year-old title at the National Dressage Championships in 2021.

Another 2021 young horse champion dominated in her new age group this year: Sadie Smith topped both the seven-year-old semi-final and the selection trial with her own stunning British-bred Dante Weltino x Charatin mare Swanmore Dantina. The pair posted plus-81% in both classes, scoring nines in every section across the two tests.

Sarah Millis squeaked ahead of Charlotte Dicker (Catherston Tuxedo) to win the five-year-old selection trial on her own Franklin son Macklin.

‘It felt like he’d been here before’

Dannie Morgan gave everyone a name to remember in Fever Tree, the Foundation x Dayano son he rode to an 89.4% win in the four-year-old semi-final.

The gelding was bred by Bowlake Equestrian, Dannie’s long-term base, and after backing “Gordon” in November 2021, Dannie said he “had to have him”, and bought him.

“Right from a foal he has always been a beautiful model. He is super talented, with a lovely temperament and brain and it all feels very easy for him – he’s a natural,” said Dannie. “Hartpury was his third show but it felt like he’d been here before. He is very good in the rhythm, very loose and elastic with a scopey canter and so much natural energy.”

The best scoring combination across the young pony age classes was Eilidh Grant and Charming Duke, a Caesar 171 son who took the six-year-old class with 81.8%, including a nine for overall impression from the judges.

Elli Darling and Dawn Pack’s Rembrandt son Renzo Renaissance DP scored a round 80% to head the five-year-olds, while top four-year-old was Elaine Coleridge-Smith’s WfD Champagne Supernova, a son of Champion De Luxe, and ridden by Alice Perry.

Laura Tomlinson: ‘Is it fair to deny horses born in Britain British-bred status?’

Laura Tomlinson — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 11:05:36 +0000

British world, European and Olympic medallist, Laura Tomlinson, on team aspirations and the FEI’s young horse selection rules

AT the time of writing, Fallatijn and I were in action as part of the Nations Cup team in Aachen alongside Lottie Fry, Susan Pape and Lara Butler, with our family’s home-bred Kristjan. It had been a good few years since I competed on a team and I was honoured and excited to have been selected.

Aachen is to dressage and showjumping what Badminton is to eventing, and it will be the biggest test that Fallatijn (Finn) has ever faced.

It is always special to ride in front of the crowd in the big dressage stadium there, not just for its size and the number of spectators, but because it is also a very educated crowd, who have been known to make their opinions heard if they disagree with the judges.

It was very interesting to see the top Germans, Danes and Swedes, among others, ahead of selection for the dressage World Championships. Who will take pregnant Jessica von Bredow-Werndl’s spot on the German team? The Danish selectors, too, will have tough decisions to make. One thing is for sure, the World Championships in Herning are set to be mega-exciting.

For the Brits, there is Hartpury CDI the week after Aachen and then the selectors make their minds up on the team for the worlds.

It is quite amazing how things can change and evolve over the course of a season for riders and horses. Horses that seemed a sure thing at the start of the season are out, while others are back in the mix.

For me personally, having thought that my chances were doomed when my top mare Rose Of Bavaria was injured, I now find myself in contention for a team spot with Finn.

I am trying hard to focus on my rides in Aachen and not look beyond that, but regardless of what happens, we already have one horse from our yard heading to a championship this summer; Sophie Wallace and my former grand prix horse Rosalie B have made it on to the junior team for the Europeans.

I remember my under-21 days fondly: the buzz of team selection, the training camps and the fun that was had at the shows as part of a team. I wish them all the best of luck and hope they enjoy the journey.

British or foreign?

AT Hartpury, Sarah Rogers will be aiming to get our home-bred six-year-old, Full Moon II, selected for the World Breeding Championships. There’s no rest for our coach, Carl Cuypers, with so many irons in the fire.

But the World Breeding Championships for young horses is very complicated when it comes to the FEI rules, which consider our horses, who were born and bred here in the UK, not to be British-bred because they have Oldenburg papers.

The Oldenburg breeding society doesn’t have a British arm yet and, while this will hopefully change, it makes things challenging regarding horses already on the ground, as they were not registered with a British breeding society at birth.

There are only a few horses in the running for Britain that satisfy this new criteria, one of which lives abroad and is coming over to qualify here.

Following recent clarification of the rules by the FEI, these British-bred horses take priority over other “foreign-bred” horses if they achieve the minimum eligibility requirement – 75% for six-year-olds – regardless of whether the “foreign-bred” horses score higher.

So with just two slots at the championships available under the quota allocated to Britain, it’s very frustrating for those of us who consider ourselves

to be British breeders, yet whose horses are classed as “foreign-bred”.

Foreign studbooks still attract many breeders in Britain, so it might have been helpful for this rule to have been clarified sooner, to allow more people to register foals with appropriate societies to be classed as British-bred.

Do you think horses should be registered with a British studbook to be classed as British-bred? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com

This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 7 July

‘He’s a dream horse’: 5 things you should know about Kjento, Lottie Fry’s world champion six-year-old

Polly Bryan — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 08:00:12 +0000

One of the most talked about horses at the Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Verden, Germany, was undoubtedly Kjento. The stunning black stallion, owned by Van Olst Horses, blew away the opposition to win the six-year-old title, ridden by none other than Britain’s Lottie Fry, who is based with the Van Olsts in the Netherlands.

This was Lottie’s second World Breeding Championship title, and if the career trajectory of her 2018 seven-year-old winner, Glamourdale, is anything to go by, we can expect to see big things of Lottie and Kjento over the new few years. Here are some things you should know about the exciting stallion as he embarks on his career.

1. He is by the same sire as the great Valegro

Kjento is by Negro, the Ferro son who also sired Charlotte Dujardin’s double Olympic champion Valegro, and out of the elite KWPN mare Zoriana. She in turn is a daughter of the great stallion Jazz out of a Juventus mare Poriana, so combining the very best in Dutch bloodlines.

2. He impresses the judges across the board

In the final, Kjento received marks of 10 for his trot, canter, submission and perspective, and an eight for his walk, and his total mark of 96% left him comfortably in the lead. He was the only horse in the six-year-old final to receive marks of 10 in any area, and judge Peter Storr commented: “I could just sum up the whole thing with one word, by saying ‘wow’.”

3. Kjento has showed huge potential all his life

The highest scoring three-year-old stallion at the 2018 KWPN autumn performance test, Kjento scored 8.5 for his walk, nine for his trot and 9.5 for his canter, and showed super ability to collect.

“He can naturally piaffe already. He hasn’t been trained at all, it’s just in him,” said Lottie last year. “He has huge movement, but also finds it so easy to collect. He’s a dream horse.”

4. Breeders already love him

Kjento is one of the most popular young breeding stallions in the Netherlands right now, and breeders across Europe have also been taking note. His first foals were born in 2020 and he has over 230 registered offspring to date. He stands at the Van Olst stud in the Netherlands, and is available to UK breeders via Stallion AI Services.

5, He loves to perform as much as Lottie doe.

It was easy to see from Kjento’s performance at the World Breeding Championships that he is a true showman, and Lottie confirms as much.

“He loves to work and he loves nothing more than to go in an area and show off: to know that he loves it as much as I do makes it so much fun,” said Lottie.

Lottie Fry lands world title with ‘incredible’ young star of the future

Polly Bryan — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 19:04:14 +0000

Britain’s Lottie Fry has scooped the second World Breeding Championship title of her career, winning the six-year-old final at the Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Verden, Germany, with the Van Olsts’ exceptional stallion Kjento.

Despite heavy rain during their final test, Lottie and the Negro x Jazz son impressed judges Peter Storr, Jean-Michel Roudier, Adriaan Hamoen and Maria Colliander to score a whopping 96%.

Kjento received marks of 10 for his trot, canter, submission and perspective, and an eight for his walk. He was the only horse in the six-year-old final to receive marks of 10 in any area, and finished comfortably ahead of runner-up Esacamillo (Escolar x Rohdiamant), ridden by Spain’s Manuel Dominguez Bernal.

“To produce what he has done today is just incredible, and I don’t even know how to describe this horse: the most amazing feeling in the world. I think if you look up the word ‘power’, then he is the definition,” said Lottie.

“When the 10s came up, it took me by surprise. I know he’s capable, but I got a little emotional in there: it’s amazing that now everyone else thinks he’s incredible just as we do. He loves to work and he loves nothing more than to go in an area and show off: to know that he loves it as much as I do makes it so much fun.”

Judge Peter Storr added: “Wow! I could just sum up the whole thing with one word, by saying ‘wow’. This horse looks so happy to be in the arena: he shows off, he never really falters – what more could we want? Active, willing, happy to work in such a nice way, and of course beautifully ridden.”

Lottie, who won bronze as part of the British Olympic team in Tokyo this summer, was crowned champion of the seven-year-old division in 2018 riding her own and the Van Olsts’ Lord Leatherdale x Negro stallion Glamourdale. Now in his first year of international grand prix, Glamourdale has already produced huge scores at the level under Lottie, including over 83% in the freestyle at Grote-Brogel CDI3* in May.

Also reaching the six-year-old final was Britain’s Greg Sims riding Waverley Fellini, who was bred at Sara Longworth’s Waverley Stud in Warwickshire. The Fürstenball x Sandro Hit gelding scored 75.2% in the final to finish 16th.

The five-year-old title in Verden went to Sweden’s Jeanna Hogberg riding Hesselhoej Down Town, with the highest score of all the champions, 97%. The Hesselhoej Donkey Boy x Blue Hors Zack stallion was awarded 10 for his trot and perspective, and 9.5 for the walk, canter and submission.

Andrea Helgstrand scored the seven-year-old title with the Apache x Tango stallion Jovian, winner of the five-year-olds two years ago, on 89.136%. Jovian earned 10 for his trot and perspective, 9.8 for the canter and submission, and an eight for his walk.

British-bred horses in action at the Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses included Newton Tiger (Blue Hors First Choice x Sandro Hit), who was bred by Anna Ross, and ridden by Ireland’s Alex Baker to finish fourth in the five-year-old small final with 83.6%.

Additional reporting by Selene Scarsi

Meet Britain’s top talent headed to the dressage young horse World Championships

Polly Bryan — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 15:24:27 +0000

Six “exceptional” horses have been selected to represent Britain at the FEI World Breeding Federation Dressage Championships for Young Horses. These prestigious championships, originally scheduled for August, but postponed due to the pandemic, will take place at the iconic German venue of Verden on 9-13 December.

Selection trials were held earlier this month at the British Dressage (BD) National Young Horse Championships 2020.

“The standards were high and it was clear that riders had used the time away from competition wisely,” said chief selector Judy Harvey. “The six horses we’ve selected are exceptional and a credit to their riders, owners and breeders.”

Britain will field the maximum of two horses in each of the five-, six- and seven- year-old divisions, with two seven-year-old reserves named as well.

Let’s find out who they are…

Five-year-olds selected to represent Britain at FEI World Breeding Federation Dressage Championships for Young Horses

Waverley Fellini (bay gelding, Fürstenball x Sandro Hit)

Rider: Greg Sims

Owner: Stena Hoerner

Breeder: Sara Longworth, GBR

Studbook: Oldenburg

Best results: national winter novice champion 2020; national five-year-old champion and winner of five-year-old selection trial at the BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

King IV (pictured above, black stallion, Governor x Johnson)

Rider: Jezz Palmer

Owner: Richard Burge

Breeder: Freek Hoogengoom, NED

Studbook: KWPN

Best results: double regional novice champion and national winter novice freestyle champion 2020; second in five-year-old selection trial at the BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

Six-year-olds selected to represent Britain at Verden

Straight Horse De Milla (chestnut mare, De Niro x Blue Hors Zack)

Rider: Tom Goode

Owner: Emile Faurie

Breeder: Mogens Pederesen, DEN

Studbook: Danish Warmblood

Best results: reserve national winter elementary champion 2020; winner of six-year-old selection trial at the BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

Jaristo (bay stallion, Dream Boy x Nourejev)

Rider: Tom Goode

Owner: Emile Faurie

Breeder: Appie Dijstra, NED

Studbook: KWPN

Best results: three plus-70% advanced medium wins 2020; second in six-year-old selection trial at BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

Seven-year-olds selected to represent Britain at Verden

Impressive VDC (chestnut gelding, Charmeur x Krack C)

Rider/owner: Sarah Millis

Breeder: Piet Crum, NED

Studbook: KWPN

Best results: three plus-70% prix st georges results 2020; winner of seven-year-old selection trial and reserve national seven-year-old champion at the BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

Ivoli-E (chestnut mare, Dream Boy x Jazz)

Rider/owner: Luke Baber-Davies

Breeder: WJM Erven, NED

Studbook: KWPN

Best results: second in seven-year-old selection trial and fifth in seven-year-old championship at the BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

Article continues below…

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Seven-year-old reserves

Rockstar (brown gelding, Rock Forever NRW x Stedinger)

Rider/owner: Lisa Marriott

Breeder: Gerd Sosath, GER

Studbook: Oldenburg

Waverley Dante (dark bay gelding, Dimaggio x Fürst Henrich)

Rider/owner: Greg Sims

Breeder: Sara Longworth, GBR

Studbook: Hanoverian

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Meet the ‘chatty’ world champion stallion whose canter will make you gasp

Polly Bryan — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 11:24:13 +0000

History was made at last weekend’s World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses in Ermelo, the Netherlands, when Lottie Fry became the first British rider ever to win the seven-year-old title at these prestigious championships.

Lottie, 22, who works and rides for the Van Olst stables in the Netherlands, piloted the impressive KWPN stallion Glamourdale to a euphoric victory. Once the dust had settled, we caught up with Lottie — daughter of the late British Olympic rider Laura Fry — to find out more about the world champion stallion everyone’s talking about.

1. He has some pretty impeccable bloodlines

Glamourdale is by the successful sire Lord Leatherdale, a son of the bundeschampion Lord Loxley, but it’s his damsire who commands the most attention, being Negro, the sire of Valegro. Glamourdale’s dam, Thuja (Negro x Ahorn), is also the full sister to Spencer Wilton’s grand prix ride Numberto, so there’s no doubt that Glamourdale carries all the breeding credentials to be a top dressage horse.

2. He’s a multi-tasking stallion

As well as his dressage training, Glamourdale is in demand as a breeding stallion, with semen collected from him a couple of times per week. He has already proved popular with breeders all over the world, and as far afield as Australia.

(Image credit: Selene Scarsi)

3. His canter will make you gasp

Without doubt Glamourdale’s biggest strength and highlight is his enormous, uphill canter, which scored 10s in Ermelo.

“His canter feels amazing to sit on, like you’re flying,” says Lottie, who was in total shock when her scores came in at the championships. “We all knew at home that his canter deserves 10s but we didn’t know if the judges would agree with us.”

4. Crucially, he also finds collection easy

“He finds everything in canter really easy, including collection, which horses often struggle with if their paces are big,” says Lottie. “His hindleg is very active, so we can make it quick, and when you bring him back for a pirouette he can really sit and produce the same canter as when he’s extending.”

5. He loves to work, especially when there are people watching him

Lottie says that Glamourdale is always ready to work, but he particularly thrives on big atmospheres.

“He takes everything in his stride, and finds it really exciting to learn new things, but he’s also brave,” says Lottie. “In the big atmosphere in Ermelo, he went in the arena, looked around and just rose to the occasion.”

(Image credit: Selene Scarsi)

6. When he’s at home, he loves to chill

“He’s such an easy horse; he loves to go outside and hack through the fields,” says Lottie, who reveals she can ride him on the buckle out hacking as he’s so relaxed. “He also goes out in our sand paddock every day, and goes on the water treadmill twice a week.”

7. He enjoys ‘chatting’ on the yard

“He’s very chatty, and always whinnying, especially if you have an apple,” laughs Lottie. “He’s so sweet, and loves cuddles.”

8. The grand prix training is coming easily to him

Although Lottie and the Van Olsts haven’t made any definite plans for his competition career, Glamourdale is likely to come out to compete at small tour, though he is learning the grand prix work at home already.

“He has a very correct walk, which is good for teaching piaffe, and he is already learning how to piaffe,” says Lottie. “He’s taking well to the one-time changes too — they’re huge and he loves doing them.”

Watch this space!

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Woodlander Farouche crowned world champion with record-breaking score

Flora Watkins — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:47:03 +0000

The exquisite young mare, Woodlander Farouche has taken the World Breeding Dressage Championships for six-year-old horses – a year after she triumphed in the five-year-old class.

Farouche, a British-bred Hanoverian by Furst Heinrich, twice posted the top score of 10 under Michael Eilberg.

“This ride was almost impossible to top,” said one commentator.

The judges gave the chestnut mare a 10 for her walk and a 10 for her overall impression. They gave her 9.9 for the canter, 9.8 for trot and 9.7 for submissiveness.

This gave her Farouche a final score of 9.88 – which no other horse has achieved before.

“She has three outstanding basic gaits,” said Michael. “And she has such a wonderful personality.”

The mare’s breeder and owner, Lynne Crowden, joked that, as a foal, Farouche was “definitely not very attractive and had a pink nose like a little pig – she was called the ‘Ginger Pig’.

“But from the first time under saddle, everybody could see what a fantastic horse she was,” she added.

Second place went to the KWPN stallion Borencio, by Florencio, with a final score of 9.1 ridden by Emmelie Scholtens of the Netherlands.

And bronze was awarded to a German Oldenburg stallion, Sir Donnerhall II, by Sandro Hit on a final score of 8.78. He was ridden by Denmark’s, Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard.

Jennie Loriston-Clarke breaks foot at World Breeding Championships

Horse & Hound — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:04:00 +0000

Jennie Loriston-Clarke broke her foot at the World Breeding Championships in Verden (3-7 August).

Jennie, who was president of the ground jury at the show, collided with a step just before the trot-up and a subsequent trip to hospital revealed a broken a bone in her foot.

Despite being warned she would be unable to judge, Jennie returned to the rings with her foot strapped up.

“Everyone was very kind,” said Jennie, who is now home and awaiting further treatment for the break.

This news was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (11 August, 2011)

World Young Horse Breeding Championships

Suzanne Jones — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:42:45 +0000

Seven year olds

Mennell Watson was the best of the British contingent, finishing seventh in the seven-year-old final at the World Breeding Championships on Helen van Heyningen’s home-bred Halida Du Rouet.

Stallions dominated this final, with the impressive Caballero guided into first place by Bastian Freese, a stable jockey at Paul Schockemöhle’s yard.

The Netherlands’ Gerben Morsink settled for second on Carthino Z, by Carthago Z, with third going to Belgium’s Yves Vanderhasselt on the French-bred Muscaris D’Ariel, a stallion with Diamant De Semilly-Laudanum bloodlines.

With the fastest four faults in the first round, Belgian-based Briton Joe Clee took eighth place on the Andiamo Z-sired An Sidec.

Six year olds

Holland dominated the hotly contested six-year-old final, which was topped by physics student Gerben Morsink on the Zandor-sired Zekina Z.

Stuart Neads was Britain’s only jump-off hope, but he dropped to 14th after tipping a pole on Andy Doswell’s Amoroso Van De Helle, a Holsteiner stallion by Acorado.

Laura Renwick on her British foreign-bred champion Beluga and John Popely with his wife Lea’s home-bred national champion Tiger Lily saw their hopes die with four faults apiece in the first round.

Five year olds

With 27 in the five-year-old jump-off, the clock was always going to dictate, but despite serious challenges along the way, Columbian Dayro Arroyave’s devastating early round meant that Opera De Rizzi Z became the second champion for Zangersheide.

Mares were dominant here, filling the top six places, with second and third going to Marielle Schroder’s Virginia ahead of Anne van Vulpen and Society’s Voila.

Laura Renwick again had four faults in the first round on Vernon G and Britain’s jump-off hopes rested with another Essex-based rider, Barry Dove. But four faults dropped the Chellano Z grey Cosmos to 22nd.

Sires of the World

The prestigious Sires of the World title went to Jaguar Mail, who covered 200 mares this year. He was ridden here by Sweden’s Peter Eriksson to win by just 0.04sec.

Four faults in round one kept Ronnie Healy out of the jump-off, but he brought Louise Mindermann’s 15-year-old Grannus son Give Me Remus into 15th place.

Britain’s Carron Nicol rode her Kannan stallion Zorro into fifth place in the five-year-old consolation behind Belgium’s Benny Naessens on Defender Z.

Read this report in full in the current issue of Horse & Hound (18 October, ’07)/strong>

Mary King leads British entry in France

Horse & Hound — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 16:29:26 +0000

Mary King proved her talent for producing horses this weekend when she finished third in the World Breeding Championships with home-bred Kings Gem. Despite the rain and heavy going at Lion d’Angers in France, the seven-year-old Rock King progeny jumped clear round a taxing two-star track.

Polly Stockton (Westwood Joker), Lucy Wiegersma (Woodfalls Inigo Jones) and Cressida Clague Reading (Cesari) also clinched places within the top 10, demonstrating the quality of Britain’s younger horses. Unfortunately William Fox-Pitt was forced to withdraw Chuckleberry prior to Sunday’s trot up.

The cross-country course, which ran a slightly different route this year, caught out a number of combinations. However King’s clear round moved her from seventh to fourth place at the end of day two. France’s Aurélien Khan and Lord de Lignière, dressage leaders with a flashy 31.2 pen dressage score, remained leaders for a second night after a flawless clear round.

The leader board was given a dramatic shake-up in the show jumping phase, with only six combinations jumping clear. Mary King and Kings Gem jumped a stylish round but knocked a pole, adding four penalties to their score. Fortunately for King, plenty of others suffered worse problems and rather than moving down the leader board, she moved from fourth into third place.

Germany’s Kai Rüder with Katmandu produced one of the few clear rounds, moving them from 10th place to second ahead of King. “I’ve never been so happy!” Rüder said afterwards, “I was 15th after the dressage, 10th after the cross-country and now I am second thanks to Katmandu’s clear round.” Sam Griffiths from Australia also made a meteoric rise, leaping from 12th place to fourth after a clear round aboard Happy Times.

When Kahn and Lord de Lignière entered the arena, they had obtained a wide margin for manoeuvre. “Show jumping is not Lord’s strong point,” Khan admitted beforehand. “He often has four faults, as he has a tendency to be stressed…” In fact the pair clocked up eight faults but their 39.20 score still earned them the 2006 World Breeding Championship title.

Read Horse & Hound’s full report, including analysis and pictures, in this Thursday’s magazine (26 October, ’06)

Britain vies for World Breeding recognition

Horse & Hound — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:51:43 +0000

Britain’s top six and seven-year-olds will contest the prestigious World Breeding Championships at Lion d’Angers, France this weekend (20-22 October). A contingent of nine British riders and world class young horses will be heading across the channel, hoping to take home the coveted first prize.

Blenheim winner and Team World Silver medallist, Daisy Dick will be partnering Cracked Ice, by prolific event sire Welton Crackerjack in the seven-year-old CCI two-star. The pair have already amassed 79 BE points and won the CCI one-star at Aldon last year.

Mary King, a member of Britain’s WEG squad, will be riding the home-bred Kings Gem by Rock King, also in the seven-year-old class. Joining Mary and Daisy will be fellow WEG squad member William Fox-Pitt and Chuckelberry. The pair took second place in the championships at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe this summer.

Pippa Funnell, Polly Stockton, Cressida Clague-Reading, Ian Stark and Lucy Wiegersma will also be competing aboard promising seven-year-olds. Combinations will tackle an FEI two-star dressage test, 22 cross-country obstacles over 5255 metres and a show jumping course.

Sarah Cohen and Trebetherick are the only British combination entered in the six-year-old CCI one-star. The combination, who finished 12th in the recent PAVO British Breeding Championships at Tweseldown, will negotiate a 4400m cross-country course as well as a one-star level dressage test and show jumping course.

For the latest results and information visit: www.mondialdulion.com

British future stars shine in France

Horse & Hound — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 14:49:14 +0000

The world’s best young event horses came head-to-head this weekend at the Annual World Breeding Championships at Le Lion d’Angers, France.

Eleven British riders headed across the channel to partake in the showcase event for six- and seven-year-old horses which have shown successful form throughout the year.

Britain, France and Germany dominated the leader board, filling the top three places in both sections. Nicholas Touzaint had an excellent weekend on home ground, maintaining an early lead in the CCI** seven-year old class on Tatchou, to finish just 1.2pen ahead of Britain’s Tina Cook and Miner’s Frolic.

The Frenchman went on to finish second in the CCI* six-year old class on Lesbos behind German amateur rider Janet Wiesner (Libero). British rider Angela Tucker finished in third place on Irish Jester who was recently placed fifth in the PAVO British Breeding Championships at Tweseldown (Oct 11th).

Clare Lewis and Cruisalier finished fifth in the CCI** seven-year old section with seasoned campaigner Mary King (pictured) taking eight position on Kings Fancy, a Rock King progeny. The gelding is competing at advanced level and has already amassed 76 BE points.

Fleetwater Opposition was well represented by his progeny with Isabelle Taylor finishing 10th on Opposition Herecles and 22nd on Sparkling Opposition. Wiltshire based Louisa Lockwood and the beautiful 7-year-old mare, Lucia di Lammermoor took 15th place ahead of Mary King’s second ride, Mayhill sired Top Cat II.

Results:

CCI** 7 year olds

1. Nicholas Touzaint (FRA) Tatchou

2. Tina Cook (GB) Miners Frolic

3. Frank Osholt (GER) Little Paint

CCI** 6 year olds

1. Janet Wiesner (GER) Libero

2. Nicholas Touzaint (FRA) Lesbos

3. Angela Tucker (GB) Irish Jester

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Joseph Hunt (GBR) with the PRE stallion Druida De Centurion, representing SpainOwner: rider and Yeguada CenturianBreeder: Yeguada Centurian (ESP)Breeding: by Per Bago, out of Trovadora Centurion, by Oceano Cen

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Thoroughbreds to be recognised at Olympics, but still can’t contest World Breeding Championships

The move follows discussions between the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF), the World Breeding Federation for Sports Horses (WBFSH), the FEI and the International Stud Book Committee.

“The issue arose because, under a memorandum of understanding between the FEI and the WBFSH, only member studbooks of the WBFSH have historically been credited, and the WBFSH only has members that specifically breed horses for the Olympic disciplines,” said a EMHF spokesman.

Paull Khann, EMHF secretary general and member of the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses steering group, welcomed the news.

“Much effort is made around the world to encourage the owners of retired racehorses to explore second careers for them,” he said.

“This recognition will both further the message that thoroughbreds do go on to compete with distinction in other equestrian disciples and prompt more thoroughbred owners to consider this retirement option for their racehorses”.

WBFSH general manager Nadine Brandter added that the organisation recognises the “extensive influence” the thoroughbred has had on sport horse breeding and development – and that “undoubtedly the thoroughbred deserves recognition”.

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Britain’s Sadie Smith also excelled at the Dressage World Breeding Championships, finishing fifth in the seven-year-old final riding her own British-bred mare Swanmore Dantina, who was the highest-placed seven-year-old mare.

“She really is a once in a lifetime horse and after a tough year she brings me so much happiness,” said Sadie of “Dia”.

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“I don’t even know how to describe this horse: the most amazing feeling in the world. I think if you look up the word ‘power’, then he is the definition,” said Lottie afterwards.

“Kjento finds everything so easy, which is quite unusual when a horse has such big paces,” she explains. “He finds extension easy, collection easy; whatever he does, he does well. He’s just incredible, and only getting better.”

Kjento is now training the prix st georges movements at home, while the breeding season promises to be equally busy for him.

“The great thing about Kjento is that he will be a good fit for a lot of mares, probably 80% of mares. He’s big, beautiful and he has everything: character, soundness, type. Kjento is a very complete horse, one of the most complete I’ve ever had,” says Gertjan.

Trendy stallions come and go, but with Lottie on board, and a flourishing breeding record setting him up well to follow in the great Negro’s hoofprints, Kjento is one you can expect to hear a lot more about in coming years.

“Negro has been unbelievable and he means so much to us, so to have Kjento to carry on his legacy is just perfect,” says Gertjan. “We think he is the next Negro.”

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