Celebrating the grassroots breeder

Despite working long hours in a full-time job with the NHS, Derbyshire-based Rosemary Myers has enjoyed great success with her breeding operation.

It all started 18 years ago when Rosemary bought the filly foal Wenthorpe, by Louella Wendekreis out of a Solar Topic mare.

Wenthorpe enjoyed success under saddle at county level before producing her first foal, Mayday III, a colt by the Thoroughbred sire, Criminal Law. Mayday went on to win at major shows with Tracy Bailey as a large riding horse.

Wenthorpe’s second foal, Withybrook, by Another Hoarwithy, has remained with Rosemary and initially enjoyed a successful show ring career, including standing reserve champion hunter foal at Great Yorkshire, where her mother was champion broodmare.

Withybrook tackled her first affiliated dressage competitions recently. With Keeva Fox, she won the novice 23 and then the novice 33 qualifier, scoring more than 72% in the latter.

Wenthorpe’s 1996 foal, Park Leader, by Abdullah, is eventing at intermediate level with Ian Youdan, and Rosemary is now keeping her fingers crossed for another successful sport horse, as her mare is hopefully in-foal to the advanced eventer Mill Law.

“I’m the epitome of the small breeder, living and producing horses on a shoestring,” says Rosemary. “It does prove that you can be successful without financial backing. You just need commitment, patience and some luck.”

This article was originally published in Horse & Hound (15 April 04).