1st September 2007
Reaching its first century, with over 100 horses enrolled at the final regional evaluation of 2007, the Baileys Horse Feeds/British Breeding Futurity Young Horse Evaluations series has come of age. What's more, with some all-time top scores being achieved this year, British breeding has reached new heights.
With 100 horses enrolled in 2005, 200 horses in 2006 and 320 in total this year, the Futurity's process of evaluating young performance sport horses and ponies from foals to four years to identify whether these equine athletes have the talent to excel and are likely to be able to withstand the rigours of modern competition, is becoming a household name. Says the British Equestrian Federation (BEF's ) Head of Equine Development Jan Rogers, "facilitating comparability between evaluations and making their objectives clearer is part of the Strategy for the Horse Industry in England and Wales, so these figures are encouraging and indicate that we are on the right lines in terms of encouraging participation and informing breeders".
The Futurity seeks to identify potential elite athletes as well as giving all breeders an objective assessment of their youngstock. Obtaining a first premium (over 80%) is an accolade, but a second premium (75% - 79%) is also very good and may mean that the horses being bred will make very desirable performance sport horses needed where the bulk of the market lies - the growing leisure sector.
Adds Jan, "we have had a good deal of feedback this year, both positive and otherwise and every point made has value and will be used to improve the series over the coming years. The Futurity is part of the Strategy, it's here for the long term and we need to get it right".
The introduction of the veterinary section, assessed by equine vet Jane Nixon, has enabled many potential performance inhibiting and management issues such as epiphysitis and foot imbalance, to be identified early so that they can be rectified. Says Jane "investment in the production of a top class performance sport horse is not inconsiderable and if breeders and producers can learn from these evaluations, then we are making a contribution to the advancement of the British breeding industry".
Overall seasons' winners will be presented with their awards by Jan Buchan from Baileys Horse Feeds at the Breeders' Dinner on 12 January 2008 and the top scorers in each age group are:
Top scoring foal was The Grange show jumping foal Cquins Revenge (AES) with a score of 9.24. A bay filly by Zarlequin (AES) out of Connorcourt's Revenge (AES) by Ramon (AES), she is owned and was bred by Rachael and Lesley Aitken to be their own competition horse. Mother and daughter team are "absolutely thrilled" with their success. "We bred this filly for Rachael to compete. The sire, Zarlequin, is a retired Grade A showjumper, now 18 years old and a family pet, so he has proven himself which is an important thing to look for in a breeding programme".
High scoring yearling was Lucky for Some (AES), a chestnut filly presented at The Grange in Devon. But it wasn't just luck that took owner breeder Sonia Gilmore's chestnut showjumping filly by Corravale (Holst) to the podium with a 9 for her athleticism. Out of Pompidoe (KWPN) by Colino (Holst), a thrilled Sonia Gilmore states "I'm chuffed to bits! I bred her from my proven jumping mare and she was a top foal last year so I'm delighted with her consistency with a completely different set of evaluators."
The first ever '10' was scored for type at this season's first evaluation at Arena UK by the two year old dressage horse Furst Opera by Furst Heinrich (Westf) out of a Weltregent (Hann) mare, owned and bred in Rutland by Georgina Brett for her newly-formed Gemini Stud. Furst Opera scored over 9 in every other section giving an overall average score of 9.3.
Says Georgina Brett "All the team here at Gemini Stud were utterly thrilled to achieve the first Futurity perfect ten for our future dressage stallion Furst Opera. We were absolutely moved to tears". When asked how the Futurity would help underpin her breeding programme, Georgina stated "the Futurity has given all of us the confidence and support to take a long term view of our British and continental breeding programmes. We will continue to use its objective feedback as a firm foundation for the future improvement and success of our lines. Whilst the European countries have a strong foothold on the dressage market, I feel more certain than ever, after today, that we can breed world class dressage horses in the UK and in contrast to this, I believe that Britain already holds the world market for event horse breeding, but, it is ours to lose".
Top scoring three year old with overall season's best score of 9.5 was show jumper Zubin R (KWPN) a bay colt by Lupicor (KWPN) out of Fabionne (KWPN) by Pion (KWPN), bred by Sheri Tozer Robb at River Stud in Callington and owned by Matthew Zaccia. Obtaining a staggering '10' for athleticism, Zubin R captivated evaluators and audience alike with his ability. "He is a great young horse" enthused evaluator Mark Shaw "he has tremendous talent and, with careful production, will make a top class performance horse". Breeder Sheri Tozer Robb said "I didn't hear any clapping or cheering, I was so intent on listening to what the evaluators had to say because that is what I take home with me to improve my breeding programme". Owner Matthew Zaccia was full of praise for his young horse "I have high hopes for him" he said "and this recognition has given us all a boost".
The top score for a four year old of 8.64 was secured in South Wales by handsome bay gelding Puck's Glen by Pro-Set (KWPN) out of Indra (KWPN) by Beaujolais (KWPN). Owned by Sean Daly and bred by Futurity Entries Secretary Edith Rutherford, 'Beau' impressed the evaluators with his honest attitude and rhythmic approach to fences. "I really can't believe it" said Edith "I work very hard to ensure that the horses I breed are the very best they can be, you try to make the right crosses, but you never really expect to do well. When you do it's a real treat!"
Says the British Equestrian Federation's Director of Equine Development Graham Suggett "alongside the very good work being carried out by the new Lead Body for Performance Sport Horses and Ponies (PSHP), I am delighted to see that the Futurity goes from strength to strength. It fulfils several Strategic functions from identifying potential elite Equine Pathway horses to giving breeders an assessment of performance potential, provided by up to five different evaluators in some locations. Breeders can then go home and take an objective look at what they are producing to see if it can be improved upon. None of us know it all, after nearly fifty years in the business I am sure I don't!" Adds Graham "through all of the BEF's programmes we aim to continue to improve the quality of our British sport horses and ponies and help to promote them such that we can reinvigorate the British breeding industry and make it more buoyant and financially viable. We welcome everyone's feedback in our continual improvement of the way this scheme is run".
For further information about the Futurity Young Horse Evaluations see here.
