ELITE SHOWJUMPERS AT THE 2016 BEF FUTURITY

Thursday 13 October 2016

The 2016 Baileys Horse Feeds/ British Breeding/British Equestrian Federation (BEF) Futurity saw seven youngsters earn themselves elite premiums. Of the elite premiums awarded, five went to foals. The top scorer overall in the jumping section was a three-year-old and one two-year-old also attained an elite premium. Futurity jumping evaluators for 2016 were Fred Bergendorff and Chris Hunnable.

An elite premium indicates that the horse has the potential and outlook to perform at international level in their chosen discipline. The BEF Futurity Evaluation series aims to identify British bred young potential sport horses and ponies destined for careers in dressage, eventing, showjumping or endurance.

Highest jumping scorer of the 2016 Futurity was the three-year-old, Millfield Counterfeit (Cooper van de Heffinck x Contender) bred by Sue Jaggar of the Millfield Stud and now co-owned by Sue and Simon Buckley. Counterfeit earned an elite premium of 9.25.

Sue said: “Millfield Counterfeit is super, he is a real athlete and looks the part.  He won the loose jumping competitions for 3-year-olds at both the Harthill Stud and at Northcote Stud. We just have to hope he does the job under saddle.”  Simon has bought another three-year-old from Sue, Millfield Safari (Sandro Boy x Cassini), that scored a higher first Futurity premium of 8.92. Simon will go on to compete both these young British bred horses.  He said: “Sue and Brian Jaggar are passionate about breeding horses and they have done so much for British breeding.  I want to support them and am looking forward to competing these exciting young horses.”

Horse breeders Lisa Maynard and Chris Jackson of Mayjack Sporthorses in Luton gained an elite premium with their young horse at the Baileys Horse Feeds/ British Breeding/British Equestrian Federation (BEF) Futurity held on the 30th August at Solihull Riding Club.

Lisa Maynard and Chris Jackson’s two-year-old colt, Balou For Pleasure (Balou Du Rouet x Contender) took an elite premium of 9.20 to achieve the accolade of best scoring two-year-old in 2016. Balou For Pleasure also attained an elite premium as a foal.

Former international event rider Lisa said: “Balou For Pleasure is a very exciting young horse. We started breeding horses when I was pregnant with my now three-year-old son and had a break from riding.  I would love to ride him myself, but with the talent he has, I just want to do the best thing for him and give him the best possible chance of success.” Balou For Pleasure will stay entire and Lisa is hoping to go for licensing with the British Warmblood and Oldenburg studbooks. She hopes he will combine a career jumping with stallion duties.

Balou For Pleasure was exhibited at the Futurity by Carsten Sandrock from Lynne Crowden’s Woodlander Stud in Northamptonshire. Lisa continued: “Balou For Pleasure is currently at Lynne’s stud, it is great to have the advice from Lynne and her team as I am determined to ensure that the horse goes on to fulfil his potential.”

Colt foal, SHS Quickstep (Westpoint Quickfire x Haarlem) was best scoring foal in the jumping section of the 2016 Futurity with an elite premium of 9.15. He was bred and is owned by Caroline Leigh from Malpas. Caroline who mainly breeds dressage foals was delighted, she said: “I am chuffed, Quickstep is the first elite scoring foal we have bred. She is out of my jumping mare, Medina who I have owned for nearly 20 years. I bred a foal from her a couple of years ago who is a full sister to SHS Quickstep.”

SHS Quickstep’s sire, Westpoint Quickfire is by the same stallion, (Quick Star) as Olympic gold medallist, Big Star. Caroline continued: “I may sell Quickstep but my partner, Carl Shone, is very keen to keep him and take him jumping.”

The top jumping yearling of the 2016 Futurity was Christian Cotter’s filly, Be My Juliet (Womanizer x Maltstriker DV) with a higher first premium of 8.80.  Be My Juliet was bred by Rachel Hughes.

Christian’s partner, Sarah Cockerham said: “Be My Juliet was just brilliant at the Futurity.  Whenever anyone comes to the yard at home they comment on her conformation and movement, so it is excellent that they also thought the same at Richmond.”  Christian and Sarah also own a four-year-old by Womanizer, Be My Romeo.

Hazel Offord of the WG Stud earned another elite premium in 2016 with a foal by her jumping stallion, Silvester. Filly foal, Silver Chicago (Silvester x Chicago) earned 9.10. Hazel said: “Silver Chicago’s full brother, Carthago Chicago is now licensed as a stallion with Sport Horse Breeding of  Great Britain. He was just one of two stallions this year to attain a license with the studbook.” Carthago Chicago gained a higher first Futurity premium each year as a young horse.

Hazel has four foals due next year and continued: “Times are exciting with the horses. Silver Chicago is a very classy foal, she is a natural born show-off and she did very well at the Futurity. She is now for sale to a top competition home.  We love doing the Futurity and have been long-time supporters of it..”

Colt foal, Harry (Cash Point x Sydney) earned an elite premium of 9.10 for his owner and breeder, Jill May. Jill’s daughter, Laura May presented Harry at the Futurity. Jill said: “I was away in Belgium and left getting Harry to the Futurity to Laura. Harry is a quality foal, he has good breeding and is independent, yet sociable and loves other horses and humans.” Jill bred Harry from her mare, Why Not who jumped up to foxhunter level with Mark Bunting.

Harry is the first foal bred from Why Not, Jill added: “We will keep him at home and see how he grows on and develops for the meantime.”

Colt foal, Hendricks High Pockets (Indistage x Iron) owned and bred by Lisa Laurie from Chesham earned 9.00 in the jumping section.  Lisa said: “I am chuffed to bits that the foal scored an elite. I thought Hendricks High Pockets was looking great and decided to give it a go. I was very keen to find out what the professional evaluators at the Futurity thought of him as I know my views as a breeder may be biased.

“Hendricks High Pockets is the third foal I have bred from my mare, Perdina.” Lisa bought Perdina who had previously jumped to 1.50m. Lisa continued: “Perdina  jumped up to Foxhunter with myself and then we decided she had done enough and decided to breed from her.”

Elizabeth Johnson’s colt foal, Belizaro Vladimir (Footloose x Ritter Remus), also earned an elite premium of 9.00 in the jumping section.  Elizabeth said: “I can’t believe it, we have only been breeding for a few years and have bred a total of just six foals. To get an elite premium on our first time at the Futurity is brilliant. I really enjoy breeding and whilst it is a hobby I have set out to breed really nice foals.”

The BEF’s Head of Equine Development Jan Rogers said, “We are increasingly noticing that breeders, buyers and riders of British bred horses are finding that a Futurity premium is a very useful aid in helping assess these horses.  We are also seeing a marked improvement in the standard of youngsters entered in the futurity, which is very good news for the future of British breeding”.

Futurity scores are used by many breeders as a credible marketing tool for their young horses, adding value to a young horse whilst it is still too young to have achieved a performance record. To view some of the showjumping highlights, click here.

For more information, visit www.britishbreeding.org

 
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