A BREEDING MESS

Sir — Carole Mortimer’s opinion (6 July) highlights the failure of well-intentioned future plans. For instance, what happened to the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s proposals for the Stoneleigh Showground and its equestrian future? What, too, of the loss of an indoor school when they were forced out of Stoneleigh? But there are other concerns...

The token support of British breeding by the disciplines does not bode well for the future. It can take a minimum 10 years to show that a breeding programme is successful — from the covering of a mare to seeing their progeny producing successful competition horses. Let’s not forget either that breeders in the UK withstand all the expense of breeding, but receive none of the financial returns. However, in other EU countries, when progeny are sold on, the breeder benefits from a small part of the prize money in their career winnings.

We also need a stronger, more qualified lead organisation to lend a voice. Heads of equine industry in other EU countries seem to have worked in the business for most of their careers. Many have university degrees in equinerelated subjects and some up to PhD level. When you look at our administrators over the past 25 years, you will find very few you could put in that class.

John Shenfield

Sywell, Northampton