Breeding future stars

WELCOME to the second of our sport horse specials this year, where we meet Kjento (p44), the stallion of the moment. The Van Olsts’ dressage world breeding champion is wowing the world under the beautiful riding of British Olympian Lottie Fry.

Being by the Van Olsts’ legendary stallion Negro, who also sired Valegro, Kjento gives the Van Olsts’ breeding operation the ability to continue his legacy in fine style.

In this issue, we also investigate the modern methods that make breeding future stars easier than ever, though in some cases bringing ethical considerations (feature, p38). And we hear from dressage Olympian, judge and breeder Jennie LoristonClarke (opinion, p14), who presses the importance of breeding for soundness.

Jennie shares concerns that the bigger movement a horse has, the greater care needs to be taken over his management – and managing any competition horse well is no small task. She questions, too, whether those horses with extraordinary movement should be asked to do as much, in terms of training and competition. And while advocating high levels of fitness in top-level horses, this shouldn’t mean drilling them to the detriment of their bodies or minds.

Like others over the years who have proved successful with horses who are happy athletes, Jennie recommends again mixing up a young horse’s training with hacking, jumping and canter work in the fields. All sound advice for those looking to breed their perfect partner and keep future stars, well, sound… Sarah Jenkins Editor-in-Chief