Breeders' premium: How do the big players like Ludger Beerbaum and Paul Schockemöhle see the issue?

“The JOC (Jumping Horse Owners’ Club) would not support a levy on the prize money of competitions to finance a premium for breeders”. That was the one-line damper message announced by the Jumper Owners’ Association last week. I thought it would be a good idea to ask some owners myself this week.

Do Ludger Beerbaum, Paul Schockemöhle and Eric Berkhof think so too?

The costs are getting too high

“Breeders’ premiums, yes!” says Ludger Beerbaum. “But I’m afraid that just a percentage of the 5* prize money won’t solve the problem of declining breeding numbers. If breeders stop, it’s not because there are no breeders’ premiums. Nor is it because they lack passion or heart. It is because the costs have become too high in recent years. That’s what puts breeders off. The veterinary costs, the whole insemination process, the administration costs. Then some breeders reach a point where they stop. It’s up to all of us to think about how we can do things better.”

The horse industry has a problem

Ludger Beerbaum also recognizes that the horse industry has a problem. “On the one hand, there are more and more 5* tournaments, sometimes even three in one weekend. Everyone wants to ride there, these tournaments are jam-packed. On the other hand, where the horses of the future are being bred, you see the opposite movement: Breeding numbers are falling in all countries. You can imagine how that will end at some point.”

“We need to discuss this fundamentally and in depth

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“Once again, I think it’s a good idea to reserve a percentage of the prize money at 5* level for the breeders. But we need to take a broader view of this issue. Because it is complex. It’s something we need to discuss thoroughly and in depth with everyone involved. And then you come to fundamental questions. For example: Is the firecracker bred or made through training?”

Ratina and Greya

“I know colleagues who say that stars are born. I’m not so convinced of that. If I may stay with myself: Ratina. If Piet Raijmakers hadn’t been in the right place at the right time, this mare would never have become a superstar. Or, more recently: Greya. If she hadn’t gone the way of Kent Farrington, who really is the predestined rider for her, if these two paths hadn’t crossed, then this huge success wouldn’t have happened.”

“Hidden champions”

“I believe that there are a lot of ‘hidden champions’ who simply haven’t been given a chance. Nonetheless, when such success does occur, riders and owners get their investment back, whereas breeders are currently not given enough consideration.”

“I am fundamentally in favor of allowing breeders to participate. We need to strengthen the basis of the sport, the breeding. Otherwise the situation is not sustainable and we have a problem, that is absolutely certain.”

Motivation and commitment

Dutch horse owner Eric Berkhof also has no objections to a percentage of the prize money at 5* level going to the breeders. “That seems like a good thing to me, to give the breeders a bit of motivation and commitment,” says the man who was Henrik Ankarcrona’s employer decades ago. The current Swedish national trainer was then under contract as a rider at De Margarethahoeve, Berkhof’s stables. Nowadays, the horse world knows Berkhof primarily as Kim Emmen’s employer.

Trade brings the money into the till

“As good as the idea of rewarding successful breeders is, I would like to point out that this is only one aspect of the story,” says Berkhof. “What people forget or perhaps don’t know is how much money it costs to bring a horse up to 5* level. If you want to make a living in equestrian sport, you really can’t do it for the prize money; the costs are just far too high for that. Ultimately, it’s the horse trade that brings the money into the professionals’ coffers.”

Jumper fund

Berkhof believes that more needs to be done to include the grassroots of the equestrian sector at the top. “In the Netherlands, we had the Jumping Horse Fund – unfortunately this is now coming to an end. The principle behind it is very good: to bring young, talented horses into a structure consisting of a breeder, rider and a group of investors. The breeder can then remain part owner, the risks are shared and sporting and financial success can be experienced together. Of course, this doesn’t work with every horse, but the SFN has proven with the European and World Champion Zenith SFN and the Grand Prix winner Aquila SFN that such a structure can work.”

The world’s most successful breeder

Finally, the undisputed most successful breeder in the world has his say: Paul Schockemöhle. Between 700 and 1000 foals are born every year at his Lewitz stud in Mecklenburg. But every weekend, there are also hundreds of horses competing in international sport; Schockemöhle is by far the breeder with the largest number of 5* horses to his name. “If this idea becomes a reality, which I doubt, then I think I’m the one who will benefit the most from it,” says the 81-year-old horse professor from Mühlen. But Schockemöhle is also the owner of a whole series of top horses. “A small portion of the prize money at 5* level would be a good incentive for the breeders. But I don’t think those who have to implement it will be very enthusiastic. If it becomes the rule and everyone joins in, then of course I will too.”

Dirk Willem Rosie, Managing Director HorseTelex

About this blog series

Dirk Willem Rosie is the former editor-in-chief of the Dutch equestrian media Paardenkrant and Horses.nl as well as co-founder and CEO of HorseTelex. He is a breeder himself, including Caroline Müller’s 1.60 m show jumper Kyraleen and the two-time Bundeschampionat finalist and successful Small Tour stallion Matisse GG OLD.