Why a breeder’s premium for sport horses? Quite simply: the vast majority of horses that earn millions were conceived and produced 10 or 15 years ago by breeders who are not called Lisa Lourie (Spy Coast Farm, USA, sponsor of Shane Sweetnam, among others) or Madeleine Winter-Schulze(Isabell Werth, Ludger Beerbaum …). Who simply don’t have the means or the network to dance at the millionaires’ ball.

“It’s her hobby after all”

The World Equestrian Federation (FEI), the associations of owners, riders and show organizers have so far taken the view that this is the breeders’ problem. Under the motto: “Surely it is their hobby to give birth to a foal? And surely it is their decision to sell this foal at a loss?”

1.5 million in one year

Dealers and top riders are earning more and more money. World Cup winner Greya, for example, earned 1.5 million euros in the last 12 months without even having taken part in the Global Champions Tour. That is perfectly acceptable. This money was earned through hard work and expertise. However, the equestrian industry has developed a financial bloated machinery in recent years. While the free market determines trade in other economic sectors and producers profit from trade, there is a wall between top-class sport and breeding. A Chinese wall made of reinforced concrete.

High earner

Riders, owners and event organizers can no longer hide behind the “hobby” of the breeders who devised and created the wickedly expensive big earners. Riders, owners and event organizers must realize that they have little left to ride and little left to organize if the only people left are the breeders who have money left over from their “hobby”.

No breeders, no horses – an European Union in the horse sector

Before we turn to the parties who must actually make the breeders’ premiums possible, we can first note that the international horse breeding industry has come together. Everyone involved agrees: action must be taken now. “I think your idea is great!” reacts Anette Graf, CEO of the Swedish SWB Studbook. “Our motto is: ‘Without breeders there are no horses, without horses there is no sport’. That’s why SWB naturally supports this.”

Bringing the economic model back into balance

Bérengere Lacroix, Director of the French warmblood breeding association Selle Français, is also enthusiastic: “Your proposal seems essential to us in order to rebalance the economic model of our sport and to recognize the decisive contribution of breeders to top performance.”

The SF Director continues: “We see this international initiative as a logical and necessary extension of the measures already taken at national level in France (breeders’ premiums for the finalists of young horse competitions and premiums for breeders who use talented young stallions, editor’s note). Extending this principle to top-level sport will create a coherent continuity, from genetic selection and the training of young horses to financial recognition at the highest level of performance. It would also send a strong signal to breeders, encouraging them to continue investing in sophisticated and sustainable breeding programs that are essential to the future of our industry.”

Involving breeders in the value of the sport

Bérengere Lacroix concludes her statement with the words: “Breeders need to be more involved in the value that is created in the sport. When horses reach the highest international level – especially at 5* competitions with very high prize money – breeders rarely benefit from the profits that come from the success of horses that are the result of their many years of selection work.”

BWP, FN, KWPN

Further positive signals come from BWP President Geert Helsen (Belgium) and German FN Breeding Director Dr. Klaus Miesner. Previously, Dutch KWPN President Andries van Daalen had already published a column in the KWPN magazine in which he called for the introduction of international breeders’ premiums, in addition to the premiums that KWPN sponsors already grant to breeders of successful KWPN horses.

WBFSH – Talked to stakeholders once in 2018

But all this enthusiasm from the world of breeding associations will come to nothing if the official spokesperson for breeding, the World Breeding Federation of Sport Horses (WBFSH), does not also back this initiative. President Jan Pedersen says that attempts have already been made in the past to introduce international breeders’ premiums. He refers to a meeting in 2018 with the FEI and representatives of show organizers, owners and riders, at which the WBFSH advocated for this cause.

Breeders’ premiums on the agenda at the FEI

“The problem is that breeders’ premiums have so far received no support from the FEI, the show organizers or the horse owners’ association,” says Pedersen. “In our opinion, such a project can only be financed with a percentage of the prize money, which unfortunately – at least so far – is hardly possible. But we are still aiming for breeders’ premiums and the topic will be on the agenda again at our next meeting with the FEI on June 17.”

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.