FEI and WBFSH Add the Issue of Breeder Premiums to Their Agenda

One day after their meeting, the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) issued a joint statement last Thursday. In it, they announced that the topic of “breeder premiums” will be a key focus at the next edition of the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne. It’s still too early to celebrate, but a breakthrough is on the horizon. A breakthrough in the collective consciousness of the equine industry regarding the role and importance of breeding—and the appreciation for breeders.

‘The FEI and the WBFSH recognize the fundamental contribution of breeders to the development and long-term success of equestrian sport,’ the press release states. ‘They play a key role at the start of the sport horse value chain, undertaking significant investment, risks and a long-term commitment to breed horses capable of performing at the highest level.’

On April 26 and 27, 2027, the idea of more closely integrating breeders of top-level horses into the equestrian sports ecosystem will therefore be discussed in Lausanne. This will take place exactly where it can be done most effectively. At the FEI Sports Forum, representatives from all stakeholders will come together with the goal of (quote from the press release) “developing satisfactory and feasible proposals.” That sounds truly promising.

The blog series on breeder premiums, which previously appeared on this website, achieved exactly what it set out to do: a discussion about whether it is actually acceptable that the vast majority of producers suffer losses due to the very thing that allows the rest of the “value chain” to make money.

Criticism of the Initiative from the Show Jumping Community

Incidentally, I have received quite a lot of criticism for pointing out that a great deal of money is made in the equine sector. For instance, I was accused of not knowing just how much it actually costs to compete internationally with a horse. Quite apart from the fact that I do know this, much to my own cost: it is a false argument to complain about high competition costs if these costs are made for commercial purposes. You simply have to educate horses (and in the case of sport horses, this happens at competitions) in order to make money from them.

The point is that a great deal of money is made in the equestrian sector thanks to the fact that breeders are prepared to bring foals into the world (at a loss). I admit: it is, to a certain extent, arbitrary to then set aside a percentage of the 5* prize money for the breeders. Of course, there will also be 5* horses that do not recoup their costs through prize money. For the riders and owners of these horses, it is frustrating to then have to hand over even a small amount to the breeders of their horses.

But the fact remains that there is a great deal of prize money to be distributed across the entire spectrum of all 5-star horses.

The horse industry needs to “grow up”

For some high earners in the horse industry, the alternative is also far more unpleasant. With blockchain technology, we can document the (commercial) career of sport horses, including all transactions related to a horse. This way, every time a profit is made from a horse, a small portion can be returned to the horse’s first trainers and breeder.

I recently presented this idea to a group of businesspeople in the equine industry. Their reaction?

1. Well, the tax office is going to love that…


2. I’m against it! Dealers need to retain some leeway and freedom to make money.

This attitude, which does indeed characterize part of the equestrian world, leads me to view the breeder bonuses as a first step toward 5* prize money. And then to introduce blockchain technology as soon as possible.

Then the equestrian world can finally rid itself of illicit funds and unfair practices. And present itself as a fully-fledged, mature industry.

Dirk Willem Rosie, Managing Director HorseTelex

In April and May, Dirk Willem Rosie shared his thoughts on breeder awards in a series of five blog posts. For anyone who’d like to read them again:

1. Why the breeder’s premium is not a favor, but a must


2. Europe’s breeding authorities support calls for a breeder’s premium for sport horses


3. 5* horse owners do not want to contribute a cent to the breeder’s premium


4. Breeders’ premiums under discussion – Ludger Beerbaum: “Not enough consideration is given to the breeder”


5. Why breeder premiums help the free market

Blog Series on the Breeder’s Bonus

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.