Bernwode Stud cont.....

As a Studfarm, I asked Sarah - do you offer breeding incentives to mare owners?

"Yes. If the potential mare is one that would particularly compliment my stallion, has produced high quality youngsters in the past or has an impressive competition record I do not hesitate to offer stud fee concessions.

I also follow the progress of Brokat’s children through the BEF Futurity Evaluations, SPSS Gradings and competition and offer ‘progress prizes’ for Elite and First Premiums or notable achievements in whatever discipline they are being produced.

I also have several mare owners who have returned for second and third foals and like to reward the loyalty shown and to share the pleasure they are gaining from their youngsters. If a combination works really well it should be encouraged."

The Stud puts a great emphasis, and is very proud about supporting it clients as detailed above, and this is also shown by the achievements of its homebreds and those of its clients. To carry on from this I asked Sarah what she felt was the Studs biggest achievement to date.

"2009 as a whole was a great year for recognition of our breeding programme. Bernwode Brokat received the honour of the SPSS Dancer Medal, ranked 2009 Top UK Futurity Sire of Sports Ponies and was awarded the British Breeding BEF Futurity ‘All Years Leading Sire of Sports Ponies’ alongside Bernwode Evelina S who received the equivalent as the ‘All Years Leading Dam of Sports Ponies. "

Besides the above achievement, I asked Sarah what other memories she had so far in her breeding career?

"The birth of Brokat’s first foal, Bernwode Benedict, was a huge moment, he is now owned by and standing at Hartpury as a graded stallion in his own right.

Brokat winning Team and Individual gold medals for England brought a tear to the eye as did his lovely daughter, Madmoiselle, winning the 2009 SPSS mare grading on the highest marks ever awarded and Bernwode Britvik gaining ‘Elite’ status at the 2009 Fururity Evaluations."

"The wins and awards are high on the list but no more so than the phone calls from excited mare owners when their long awaited foals arrive. "

Following on from the above I asked Sarah what her future goals are as a Studfarm and stallion owner.

"To see Bernwode ponies competing successfully at FEI level in any of the three major disciplines.

My oldest stock are now progressing well in affiliated competition, the 7 yr old stallion, Bernwode Nirvana, being selected for the BD Prime Squad and representing GB at the Addington CDIP and in Saurmur last year.

One of my last questions for Sarah was what she thought was the best advice she could offer to breeders

"To start with the best mare you can, according to the discipline you are breeding for.

Ideally, she should carry the bloodlines, temperament and good conformation of proven producers and successful competition horses or ponies. If you are breeding from a mare that has served you or your children well take time to consider your ultimate goal and visit as many stallions as possible.

If you are hoping to breed down in size the best results have come from putting the pony stallion on a larger mare as practiced for years by the older studs producing small hacks and riding horses from the TB X pony lines."

Lastly as Sarah is a Founder Director and the Studbook Manager for the SPSS, I asked her how she would like to see breeding in Britain evolving.

"I think we have come a long way in the last ten years through the SPSS structures of grading and approving sports ponies for breeding and The Futurity Evaluations which offer the opportunity to research the offspring of the UK stallions on a variety of mare types.

In 2010 we will see the return of the 4, 5 and 6 yr old potential dressage pony classes and I would like to see the same classes put in place for the these age groups in Eventing and Show Jumping.

If breeders are able to monitor ponies from birth to potential FEI age in all disciplines it will provide them with a sound knowledge to take the British Sports Pony forwards."

I think one could safely say that Sarah and her Bernwode Stud horses are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future, and I have no doubt that we shall see her horses competing on the FEI and European stages.

I would like to thank Sarah for taking the time to give us an insight into her breeding programme, developments and future aspirations of her breeding and Studfarm.