Nutritional Input at Futurity Evaluations
The Baileys Horse Feeds/BEF Futurity Young Horse Evaluations get underway at The Grange Equestrian, Devon, on July 13, the first of a record number of 15 dates for this popular series. The Futurity provides a safe, non-competitive environment where breeders and producers can present young horses, from foals to three-year-olds, for an objective assessment by trained evaluators, seeking to identify the elite equine athletes of the future. Youngsters are awarded marks out of 10 for a range of attributes from conformation and paces to athleticism and suitability for their proposed discipline, with those gaining the highest marks being awarded Premiums reflecting these marks. Those scoring an average of 9 or above receive an Elite Premium and are considered potential international performance horses.
This year for the first time, while horses are being examined by a veterinary surgeon to assess current and future soundness, series-sponsor, Baileys Horse Feeds, will be considering the condition of each horse as a reflection of the diet it is receiving. Feedback given will not affect the youngster’s Futurity score but should provide a valuable insight for breeders into the support nutrition can provide for correct growth and in optimising the horse’s ability to fulfil its potential.
Baileys’ qualified nutritionists will be using a universally recognised Body Condition Scoring system alongside one whereby the horse’s top line and muscle development are assessed. This innovation was developed by leading American nutritionist, Don Kapper, a successful sport horse breeder himself, and has been implemented over recent years to assess the muscle development of horses of all ages at Warmblood gradings in The States.
BEF Director of Equine Development, Jenny Hall, says, “We’re grateful for Baileys’ long term support of the Futurity and the introduction of this kind of assessment adds practical value for the participants and demonstrates that Baileys are a very important partner in its continued success.” Owners will be given a sheet with the nutritionist’s comments and may take the opportunity to discuss the youngster’s diet on the day or at a later date, whilst Baileys will record the data to support their research into sport horse nutrition.
Don Kapper and his company, Progressive Nutrition, have a working partnership with Baileys Horse Feeds and Don will be speaking on the subject of Breeding and Nutrition at the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses General Assembly and Seminar being held in Philadelphia, USA, in September this year.
For further information visit www.bef.co.uk.
Sharon Hunt wins Luhmühlen!
Baileys-sponsored eventer, Sharon Hunt, has won Luhmühlen 4* three-day-event in Germany with her long term partner, Tankers Town (Jasper). After a respectable 43 dressage, Sharon was in 5th place and then put up a fault-free cross country round to be one of only eight to finish inside the time. Going in to the show jumping, she was less than a fence behind overnight leader, Germany’s Ingrid Klimke on FRH Butts Abraxxas, and just 0.60 penalties ahead of Oliver Townend on Ashdale Cruise Master.Over a show jumping course where time was proving very influential, Sharon pulled out all the stops to have just one down and no time penalties, whilst Ollie had a fence plus time, then Ingrid had two down to relinquish the lead. An “in shock” Sharon was suitably delighted with her win (and so are we!!); a well-deserved result to a hard-working rider and fabulous horse.
This is Sharon’s first 4* success and comes after some real highs and lows with a horse whom she broke in herself. Sharon and the now 16-year-old Jasper were members of Bronze medal-winning Team GB at the Hong Kong/Beijing Olympics in 2008 and at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006 (team silver), when they came 9th individually.
Since these team appearances Sharon was 5th at Badminton in 2008 only to suffer the indignity of Jasper not leaving the cross country starting box at the same event last year. She then rerouted to Luhmühlen this year, when the horse passed the wrong side of a flag early on the cross country. All along though, Sharon has had real faith in her horse and believes that this, along with a move to a new yard in Kent earlier this year, has helped turn the tables for success.
Congratulations to Sharon from all of us here at Baileys!