2003 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

Rolex Breeders Symposium: Breeding or Training of the Brain

Funnell recently wrote a book titled “Training the Young Horse – Schooling for Success” in which she describes how to select an ideal horse for eventing. Having had much success producing young horses for competition, Funnell said that she always goes on the theory that the horse has the benefit of the doubt, looking at herself first if a problem arises.

“The brain is one of the most important factors,” said Funnell, reiterating Lavin’s point. “But is that breeding or training? We owe the breeders the chance to produce the best horses they can.”

Primmore’s Pride (Mayhill x Primmore Hill/Ben Faerie), is a Thoroughbred, while Funnell’s Badminton winner Supreme Rock (Edmunde Burke x Rineen Classic/Bassompierre), is an Irish Sport Horse. I’d always choose full or 7/8 Thoroughbred in an event horse,” she said. “Primmore’s Pride stands 17.2hh and was a gorgeous foal but grew up awkward looking. I started him on the longe at two and he was ready to ride at three. He’s very narrow in front, but despite his shortcomings he’s light on his feet and has a good attitude. Nine out of ten people would probably buy him if they went to look at him.”

Sam Barr is the breeder of the esteemed Welton Horses in Hartpury, Gloucestershire, England. Starting with the stallion Welton Gameful and breeding him to half-bred Irish mares, this dairy farmer who has himself ridden around Badminton has bred some of the best horses in the world today. Welton Crackerjack is the only stallion in the world to have sired winners of all three of the world’s top events – Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky.

“The event horse as such is a complicated character,” said Barr. “It has to run, jump, stay, and have courage. It’s not an easy horse to breed.”

He said that his ‘recipe’ for the event horse is 7/8 Thoroughbred, preferring sprinter mares because their conformation favors acceleration in the back end. “Many years ago I bred half-breds but as the sport has developed and the distances changed the need for stamina increased,” he said.

The other 1/8 tends to be Irish Draught, which Barr says gives the horses brains and substance and a more trainable character. He also has incorporated some pony blood including Connemara and Welsh into his program for their toughness.

Barr notes that he thinks much of his success as a breeder is due to the way his horses are farmed, with plenty of turnout so that they don’t develop behavioral problems. “I recommend not over-looking after horses,” he said.