The Baileys Horse Feeds/ British Breeding/British Equestrian Federation (BEF) Futurity took place at a new venue, Chelwood Equestrian in East Sussex on the 2nd of August. There was a good range of entries across the disciplines and age groups for evaluators David Hamer, Fred Bergendorff and Chris Hunnable. Several talented young horses bred for eventing excelled in front of the evaluators.

The highest scorer of the day was eventing filly foal, Kamikaze (Future Gravitas x Animo Elite) for owner and breeder, Sam Fisher from Horsham in West Sussex. Kamikaze attained a higher first premium of 8.83. This indicates that she has the potential and outlook to perform successfully at national level. Vicky said, “I thought she was lovely and I am over the moon that the Futurity evaluators thought so too. Kamikaze is just the second foal I have bred”. Kamikaze was bred from Vicky’s mare Bonnie who Vicky bought from her breeder, Chris Curtis. Vicky continued, “Both Kamikaze and last year’s foal, Geronimo are out of Bonnie and both have now received a higher first Futurity premium”. Jeronimo scored 8.79 at the Plumpton Futurity as a foal in 2014. Vicky plans to keep Kamikaze and produce her from home for eventing.

Also attaining a higher first premium of 8.75 at Chelwood was Susan Leigh’s thoroughbred colt foal, Nutwood Proclaimer (Primitive Proposal x Carmel Head) in the eventing section. Nutwood Proclaimer will go on to show in hand and then hopefully pursue an eventing career. Susan from Redhill said, “I find that the in-hand showing provides such an important education for the youngsters. Nutwood Mimic last year was 4 year old Champion at the Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain (SHBGB) Championships”. Nutwood Proclaimer was bred from Susan’s thoroughbred mare, Carmel Lyne. Susan continued, “Carmel Lyne was brought to the UK by Celia Clarke. She was bred in Ireland and then bought from Denmark by Celia. Carmel Lyne was a real jumper and point to pointed and hunter chased for seven seasons. Proclaimer is her first foal”.

Best two year old at Chelwood was Britannia Royal (Royaldik x Jumbo) in the eventing section with a score of 8.71 for Annabel Blake and Charles Wise from Eastbourne.
Annabel said, “Britannia Royal is by Royaldik, out of the late Burghley and Badminton winner, Headley Britannia. Britannia Royal is just one of seven embryo transfer foals from Headley Britannia”. Annabel and Charles bought one of Headley Britannia’s eggs from her owner, Lucinda Fredericks which has resulted in Britannia Royal. Annabel continued, “We are just delighted with Britannia Royal, we will probably leave him entire for now as he has such exceptional bloodlines. In two or three years time he will start his eventing career”.

Annabel and Charles also bred the next highest scoring entry at Chelwood, Sports pony, Prometheus for a higher first premium of 8.58. Prometheus was bred from Annabel and Charles’ mare, Pinch of Pepper. He is the third foal bred from the mare. Annabel said, “Pinch of Pepper is a brilliant pony, my daughter Katie Wise has competed in everything with her, she has done pony racing, showjumping and eventing amongst other things. She is also a graded mare with the Sports Pony Society Studbook”. Prometheus is by the stallion, Romulus.

Annabel is hoping that Prometheus will be an FEI event pony. She continued, “Jane Townshend from the Classictop Stud in East Sussex produced both our youngsters for the Futurity and exhibited them on the day. They were both beautifully produced”.

The Futurity is a continually evolving process, 2013 saw the introduction of the Futurity equine bridge which is now being run as an extension of the Futurity evaluations. The Futurity equine bridge provides top Futurity graduates with the direction and support they will need as 4 year olds so that they begin their early years under saddle in a way that allows for sustained physical and mental development. In order to be eligible for the Futurity Equine Bridge all horses must obtain a Futurity score of 8.5 or above and a high enough vet score in the in their three year old year.

The BEF’s Head of Equine Development Jan Rogers said, “The Futurity celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. We are increasingly seeing that breeders, buyers and riders of British bred horses are finding that a Futurity premium is a very useful aid in helping assess these horses. We are also seeing a marked improvement in the standard of youngsters entered in the futurity, which is very good news for the future of British breeding”.

The 2015 Futurity evaluations will run from the 1st to the 18th August, covering 11 venues nationwide with a total of 12 days of evaluations. The Futurity is fast becoming recognised as an important first step in the careers of many potential top level horses and provides a valuable marketing took for breeders.

Visit www.britishbreeding.org for full details and results.