There was once a blessed time when, to be approved as a breeding stallion, one had to pass the most demanding tests. And once approved, he still had to prove himself every year in the young horse circuits—at the slightest misstep, the career could come to an end. It was the equivalent of the highest university level.

But the modern world arrived. New studbooks appeared, some of which even approve stallions… simply by paying!

The result is that today there are almost as many approved stallions as there are mares.

Statistics show that most of them will never be able to perform in competition at any level and will quickly fall into oblivion.

For breeders, spring is the season of stallion catalogues—each one presenting stallions more beautiful than the last—and of stallion shows, where every owner tells you that his stallion is the biggest, the most beautiful, the strongest, and that he suits every mare in the world. Most breeders end up completely confused.

Very often, it is a beautiful photo, a single spectacular jump, or an outstanding pedigree that drives the decision. In reality, just as in the horse trade as in the sale of stud services, it is the mutual trust between the stallion owner and the client that creates the most successful matches.

A stallion owner worthy of the name has the duty to spend time with his clients, to study their mares, and to advise them on the best cross so that everyone benefits.

We are absolutely committed to remaining craftsmen-breeders, and above all not becoming distributors of stallion semen from horses we do not know personally. By riding them every day, we are able to recommend the best matches to our clients. It is this trust, built over the years, that leads to breeders’ success and makes our profession so rewarding.

Daniel BOUDRENGHIEN