For the first time in eight years, a new edition of The Leading Stallions is on sale. From 30 January, The Leading Stallions of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg will be first available, for a price of € 45
, at the KWPN Stallion Show in 's-Hertogenbosch (30 January until 1 February) at the Media Book Service and Euro Centre stands.
This follow-up of the stallion book published in the beginning of the 90's is an elaboration of the successful formula of the original. The book is in full-colour A4 format and has a wealth of information of more than 250 first class progenitors of warm-blood breeding; it is a must for every breeders reading table.
How long ago was it that all mare owners had to take their mares to the only available stallion in the neighbourhood? A mere half century ago. The steady blood combinations, determined by the stallion on offer by individual stallion owners had, in each breeding area, fixed the solid dam lines that have formed the basis for today's warm-blood breeding. But those days are over; the breeder can now make a choice from an endless variety of first class stallions that are on offer. Fresh or deep-frozen sperm is flown round the world. Embryos are harvested and sent to the other side of the globe where their surrogate mothers await them.
Times change. The selection arena has always been central and will always remain so but has since found a rival, or a partner, in the competition arena. Breeders add the achievements in the jumping ring and the dressage arena to their specialist breeder's knowledge; this mixture of information is the basis of the ideal partner choice for their mares. This latest edition of The Leading Stallions, with the stallions on offer in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg, supplies this 'new' need for information. The author Jac Remijnse and the photographer Jacob Melissen delight the reader with sport and breeding information that the breeder of the 21st century can expect. The texts describing the stallions contain valuable - and sometimes nearly forgotten - facts about unique blood combinations and continues by describing the performances of horses when young and goes on to note the most recent results in international sports; the one often being the reason for the other. In many cases, the photography can be called unique: young and active stallions are, where possible, seen in action as sport horses and the lineage sires usually in a standing position or being led on the hand.
The Leading stallions presents the horses without the subjective inclination of a stud book or breeding policy and is not limited by breeding areas. The book gives the thoughtful and critical breeder information about the available stallions in Belgium the Netherlands and Luxemburg. No more, no less.
For more information, please contact: www.leadingstallions.nl or Uitgever
Melissen BV, P.O. Box 2930, 1000 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, telephone
0031(0)204655446, e-mail eqi@eqi.nl
Images copyrighted: Dirk Caremans - featuring KWPN Stallions Kimberly and Nero