2019 British Breeding Futurity Plans Announced

Breeding

Great Britain

British Breeding announced the dates and plans for its 2019 British Breeding Futurity evaluations.

This highly regarded series for foals and young stock aims to identify talented horses that will go on to compete successfully in the future. With many Futurity graduates already competing at top level in Dressage, Endurance, Eventing and Showjumping the series offers the ideal opportunity for breeders to showcase their potential stars.

The 2019 British Breeding Futurity sees several developments designed to build on their world-leading evaluation system, delivering an independent and objective detailed assessment of performance potential and opening opportunities for British bred foals and youngsters from all studbooks.

In preparation for the relaunch of the Equine Bridge, British Breeding’s young stock development programme organised in cooperation with the Olympic Disciplines and designed to put more British riders on British horses, separate Futurity evaluation days have been dedicated to 3 to 5-year olds.

Organiser and director of British Breeding, Dr Eva-Maria Broomer, explains, “The age range has been opened up to allow older horses the opportunity to qualify for the Bridge. Having these on separate days will allow us to use a tailor made and optimised assessment structure for that age group, designed to give the very best feedback and support at that crucial age. Our focus will then turn to the younger foals, yearlings and two-year olds that will be assessed on the other dates”.

A new grading system has also been announced, replacing the old third, second and first premiums with Bronze, Silver and Gold. This reflects the Futurity’s recognition of the quality of a wide range of riding horses and ponies, from those suitable for the ambitious amateur to the next generation of international Grand Prix horses.

The Futurity season will be rounded off with a special celebration and Futurity Gala, showcasing the very best of British Breeding and offering interested buyers the opportunity to find an excellent range of special youngsters in one place.

British Breeding’s Futurity Evaluations have developed several unique benefits to breeders. Each entry undergoes a thorough veterinary assessment of soundness and conformation and receives expert nutritional advice. A detailed evaluation from a panel of renowned international industry experts gives a comprehensive linear profile and detailed feedback for each horse or pony, recorded in a state-of-the-art database for future reference. Professional videography and photography ensure that every entrant has a comprehensive record of their day. Qualification for the newly re-launched Equine Bridge, in cooperation with the Olympic Disciplines offers further opportunities for development and working closer with the sport.

The 2019 Futurity dates range from late July to end of August, giving later foals time to mature and allowing breeders a choice to present their young stock at venues across the country. The Futurity is open to foals, yearlings, two, three, four and five-year-olds in the disciplines of Dressage, Endurance, Eventing and Show Jumping. All venues offer a safe, indoor environment that breeders have come to expect at Futurity evaluations.

This year, the series will take place across eleven locations:

29th July – Richmond Equestrian Centre, North Yorkshire – 3-5-year olds
30th July – Richmond Equestrian Centre, North Yorkshire – foals – 2-year olds
31st July – Vale View, Melton Mowbray – Foals – 2-year olds
1st August – Writtle College, Essex – Foals – 2-year olds
2nd August – Bilsington Priory, Kent – Foals – 2-year olds
26th August – The Grange, Okehampton – Foals – 2-year olds
27th August – Catherston, Stockbridge – Foals – 2-year olds
28th August – Catherston, Stockbridge – 3-5-year olds
29th August – Addington Manor, Buckingham– Foals – 2-year olds
30th August – Swallowfield, Solihull – Foals – 2-year olds
31st August – Newton Rigg, Penrith – Foals – 2-year olds
1st September – Drumcarrow, St Andrews – Foals – 2-year olds
21st September – Solihull Riding Club – 3-5-year olds
22nd September – Solihull Riding Club – Futurity Gala and Mare & Youngstock Show