Eckhard Wahlers of Gestut W.M. has made a surprising announcement today that he will not be opening his stallion station for the 2023 breeding season due to a shortage in staff.
This means that W.M's popular breeding stallions, such as Secret, Bon Courage, Finest, as well as performance test winner Segantini, will not be available to the breeders in 2023 with fresh semen.
Wahlers officially stated, "It is with great regret that we have to announce that we are unfortunately unable to open the stud station this year due to staffing reasons. Should anything change in this case, we will of course inform you immediately."
Wahler's most used breeding stallion is Secret (by Sezuan x St. Moritz). The sire's private, home approval caused much controversy considering what some deem the stallions not so ideal leg/hoof conformation. Nevertheless he was a breeding hit from the start, purely based on a short video clip launched on social media. In his very short and light show career Secret won silver at the 2019 World Young Horse Championships in Ermelo and gold at the 2020 Bundeschampionate. Since then the black has no longer been competed, but is one of Europe's most demanded breeding stallions.
At the moment finding and keeping staff is a huge problem in the European agricultural sector with many stables struggling to keep grooming and barn maintenance personal on the long-term.
Gestüt W.M.'s Philipp von Thaden told Eurodressage, "we Hope to get some new workers but at the moment it does not look good. So for the moment no breeding at Gestüt WM for the season 2023."
Photo © Astrid Appels
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