British Breeder Online Feb 2019 issue

Studbook - NEWS
Warmblood Fragile Foal
Syndrome
A useful presentation on this fatal
disease was well received at the
WBFSH General Assembly in December.
The disease, which is of genetic origin,
causes a lack of collagen meaning the
skin tears easily and joints are lax and
cannot bear weight. WFFS is recessive
and both mares and stallions can
carry the disease without any sign or
impediment to performance. It is only
when two carriers are mated that there
is a risk of an embryo inheriting WFFS
which will either be aborted or the full
term foal will have to be euthanised
shortly after birth.
As from January 1 most European
studbooks have made genetic testing
for the defect mandatory for all
their breeding stallions. SHB(GB) now
requests that all warmblood stallions
graded with the studbook are tested
while stallions coming forward for
grading will have to be tested as part
of the veterinary assessment. The
office can provide details of companies
that do the test. In line with other
studbooks we intend to publish the
results – negative or carrier. We also
advise owners that it is prudent to test
mares before breeding.
A date for the diary
This year’s SHB(GB) National Hunter
Supreme Championship show takes
place at Addington Equestrian from
July 1-3 and once again opens on the
Monday evening with the Sculpture
to Wear Performance Horse Class.
This class, open to three-year-old
fillies, geldings and colts, is judged
on conformation, movement and
athleticism including loose-jumping
style and ability. It offers a prize fund
of £1000 with a generous £500 to the
breeder (who is a member of SHB(GB))
of the highest placed ‘Best Britishbred’
horse in the top five placings.
Skelwith Diamond Lad (Kalaska De Semilly-Sir Shutterfly)
the winner of last year’s inaugural SHB(GB) Sculpture to Wear Performance Horse class
As well as the traditional ridden and
working hunter classes the show offers
hunter, light horse and sport horse
breeding classes together with a Cuddy
supreme in-hand championship and
the SHB(GB) Breeders Cup all with
excellent prize money and superb
trophies to the winners. Keep an eye on
the website for the schedule.
Contact SHB(GB)
T: 01732 866277
E: info@sporthorsegb.co.uk
FB: Sport Horse Breeding (GB)
www.sporthorsegb.co.uk
Lovestruck (Larochelle-De Beers) Champion of the light horse breeding classes and the winner of the
HOYS Cuddy qualifier at last year’s show – Copyright Carole Mortimer)
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