Point of View The Future of Breeding

With Maryanna Haymon

As a breeder, I am very strongly vested in doing what I believe is the right thing for my “kids” and am very passionate about certain issues. If a breeder is not passionate, they should not be involved. It is an extreme roller coaster ride of highs and devastating lows. Our goal at Marydell Farm is to produce amateur-friendly temperaments in an athlete that a professional would want to ride. We feel that we have achieved this goal with our young stock, as many are being sought after by Grand Prix riders and talented amateurs alike. Watching the foals that we have bred go on to loving homes is rewarding for us. We have seen many of the youngsters go on to riding careers and success with their new owners.
When a breeder selects a young stallion, there are many unknowns that can trip you up. Will he pass on his character? His temperament? His work ethic? His gaits? Will he stay sound? Will he be able to go to the top level of sport? Or if you go with an older proven stallion, those questions will be answered by observing the offspring already under saddle.
Trained by Jim Koford of Southern Pines since he was six, up to the Grand Prix level, Don Principe always exhibited his willingness to excel. Boy does he know when he does well! The pure joy of watching this pair of athletes be successful is one I will never forget. Due to other commitments, Jim gave up the ride on Don Principe and the next rider to take up the reins was Courtney King-Dye. Within six months, this amazing pair was winning at the CDI level of PSG and I-1. This was one of the proudest moments of my association with this stallion.
But almost within weeks, tragedy struck and Courtney was seriously injured by another young horse and in a coma. It seemed the end of our dreams until into the void stepped Jennifer Marchand, Courtney’s young assistant. With only two weeks to get to know the horse and to earn a qualifying score for National Championship, they did. They earned a 13th place overall and went on to win at Region 8 being Champion at I-1 and Reserve at PSG.
We had a wonderful colt born this year. He was everything a breeder looks for in a stallion prospect. Then, at three months old, he fractured his pedal bone, dislocated his pastern joint and severed the superficial flexor. This was the day after another foal was Grand Champion at Lexington. Dance Master, aka Maestro, is still with us and we are hoping to get him at least pasture sound.
This year, we have had five of our young horses win Championship or Reserve Horse of the Year titles from USDF. We have had three different horses become Grand Champion at three different shows. Our flagship stallion, Don Principe, is currently standing second for USEF Sire of the Year.
The future of breeding is evolving as I write this, and there are many exciting advances on the horizon.
I was fortunate to see the clone of Sapphire this fall. What an outstanding individual! I think cloning is too new to really have a large impact – but knowing the Sapphire weanling has the genetic potential to be as good as the donor, with better nutrition and top quality training, will he be as strong? Or better? Only time can answer that. And if the answer is that we can make super horses the perfect “10”, then cloning will make a very unlevel playing field for breeders. It could also lead to a very dangerous narrowing of the gene pool.
Another issue is where we are heading with the current economy for breeders. I think that unless we can convince American riders and trainers to look here in the USA, then breeding is going to begin to be a thing of the past. I would say that within five years, the number of American breeders will diminish by at least 30% or more. Now remember, I am talking about warmbloods, not Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses or other native breeds.
Many U.S. bred horses are doing quite well at the top levels of various disciplines. One shining example of that was Cabana Boy. He was bred by Doug and Shannon Langer of Wisconsin and was by an American based stallion, Contucci. Rhett and Jim Koford won the Ann Ramsey grant to train in Germany last year. Rhett successfully competed at Prix St. George through Grand Prix there. Liz Austin and Olivier are competing at the top level of International sport.
I also foresee that if the registries do not start bringing back substance, along with three correct gaits, then we are looking at losing the walk and canter in dressage. I already see it happening with the last two years of stallion licensing. The reason this has occurred is that the average buyer wants the fancy trot. They forget a trot can be made under saddle but the walk cannot, it is what it is.
In 10 years, if current trends continue, it will be an individual animal that will excel despite its pedigree, not because of it.
If you want to breed your own prospect and own a lovely mare, then find a mentor in an experienced breeder. It is not for the faint of heart. It requires deep pockets, much strength, both physical and emotional, as well as knowledge, patience, and most of all, luck! The up side to breeding your own is that you get to choose the parents, are able to control the environment and have a very special relationship with the foal from the moment of birth. The downside is the cost of producing a living, healthy foal and the possibility of losing the mare during the pregnancy or at birth.
If you simply want your next riding partner, it is probably wiser to buy. Then you can see, touch and watch the foal or young horse. You do not take the risks of a mare aborting, a foal hurting itself, or even a mare that won’t catch. You can evaluate the siblings and parents to determine what the potential of your foal will be.

About Maryanna Haymon
I am 55-years-old and married to the most wonderful husband in the world, Wendell Haymon. He not only supports the breeding business financially, but is my pillar of emotional support and my best friend. I am a mother of three and grandmother of four.
I became involved with horses as an 11-year-old in New Jersey. I worked washing cars and selling produce until I could buy my first horse for $100. That horse taught me how to survive, have patience and good reflexes.
In 1991, we started breeding with our foundation mare, an imported SPS Westfalen, Feel the Dream. We have grown in size to over 25 horses, including our stallion, Don Principe, ten broodmares and the youngsters. Our youngsters are located all over the country as well as Germany and Canada.
As Marydell Farm, we have produced many USDF Horse of the Year Champions and have been Champion USEF Breeder in 2007. We have also been awarded Reserve Breeder honors for both USDF and USEF in 2009 and 2010. We stand at stud, the imported Hanoverian stallion, Don Principe, who will be competing at the Grand Prix.
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, we welcome visitors at all times.