Posted: 13th January 2016 | Back to news feed
Q & A with Lara Edwards
What started your passion for breeding?
I have always been interested in the sire and mare of any horse, even when I was an eventer I would always look at the breeding in the catalogue. 15 years ago, as a family, we bred three eventers ourselves from my brother’s mare that he took through the levels up to advanced and they all went on to be successful as event horses. Due to her breeding she was quite heavy so wasn't able to make the time as an event horse, so we made the decision to use her as a broodmare. We used, Primitive Rising, Criminal Law, and Mayhill, all top quality event sires.
What do you think makes a good stallion?
A good stallion for me has two sides - the breeding/ grading and the temperament or trainability. Firstly when considering the breeding, is the stallion a graded stallion and if so, with whom is the stallion graded? Also, has the stallion you have chosen got good breeding itself on both sides and is this the type of horse you are looking to breed yourself?
Temperament and trainability are vital. Have you seen the stallion yourself and witnessed his temperament in and out of his stable, and spoken to anyone who has used the stallion to see what traits, good or bad, he may be passing on? Also linked in with this is the trainability of the stallion - is he himself ridden and out competing? Does he appear to have moved up the levels with good scores, and have his offspring been trainable and are they out doing well?
What do you like about the KWPN breed?
For me the KWPN breed represents the tough grading and testing that the stallion has had to go through in order to gain the KWPN status. Stallions can be graded with different organisations - some in as little as two hours, however for me the 30 day or 90 day test that's required as a KWPN-approved stallion represents they have been thoroughly examined and are fit to be a breeding stallion.
How did you come across your own stallions, Bodyguard, Amigo and Cadans M?
I saw Cadans when I went over to Holland to look for a four, five or six-year-old gelding. There were many that I had tried and liked but there wasn't one that really stood out. I asked about Cadans and the gentleman said he is a five-year-old KWPN-approved stallion by Sir Donnerhall.
I had never dealt with or ridden a stallion in my life and was concerned he would be way out of my budget, but the gentleman said “Just have a sit on him and at least you can say you have ridden a stallion next time you are asked.” That was a sit I wouldn't forget, although he was very green and a bit on edge, he had power like I had never felt riding anything before. I returned to the UK with a video to show my Dad and two weeks later Cadans joined the yard.
Six months later, the owner of Cadans asked if I would be interested in taking on another stallion for a few months training and to then sell, so Bodyguard joined the yard. I really didn't think much to him to start with as he was very tight in his neck and over his back but within eight weeks I was in love with him. He is the most trainable horse I have ever sat on. He has a very kind nature - not stallion-like when at home at all, in fact within a few weeks he started his life living out in the field over the summer months and still does.
I fell in love with Amigo during a trip to Holland to look for a pony for my nieces and nephew. At only three-years-old and very weak-looking, he was black with four white socks and a white face and the most adorable character. I went into his stable and he came over and licked me! It did take me a few weeks to persuade my brother that a three-year-old, NWPCS-approved pony stallion was just what he wanted for his children to ride! Needless to say, we did end up with a couple of other pony geldings as well.
Tell us about Cyden Dressage’s Breeding programme?
We currently have four broodmares, De Niro, DiMaggio, Donnerhall, Pik Bube, with the intention being on quality and not quantity. Along with our own stallions we are also working with my Dutch contact to keep variation and then allow the fillies that we produce to not all have similar lines. Ideally we will keep one each year and I will train them up to Medium/Advanced Medium level before selling them on and the others we will either sell as foals or produce them for four-year-old classes and then put them up for sale.
Tell us about your current youngstock?
Currently we have our three-year-olds starting their education under Guy Robertson’s watchful eye and then they will come back to me later in the year ready for the Young Horse classes in 2017. These are two Cadans fillies, Cleo and Channel and one Rhodium x De Niro filly, Chance.
What are your thoughts on British breeding?
I would like to be able to encourage and develop British breeding, as it is not always easy to find quality in the UK, hence why people go looking abroad. I hope having brought three quality Dutch stallions into the UK, British mare owners would see this as an alternative to having to ship in semen.
Cyden Bodyguard Moorland will be standing at Stallion AI Services for a limited period in April and June for fresh and chilled semen. Frozen semen is available all year round from Cyden Bodyguard Moorland, Cyden Oostings Amigo and Cyden Cadans M.
For further information contact Lara Edwards on 07920 452739, visit www.cydendressage.com or ‘Like’ the Cyden Dressage Facebook page for news of all three Cyden Stallions and other horses and ponies for sale.
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