Four Writtle College students are heading to Sweden for the World Championships of International Young Breeders.
The students have been selected for the British young breeder teams and will be competing in the WBFSH (World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses) contest in Bollerup on 12 and 13 July.
Emma Crompton and Emma Cunnington make up two-thirds of the British Hanoverian Horse Society Junior Team. Rosie Bown and Claire Nicklin make up two-thirds of the Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain Senior Team.
Meanwhile, 2012 Writtle College graduate Becca White has been selected for the Warmblood Breeders Studbook UK Senior Team.
Amy Mills, Lecturer in Equine Science and Breeding and Reproduction Specialist at Writtle College’s Lordships Stud, said: “This is fantastic news for these current students and for Becca White, who competed at the Lyon International Young Breeders’ Championships in 2011, and has since gained employment with Lynne Crowden.
“Writtle College’s well-established Lordships Stud foals up to 10 mares each year and the resulting
offspring are used for a variety of teaching and research purposes until their fourth year. Students are involved in all aspects of stud management and young horse production, from conception to sale, placing them in a strong position when it comes to going head-to-head with other young breeders in international competitions.”
The four students selected have attended training both within and external to the College, including specially-run training sessions from industry experts such as Nicole Nelson and Lynne Crowden.
The Championships include a theory exam, judging of loose jumping, a test of skills in preparing horses for show, the judging of exterior qualities (conformation) and movement (paces) as well as an assessment of how the competitors present the horse in-hand.