By Eva Maria Livesey / AES
Photography: © Jo Broadway
One of the most inspirational young horses at this year’s FEI-WBFSH World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in eventing has undoubtedly been Kantango – a son of Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve, out of Eclaire – a mare by Winningmood out of a Cascavelle daughter who was herself successful up to 1m45 in showjumping with Poppy Stronge (GBR).
Kantango is owned by Penelope Holley, Joanna Jones, Jane Boggis, and Jane Tolley and is ridden by Kitty King. The pair produced a stunning cross-country round and were flawless in the showjumping phase, coming overall in a very strong second position.
Kantago was bred by Kevin Sleap, and it has been a great pleasure to catch up with him and hear the story behind this phenomenal young horse. Kevin only breeds a very small number of foals, and is relatively new to breeding, making this achievement all the more remarkable.
Q How long have you been a breeder?
My wife Nicky and I bred our first foal in 2014. My daughter had headed off to work for Shane Breen, and later Jess Mendoza, leaving us with a yard full of horses. We sold a few, sent others back to owners and kept three nice mares, all of whom we have since bred from.
Q How many foals do you usually breed?
We are really small-time breeders, and the most we have bred in a single year has been 3.
Q What inspired you to become a breeder and what is your breeding goal?
If I’m honest, breeding was never really in our plans. We just ended up with initially two good mares coming to the end of their competition careers and, at the same time, we were finding it increasingly difficult to find nice young horses. Those two mares (Wishful and Eclaire) have done an amazing job, and both have progeny that look to have the ability to reach the top of their game: Eclaire with Kantango in eventing, and Wishful with Balouish, an eight-year-old mare who has landed some great results in national and international classes this year, including world ranking classes... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
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