By Anette Sånesson (translated by Hillevi Brasch) / SWB
Photography: Ulrica Jacobs; Roland Thunholm; Yvonne Karlsson
Each year, Agria Animal Insurance and SWB award a scholarship to the three highest-rated and pregnant mares from the young horse tests. The scholarships are part of the effort to keep the best mares in breeding, and the amount of 10,000 SEK per mare is awarded to the owners.
This year, three jumping-bred mares earned the prestigious Agria Mare title.
Take a Chance E
By Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve out of Cardilou E (SWB) x Cardento x Balou du Rouet, bred and owned by Erica Andersson, Kävlinge. Total score 53 – 9.5-10.0 in jumping.
In foal to Mylord Carthago, Take a Chance E received high jumping scores of 9.5-10 during her young horse test. She descends from a dam line that has been with Erica and her father, Alf, for many generations. Take a Chance E represents the sixth generation of homebred horses, and the maternal line has produced many premium mares and competition horses in showjumping.
For Erica, maintaining this maternal line is a source of great pride: “It’s also emotional,” says Erica. “We bottle-fed Rubina, who later became a competition horse for Rolf-Göran Bengtsson. She’s dear to my heart. That’s why it’s extra special when her offspring perform well and earn premiums. This recognition was such a joy to receive.”
Take a Chance E was started under saddle by Erica’s daughter Hanna, who attended the Master rider training program at Flyinge. “She was very easy to train, has a good temperament, and is sound,” says Erica. “She’s also brave and has great capacity in jumping.”
Erica prefers to breed her mares at three years old for faster genetic progress. “The downside is that the mares fall a bit behind when they have a foal but, on the other hand, not breeding a young, high-quality mare would be like cutting off the branch you’re sitting on.”
When choosing a stallion, the decision fell on Mylord Carthago. “Choosing a stallion becomes easier with each generation,” says Erica. “When we started breeding, we aimed for more careful horses, and now we try to balance that with courage. It’s also important to have commercially viable bloodlines. The key is finding a good combination of courage, ability, carefulness, and rideability. That leads to durability, which is very important.”
Northern Extacy
By Eldorado van de Zeshoek is out of Northern Euphoria (SWB) x Stakkato x Embassy, bred and owned by Ingrid Ragnarsson, Bondersbyn. She scored 10-10 in jumping, for a total score of 52.5, and is in foal to Ermitage Kalone
Northern Extacy is the fourth generation from experienced jumping horse breeder Ingrid Ragnarsson. She descends from the Hanoverian mare Carola, whom Ingrid bought in Germany many years ago and has proven very valuable. This dam line has produced several S-level jumping horses and approved stallions. Northern Extacy was raised in a free-range environment and wasn’t handled until shortly before she turned three. “We let her mature at her own pace,” says Ingrid. “It was a relief when the riding part was removed from the test so that we could focus on the rest of the training without stress.”...
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