Keeping it in the family

Kincluny (no.66) the ride of Sarah Wardell is one of several homebred horses competing at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

By national hunt sire Cruise Missile, Kincluny was bred by his rider out of her former eventer Little Miss Muffet who is by the Thoroughbred Chocolate Bean. Despite several attempts to breed from the mare Kincluny was the only resulting offspring for Sarah although after being sold she went on to produce two more – both by the Irish Draught stallion Roma Diamond Skip and who are both eventing. 

Tor Brewer’s ride Highleadon is also homebred and represents three generations of breeding for the Brewer family. The 12-year-old is giving the Gloucestershire rider her first ride at Badminton. Highleadon is by eventing sire Welton Crackerjack – one of two here this year by Sam barr’s renowned stallion. He is out of Witch Spirit a homebred mare by eventing sire Master Spiritus who is out of the mare Witch Girl who was competed by John Marsden to four-star level and placed at Burghley. “While it’s taken me a bit longer than most to get to my first Badminton to be riding a homebred horse has made it even more special,” said Tor.

British rider Louise Skelton is another to be riding a homebred horse. Bit of a Barney by the Thoroughbred Blaze O’ Gold – another to have two offspring competing this year – is one of two full brothers Louise has bred and produced to four-star level.