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Breeding programmes at Birchen Oak Farm
Our breeding programmes
We bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in sport horse breeding since Victoria Smith began her journey over 35 years ago in Belgium and was one of the first to bring Belgian-bred mares to the UK for breeding. Her passion for European sport horse bloodlines was further honed through her studies at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester. Over the years, the landscape of horse breeding has evolved significantly, incorporating advanced techniques such as genetic testing, embryo transfer, and even cloning.
Elliott also possesses extensive knowledge and skill from riding horses of various breeds. His exceptional feel and understanding of different horses play a crucial role in selecting our stallions and mares, as he is well-versed in their traits and how they behave on the ground.
Our approach to breeding is thoughtful and deliberate. We stagger the birth of our foals to ensure they receive the highest level of care from the very beginning, as we believe this greatly impacts their temperament and performance in the future. As a small and selective stud farm, we are committed to breeding the next generation of competition horses through meticulous selection and rigorous evaluation by focusing on key characteristics such as temperament, bloodline, conformation, scope, carefulness, and movement. Each of our homebreds has been carefully bred or selected for their outstanding jumping bloodlines, with our goal being for them to excel in the highest level of competition.
Our breeding program follows a rigorous assessment process after the foal is bred where we ensure that our horses are sent to the appropriate studbooks for stallion approvals, such as AES, Zangersheide, or KWPN. At 3-years-old, our mares undergo thorough evaluations to determine their suitability for continued breeding on the farm. Depending on the mare's potential and performance, some may carry foals naturally, others may undergo ICSI or embryo flushing, while some may head straight into competition.
Every year we select a few foals to present at auctions, providing an opportunity to acquire some of our finest young stock. These horses are available for both investment and purchase at various stages of their development, and we invite potential investors or purchasers to get in touch to learn more about what we can offer.