In October 2010, the Dutch Warmblood Totilas was sold to horse breeder Paul Schockemöhle for an estimated €11 million. Calculating for inflation, this is around €14,15 million today (about R292 million).
Totilas, a dressage superstar, stood at an impressive 17,1hh, and is widely considered one of the best dressage horses in history. He was the first horse to score above 90 in international competition.
He retired from competition in 2015, and was used for breeding until his death in 2020. While Totilas’s career was not without controversy, with some claiming that his paces were not a result of natural ability, but rather the use of harmful training practices, such as the use of rollkur – or flexion of the horse’s neck achieved through aggressive force – Totilas remains an excellent example of a highly skilled and naturally talented dressage horse. Indeed, Schockemöhle thought so highly of Totilas’s natural ability that he hit the record-high for a dressage horse when he bought Totilas in 2010.
The question then is, how do you determine the natural ability and potential of a talented dressage horse? Considering the cost of top-line genetics and horse maintenance, it is essential that potential buyers assess candidate purchases with the utmost care.
GAITS
Sophie Baker writes for the International Federation of Equestrian Sports (FEI) that seeing the dressage potential of a young horse can be difficult, particularly if it has not competed before or is not schooling well.
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin Farmer's Weekly 21 July sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin Farmer's Weekly 21 July sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
