Worcestershire-based Breeders Elite Studbook, which specialises in Irish and European Sport Horses, has secured coveted membership of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) with support from equine and charity lawyers at Midlands law firm Lodders.
The Malvern studbook was founded and is managed by world-renowned sport horse breeder Henk Minderman, the winner of the 2010 British Breeders Meritoire Award for his contribution to British breeding.
Operating from the 270-acre family working farm that is home to the Renkum Stud, Breeders Elite Studbook is managed by Henk and his wife Louise, and to date, has registered an average of 350 foals each year.
Born in Holland, Henk Minderman has lived in England since 1979. He has bred horses for the last 35 years and was the founder of AES. He brings 20 years’ experience of operating a studbook and a great wealth of knowledge of continental breeding and on-hand skill, in particular his breeding and improvement system advocated in Renkum Stud, Breeders Elite & formerly in the Anglo European Studbook that has proved to be very successful.
Heading Lodders’ team working with him on Breeders Elite Studbook for Irish & European Sporthorses’ (BESIES) membership application of WBFSH was partner Mark Lewis, a corporate lawyer, head of Lodders’ Charity Law practice and a member of its specialist Equine Law team, who explains, “With only 73 members worldwide, the WBFSH promotes the common interests of its member studbooks and acts as a representative body for the sport horse breeding sector. Membership of WBFSH delivers full recognition for BESIES in Europe and all over the World, and only breeders meeting the highly rigorous selection process are granted membership.”
The WBFSH is a non-profit organisation, and the only international federation of studbooks for sport horses in the world and connects breeding organisations of sport horses and the international equestrian sport with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), which is the International Olympic Committee recognised federation for Olympic equestrian sports. Together, FEI and WBFSH have organised the World Breeding Championships for Sport Horses (WBCSH) in dressage, jumping, and eventing since 1992.
Commenting on BESIES’ appointment by WBFSH, and Lodders’ support, Henk Minderman said, “I am delighted that BESIES is now a member of WBSFH, not least as it levels the playing field for our breeding programme and horses on the international stage. Now that membership has been approved, our bred show jumping horses are eligible for Lanaken (Showjumping), Lion D’Angers (Eventing) & Ermelo (Dressage) worldwide.”
He explains that BESIES is “a truly British owned and based studbook” and that its concept is “to improve British Breeding, but also to offer guidance and support in this sometimes difficult pastime”.
Of Lodders role in BESIES’ membership application process, Henk adds: “Mark’s determined approach and skilful persistence has been the driving force behind successfully getting the application over the finish line in this final push.”
Mark Lewis is a member of The Equine & Animal Lawyers Association and advises equine and other charities on governance matters and charity formation and structure. His clients range from leading equine feed manufacturers through to breed societies, and he has advised many of the main national equestrian bodies including the British Horse Society and British Dressage.
Lodders is a premier law firm in Warwickshire, Cheltenham, the North Cotswolds, and Gloucestershire. Established for over 230 years, Lodders in particular works with private individuals, business owners, family businesses, landowners, rural communities, real estate and property owners, developers and investors. The firm has 25 partners, a portfolio of sector and market specific legal teams, over 130 fee earners and support staff across its office network, and has recorded year-on-year growth in recent years.
Featured image: Lodders’ partner Mark Lewis (left), Breeders Elite Studbook’s Henk Winderman (right), with the 16-year old Grand Prix stallion, Baloubet Junior.
