British Breeding Futurity

[DPDOT]

Looking for some insight from people who have taken 2year olds to the British Breeding Futurity. Looking at taking my nicely put together Colt in the natives section. Of course we all think our homebreds are the best thing since sliced bread! However, I’m unsure how he will do on the day and I am aware this "grading" will likely stay with him for life so I am slightly nervous he will not do as well as I am hoping…

Some insight into how you have prepped and how the day went for you or any thoughts very much welcomed!

(Just a disclaimer, I’m not willing to “exercise” him now to bulk muscle as his body is still growing etc, for the same reason I won’t be feeding him up to “show weight” for the futurity.)

 

[TheMule]

Took a 3yr old last year- it was a useful part of her education as it’s a very quiet outing. I wouldn't worry about the result too much- very, very few people are aware of its existence! Did no specific prep- this one lives out 24/7 on no feed. She has been well handled, but never 'trained' as such for it
This was our day (obviously 2yr olds don’t loose jump)

 

[ihatework]

I’d echo The Mule,
It’s a useful day out for education purposes (if a little expensive)
It’s not a grading, just an evaluation. It won’t have any real long term implication and to be honest (other than a small handful of Sporthorse breeders) no one really pays any attention to the results at all.
I would say 2yo can be tricky to evaluate as they can be a bit fugly, it’s an age I personally wouldn’t bother taking.
Also I’d say the evaluation is slightly biased towards Sporthorses so just be prepared for that.

PS I’m not saying don’t go btw, just go with realistic expectations!

 

[DPDOT]

That’s definitely eased my worry that if he doesn’t do brilliantly it won’t be held against him for life lol

Thank you @TheMule I will give your video a watch!

@ihatework I did think it was more targeted towards the sports horse but I was hoping that with their now being a native section it may be less so!

It will be a great day out for him, I guess we just have to hope the evaluators think he’s as lovely as I do!

 

[ihatework]

Would be nice to see a report after. It’s great that they are including a native section, let’s face it British natives are superb so we need to promote them!

 

[monte1]

I did this "virtually" in 2020, during covid lockdown, so I cannot comment on the experience of taking your youngster to a venue for assessment,( but a friend tells me it is all done very professionally and calmly)

we actually boxed them to hire a local indoor arena and did all our filming there with my then 3 month old colt and the mare together. we did no "prep" apart from plait and make them clean and tidy. they lived out 24/7 I am certainly not a "breeder" (he is my one and only homebred) but, the futurity team were a super bunch who provided plenty of advice and support when I had to upload all the correct clips and confirmational photos in order to be judged and provided really great feedback as well.

In the end my boy scored Gold in the eventing section, so I was absolutely over the moon, as you can imagine


actually, in one of my trot movement clips he had decided to go have a roll in the arena, when they did a webinar of clips showcasing the futurity they kept that bit in and it did make me laugh as we watched it online!


Defintely worth doing in my opinion and the report provides great insight as well

 

[ChloeC418]

I think it is great for their education. As a yearling we entered virtually which was a good handling opportunity, then took her to a physical futurity show as a 2yo filly. She's not your "conventional" dressage horse in that she's piebald so didn't score amazingly, and it was her first ever outing so she was a bit sharp and the marks probably reflected that also. It's just one opinion on one day. I never plan on selling her, so the marks didn't matter to me as much as the education opportunity.

With regard to condition, your plan is perfect. You obviously want them looking as good as possible, but not at the detriment of their limbs. The vets and assessors should be considerate of the age of the horse when they're marking.

Picture of Panda's big day out:

 

[Asha]

I took my then 2yo to the BEF in the native section. He’s a pure bred ID .
No prep at all . Just out of the field , quick bath and away we went .
I’ve taken natives for years , but this is the first time they’ve done a class for natives . Same format as other classes , but the are looking for comfy canter and nice character . The sport horse sections like to see them quite whizzy . But the natives are meant to be more steady and easy .
Great experience for him . Judges loved him , said they would like to take him home . Only issue was he refused to canter . He was a it star struck . But as IHW / Themule say don’t worry about results , it’s a great first outing for them