Future is looking bright for Jorvik Star

Kate and husband Tim’s foal Jorvik Star will finish the year as the highest-placed showjumper in the 2014 BEF Futurity Grading’s.

And success was just the latest cause for celebration for the Shiptonthorpe couple with Kate having given birth to the couple’s first child Oliver last September.

Prior to Oliver’s birth, many hours were spent searching for a stallion to complement 
C Vera Z with the couple opting for German-based stallion Balou Star.

Seven months after the birth of baby Oliver, C Vera Z’s first foal, Jorvik Star, arrived a little earlier than expected.

“We spent many hours searching for a stallion to complement C Vera Z and having always admired the Quick Star and Balou de Rouet bloodlines, we found the young, little known German-based stallion Balou Star,” said Kate.

“This April, C Vera Z’s first foal, Jorvik Star, duly arrived – albeit two weeks early in a paddock at home, rather than the planned professional stud delivery.

“From day one, ‘Joey’, his stable name, has always impressed with his movement, presence and temperament.”

Looking to assess him with his peers, ‘Joey’ was entered in the British Equestrian Federation Futurity Programme, which aims to identify British-bred young potential sport horses and ponies destined for careers in dressage, eventing, showjumping or endurance.

The 14 Futurity assessment days took place around the country, stretching from Scotland to Devon.

Jorvik Star’s assessment day took place at Richmond Equestrian Centre in August and the gelding foal was awarded an Elite Premium of 9.20 in the showjumping section. This resulted in him being the top-rated youngster across all age group sections, including yearlings, two-year-olds and three-year-olds.

Futurity evaluators Jo Dixon, Jennie Loriston Clarke and Bridget Parker observed: “Jorvik Star has super proportions and an active walk as well as a balanced and powerful canter.”

The success should not be a surprise as both Tim and Kate come from equestrian backgrounds with Tim having hunted and showjumped with his family in Derbyshire and having had a brief, successful point-to-point career before managing both Doncaster and Wetherby Racecourses.

He now runs his own Market Weighton-based company, Pinnacle Marquees. Kate grew up showing ponies on the county circuit and achieved one of her ambitions by riding at HOYS at Wembley in 1995.

She also worked in racing yards and had several race rides before starting her job in 2002 selling York-based Equilage haylage and the well-known horse-bedding brand Easibed.

The couple now have another equine arrival on the way with C Vera Z back in foal to Jorvik Star’s sire Balou Star.

Having heard about Jorvik Star’s Elite Grading, and having travelled to meet ‘Joey’ at home, the stallion’s German owner, Udo Oppermann, decided to base Balou Star in the UK so that British Sports horse breeders can view the stallion’s performance, temperament and conformation first hand.

Balou Star will be competed by sisters Pippa and Millie Allen, with the aim to showcase him at the The British Sport Horse Stallion event at Hartbury College, Gloucstershire on January 3.

“He has just arrived at our yard,” said Pippa of Balou Star. “But already he is a firm family favourite. I can’t wait to compete him.”

Jorvik Star, meanwhile, is now weaned and will compete next summer in sports horse in–hand classes and again will be assessed at the Futurity Grading as a yearling.

“By grading him as an Elite Premium foal, the judges have indicated he has the potential to perform at International level,” said Kate, reflecting on the success of Jorvik Star.

“This is the first foal we have bred and I am just thrilled. It was a massive result for us small breeders and as C Vera Z is in foal again let’s hope it was not beginner’s luck.”