Spring is approaching, and with it I am saying goodbye to the winter months. 

The first two and a half months of this year have been particularly hectic. From driving through snow-covered landscapes to interviews, meetings and international events, the weeks have flown by.
My travels have taken me from Normandy in France to Munich in Germany and Cremona in Italy. Along the way I conducted interviews in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany, each conversation offering new insights into the sport and breeding world.

At one event I even brought a traditional Friese Oranjekoek, which was enjoyed during a talk given by Franke Sloothaak – just one day after his birthday.

Photo made by Johanna Milse Photography

Meanwhile, the Rolex Grand Slam season has already begun in ’s-Hertogenbosch. Richard Vogel and United Touch S won here and are so the live contender for TSCHIO Aachen.

Julius Peter Sinnack; the breeder and owner of United Touch S and me. On the photo below me in front of the Rolex vertical just before the start of the Rolex Grand Prix. 

When I think about a horse like United Touch S from a breeding perspective, I also think about modern reproductive techniques such as OPU-ICSI. Thanks to Avantea I have been able to learn much more about this subject, which has provided me with some fascinating insights.

The coming weeks will bring several more one-day events, including the stallion shows of Team Nijhof, VDL Stud, Joris de Brabander and hopefully Stallion AI.

Earlier this year, in January and February, I had the opportunity to interview Christine Arns-Krogmann and Gilles Thomas. In March, thanks to the Rolex Grand Slam, I also participated in a round-table interview with Kent Farrington.
It has been an intense start to the year – but also an inspiring one.