Kathmandu ES Z and Skyline To B - the most used stallions in Sweden

Skyline To B (SWB) at the WBFSH Young Horse World Championship in Ermelo. Photo by Pernilla Hägg.

The preliminary breeding statistics for SWB (the Swedish Warmblood Association) for 2024 have been published. The stallions Kathmandu ES Z and Skyline To B top the list of the most-used stallions in Sweden for 2024.

A total of 287 stallions were used, of which 143 stallions were used under the so-called one-mare license. In total, 3,371 mares were bred, compared to 3,947 mares in 2023. Of these, 2,736 mares were confirmed in foal, compared to 3,205 mares in 2023. Both breedings and the number of in-foal mares have decreased by about 14.6% compared to 2023.

The list of the most-used stallions continues to show a clear dominance of showjumping stallions. Christina Olsson, conformation judge and chair of AVN, reflects on why: "It may reflect the actual distribution of disciplines in breeding mares, but it still raises the question of whether the current and recent climate within dressage has affected the willingness to breed dressage horses."

Interest in using stallions originally registered as SWB (Swedish Warmblood) appears to be greater among dressage breeders, with six SWB stallions among the most-used dressage stallions, compared to only one SWB showjumping stallion among the most-used jumping stallions.

Most-used stallions as of 2024-10-22. Number of bred mares in parentheses.

Only one stallion, Kathmandu ES Z, covered over 100 mares. Kathmandu ES Z, a Zangersheide-bred stallion born in 2019, was bred by E. Schep in the Netherlands and is currently owned by Lena Zeiloth and Grevlundagården i Vitaby AB, and is being ridden by Peder Fredricson. He has a promising lineage, with genetics tracing back to notable sires like Kashmir van’t Schuttershof and Nabab de Reve. Kathmandu ES Z’s full brother is Ontario ES, also bred by E. Schep and sired by Kashmir van Schuttershof, born the same year. Ontario ES is registered in KWPN and owned by VDL Stud.

Skyline To B (SWB) is a Swedish Warmblood stallion born in 2018, by Blue Hors St. Schufro out of Ampere’s damline, bred by Maria Rasmusson, Sweden. Originally ridden and developed by Swedish rider Carl Hedin, Skyline To B achieved significant success in young dressage competitions, including victories in the 3-year-old and 4-year-old Swedish Young Horse Championships. In 2023, he also placed fourth at the WBFSH Young Horse World Championship in Ermelo. In 2024, Carl Hedin announced the sale of the stallion to German Grand Prix rider Yara Reichert.

The average number of mares per stallion that obtained a stallion license (all types) is, as of October 29, 2024, 10.8, compared to 12.0 for the whole year of 2023.

You can find the complete Excel file with statistics here, under Breeding and Foal Statistics. The final statistics will be available after November 30, 2024, when the stallion list closes for the season.

For further questions contact
Ulrica Holst, ulrica.holst@swb.org