EN_06_13_Alvarvad-Denemarken:Z_Magazine_juni_juli_2008 18-06-2008 14:38 Pagina 6 Z, a powerful weapon for “It was important for us to create an Studfarm Alfarvad international network”. When, a few years ago after her father had dies, Susanne Location Alfarvad Hansen took charge of “Stutteri Alfarvad” she realised very Studfarm Alfarvad is located in well that there was little future for the Alfarvad stock if they North Jutland, the most northerly could only be sold within Denmark. That is why she boldly region of the Kingdom of Denmark. changed her breeding operations into the direction of breeding When we leave the airport of showjumping horses with an international character. Aalborg behind us and travel north towards Frederikshavn, we notice the rural character of the region. The plains look pastorally green and exceptionally quiet. On the way to BY ETIENNE VAN MUYLEM , PHOTOS ANNETTE BOE ØSTERGAARD the studfarm in the municipality of Dronninglund, owner Susanne Suzanne Hansen and her husband Hansen, who had picked us up, keep on all their foals and only have explains: ‘During my visit to the them trained when they are 4-yr-old. USA, where I lived for a couple of years to round off my economics studies in the state of Oregon, my father discovered his passion for horses on a ranch with Quarter Horses. When he got back, then almost fifty, he bought two tho- roughbreds. My mother, end forty, even started riding them! It was “We have about 12 to 15 competition horses of which five to six go to shows quite an adventure fort hem, she every weekend”. even fell off a couple of times. We still have offspring of those two thoroughbreds.’ ‘Our farm is called Boegeskovhale. designed with fine paintings, four stallions. The most famous It covers some 500 hectares. Besides Susanne continues. were Arizona Alfarvad and breeding horses, we also grew corn Grundgold II. Arizona descended on and oilseed. We also had another No romantic nationalism the sire Allegro’s side from the business which we sold. That would ‘So, my father started at Alfarvad Absatz line. Grundgold II was a son have been too much, the farming with two horses, in a place a little of Grundstein II (by Graphit). We and the horses. All that was brought further on in the woods. The were breeding Danish warmblood into a company. My husband and I business flourished and after a horses. But the Danish studbook did are running this company.’ John, number of years we easily had a not sufficiently profile itself where Susanne´s husband, comes walking hundred horses. That was exceptio - showjumping horses were con - up to us with a big smile. We receive nal for this region, for you find most cerned. When we were selling our a hearty welcome without a trace of horses in south Denmark. Over horses, we noticed that the name of “The intention is to move the horses to the Alfarvad farm in the near future. wariness or reserve. When we sit here, people are mostly pig or cattle the stallions we used and our blood- That has always been my father’s dream”. down in the living room, well farmers. At one time we even had lines was not sufficiently well 6 Magazine June 2008 7 EN_06_13_Alvarvad-Denemarken:Z_Magazine_juni_juli_2008 18-06-2008 14:38 Pagina 8 “Breeding is not an exact science. We simply do not have foals of the same quality every year”. Studbook, a lot cheaper and we do considered setting up an export bus- wanted. Alfarvad is definitely not to take full advantage of all control- not have any romantic nationalist iness in the horse market was belie- one of the biggest Danish studfarms lable elements. There is not always sentiments. For us it was more ved to be a victim of delirious but it ranks in the top ten. It has frozen sperm available for the best important to develop an internatio- ambition. But we simply ignored become a valuable trade name, Z-stallions and to bring our mares nal network of clients and to have a this. Like the Danish brewers although I confess that we do not do with foal at foot to Zangersheide powerful weapon, a brand with a Carlsberg and Tuborg, we wished to financially well every year. Some seems to risky. That is why our gradually world-wide reputation! To go beyond our border with our pro- years we can barely cover the costs, broodmares only go to Lanaken belong to the blue armada is a ducts. After the death of my father, but that is simply one of the risks of every other year. In Denmark you trump card. Even for our horsebox we started breeding with more pur- the profession. In 2007 we did well, find few Z-licensed stallions that we chose the blue-yellow. pose. We reduced our stock and this year will be a little less. The would be an equally valuable Fortunately the branding of horses is focussed on quality. We sold our quality and exclusivity of our offer alternative. And even so, when we not yet prohibited over here. The own stallions. They did not have varies. Our breeding products do use frozen sperm, we still have a two brand does fair justice to the Z- enough reputation. Besides, keeping not have the same high quality every hours drive to the nearest insemina- label. We did not stick to our Danish stallions in combination with the year. There are several reasons for tion center. Because of the costs, we planet but registered in full to the broodmares was a too heavy a job this. First of all, breeding is not an cannot do this on an intensive scale. globalisation within horse breeding.’ for us. We believed that the exact science. On the hand you find These factors explain why we do not Zangersheide-saga with a sound that nature is playful and no matter always produce foals of the same known. Via a rider my father got in blood Studbook. After talking with Directly from breeder to rider trademark was a boat not to be how hard you try, you are not in quality. Annually we breed with touch with Zangersheide. He was mister Melchior, we changed tack ‘The market in Denmark is not so missed. It could bring our studfarm complete control. On the other some five to six mares, formerly that the first foreign breeder to bring his and our mares were recognized by good. Not many expensive horses activities precisely to the level we hand, practical obstacles prevent us was ten to fifteen. We keep all our mares to Lanaken for service. We Zangersheide on the basis of their are sold here. Danish horses do not bought two Holstein-bred fillies, performance and ancestry. This had have a great reputation and the law Lucy and Lisa. Both descend from some consequences. We were no requires that the owner takes a Lord Mayor, a son of the famous longer allowed to appear at breeding horse back when the vet finds that Alfarvad, directly from breeder to Lord. Now they are grown-up events with our Z-products. We there is a problem within two years rider. broodmares. Presently they are were no longer welcome with the after the sale. When a horse turns visiting Zangersheide for insemina- Danish Studbook. That was hard, out a disappointment for one reason tion. The foals from Zangersheide but we ignored it. The services or another, the chance is that the stallions were, however, not offered by Zangersheide were, buyer tries to misuse this law and recognized by the Danish Warm - compared to the Danish Warmblood forces the owner to take the horse back. Since it happened to us once that we had to take a horse back, we are extra wary. We therefore prefer to sell them abroad. That was a challenge. Anyone over here who “We can check everything on the monitor, the four foaling boxes, the horse walker and the indoor hall”. 8 Magazine June 2008 9 EN_06_13_Alvarvad-Denemarken:Z_Magazine_juni_juli_2008 18-06-2008 14:38 Pagina 10 brilliant reflections put you “We have a fine team of employees, which are always selected with great care”. in front foals and rear and train them here. looked after and the stables are young horse quarters is a wide We start the riding process when thoroughly maintained. Near the indoor hall with, on the left and they are 4-yr-olds and they can not entrance of the stables are three under the same roof, the stables for go to any competitions before they large stables which were formerly the competition and sales horses. On are 4½-yr-olds. The horses are sold for the stallions. Now they are the right of the indoor hall lies an when they are ready for the sport. populated by yearlings of Asca Z, outdoor arena, where Lone That is normally when they are 5- or Baloubet, Zandor Z and Air Jordan Kronmann is at work with her 6-yr-olds. At the moment you find Z. ‘Because of the dry spring, the pupils. Alfarvad horses in the USA, Italy, foal are stabled overnight. They go ‘We have about twelve to fifteen Greece, Sweden and Norway. Our out, as well, of course, but because competition horses. Every weekend slogan is “Alfarvad, directly from of the drought we do not have all five to six horses go to a show. The breeder to rider”. It is written in that much grass yet,’ John explains. girls in regular employ all work one yellow on our horsebox!’ ‘The corn needs some rain, too, and weekend a month in turn.