Ian and Vanessa Callender-Easby decided to start breeding Warmblood horses roughly eight years ago, on their Western Free State farm, just outside Christiana. A few pregnant, locally bred Warmblood and Thoroughbred mares were purchased, and thus the birth of Callaho coincided with the first foals being born on the farm in 2003.
Callaho started expanding massively around this time: Not only did Jaco Fourie join as stud manager, but frozen semen from European stallions were sourced and two internationally successful Warmblood stallions and a number of broodmares and foals from Europe, were also purchased. The stud has since grown annually to an approximate 300 horses (at present).
To breed the best
"Life at Callaho revolves around a passion for horses. Our mission is a simple one: We aspire to breed the very best athletes that resources will allow. The horse's temperament, conformation and rideability, are the point of departure on all breeding decisions, making them suitable as both competition and leisure riding horses. We strive to deliver excellent value to clients without ever compromising our integrity," says Ian who, with his wife Vanessa, are the two directors of the stud.
In order to achieve this, he explains, they put a huge emphasis on selection: "All our breeding stock are from well-performing, proven lines. All horses are registered, pedigreed and graded to ensure the likelihood of improving the future generations of Warmbloods here at Callaho."
The stud is situated on the farm Vaallaagte, 100 km east of Kimberley. The sweet veldt, vast Kalahari-type areas and calcium-rich soil is ideal for horse breeding. All the animals – including the stallions, broodmares and young stock – are housed on the farm.
"Our gene pool," says Ian, "consists of horses from every major studbook in Europe, including the Hanoverian, Holstein, Selle Francais, Dutch, Oldenburg and Westphalian Warmblood Horse Societies. We strongly believe in the motto 'breed the best to the best and hope for the best'. This is why we are perpetually travelling to Europe in search of horses, especially top broodmares, to fulfil this requirement."
The function of the public riding schools is to provide something of this close contact with horses. Also, it wants to serve as a site for knowledge transfer from the top international equestrian professionals to the local riding community. The unfortunate fact is that at an operational level, there is still a serious lack of know-how.
The mares and stallions
Mares are highly prized at the stud. Not only are most of them imported from the finest sire lines in Europe, but via their dam lines, most are immediately related to (or have already produced offspring which are national, European and world champions.
The senior stud stallions For Joy, Granulit and Lissabon, all passed their very strict stallion performance tests in Germany at the top of their class. They have gone on to excel in the showjumping and dressage sport at international level in both Europe and South Africa. Their offspring are excelling at all levels and are globally in demand. Their breeding estimation values are consistently among the highest of stallions in Germany.
Two young stallions, Benicio (dressage) and Con Coriano (jumping) were imported to support these "older" stallions, and an American Thoroughbred sire, Manaloj xx, is leased as a source of "blood". The German Hanoverian Studbook travelled to South Africa to inspect and look at Manaloj xx, and he was immediately approved to breed modern sport horses. The very best international German, Dutch and French stallions also play a role at Callaho, through the use of imported frozen semen.
"We make use of assisted reproduction techniques, thus artificial insemination and some embryo transfers allow us to breed approximately 50 foals every season. Our youngsters are born and raised on the farm," explains Ian. "They are handled daily, and receive regular farrier, dentist and veterinary care from professionals.
"They are backed between their third and fourth year, and then trained under saddle, before being offered for sale as riding horses at the annual auction in April. All our backing and training methods rigidly follow classical principles and the welfare of our horses is an overriding priority.
"Jaco Fourie, stud manager and holder of Protea colours in dressage, together with Mandy Johnstone, a seasoned trainer, international A-grade jumping rider and winner of among others the SA Derby, keep a close watch on the daily training of the horses."
The Callaho auction
Callaho chose the route of an annual auction as their marketing channel. There are several reasons for this choice, says Ian.
"It gives us an indication of how our horses compare to what is available for sale elsewhere. Both the buyer and the seller get the chance to meet on one platform, and the buyer decides what price he will pay for the quality that Callaho offers. It is for this reason that we have no reserve price.
"On another point, auctions are transparent, public affairs and thus everyone interested have equal access to the transaction, without bias. The auction is a tried and tested system, employed by all studbooks in Europe. As long as we have sufficient numbers of horses to sell, we will stick with the auction system and not sell our best horses out of hand."
This year's auction ensemble, adds Jaco, includes 36 horses suited to a wide variety of enthusiasts.
"Whether one is looking for a hack or competition horse, a junior or adult superstar, a broodmare or a covering by one of our stallions, we believe this year's auction collection will offer exceptional value. The complete list of auction horses is displayed on our website, www.callaho.com. We normally do not sell coverings by our stallions, but during auction time, one covering of each of our stallions will be auctioned off, the funds to benefit equine charities."
The horses under saddle have been carefully selected and professionally trained, and are ready to take on their new role under a dedicated rider. Jaco and Ian both emphasise that there will be no reserve price on any of the horses and all 36 will pass to new owners.
To participate in the auction
1. View the auction collection on at www.callaho.com or obtain a free catalogue with DVD from your local tack shop.
2. If you are interested, you are invited to visit the farm during the allocated try-out dates. This will give you ample time to see, scrutinise and ride the horse(s), to enable you to make a prudent decision. Phone the Callaho message line at 079 866 6613 to arrange a suitable date, obtain catalogues or address any queries.
3. All the riding horses have been vetted. X-ray images will be available on the internet beforehand. Let your private vet look at it and advise you. On the day, Dr Hendrikz will be available at the vet's office to independently answer any related queries.
4. On auction day, go to the auction office and fill out a Buyer's Registration Form. You will then be registered as a buyer and will receive a buyer's card.
5. During the morning there will be a public presentation of the auction horses. Afterwards, feel free to speak to the riders and visit the horses in the stable. You are welcome to have a horse stood up on hard ground for inspection.
6. The auction will commence at 14:00 in the auction hall. The auction process will be deliberate and transparent. To bid on a horse, please raise your buyer's card clearly and ensure that the auctioneer understands your intentions.
7. Your final invoice will include the bid amount auction fee (2%), seven days' insurance (0,5%) and 14% VAT.
8. Should you make a successful bid, please remain in your seat. The secretary will immediately attend to you, and will present you with an auction slip for you to fill in and sign. This will serve as your confirmation of purhase.
9. Please visit the auction office before 19:00 to finalise your transaction. Secure internet facilities are available for electronic transfers. All purchases must be settled within seven calendar days, whereupon an invoice and a release note are issued.
10. Go to the insurance booth and sign your horse's insurance documents. Should you require transport, the folks at the transport booth will happily oblige. A new halter and lead will accompany your horse, and other travel gear can be purchased from the tack shop at the auction.
