WBFSH Breeders Rankings - Winners 2026
WBFSH Dressage Breeder 2026 - Stephan Kurz
Mount St John Freestyle (HANN)
Stephan Kurz, A thoughtful, experienced Hanoverian breeder with a strong emphasis on maternal performance and rideability.
German breeder Stephan Kurz has been named WBFSH Dressage Breeder of the Year 2026 for the second consecutive year. Once again, the title is secured through Mount St John Freestyle, the outstanding Hanoverian mare by Fidermark out of Donna Gracia (Donnerhall), who continues to shine on the international stage under Danish rider Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour.
At the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, Freestyle and Laudrup-Dufour claimed victory in the Grand Prix before securing silver in both the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle, scoring an outstanding 91.236% in the latter. These performances further cemented Freestyle’s position among the world’s leading dressage horses and once again brought international recognition to her breeder.
Winning the WBFSH title in consecutive years is a remarkable distinction, reflecting not only Freestyle’s extraordinary talent and consistency but also Stephan Kurz’s ability to breed a horse capable of remaining at the very pinnacle of the sport. Their second consecutive title is a fitting recognition of a breeding success story that continues to make its mark on international dressage.
WBFSH Jumping Breeder 2026 – Timm Peters
Bull Run’s Jireh, aka Uno 56 (HOLST)
Timm Peters, An established family breeder with a record of producing successful sport horses, licensed stallions and valuable dam lines.
German breeder Timm Peters is named WBFSH Jumping Breeder of the Year 2026 for breeding Bull Run’s Jireh, the Holsteiner gelding by Uriko out of Conella (Colman), whose international success has brought recognition to Peters’ breeding programme in Bargenstedt, northern Germany.
Ridden by American showjumper Kristen Vanderveen, Jireh has established himself at the highest level of international show jumping, competing successfully at 1.60m and qualifying for the 2025 FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Basel. The pair enjoyed a remarkable 2026 season, highlighted by victory in the CSI5* Grand Prix in Doha and further major wins, including a 1.55m class at the Brussels Stephex Masters. Their performances reflect the gelding’s exceptional scope, carefulness and competitive spirit.
Breeding excellence runs deep in the Peters family. Continuing a tradition inherited from his father, Otto, Timm Peters has built his programme around proven Holsteiner bloodlines and thoughtful matings. Named Holsteiner Breeder of the Year in 2025, he now earns international recognition as WBFSH Jumping Breeder of the Year 2026, a fitting tribute to both an outstanding athlete and the breeding expertise behind him.
WBFSH Eventing Breeder 2026 – Justin Burke
(HSH Blake, aka Galwaybay HSH Redfield ISH)
Justin Burke, An accomplished Irish sport horse breeder with evidence of success across more than one Olympic discipline.
Irish breeder Justin Burke earns the title of WBFSH Eventing Breeder of the Year 2026 for breeding HSH Blake, the outstanding Irish Sport Horse by Tolan R out of Doughiska Lass (Kannan). Bred at Galway Bay Stud, Blake has risen from a promising young horse in Ireland to one of the world's leading eventers under American rider Caroline Pamukcu.
Their achievements include individual gold at the 2023 Pan American Games, an appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and, in 2026, a second-place finish at Kentucky's five-star event followed by an impressive third at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials. These results underline the talent and versatility that have made Blake an exceptional ambassador for Irish sport horse breeding.
Blake is not the only international success bred by Burke, whose Galwaybay horses include HSH Connor, another accomplished eventer. His WBFSH title therefore celebrates not only one remarkable athlete but also the contribution of a breeder whose horses continue to make their mark at the highest level of the sport.
WBFSH Studbooks Rankings - Winners 2026
The Winning Dressage Studbook is the KWPN studbook, who has maintained the winning spot since 2017, with 13.375 points.
The Winning Jumping Studbook is the Selle Français studbook, for the fourth year in a row, with 8.610 points.
The Winning Eventing Studbook is Irish Sport Horse Studbook, with 1.454 points.
Pictures © Dirk Caremans - Hippo Foto Media
