Keila Golden
Connect with Keila on Facebook and on her website at https://woodlandstallion.com/!
How did you get started breeding dressage horses?
I have always been interested in breeding; the first foal I bred is a 17-year-old gelding who is still with me. In 2017 I had a lucky meeting with Edgar Schutte of Eurequine, and we developed a business relationship with several of his stallions standing out of my ranch, especially Dubarry (Don Federico x Rubinstein I). This was the perfect opportunity for someone interested in breeding. It put Edgar’s wealth of knowledge and the logistics and practicalities of collecting stallions and artificially inseminating mares literally at my front door. This was when I decided to really take the plunge and begin building my breeding program and broodmare herd.
What is one of your proudest moments as a breeder?
It's hard to choose a proudest moment, but at this year's inspection, my foals earned Top Filly and Top Colt out of a group of very deserving babies.
Left: Keila Golden’s Top Colt at the 2022 Eurequine Hanoverian inspection, Del Mar WSS (Dubarry x Fantasia MSH/Furstenreich) | Middle: Keila Golden’s Dixon WSS (Dubarry x Helina/Hohenstein) | Right: Keila Golden’s Top Filly and Top Foal 2022 Eurequine Hanoverian inspection, Domina WSS (Dubarry x Funky Diva/Fuerst Piccolo) Photo credit: Tamara with the camera
How have your goals for your program changed over the years?
My goals as a breeder have changed a lot - from deciding to focus on Hanoverians, and then narrowing that down to focusing on dressage breeding. In 2022, I had 4 dressage foals and two who were bred to jump; in 2023 I am expecting 3 foals, all dressage types.
As my riding goals have changed, ultimately bringing me to dressage as a rider, my breeding interest has focused on dressage as well. I want to breed a horse that I can ride as the rider I am today, but who will be right there with me as I climb up the levels. I want to produce horses who are personable, trainable, and enjoy the journey of developing their talents to the upper levels.
What is your plan for next season?
Next season, I plan to continue focusing on breeding for dressage, selecting only top mares who have proven themselves in some way and who are compatible by conformation and pedigree with the stallion Dubarry. I am lucky enough to know Dubarry both in the breeding shed and as a riding horse. He is a blast to ride! He tries hard to answer any questions you ask of him, and gives you a great place to sit in both the trot and canter. So I really believe that I can breed talented, amateur-friendly, fun horses with him – because he already is one.
What advice do you have for buyers who are interested in buying young horses?
I would suggest that, whenever possible, buyers meet the parents. If that is not possible, learn as much as possible about them. Remember that the dam matters as much as the sire. Ask, "why this pairing?" Not just why this stallion or why this mare, but what was the objective in combining the two? Look at past offspring of both parents. Is the stallion consistent? What do you like about his older offspring? What has the mare done - if she was ridden, to what level did she perform? If she has been exclusively a broodmare, what are her older foals like?