Several stallion owners and managers have announced discounted fees and deferred payments to help fellow breeders.
By Kaycie Timm, Reiner Associate Editor
In just a few short weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered daily life for people across the globe, including members of our reining community. This crisis has forced cancelation of shows, limited travel, and brought financial strife and instability for many; but it’s also created opportunities for our industry to band together and help each other.
One impactful response we’re proud to share is the reduced fees and special policies being offered by various stallion owners and managers. Here are a few we’ve seen so far. If you see other examples of reiners helping reiners, please share them at ktimm@nrha.com.
Kari Klingenberg, who serves as breeding manager for Mr Electric Spark (Jacs Electric Spark x Sailin Rowdy; $101,711 LTE), is offering a reduced breeding fee and allowing contracts to be carried through 2021 without a rebreed fee.
“We made the choice to do this to support the reining community and the breeding business,” Klingenberg shares. “We’re all in this together, and it’s going to take all of us to make the best of this situation.”
Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses is offering the option for mare owners to suspend the payment of breeding, booking, and shipping fees, on all TMRH stallions until December 31, 2020.
Jared Leclair, who owns and stands Electric Code (Jacs Electric Spark x Hot Coded Candy; $204,317 LTE), has discounted Electric Code’s breeding fee to help the horse community during this time of uncertainty.
Lil Joe Cash (Nu Chex To Cash x RS Lilly Starlight; $279,268 LTE) also has a reduced 2020 breeding fee, and all payments associated with breeding, including both shipping and chute fees, will be suspended until December 31, 2020.
Silver Spurs Equine issued a statement announcing that all new breeding contracts purchased from March 20, 2020, through April 30, 2020, will received the early-booking discount for all their stallions. Furthermore, any mare owner who hasn’t been shipped semen for the 2020 season will be offered the option to suspend shipments for the 2020 breeding season and hold their contract until the 2021 season, without a rebreed fee. Those whose semen has already been shipped but have not obtained a pregnancy will also be included in this offer.
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented actions,” shares Michael Miola, owner of Silver Spurs Equine. “Silver Spurs wants to help loyal breeders that are experiencing financial difficulties as much as we can.”
Efforts like these will help keep our reining community strong in the face of this crisis. Contact breeding managers and stallion owners directly for more information about these and other special offers.
