Cavalier Crystal, the mount of Harry Meade, has won the Twemlows Burghley scholarship for the fourth consecutive year.

Charlotte and Peter Opperman’s 16-year-old Irish Sports Horse claimed the prize, which consists of two embryo transfers at Twemlows Stud Farm in Shropshire, after finishing 10th at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials last weekend.  

The scholarship is awarded each year to the highest-placed British-domiciled mare finishing in the top 20 at the Lincolnshire CCI5*. The award has previously been presented to event riders Mary King, Piggy French, and Jonelle Price.

Now in its 18th year, the scholarship aims to encourage home-grown breeding of elite mares competing at the highest level, at an optimum breeding age, without interrupting their competitive careers. 

‘An exceptional combination’

“Congratulations to Harry and Cavalier Crystal on a great performance at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials,” said Twemlows managing partner, Edward Matson.

“We have awarded the scholarship to many champions over the years, but never to the same combination four times in a row, which shows what an exceptional combination they are. 

“With so much great talent, it is an exciting time for British eventing and we are very proud to be supporting the sport with the role we play in championing these mares’ bloodlines.” 

What is embryo transfer?

Embryo transfer is a specialist form of equine surrogacy that allows a donor mare to be inseminated, and her embryo placed into a carefully selected recipient mare, who then carries the foal to term.

This advanced technique enables mares to continue competing at the highest level. It also avoids the risks for those unable to carry a foal themselves, while enabling their genetics to be passed on.

“At Twemlows we have a highly skilled veterinary team, who manage the whole reproductive process from synchronisation, to flushing and transferring the embryos,” continued Edward.

“This allows competing mares, or those who can’t safely carry the foal themselves to be bred from without pausing their competitive schedule or putting them at risk. 

“We are home to one of the largest recipient mare herds in the country, so we can carefully match the recipient mare to the donor mare.”

Twemlows Stud Farm, based in Shropshire, is a family-run business headed by Edward Matson. The stud artificial insemination and embryo transfer services and works with more than 300 mares and 130 stallions each year.

Image © Twemlows Stud.

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