Twins Robyn and Wendy Jacobs were popular winners of the inaugural Tony Webb Cherokee Breeders Cup as the leading breeders across the age group championship classes at the Sally Apatu and John Bostock National Young Horse Championships.
The twins, who own Double J Stud at Takapau, had horses in the winning line-up of three of the four championship classes and were thrilled with the win.
“To win this makes you feel you have made it,” said Wendy. The two have won the accolade as top breeders at the champs before, but this is the first year a trophy has been awarded.
“It has been a while since we last won this, so it is really nice to win,” says Robyn. They have been breeding showjumpers for 13 years and the twins say they hope the best is still to come. “We hope we aren’t at our peak. We have some exciting young ones in the paddock at home, so the future will hopefully be bright.”
Double J Repicharge was the sire of many who starred at the weekend but Wendy and Robyn also like to use his mares with outside stallions. “It seems to work well,” said Wendy. “He breeds good technique and cleanness.”
Th 24-year old stallion had five foals last year and while retired from serving outside mares, is still used at the stud for their own breeding programme.
It’s a real team effort at Double J Stud, with daughters Kimberley and Samantha very much a part of everything and both successful in competition arenas.
“A lot is breaking in, handling and working with the horses right through. We do it all ourselves,” says Robyn. “There is a lot of hard work that goes into this – and a lot of heartbreak.”
It has been a tough season for the family with a number of mares slipping, including one with twins. “We usually keep our fillies but have had seven colts and not a single filly so far,” says Wendy.
The leading breeder prize was sponsored by the Northern Hawke’s Bay Junior Jumping Group.
Jumping Team
16 December 2021