Journalist Chris McCullough trotted inside the stables of Friesian horse breeders Jelmer Chardon and his wife Anita to report for AgriExpo e-Magazine.
Jelmer Chardon wakes up every morning to run a business that he is passionate about: “I’m literally living the dream.”
Jelmer and his wife Anita breed and train the charismatic black Friesian horse at their Chardon Stables in Jorwert, The Netherlands.
“I’m literally living the dream.”
The Friesian breed was born in the very Friesland region where Jelmer is based—where relating to its true-life story is an everyday occurrence.
Friesian horses are very versatile and can be used in riding for both pleasure and in competition, for dressage, driving for pleasure and in competition and even for light farm work.
Even though they have not really been bred for jumping, Friesian horse owners, such as Anita, like to jump them for regular exercise and to demonstrate their agility.
Friesian horse breeders Anita Chardon working on agility. Image by journalist Chris McCullough for AgriExpo e-Magazine.
Chardon Stables keep around 70 horses on their farm including 50 to 60 young horses for breeding.
Our core business focuses on the sale of well-bred and trained horses to diverse markets here at home in The Netherlands but also to Mexico, the United States, Qatar and China,” said Jelmer, who has grown up with the breed and has been fascinated with Friesian horses all his life.
Friesian horses are a deep black color which is just one of the traits potential buyers are looking for.
It’s that deep black color that sets the Friesian horse out among other breeds. But another stronger trait is its long, wavy hair.”
Friesian horse breeders Jelmer Chardon with his champion stallion, Jurre 495. Image by journalist Chris McCullough for AgriExpo e-Magazine.
Jelmer and Anita are experts at what they do and have led their horses to the top of dressage competitions. They also have bred a champion stallion, Jurre 495, who has won the national event for Friesian horses for the past two years.
Friesian horse breeders Jelmer Chardon and his wife Anita’s champion stallion, Jurre 495. Courtesy of Chardon Stables.
Judges say Jurre is a beautifully lined stallion with a lot of breed appearance, has a very nice appealing head and a jet-black color. He is currently one of the more sought after Friesian horses for breeding.
He really is a special horse,” Jelmer said. “The way he looks, walks and runs is exactly what we are looking for in a horse. He is a true champion.”
Chardon Stables focuses on selling live horses to customers but also semen from their most popular breeding stallions.
The family run stable always has a number of horses for sale and welcomes anyone to pay them a visit and experience the magic of Friesian horses for themselves.
Friesian horse breeders Jelmer Chardon and his wife Anita’s champion stallion, Jurre 495. Courtesy of Chardon Stables.
