27/10/2025
I often write that I believe Leo descends from some of the best sport pony bloodlines in the world. I usually frame that as my personal opinion, but honestly, depending on how you define “best,” it is essentially a fact.
The combination of the stallion Kanshebber, and a Kantje’s Ronaldo, his son Kantje’s Carlando, or his son Orchid’s Cestanii mare has probably produced more FEI showjumping and eventing ponies than any other pedigree nick in the world.
Each of these stallions, Kanshebber, Kantje’s Ronaldo, Kantje’s Carlando, and Orchid’s Cestanii, were outstanding in their own right, both in competition and as a sire. But when combined, these bloodlines create something truly exceptional.
This isn’t just anecdotal opinion, it’s based on nearly a decade of personal research, and more recently academic research (watch this space!). At times it feels like I’m talking to a brick wall trying to highlight how remarkable these bloodlines are to British and Irish pony people… it is well known how good these lines are in Europe, but most British and Irish seem to be completely close minded to learn about different bloodlines, and seem entirely focused on only wanting ‘horse bred’ ponies…🤦♀️ the same attitude seems to be present when trying to educate British and Irish to stop calling buckskin horses dun, but that’s another discussion for another time!
When I bought Kaleo van Orchid’s as a yearling in 2018, I had already spent about two years researching these lines. I knew exactly what I was looking for when I got in touch with Orchid’s Stud, I knew I wanted a colt with this specific pedigree.
I was 14 at the time, and my parents thought I was being delusional…
“Why must it be this exact breeding?” they asked. “Orchid’s Stud breeds at least 20 foals a year, you’ll have plenty to choose from.. why do you need one now when you haven’t started breeding yet?.”
But as it turned out, that wasn’t the case. The following year, Kanshebber passed away, followed not long after by Kantje’s Carlando and Orchid’s Cestanii. None of them had frozen semen collected, as they all covered naturally at Orchid’s Stud. Suddenly, finding a youngster with this pedigree became far more difficult.
In recent years, several licensed stallions carrying this same “magical” pedigree nick have been imported to the UK and Ireland. I follow the Orchid’s ponies closely and have always been excited at the prospect of another breeding stallion from this line entering the British or Irish gene pool.
Unfortunately, every single one of those imported stallions has been gelded without breeding a single foal or collecting frozen semen beforehand.
I understand that some stallions can be challenging for children to handle, but the cost of collecting frozen semen is relatively small, especially compared to the overall value of the pony. I know this firsthand, because I did exactly that with Kaleo. We collected frozen semen before gelding him, ensuring he could have an easier life while still preserving his genetics.
I have also seen Orchid’s ponies advertised as “Dutch Warmbloods” several times, which is completely untrue. All of the ponies are registered either as Dutch Riding Ponies (NRPS) or Dutch New Forest Ponies (NNFPS). Kanshebber is 75% Arabian and 25% New Forest. Kantje’s Ronaldo and Kantje’s Carlando are both purebred Dutch New Forest ponies, while Orchid’s Cestanii is, of course, half Dutch New Forest through his sire Kantje’s Carlando, with his dam also being predominantly Arab blood.
Nearly a decade on after purchasing Kaleo, I am still the only person I know in the UK or Ireland actively breeding from this line.
My foundation broodmare, Orchid’s Dixie, is also by a son of Kanshebber, Kinka’s Boy, who competed at Grand Prix level in showjumping.
Kaleo van Orchid’s may not yet be as proven in high level of sport as some of his siblings (due to lack of opportunity and funding), but I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to preserve this bloodline, especially in the UK.
His first foal, Overflow Kangaroo, is a lovely natured colt, soon heading off to Ireland, and I am hoping his next foal will be a filly I can keep for myself!
