'We didn’t expect to purchase one let alone two embryos'

They came to the Flanders Embryo Auction in Oliva for an enjoyable evening and left with two exciting purchases. British Rockley Manor Stables joined forces with the Hosier Family, turning the event into an unforgettable experience.

Jocasta Symons, who runs a small professional stables based in the UK together with her partner Harisson Hatteea, had a great time during the auction in Spain. They specialise in producing horses from young horses to Grand Prix and also training clients on their own horses too.

Three years ago they started a small breeding program. “We try to breed a few horses each year from our best mares. Currently we have eight on the ground from yearlings to 3-year-olds, so it will be super exciting to see the first lot coming through next year”, tells Jocasta Symons.

Fun evening
” We came to the embryo auction mostly to have a fun evening and experience an auction for the first time! We looked through the catalogue and noted four embryos we loved the breeding of but definitely didn’t expect to purchase one let alone two! We were delighted to partner up with our long term clients, the Hosier Family, whose daughter Jess trains with us. Together we bought the two embryos which was very exciting.”

Embryos out of 1.60m GP mares
One is the Comme il Faut out of Roelof Bril’s 1.60m Grand Prix mare Dizzy Lizzy (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve), the other one is the Ermitage Kalone out of the 1.60m Grand Prix mare Atlanta 541 (For Pleasure). There was already a connection with the first embryo.

Harrison Hatteea worked as a rider for the Dutch Roelof Bril a few years ago and Jocasta Symons also trained with Roelof for a year. “We are very familiar with his breeding lines and learnt so much of what we know from him. We were at all the shows with the wonderful Dizzy Lizzy during our time there and are delighted to introduce this line to our stables ! The second embryo by Atlanta is also really special. To be honest after the first purchase we got a little excited to start bidding again, and we were thrilled to have secured it!”

Fabulous atmosphere
“The atmosphere at the auction was fabulous and we had a really wonderful time. This was our first time at an embryo auction and to have come away with two incredible embryos we are certainly looking forward to the next one”, says Jocasta Symons.

Jocata Symons, her partner Harisson Hatteea and Jess Hosier