Our Work at Haras du Prélude

From the first groundwork sessions with a young horse to the final test in the dressage arena, our work is shaped by patience, observation, and a deep respect for each animal. This page tells the story of how we breed, train, and care for our horses.

Trusted by riding clubs and equestrian partners

Working alongside those who share our standards

See our partners

Free State Dressage Circle

Regular clinics and shared judging panels keep our training methods aligned with the region's dressage community.

Mpofu Valley Equestrian Centre

Joint groundwork workshops and young horse evaluations give our riders a broader view of classical progression.

Juantown Riding Club

Our instructors lead monthly longe and flatwork sessions at their indoor arena, building a steady local network.

VetCare Equine Partners

Routine health checks and nutrition planning for our breeding stock, with a shared focus on long-term soundness.

Milestones and decisions

From a family stable to a reference for classical riding

Read the full story

2008 — We bought the first two mares and a retired schoolmaster, with the idea of breeding our own sport horses rather than buying them ready-made. The old stone stable block became the core of the domain.

2012 — After three seasons of groundwork and longe work, we held our first open day. Around forty neighbours and local riders came to watch a young horse being introduced to the saddle. That day set the tone for everything that followed.

2016 — We built the covered arena and the second paddock system. This let us keep the youngstock outside in small herds, which changed how our horses develop balance and confidence before they are backed.

2019 — Our first homebred gelding completed a full season of dressage tests at regional level. It was not a podium result, but the horse stayed sound and calm in a busy environment, which mattered more to us.

2022 — We started the guided stable visits and the two-day groundwork workshops. The idea was simple: show people what daily life at a stud really looks like, without staging anything.

2024 — The current team of five grooms and two instructors now runs the breeding, the young horse training and the visitor programme. The original stone walls are still there, but the work has grown well beyond them.

What defines our work at the stud

We are a team of riders, breeders and trainers who share one conviction: classical riding is learned slowly, with patience and respect for the horse. Our work is built on daily observation, clear communication and a deep understanding of each animal's temperament.

Breeding with a long view

We select our broodmares and stallions for soundness, character and willingness to work. Every foal is handled from its first days, so it grows confident around people and ready for the demands of sport.

Breeding program
Dressage as a dialogue

Our training follows the classical scale: rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness and collection. We never rush a horse through the levels, and we adjust the work to each individual's strengths and limits.

Training philosophy
Teaching riders to observe

In our lessons and stages, we focus on the rider's eye as much as the seat. Reading the horse's posture, breathing and expression is the first skill we teach, because it prevents most problems before they appear.

Rider education
Care that follows the seasons

Our horses live outdoors in herds, with shelter and forage adapted to the time of year. Hoof care, dentistry and veterinary checks are scheduled around the horse's workload, not the calendar alone.

Husbandry
Visitors and the life of the haras

We open our doors for guided tours and demonstrations, so that people who are not riders can still understand what a working stud looks like. Seeing the horses in their daily routine says more than any brochure.

Open days
A quiet place to learn

The domain is deliberately kept calm: no loud music, no rushed transitions, no pressure to perform. This atmosphere is part of our method, and it is what many riders say they value most when they come back.

Our environment
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