The World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) is proud to announce a new partnership with Rolex, the leading brand of the Swiss watch industry and a committed supporter of equestrian sports.
The long-term partnership highlights the understanding and respect that the WBFSH and Rolex have for the passion and hard work that goes on behind-the-scenes at large International events, and in particular the breeding industry. Rolex will become the ‘Official Timepiece’ to the Federation.
HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark is the current Patron of the WBFSH. She has developed her own highly successful breeding program in Germany and her daughter Princess Nathalie has won two Olympic medals with Digby – a home bred horse.
Launched in 1994 and presided by Jan Pedersen, the WBFSH is the only organization which collates sport horses studbooks on a worldwide scale. It currently has 65 members representing more than 100,000 breeders.
Jan Pedersen, President of the WBFSH said; “As President of the Federation and on behalf of our breeders and studbooks, I am very proud to enter into partnership with Rolex. Rolex is the epitome of high quality, elegance, exclusiveness and power – all values which we hold very high.
“This partnership enables us to increase our efforts to pursue our goals, one of which is the development of sport horse breeding worldwide. I really look forward to this co-operation and believe it will be mutually valuable for both ourselves and Rolex.”
Since 1957, Rolex has been involved across show jumping, dressage and eventing, three disciplines heavily supported by the WBFSH. As well as partnering with leading shows and individual riders, Rolex also plays a role in the development of the sport through its patronage of the Jumping Owners Club and International Jumping Riders Club.
Commenting on the partnership, Arnaud Boetsch, Communications & Image Director of Rolex SA, said; “The World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses has enjoyed an impressive growth in membership since its inception in 1994, and Rolex is delighted to be working with an organization which safeguards the future growth and development of the breeding industry; an integral part of the equestrian world.”
The main aim of the WBFSH is to promote its members across the three Olympic disciplines. Every season the WBFSH publishes breeding rankings in connection with the FEI and at the end of the year the best studbooks and breeders are awarded the ultimate accolade, The WBFSH Rolex Award. The Federation also helps its new members to organize and unify their rules and regulations in accordance with the international criteria standards.
The WBFSH Rolex Award ceremony for 2015 will be held in December, during the CSI-5* of CHI Geneva, the third stage of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.