Dressage Days

Larkshill Stud, located in Tingewick, Buckinghamshire, is renowned for breeding dressage horses of the highest quality thanks to the vision and passion of Heather Stack. Soon to be relocating to Devon, Heather will be taking a break from breeding in the UK; however, the legacy of the stud continues in the hands of riders across Britain and Europe. The stud is home to Heather and husband Rob, Pogo the rescue Weimaraner and the broodmares aka the Larkshill ladies!

No, I started riding at four and I was hooked My long-suffering parents had to get up early every weekend to take me to the local stables where I eventually worked for rides.

After university I found another passion in my life, lawyers! Not something you hear every day I know! I spent 20 years heading up the business development side for some of the best law firms in the country. I loved working with these very bright and often challenging individuals. I eventually set up my own consultancy so I could split my time between my corporate life and my horses, and in the end the horses won!

When I was working in London, we had a cottage on Lucinda McAlpine’s estate in Henley on Thames. It was there that my interest in breeding was ignited. Having the privilege to watch a foal being born for the first time is something I will always remember, and the pleasure hasn’t waned after all our foals!

There are two aspects; the mare’s or stallion’s own proven performance record/ temperament/movement/ conformation, all of which have to be top class. Secondly, a strong back pedigree and a good mother line i.e. how successful that mare family has been in producing top sport horses. A strong back pedigree is essential in repeatedly breeding top horses, and of course a good dose of luck too!

Breeding full sisters St Pr St Larkshill Mystique OLD and St Pr St Larkshill Magnifique LD Ampere x Samarant x Florestan). Both mares received a perfect 10 for their canter at their performance test, both were awarded the State Premium title, both were selected for the Elite Mare Show at Rastede, and both were reserve national champions and selected to represent the Oldenburg Verband at the Bundeschampionate.

To top it off they were both awarded the LD su x which is only awarded to the best Oldenburg bred horses which will promote the breed in the sport at the highest level.

Both mares come from the direct family of Fürstenball and their dam Elite/Pr Machita was bred by the legendary Georg Sieverding. Georg was a huge inspiration and support to me in my breeding programme and taught me to always think in generations.

I still own Mystique and she is currently in training in Germany. Last year we had her first foal by ET – a fabulous colt by Reserve World Champion, Secret. With a Sezuan embryo already conceived I am hoping for a filly next to continue the line

In addition to Mystique, I have foals due from the mother of World Champion Lordswood Dancing Diamond, and also from his full sister – both are owned and bred in partnership with my best friend Alice Whitefield.

Our adventure to the Andamans was magical. They’re totally unspoilt and full of wonderful people – the journey wasn’t for the faint hearted though - it took two planes, three boat rides and a very bumpy jeep journey, but it was worth it!

David Attenborough, Barack Obama, Dawn French, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley and Richard Branson.

Passionate, spirited and driven.