138 SIDELINES JANUARY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Born & Bred
in the USA
e
By Lauren R. Giannini
Christine Vanneck lives by lessons she learned
from her polo-playing grandfather, John Vanneck.
“He always said don’t push the envelope, because
the envelope will break,” she recalled. “We don’t
push our horses, but they learn everything important
by the time they are yearlings: to stand quietly for
grooming, the farrier, the vet, lunging, free jumping
and to load on a trailer. They are de-sensitized to
everything, including noises, flapping flags, tarps –
all the scary things in show rings – and crowds of
people. They are ready for competition.”
In 2004, Christine and her daughter, Sarah Owen,
establishedMuny Sunk Stables, a small individualized
breeding operation near Tryon in Hendersonville,
North Carolina. They named it Muny Sunk for
Christine’s great-grandparents’ estate in Long Island.
For many years they traveled the circuit up and down
the East Coast and hit shows at the Kentucky Horse
Park, while continuing their breeding program at
home. They do the horse care themselves. Sarah
starts the babies and also presents the foals at their
dams’ sides for the Keurings (breed inspections).
Recognizing American Breeders
As an American breeder, part of Christine’s mission
is to change the way people view American-bred
horses. “U.S. breeders deserve more recognition,”
emphasized Christine. “For many years Americans
have gone to Europe to buy prospects for dressage,
show jumping and eventing, as well as the more
recent move to Warmbloods for the hunters. There
are some outstanding Warmbloods and crossbreds
to be bought right here in the United States. I think
MS Cassini Boy (Cassini II-Offspring by Habsburg)
– 2012 KWPN colt inherited his sire’s trademark
movement and jump, plus his dam’s wonderful
temperament. Shown here, playing with Christine’s
great-nephew, age 3.
Photo by Saran Owen
that the young prospects we offer are as good as anything you can buy in
Europe and ours go to new owners with their training foundation already firmly
in place.”
In this lukewarm economy, people look for bargains abroad, but there’s a lot
to be said about “buying local.” Christine and Sarah offer worthwhile alternatives
to expensive trips abroad. Their Muny Sunk Warmbloods carry higher price
tags than the average foal might fetch in Europe, but buyers abroad are making
similar financial investments – with one major difference: Muny Sunk’s young
prospects already know their jobs, unlike in Europe where many young horses
are untouched by human hands and are not trained at the time of sale.
“People come to our farm to see our young prospects and react to the price
tag, thinking that $15-18,000 is too much to ask for a youngster, but we’ve
already done the training,” explained Christine. “You are buying a well-bred
prospect that already knows what to do. If our yearlings don’t sell by the time
they’re one-and-a-half, they get more training, they grow up a little more. By
the time a buyer comes along, their price has gone up to keep pace with their
skill level.”
You get what you pay for, after all. Muny Sunk’s prices reflect stud fees and
the costs of maintenance. Expenses include the cost of the breeding (shipped
semen), prenatal care, foaling, feed and hay, farrier, dental and vet bills, plus
training costs. “It is an illusion to think that you will save money by buying a
cheaper yearling abroad,” stated Christine. “Add on airfare and you’re spending
a comparable amount to buying an American-bred foal who is ready to show
in hand. When you buy in Europe, there’s the additional outlay of beaucoup
bucks for basic training.”
An untouched older equine with its bigger size and commensurate strength,
but with no basic manners or work ethic, can be a recipe for disaster. Sarah
and Christine jump-start the educational process by installing the young horse’s
foundation for you. They take great pride in selling their “value added” young
horses. Muny Sunk offers a win-win situation.
Sarah and Shakira Do Jacare (aka “the Queen of Speed”), medium junior
jumpers at HITS Ocala in 2010.
Photo by ESI Photography
Continued on page 140
