"Having now been given a rather firm wrap across the knuckles by a few people, I have finally sat down to write another blog entry. I am ridiculously embarrassed to say that I haven't written a blog entry since September last year. Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!

Bespoke chocolate sperm

Anyway – have you ever phoned up a chocolate shop to ask if they would make you some bespoke chocolate sperm? No? Funny that. I hadn't either until a couple of weeks ago. I'm lucky enough to have a lovely chocolate shop in Henley-on-Thames called Gorvett and Stone, which is just a couple of miles from the stud. The friendly people there, rather than being horrified at my request, were absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to help me with my 'unique request'. We've had a couple of weeks of discussing sizes, proportions, how to make the tail... Best of all, being a geek, we have incorporated something rather exciting. Should I bore you with the details? I guess I should.

Tasty AND educational!

Here's a quick lesson in sperm physiology for you. Sperm consist of the head (which contains all the genetic material), the midpiece which houses the engine which drives the sperm's tail, and the tail itself. The head is 'capped' with the acrosome... bear with me... The acrosome is full of enzymes (little critters that help initiate chemical reactions) which help the sperm to break into the egg to allow fertilisation. When the sperm fuses with the egg, the acrosome opens up and the enzymes burn their way through the egg's shell allowing the sperm to fertilise the egg. So, what have we done to represent this? The chocolate sperm's head is full of popping candy, so you can feel the acrosome reaction on your tongue! 

Anyway, these little chocolate chaps (and chapesses) are being produced ready for the BBSH Stallion event this weekend at Hartpury College. Upwards of 60 stallions are expected to attend including some undeniably world-class animals... Emma Hindle is attending with a number of her superstars including Chequille Z. The French stars Jaguar Mail and Kannan are being shipped over from France. And a whole host of other stallions available through Equine Reproduction Ltd will be in attendance, including palomino dressage star Treliver Decanter, the stunning pony Rosewater I Claudius, Olympic Dressage star Wie Weltmeyer and The Fredericks' beautiful thoroughbred Mr Big Cat. Others to look out for include Wolkenderry and coloured show jumper Nibeley Bits and Pieces, among a whole host of other stallions.

Not just for breeders

The BBSH Stallion Event starts at 2pm on Saturday (29th January). I would urge anyone who can get there (whether or not you are intending to breed this year) to attend. It's really important that everyone gets the chance to see these fantastic stallions... I can guarantee you won't get this International selection of sires anywhere else.

And if you don't breed? It's still relevant! Whether you are competing, hacking or just have an interest in equestrian sport, it's really interesting, exciting, and inspiring to gain an insight into where breeding in the UK (and around Europe) is heading. Breeding is not just for breeders – it effects everyone involved in equestrianism; so get down there any enjoy the day. If the selection of stallions isn't enough to entice you, we will be serving cakes, biscuits, mulled wine, mulled cider, and of course – our chocolate sperms! Supplies will be strictly limited; so do come and say hi, enjoy the other trade stands, and the shopping village. It should be a super day!"