The legacy of Usha van’t Roosakker
In sporthorse breeding, it is often said that stallions make the headlines, but mares make the difference. While the sires may dominate the spotlight, the enduring strength of the sport lies in mare families that produce generation after generation of winners. Among these legendary dynasties, few have had as profound an impact as the line descending from Usha van’t Roosakker, a mare whose daughters and granddaughters have redefined expectations in the global showjumping arena.
Who was Usha van’t Roosakker?
Foaled in 2000, Usha van’t Roosakker (by Chin Chin out of Rosana van’t Roosakker by Major de la Cour) was not only a talented jumper in her own right but quickly proved herself far more valuable as a broodmare. She came from the already respected Roosakker family in Belgium, but it was Usha herself who cemented the name into equestrian history.
The daughters that became foundations
Usha’s influence is most visible through her remarkable daughters, each of whom has produced international sport horses and influential breeding stallions.
- Cella (by Cento) – Perhaps the most famous of Usha’s progeny, Cella competed at the very top of the sport with Ben Maher, achieving international victories including the silver medal at the 2013 European Championships in Herning. Cella’s scope, carefulness, and consistency made her one of the most admired mares of her generation.
- Hera van’t Roosakker (by Wandor van de Mispelaere) – A daughter whose own foals include George Z (by Kannan), a stallion now standing at Zangersheide, and international performers such as Haddock van’t Roosakker. Hera has firmly extended Usha’s influence into the modern breeding stallion pool.
- Emperio van’t Roosakker (by Darco) – Though not as famous in the sporting arena, Emperio has been an important broodmare, producing the approved stallion Erco van’t Roosakker (by Darco), who himself has sired numerous 1.60m competitors.
- Electra van’t Roosakker (by Carthago) – Known for her exceptional production, Electra has foaled several international jumpers, including Kaprice van’t Roosakker and Horion de Libersart, ensuring that Usha’s qualities of scope and bravery are consistently passed on.
The global spread of the line
From these daughters and granddaughters, the Usha line has spread rapidly through Europe and beyond. Today, it is common to see ‘van’t Roosakker’ in the pedigree of horses competing at 1.50m and 1.60m level across the globe.
The family has consistently produced:
- Horses with scope and power suited to modern technical courses.
- Broodmares that reliably pass on these traits, making the line a ‘breeder’s dream.’
- Stallions that are highly commercial, blending performance genetics with proven production.
This consistency explains why the Usha van’t Roosakker damline is now one of the most sought-after in Europe, with embryos regularly commanding six-figure sums at elite auctions.
Influence in numbers
- Cella – 1.60m international, European silver medallist.
- George Z – Approved stallion, popular in modern sporthorse breeding.
- Erco van’t Roosakker – International jumper and sire of multiple 1.60m horses.
- Over a dozen direct descendants of Usha have reached 1.60m Grand Prix level, with dozens more at 1.40m–1.50m.
Why this damline matters
The Usha family exemplifies why mare lines are the backbone of the sport:
- Reliability: Nearly every daughter of Usha has gone on to produce high-level athletes.
- Depth: The line breeds ‘broodmares that make broodmares,’ creating a multiplying effect across generations.
- Commercial power – Usha descendants are headline-makers in elite auctions, drawing breeders worldwide.
For breeders in South Africa, studying damlines like Usha’s provides critical insight: while stallion choice often dominates the conversation, it is the mare families that underpin lasting success.
In conclusion
Usha van’t Roosakker may never have won Olympic medals herself, but through her daughters and their progeny she has left an indelible stamp on the sport. Her family continues to shape modern showjumping, producing not just winners, but whole new generations of breeding stallions and competition mares.
As HQ Magazine continues to explore ‘Mare families that made the sport,’ the story of Usha reminds us that the broodmares are just as vital to equestrian history as the stallions whose names appear in bold.