When the horse you bred as a teenager becomes a global star

JASPER DOUCÉ (25) MEETS KENT FARRINGTON AND REUNITES WITH HIS BELOVED TOULAYNA AFTER FOUR YEARS

What started as a setback, turned into something extraordinary. When Jasper Doucé was just 14, his mare suffered an injury that ended her sport career. Together with his father, he decided to breed her, and they made a smart choice: Toulon, a stallion with an impressive record in international showjumping. That choice paid off. The foal, named Toulayna (Toulon x Parco ) registered in the Belgian studbook Zangersheide, was carefully trained by Jasper himself until she was seven. With patience and dedication, he guided her development step by step. Toulayna was later sold to the Philippaerts family and continued to impress. Today, she’s competing at the highest level with American rider Kent Farrington, and has helped him reach the number one position in the world rankings.

For four years, Jasper hadn’t seen Toulayna in real life. Belgian Horse Hub arranged a visit to Indoor Brabant, giving him the chance to finally see his former mare again. A heartwarming reunion—and the perfect moment for a fascinating conversation with Kent Farrington about Toulayna’s journey and the training of young horses.

PROMISING FROM THE VERY FIRST JUMP

“I knew from the very beginning that she was special,” says Jasper Doucé. “After every show, people would be waiting at the ring gate, all asking the same thing: Is she for sale?” Toulayna quickly caught everyone’s eye with her careful mentality and consistent clear rounds. It didn’t take long before she had made a name for herself.

When she turned seven, Jasper was starting to focus more on his university studies and felt it was time to let her move on. Although it wasn’t an easy decision, he gave her the chance to keep growing towards the top level and sold her to the Philippaerts family. She wasted no time proving herself. At Knokke Hippique, she picked up two wins in the 7-year-old classes within just two weeks, ridden by Nicolas and Thibeau Philippaerts.

Today, Toulayna is competing under none other than Kent Farrington, who recently reclaimed the number one spot in the world rankings. It was Ludo Philippaerts who called him with the idea of discussing the mare’s future. “I hadn’t even seen her yet,” Farrington recalls, “but I saw no reason to say no. I have complete trust in Ludo’s vision.”

Before the transfer was finalised, the Philippaerts family competed with Toulayna a few more times. Then it was Farrington’s turn and it was clear from the start they were a top-class duo. The new partnership wasted no time turning heads at the highest level.

LETTING TALENT GROW ON ITS OWN PACE

Kent Farrington believes that the early years of a horse’s training make all the difference. “That’s when the foundation is laid,” he explains. It’s one of the reasons he values small breeders so highly. “They often have a real passion for what they do and take the time to let horses develop at their own rhythm. That kind of start really shows later on in the sport.”

Toulayna is a perfect example. With her sensitive nature, she needed a calm, thoughtful approach, something she found in Jasper Doucé. His patience and steady guidance gave her the confidence and space to grow into the world-class horse she is today.

THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING

Seeing Toulayna again after all those years was a special moment for Jasper but what made it truly memorable was sharing it with his entire family. They had all been closely involved in her early days and watched her grow into the horse she is now.

With Toulayna now competing at the highest level, the reunion was a proud moment for everyone. Her journey is a great reminder of how far a horse can go with the right start and the right people behind her.

What the future holds for Toulayna is anyone’s guess but her potential is undeniable. “She’s a real competitor and incredibly sharp in the ring,” says Kent Farrington.

He believes in giving horses time to grow. “If you let them develop at their own pace, the big results will come naturally.” Farrington is convinced: Toulayna has what it takes to compete at the very top.

Her journey is only just getting started.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO INTERVIEW 

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