Black Orchid American Saddlebred and Pinto Stud

The faces behind the stud

Silvia Kutle

Silvia has been involved with horses for two decades, and solely with the American Saddlebred with the purchase of her first fourteen years ago - a halfbred chestnut gelding called Sparkling Glen Spirit's Phantom.

Silvia co-managed Sparkling Glen Stud under Laney Aitcheson for several years, where she learnt a great deal about what the true soul of a Saddlebred was, and the breeding needed to achieve it.

Today, she runs the day to day affairs of Black Orchid Stud and helps author a unique, dedicated breeding programme designed to produce tomorrow's Saddlebred champions.

"The Saddlebred is a horse that everyone stops to watch go by, but it's what you don't see that makes it truly a remarkable breed. The great courage of that animal, the heart, the way they look through the bridle and take on all challenges with you willingly, these are things you can't take from a photo. And that's why today our main aim is to get those great examples of the breed we have here out into the show ring, so people can start to learn about the breed. We're breeding for the true amateur, the person who rides for the love of the horse, and for the sport, just like us. The Saddlebred is a great horse for the person who just wants to enjoy riding in all disciplines. We hope that more Saddlebreds find homes that love them just the way we love our own. They truly are a member of the family."

Romana Medlobi

The stud would not exist without the support and advice of Silvia's mother, Romana. Romana has been involved with horses along with her daughter for many years, and enjoys the occasional trail ride and riding lesson at the wise age of 65.

Romana co-manages Black Orchid Stud and the stud property, and is responsible for the business side and arranging the development of the property and house into the future fully designed stud it will become.

Romana has a great eye for a beautiful horse and many of the final decisions in stud stock have come from her, including the importation of the handsome pinto stallion 'Fame's Nitro'. With future plans to expand, there will be no doubt more beautiful horses arriving at the stud's doorsteps to take place in the breeding programme.