Few embody that devotion like Johan Thijs, a Belgian cattle trader turned equine architect whose name is now quietly, and confidently, etched into the foundation of some of the most successful bloodlines in modern showjumping. From Hardrock Z to Charlemagne JT Z, from Cocaine Z to an entire dynasty rooted in a single mare, Thijs’s breeding program has become a silent force behind international winners. But this success wasn’t mapped out. It evolved from love, from instinct, and from staying relentlessly true to his principles.

“This was never about business,” Johan says, standing among his mares in the green pastures of Limburg. “It started with love for the horse. Everything else came later. I was a passionate hobbyist!”

A Chance That Changed Everything

“I never dreamed of being a top breeder,” Johan begins. “I rode horses, I worked with cattle. Horses were my passion, but it was never a career plan.”

That changed in his early thirties when he purchased a mare from his uncle, an unremarkable decision at the time, but one that would define his future. “She turned out to be from the same line as Zenith, Jeroen Dubbeldam’s World Champion. Of course, I didn’t know that then. But looking back... it’s surreal.”

That mare, Renilde (by Flugel van la Roche), would go on to foal Agaath, who in turn produced Monica (by Rebel I). Monica became the cornerstone of what would grow into a world-renowned breeding program.

“She produced Lord II Z, Zippo Z, Embassador JT Z, all 1.50m or higher. It was the beginning of everything.”

The Mare That Defined a Vision

Among Monica’s daughters stood one mare who would change everything: Carte Blanche Z, dam of Hardrock Z, one of the most powerful sons of Heartbreaker the world has seen.

“I remember driving myself to Team Nijhof to pick up the semen. It was all very hands-on back then,” Johan smiles. “But what came out of it was extraordinary.”

Carte Blanche wasn’t just a one-hit wonder. She also produced Cocaine Z, a mare who would become one of the foundation dams at the Zangersheide Studbook. Carte Blanche’s influence extended well beyond Johan’s farm, it spread through Europe’s top breeding programs.

“She’s the soul of my breeding,” Johan says. “The legacy she built is something I never could have imagined. It continues with her daughters and granddaughters, especially Happy Days Z, a full sister to Hardrock.”

A New Life Devoted to Horses

Originally a full-time cattle trader, Johan’s life began to pivot with Hardrock’s rising fame. “My activity in cattle slowed as my commitment to horses grew,” he says. “In just over a decade, I turned my passion into my full-time job.”

Hardrock Z became more than a name; he was proof that the JT bloodline could produce international success. “He wasn’t free-jumped much, but he had such raw ability. I really believe he’s one of the strongest Heartbreaker sons out there.”

After passing through the hands of riders like Yves Awouters, Tuganov, and eventually Emanuel Andrade, Hardrock Z became a force in the sport and a global ambassador for Thijs’ breeding program. “Hardrock had a big heart. That’s something you can’t breed into a horse, it’s either there or it’s not.”

Trusting the Process

Johan’s approach is one of patience and deep belief in the long game. He doesn’t rush his horses. He doesn’t chase trends. He breeds for sport, not sales; “allthough I do sell my foals and there’s a huge international interest,” he laughs. “There was no time to bring all my mares into competition. So, I trusted the quality of the bloodlines,” he says. “And when a stallion like Hardrock proves himself, it’s not luck—it’s vision, and it’s trust.”

This trust continues through Happy Days Z, who never competed but now leads the breeding barn. “She took over Carte Blanche’s role seamlessly,” Johan explains. “She produces the kind of foals you know are special from day one.”

On Innovation, and Knowing When to Use It

Though deeply rooted in tradition, Johan is not resistant to modern techniques like ICSI. “People who criticize it usually don’t understand it,” he says plainly. “It’s not about manipulating nature, it’s about preserving it when natural options run out.”

Whether due to age, stallion availability, or medical necessity, Johan views ICSI as a tool, not a shortcut. “I evaluate every mare individually. I don’t use it because it’s trendy. I use it because it makes sense, for that mare, at that time.”

And when it comes to health? “My mares come back from the clinic full of life. No more or less than after a traditional breeding. But for me, health is sacred. If a mare has hereditary concerns, I won’t breed her, period. I’ll sell her as a riding horse, but never for breeding. The integrity of the line matters more than money.”

The Changing World of Auctions

Johan sees the auction world evolving, and while he’s realistic, he remains optimistic. “The golden era might be behind us, but that doesn’t mean we stop believing. Auctions put breeders in the spotlight. They are our marketing, our showcase.”

He laughs about the commissions breeders must give, but quickly adds, “Still, a good auction house is worth every cent. I have a great feeling with Equbreeding.auction. They’re young, dynamic, and five years ago, they earned my trust. It’s like a good relationship, it needs chemistry and mutual respect.”

Looking Ahead: The Next Generation

Johan beams when speaking about his latest foal, a Clinton offspring out of Happy Days Z. “It’s a phenomenon,” he says with eyes sparkling. “That one... that one might just be the next legend.”

And while international interest in his foals is growing, Johan stays grounded. “Buyers call from Italy, the US, you name it. Sometimes they’re even angry if I don’t want to sell. But I stay true to my principles. I breed for sport. Always.”

A Legacy Built on Passion

Johan Thijs is not just a breeder. He is a guardian of bloodlines, a believer in long-term vision, and a man who has quietly shaped the course of modern showjumping. His success is not a result of strategy alone—but of heart, humility, and unwavering love for the horse.

“There’s no shortcut to something meaningful,” he says. “But if you stay true, the horses will tell the story for you.” And indeed, they already have.