Claire chats: Wendy and Robyn Jacobs

Claire Wilson catches up with long-time breeders, riders and trainers from Central Hawke's Bay, Wendy and Robyn Jacobs of Double J Stud

Robyn and Wendy Jacobs are the pair behind the very successful Double J Sporthorse Stud (Kampic)

The Jacobs clan are a very well-known and respected equestrian family. They breed and produce only a small number of horses each year, but their success rate is better than most! I decided to find out a few secrets from these very capable twin sisters, Wendy and Robyn Jacobs, who between them run Double J Sporthorses. The twins used to take me around the shows as a teenager with my one horse, and I helped groom for them. They are probably the reason why I specialised in show jumping… I evented before then!

Were your parents both knowledgeable horse people? And how have they influenced you both as sport horse breeders and producers?

Both George and Carol had a lot of experience with horses. Dad was a farrier, learning his trade from Charlie Cawston. Mum rode and hunted in England before moving to New Zealand. They broke in a lot of ponies when we were kids, growing up on a farm at Horeke on the Hokianga Habour in Northland.

What was it like growing up in such a remote part of New Zealand?

We had a wonderful childhood; we were free range. There were five of us kids: Colin, Penny, us two and Nigel. We all rode ponies. We had no bikes, and our farm only had about half an acre of flat land, so there was no flat work or schooling. We didn’t have proper jumps so blackberry bushes, cream cans and old bed bases were great. However, our ponies were very fit as between goat hunting and Cowboys and Indians they didn’t have much rest! We won most of the local endurance rides. We had no shed to saddle up in, just a hitching rail. We didn’t have running water, so wouldn’t have won a turnout class. The pony club was lost for words when we turned up with our chaff sacks and alkathene pipes for whips.

From left: The twins with siblings Penny, Colin and Nigel, enjoying a free range childhood in Northland (Jacobs family)

Who were your heroes in the horse world?

We didn’t do many shows, but at our local shows Colin and Penny McIntosh along with David Snowden were our heroes. When we were a bit older we would travel down to Whangarei circuit show. That was great – all the top riders were there and we got to camp. That is when we decided to do more shows, so saved up and bought our horse box – the one we still have. We used to put the box on George’s truck but he got too stressed, so we bought our own.

You have often joked about writing a book about your horse misadventures, titled “The Day I Nearly Crapped Myself.” Can you give us an example of one such moment from your horsey past!?

Well, there are so many funny stories, it is hard to pick. However, one incident out goat hunting (when we were kids) is one that sticks in our minds. Heading home after a day’s goat hunting, Wendy’s pony, with two billy goats tied to his tail, took fright at a couple of kids on a motorbike. He pulled away from Wendy and took off at great speed down a steep twisty track, every time he rounded a corner the goats were airborne. Nigel (our brother) and Robyn managed to catch up and overtake them on our ponies about 2km up the road. We caught him in the mangrove swamp and the goats weren’t in very good shape to say the least. The pony went home minus his tail. 

Enjoying a day out on the hunt field (Jacobs family)

Being twins, you must have a strong working partnership. What strengths do each of you bring to the Double J Team? How do you complement each other?

We’ve had some good dust-ups along the way, but we both think on the same lines and like the same type of horse.

How long did you work for Ngamatea Horses and what did you enjoy most about your time there?

We worked for Marg Apatu for a total of seven years. Marg was a great boss who treated us like family. We had many happy years doing the shows and riding the breaking-in horses around Ngamatea Station, near Taihape.

What other people, jobs or opportunities have  moulded you both into the experienced horse people that you are today?

Our father taught us to break in horses. Also working for Colin and Penny McIntosh with their show jumping team at Taupo was our first real start, as growing up in the backblocks of Northland was pretty isolated. Wendy was lucky enough to get selected to groom at the Seoul Olympics. That was amazing and she learned heaps. She had never been on a plane or even been to a city – so it was overwhelming, and seeing all those top riders and horses was an inspiration. 

The early days of Double J Stud (Jacobs family)

What bloodlines have been the most prominent in your breeding programmes?

Aberlou’s bloodline, as he was the sire of our first stallion, Backchat. We have bred from three of his daughters. Also Voltaire ll, who is Repicharge’s sire. We really like the Voltaire line. Repicharge is the grandson of a mare Mum had when we were toddlers. We have Breeze, a Voltaire II mare Wendy show jumped, who is now in the broodmare paddock. The mares like Breeze, who can’t go to Repicharge, have been covered by Euro Sport Centavos. We are happy with his progeny.

Has there been any one Double J horse that you have been particularly proud of?

It’s hard to single out one in particular. Maybe Double J Freelance who Oliver [Edgecombe] won Horse of the Year on in 2007. And Backchat, our first stallion who Wendy show jumped until he had a paddock accident in which he broke his leg. He sired Answer Back who you won the Horse of the Year class on in 2006. And we are very proud of our stallion Repicharge.

Wendy on Rata Mill Ascott (Kampic)
Robyn on Double J Bradshaw (Kampic)

What advice do you have for new breeders who want to produce a successful sporthorse?

The mare should earn her place in the broodmare paddock. We always look for mares which have top jumping bloodlines, or are proven. Good technique and conformation with a brain. You get what you breed from! Feed your youngstock well and treat them like horses, not toys. Don’t take shortcuts and ONLY sell to people who are capable of producing young horses.

You must be immensely proud of your uncle, Brian Jacobs, who was still out hunting young horses n his 80s. And now the younger generation seem to be following in your footsteps. It must be pretty special to have three generations of your family all enjoying the same sport?

Uncle Brian is a real inspiration and an example of how keeping active keeps you young. Like many horsemen of his era, he has a wealth of knowledge. Horsemanship is overlooked these days, and there’s a lot to be learnt from his generation. And we are looking forward to passing the reins over to Wendy and Rob’s children, Samantha and Kimberly Carrington, and also Bayly Jacobs (our niece) to ride the Double J horses.

Double trouble, but twice the fun! (Kampic)

  • This article was first published in the September 2015 issue of NZ Horse & Pony
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