Pisek State Stud
Czech Republic
State stud Písek is a unique equestrian facility that plays an important role in horse breeding in the Czech Republic. This state aid organization was established by The Ministry of Agriculture. The main aim of the stud farm is to secure and maintain conditions for preserving genetic resources of horse breeds, and to provide services in the field of horse breeding to the public. Every breeding season, the State stud presents excellent stud stallions, which are offered for breeding with the goal of enhancing each breed’s properties. Choosing the ideal stallion for their mare, breeders can pick out from a selection of show-jumping warmblood studs, draft coldblood studs and ponies. Breeding is secured either by live cover or artificial insemination. The insemination station at the stud farm meets all hygiene requirements for fresh sperm collection and comes with a laboratory that ensures the quality of each collected dose. Connected to the State stud are two foal nurseries, which work as testing facilities for young colts. The young colts are sorted twice a year, and the promising colts have a chance to become stud stallions, if they pass the series of tests and exams.
Zemský hřebčinec Písek
U Hřebčincec 479
39701 Pisek
Czech Republic
www.zemskyhrebcinecpisek.cz
E-Mail: podatelna@zemskyhrebcinec.cz
Apart from that, State stud Písek also offers breeding consultations and organizes events that provide education in horse breeding and closely related fields. Other popular events at State stud Písek include show-jumping and dressage competitions, which take place at the newly-reconstructed outdoor show arena, and stallion exhibitions, which are held every year in March to show off the collection of stallions standing at stud.
The historical site of State stud Písek was declared a national cultural monument in 2010. Therefore, the other main aim of the organization is to conserve and revitalize this unique property. In order to raise awareness and educate the public about horse breeding in the Czech Republic, State stud Písek offers guided tours of the national cultural monument for visitors of all ages. An experienced guide talks the visitors through the history and current state of horse breeding and takes them on a tour around the stud farm. Visitors can see an exposition with the office of the stud farm’s commander, paddocks, riding arenas and most importantly, the stables with young police horses, horses in training and stud stallions. State stud Písek is also regularly visited by schools with the aim to teach children how to take care of horses and show them the daily life at the stud farm.
State stud Písek has a lot of history hidden within its walls. The farm was built in 1902 as a military barrack for the soldiers who took care of the horses. The main building did not only include apartments and rooms for officers and soldiers, there were also ammunition storage-rooms and a prison. Two smaller houses, one on each side of the main building, were used as an accommodation for the stud farm’s commander and the veterinarian. The main inspiration for the beautiful red masonry architecture came from the English architecture of the 16th century and North German brick gothic. The stud farm consists of 4 stables in the shape of the letter „U“. In the past, the horses were stabled in tie stalls, which means they were tied to the wall using their halters. Nowadays, they are stabled in spacious stalls, but the original tie stall system is still displayed in the stables for visitors to see. In 1923, the stud farm went completely into civilian administration, which put an end to its soldier era. Now, the horses are taken care of and trained by the employees of State stud Písek.
Amongst the legendary studs coming from State stud Písek was Ardo II., a horse who was a model for the famous horse sculpture at St. Wenceslas square in Prague. One of the sculptor’s studies now stands in the courtyard and proudly represents the State stud Písek.