The North Star team, led by Joan Jacobs, has a special interest and passion for breeding and young horse development. The family has always incorporated a young horse or two into their string over the years, but their true passion was developed after purchasing “Kachina” as a 6-year-old. Kachina, a Selle Francais mare (Voltaire Pref x Paladin Des IFS), became special to the Jacobs after being carefully developed by Lou over the years, and later becoming a top horse for Charlotte as she toured the US and Europe for her jumper career. After retiring from the sport, Kachina went on to breed at the Jacobs farm in East Aurora, New York – producing a number of promising foals, including Jiselle NS, who now competes very successfully up to the CSI4* level. 

Other success stories include Miro NS (Comme Il Faut x Contendro I). Miro, a stunning grey gelding, was bred and developed out of the North Star base in East Aurora, New York, which over the years has been built specifically with young horse development in mind. Joan and her team focus on either purchasing promising foals at auctions, or breeding them onsite. The foals all live outside on their vast property until they are about three. During this time, the foals begin to work with the experienced team, learning the ropes of human interaction, light work, and more. During their 4-year-old year is when they start to really work with each foal, and when you begin to see what each is capable of.

S U C C E S S S T O R I E S

K A C H I N A

Kachina is one of our all-time favorite horses. She was first purchased as a very promising 6-year-old. She was carefully developed by Lou over the years, before she joined Charlotte’s string of jumpers. Kachina and Charlotte reached numerous successes across the globe together - including winning the U25 Gold Medal in Salzburg, Austria in 2012. Following Kachina’s retirement from the sport, she went on to be a hugely successful broodmare in North Star’s program. One of her most notable foals is Jiselle NS, who currently competes on the FEI circuit at the 4* level.

Jiselle NS, bred out of our beloved mare Kachina, showed promise early on in her career. Today, she competes on the international circuit, having success up to the CSI4* level.

C O R O N A D O

Coronado was purchased as a 4-year-old at the Hendrix Auction by the Jacobs family. He immediately showed promise as a young horse, competing through his 5 and 6-year-old years with Rodrigo Pessoa. At age 7, he was purchased by Nayel Nassar and joined his top string of horses. Together, the pair have had immense success, most notably winning the ATCO Queen Elizabeth Cup II CSI5* at Spruce Meadows in 2023, as well as numerous other 5* wins.

Iladdin du Roet is another successful homebred of the Jacobs family. Out of their mare, “Lydia”, and sired by the accomplished Balou Du Rouet, Iladdin was born in 2013. After growing up at the North Star base, Charlotte competed him as a { }.. In XX, he was purchased but Eva Mackenzie, where he has proved to be an exception hunter competitor - the pair has earned countless wins and championships across the hunter circuit.

Miro NS, born at North Star in 2017 out of Isa Perina F and by Comme Il Faut, was immediately a striking foal. After careful development by the North Star’s team in Buffalo, Charlotte began competing him during his 6-year-old year. Currently the pair competes in the 7-year-old divisions across the country with immense success. Miro looks to have a very bright future in the jumper ring.

D A R T H U S

Darthus joined the North Star family as a 4-year-old. Through his 5-year-old year he was campaigned by Julie Welles. Showing great promise, Rodrigo Pessoa took over the ride during his 6 and 7-year-old years. The pair has many great results before Darthus joined Charlottes string. He became an essential part of her string for many years before going on to be a steadfast teacher for many young riders in his older years. Darthus passed away at our home farm in Buffalo peacefully in August of 2023 and will forever be remembered a unicorn for all those he taught.