THE NETHERLANDS (by Adriana van Tilburg) There is a delightful irony about Cees T. Klaver’s words: “I want to breed something different, that is special!” No one would guess how ‘special’ until the final day’s individual showjumping round in Rio de Janeiro’s Deodoro Stadium – when Big Star (Nick Skelton) won gold in spectalarly decisive style.
It is the dream for a great many breeders that one of their products will compete at an Olympic Games. For Cees Klaver (72), this dream already came true in 2012 when Big Star (Quick Star - Jolanda x Nimmerdor) competed with Nick Skelton at the London Olympic Games, contributing to Great Britain’s team gold medal. At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, something unbelievable happened! Three horses bred by Cees Klaver were selected: Big Star, alongside Taloubet Z (Galoubet A - Krista x Polydor) with Christian Ahlmann for Germany, and Taloubetdarco (Taloubet Z - Jarabine x Darco) with Japan’s Toshiki Masui.
Cees Klaver started breeding 30 years ago, wanting to stay away from stallions that were too popular. His goal is to breed something special so it might also sell well. The mother of Taloubet Z, Krista (Polydor - Paquita x Pakt, bred by Heinz Trindeitmar) who became famous. According to Klaver, “Krista is a famous marenow. I can sell the embryos that I flush out of her easily at auctions or otherwise. She earned all the highest predicates with the KWPN Studbook: elite sport prestatie, but she is a Westfalian mare by birth with an excellent pedigree.” Klaver is well underway as breeding horses is his passion. He travelled to London for the 2012 Olympic Games and also to Rio de Janeiro. But his breeding story isn’t just about Big Star.
Q - What is the story behind Taloubet Z?
I bought Taloubet’s mother in Friesland from Anke de Boer. Originally she was purchased by Wiepke van de Lageweg directly from the breeder. But Wiepke thought she was too small, she is about 162cms, but Anke de Boer liked her bloodline a lot. Her sire, Polydor (Pilatus - Fata Morgana x Fruhlicht I) did a very good job as a dam sire, so Anke bred one or two Krista offspring. Besides Taloubet Krista produced several national and international jumping horses, like Obadja (Ahorn), Ramzes (Emillion), Van Carnute (Carnute) and Big Star Jr. (Big Star)...
