By Claartje van Andel
The KWPN Stallion Show 2020, which as usual took place in ’s-Hertogenbosch, was a shining example of a well-visited show which showcased the best young breeding products to an international audience, who also enjoyed many event and competition highlights.
The quality of the young dresage stallions was especially praiseworthy, while the stallion committee continued the chosen showjumping selection lines from last year, emphasizing size and power. “Not only was there a lot that was good, there was good in a lot,” summarized some delighted foreign visitors.
In total 45 dressage stallions and 41 showjupers were invited for the shortened 35-day stallion test in the spring, although owners can postpone until autumn 2020, or spring 2021.
Showjumping’s broad European genetics
Cor Loeffen, stallion selection committee showjumping chairman, explained that nowadays not only power is decisive for a jumper. “The canter has to show lots of balance and be lightfooted. Rideability is defined by that! Nowadays jumpers have to stay clear in the course in a faster canter of 500 meters per minute. This asks for power as well as reflexes and speed.”
From the three-year-old selected showjumping stallions their dams mostly proved themselves in (inter)national jumping, while the bloodlines go back to Belgian, German and Dutch basics. “To me the stallion test is the most important part now, still to come. I can’t wait for that,” Loeffen exclaimed about the most important final phase for approval.
Belgium is probably the best example of worthwhile showjumping mares, as was proven by the selected Illinois BZ (Ideal de Loge - Nusha van de Bisschop ster prok x Elvis ter Putte, bred by E. and M.J. Sleutels, exhibited by M. Blom), and Mojito van de Laren Z (Matisse de Mariposa - Butterfly Z x Samaka de Muze, bred by K. van Weesenbeeck, registered by VDL Stud), who combines four top mares . The third dam, Candy (Nabab de Reve) jumped 1m60 with Pieter DeVos, and was also the mother of 1m60 jumpers Grand Canyon (Cartani) ridden by Dutchman Bart Bles, Important de Muze (Erco van het Roosakker) with Irishman Darragh Kenny, as well as numerous 1m40 and 1m45 jumpers.
Two of the selected stallions in the showjumping direction are the five-year-old King Blue (Zirooco Blue VDL - Gonita elite IBOP-spr PROK x Andiamo, bred by J and G. Hiemstra-Dijkstra) owned by Herman Verhagen, and Kayne (Arezzo VDL - Earl Grey elite IBOP-spr sport-spr pref PROK x Cardento, bred by Alexandra van der Peyl), co-owned by Deborah Kamal. Kayne’s dam, Earl Grey, also gave the KWPN-approved Jay Star (Big Star) and NRPS-approved I’m a Star (E-Star). Following the first selection in Ermelo both stallions were invited to compete in a stallion show in Zuidbroek and a regular showjumping event in De Meern and now can prove themselves through a shortened stallion test.
Premium showjumping stallions
No champion selection took place during this edition of the show as, for the first time, the best stallions received the title ‘premium’ stallion. The KWPN board, together with both stallion selection committees, explained the reason for this, saying that the champion selection has no breeding value, while the premium stallion title does. Only the most complete stallions in all aspects were declared premium winners, while a new committee called ’Friends of KWPN’ raised money to reward the breeders of the premium stallions with an extra €1000, as an additional award and recognition... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
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