By Jo de Roo
Photography: Jo de Roo

On March 6-8, the sBs International Selection Show took place, with the stallion approval as one of the highlights. Due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the organizers had to change the program and visitors were limited to only stallion owners, accompanying personnel, members of the organization, and journalists.

The sBs general secretary, Dr Marc Pierson stated: “Despite the difficulties we endured, we learned important lessons. We realized that we can do more with less, for instance in terms of budget, infrastructure, practical organization, and so on.” Otherwise, the quality of the stallions was normal, and we didn’t see one that excelled. Daniël Maillart, president of the sBs stallion selection committee announced: “Finally, we didn’t approve many three-year-old stallions.” The height at withers caused some problems. Jacques Fraselle, member of the selection committee: “To our disappointment, we saw stallions that are too small.”
According to Pierson, “We had to change our pgoram only eight days before the start of the Selection Show. It’s a good thing that the stallion approval could take place.” Moreover, the organizers used their common sense and didn’t allow spectators into the arena. Pierson added; “We had to take into account that near the manège there is a school, l’Ecole Provinciale d’Elevage et d’Equitation, with many students, so we didn’t want to take any risks.” Spectators could watch the event online, thanks to an online collaboration with ClipMyHorse.”

Stallion selection

The stallion selection committee consisted of Daniël Maillart, Jacques Fraselle, Eric Levallois, Herman Van Den Broeck (external consultant) and Roger Decock (dressage consultant). They selected 11 of the 30 presented three-year-old stallions, plus one six-year-old stallion. Thirteen of the 30 presented three-year-olds are registered in sBs. One of the two presented candidates in the option dressage was approved. We are talking about Rockhill de Muze (Everdale alias Escudo K - Fabelle x Rubinstein I), bred by Joris de Brabander. Via his dam line, Rockhill goes back to a showjumping line, more especially the line of La Belle van Sombeke. Daniël Maillart explained: “He has excellent movements. At liberty he pleased us a lot. He has a good walk, a trot with great suppleness and power, as well as a very good canter. Moreover, this stallion has a lot of energy.”
The two presented ponies were both approved: Vasco Optimus (Goliath van de Groenweg - Reve d’Azur x Dexter Leam Pondi, bred by Optimus Agro) and Vardan van d’Oude Oven (Goliath van de Groenweg - Noor van d’Oude Oven x Calipso van de Vondelhoeve, bred by Robrecht Daem). With regard to Vardan’s damline, Robrecht’s father Christiaan said: “Vardan’s grandmother, Wendy van d’Oude Oven, was 1m27 and jumped easily at 1m15 level. In 2008 we crossed her with Calipso van de Vondelhoeve. Out of this combination Vardan’s dam, Noor van d’Oude Oven was born. Noor never jumped, but Wendy produced several other products, including Luna van d’Oude Oven, by Vedet van de Vondelhoeve. In the BRp studbook Luna obtained the performance label.”
The other approved pony was Vasco Optimus. His dam, Reve d’Azur, produced the pony Opaline Optima. A few months ago, on the occasion of the Christmas Horse show in Mechelen, Opaline Optima ranked fifth in the Grand Prix CSIP-PT. Maillart: “Vasco Optimus convinced us. He is a very good showjumping pony. He jumped very regularly, which is something we appreciate. The other pony, Vardan, has a great heart. Taking his height at withers into account, he jumped very well. His conformation is a little bit classic. This year, we had excellent ponies.”
Besides one dressage stallion and two ponies, the jury approved eight three-year-old stallions in the option showjumping, including Lord Blue du Seigneur, a son of Zirocco Blue out of Cibelle du Seigneur, bred by Marc Vanlangendonck... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber

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