
By Christopher Hector
Photography: © FEI/Leanjo de Koster
The number of colts that have failed their licensing before going on to be super sires, and in many cases belatedely admitted into their studbooks has been well documented, but I thought it would be fun to preview the KWPN stallion show and look at some of the licensing stars.
How many have gone on to greatness, and for how many was the 15 minutes of fame they celebrated during their triumph in the Brabanthallen the full measure of their subsequent career...
The stand-out star of the Dutch licensing was until recently, the 2005 Champion, Johnson (Jazz x Flemmingh). He was, until 2014, the only licensing champ to go Grand Prix. Ridden by Hans Peter Minderhoud, Johnson was a valued member of the Dutch team, solid rather than starry. As a sire, he has produced 38 approved sons, and 87 Grand Prix competitors, elevating him to number one on the WBFSH standings three years in a row. But, none of the stallion sons has really made a mark, while his Grand Prix performers are useful rather than brilliant. Standing third behind Johnson in 2014 was Vivaldi (Krack C x Jazz) – Johnson like the rest of the colts had initially been given the ’V’ name of that year, but since Team Nijhof already had a Verdi, he became Johnson.
While Vivaldi never made it to Grand Prix, he has produced 36 Grand Prix horses and 74 licensed sons, including Vitalis (D-Day) who has gone on to establish his own dynasty, with 88 approved sons and 16 Grand Prix competitors, including two super-stars, Vayron (Gloster) and Vamos Amigos (Hotline).
Nine years later, the championship sash was handed to Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro) who went on to become a genuine international Grand Prix superstar with Charlotte Fry. So far he is the sire of 33 sons, and two Grand Prix starters, none of whom have set the world on fire... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
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