The end of this extraordinary year is near, and it's time to consider which KWPN sport horse deserves the title of ‘Horse of the Year 2020’? Like last year, you can vote on your favorite!
This year’s nominated horses are:
• Cristello
• Dana Blue
• Desperado N.O.P.
• GC Chopin’s Bushi
• Glamourdale
• Zaïre-E
Cristello (Numero Uno x Voltaire)
For more than a year now, the Numero Uno son, Cristello, has partnered with top Irish rider Denis Lynch. They began 2020 with victory in a 1m50 World Cup qualifier, then secured five other top-five placings, while September saw them win the 1m60 St. Tropez GP, and one week later finish fourth in another 1m60 GP class at the same event.
Dana Blue (Mr. Blue x Hemmingway)
If there is one partnership celebrating a successful year, it's Dana Blue with Maikel van der Vleuten. Two weeks in a row, the grey mare won a 1m55m/1m60m GP in St. Tropez, which was the first international competition since March. At the beginning of the year, she finished third in the Bordeaux GP, third in a 1m50/1m55 class in Doha, and seventh in the Global Champions League at the same venue.
Desperado N.O.P. (Vivaldi x Havidoff)
At the Dutch championships, the black stallion, Desperado NOP (Vivaldi) claimed bronze together with Emmelie Scholtens. At the only other competition of this year where they appeared, jumping Amsterdam, they also finished third with 77.87% in the GP, and more than 80% in the Kür where they placed eighth.
GC Chopin’s Bushi (Contendro II x Nairobi)
Denis Lynch’s second asset is also in great shape. The 14-year-old Contrendro II son, GC Chopin’s Bushi, has proven himself of great value to the Irishman, starting the year with three top-five placings, plus fifth in a World Cup qualifier. They added a win in the WC qualifier in Leipzig, plus second in a 1m55 class in Gothenburg. Before the season ended, they won the 1m50 in Dortmund having already placed top five in 1m45 and 1m50 classes.
Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro)
The expectations were high and he made it a reality. This year, Glamourdale debuted in the Grand Prix with his rider Charlotte Fry with almost 78%. They made their Big Tour debut at the beginning of the year with over 74%. In breeding, the age-group world champion saw his first KWPN-approved son, the Gelders stallion Mandienio WL.
Zaïre-E (Son De Niro x Jazz)
The second mare nominated, is the Son de Niro daughter, Zaïre-E. At the age of 16, together with the German rider, Jessica van Bredow-Werndl, she is still in great shape, this year scoring a personal best of 85.355% in the Aarhus Kür. In the Hungarian Mariakalnok, the combination knew how to win the Grand Prix Kür, and twice placed fourth at Jumping Amsterdam, twice second in Hagen, and twice third in Aarhus.
Voting begins today and ends Thursday, December 31. You can only vote once. Thereafter, the votes will be counted and the winning horse announced. Voting also presents an opportunity to win one of the KWPN merchandise items.
Last year, this title was awarded to Glock's Johnson TN, who was personally honored at the KWPN Stallion Show.
