Seven older jumping stallions started performance test
This morning, seven older jumping stallions were delivered for the 21-day test. In addition, the 15 three-year-old stallions were assessed by the stallion selection committee.
The delivery of the older jumping stallions went smoothly; all seven stallions were stabled at the KWPN center. These include the ones selected through the stallion competition, A Moonlight Speciale Z (s.Aganix du Seigneur) and Don Tarpania Z (s.Dominator Z), and the four-year-old stallions Prestobantos (s.Opium JW van de Moerhoeve), Karel de Grote W (s.Kazan Z), Pasquino van de Hagenhorst (s.by Hardrock Z), Picasso R.A.G. (s.Cornet Obolensky), and Pura Vida (s.Carambole).
Subsequently, the 15 three-year-old stallions participating in the 35-day test were evaluated. "The stallions are generally good to ride and are making progress, some more than others, but the committee's feeling is positive. The next assessment is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, and the findings will also be communicated to the owner," explains senior inspector Henk Dirksen.
The performance test will conclude with a final presentation on May 14, after which the approved stallions will be announced.
Media Guide Performance Test
JS for KWPN
23 April 2024 | 10:17
Five older dressage stallions delivered
In addition to the seven three-year-old dressage stallions, today five older stallions were stabled at the KWPN center. These stallions participated in the 21-day test.
The total number of dressage stallions currently participating in the performance test has reached 12. Pavo Cup champion Everest (s.Especial), selected through the stallion competition, has been delivered. Also, last year's premium stallion Pride (by Secret) has stables, as well as the equally aged Power Dutch (s.Glock's Toto Jr), Private Dancer (s.Le Formidable), and Lamborghini U.S. (s.by Lord Europe), who is participating on a voluntary basis and was seen yesterday at the stallion show of Van Uytert. "The stallions were presented by their own riders again and then viewed on the street. Tomorrow is the training with Johan Hamminga, and Friday is the first regular assessment," says senior inspector Floor Dröge.
Mediaguide performance test
JS for KWPN
22 April 2024 | 11:25
Blue Hors Don Olymbrio and Merrald second in World Cup Final
With the KWPN recognized Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (Jazz), Nanna Skodborg Merrald rode to a second-place finish for Denmark in the World Cup Final in Riyadh. The top 3 were within three-tenths of a percentage point: Patrik Kittel won the World Cup Final with Touchdown (s.Quaterback) with 81.661%, Merrald received 81.429%, and Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz (s.Quaterback) 81.404%.
A regrettable end came for Charlotte Fry and Everdale (s.Lord Leatherdale) in the World Cup Final. After a magnificent performance dominating the Grand Prix on Wednesday, World Cup victory seemed within reach. Unfortunately, Everdale had a small amount of blood in his mouth just before their freestyle, resulting in disqualification even before they began their performance.
Plenty of power
The final remained exciting until the last starter. Nanna Skodborg Merrald had been at the top for a few combinations until Kittel had to go in. With the KWPN recognized Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (Jazz out of Olymbria keur pref prest by Ferro, breeder J. Lamers from Oss), Merrald steered flawlessly through the test. Don Olymbrio presented a beautiful upward picture and showed great closing power, with plenty of power right up to the final halt. Merrald was delighted with the now 16-year-old stallion: "I can hardly believe that, just like last year with Zepter, I'm second again with Don Olymbrio. He felt truly amazing today." The duo performed a new freestyle to Spiderman music.
Great Escape Camelot
Great Escape Camelot another KWPN horse finished in the top 5: Great Escape Camelot (Johnson TN out of Amie Camelot stb prest by Turbo Magic, breeder C.C. Kerssens-Rademaker) with his German rider Raphael Netz. With a score of 76.4825, they finished fifth in their first World Cup Final, where Netz was also the youngest participant (24 years old), along with the American Benjamin Ebeling. Great Escape Camelot showed great enthusiasm and, together with his rider, presented a beautifully harmonious picture.
Also finishing in the top ten was Fayvel (Zizi Top out of Ofra Elite Pref Performance PROK Sport-dres by Houston, breeders R and I Veninga) under the American Anna Marek. The duo had to be the first on the course but delivered a skillful and smooth freestyle with a high level of difficulty. "The harder it gets, the easier he finds it. He's very clever and handles the difficult exercises with ease," laughed his rider afterwards.
Mediaguide World Cup Final
Text: BvH for KWPN
Photo: Dirk Caremans / Hippofoto.be
19 April 2024 | 15:04
The performance test continues with seven dressage stallions
Today, the first assessment took place for the three-year-old dressage stallions in the performance test. Three of the ten stallions have left the KWPN center.
Eight three-year-old designated stallions and two voluntary ones were assessed today by the stallion inspection committee. Subsequently, the findings were discussed with the owners.
Hopeful continuation
The assessment resulted in the voluntary participant Royal Wimphof NSH (Just Wimphof x Franklin) being withdrawn by its owners. Additionally, the committee terminated the performance test for the Bordeaux son Ruig (out of Jazz) and the Vaderland son Raf KL (out of Ferdeaux). "The process will continue with the other stallions. They will be reassessed next Friday, and the final presentation will take place on Tuesday, May 14," explains senior inspector Floor Dröge. On Monday, the four-year-old and older stallions can be submitted for the 21-day test.
Mediaguide performance test
JS for KWPN
18 April 2024 | 14:07
IS-Minka starts with 9th place in the World Cup Final
The World Cup Final in jumping and dressage is taking place in Riyadh. In the first leg of the jumping, IS-Minka, ridden by Steve Guerdat, has made a good start. IS-Minka is a daughter of Mylord Carthago.
A total of 34 combinations participated in the first leg of the World Cup Final, with three KWPN horses taking part and no Dutch riders. Henrik von Eckermann, based in Limburg, immediately lived up to his favorite role by finishing faultlessly in the fastest time with King Edward (by Edward), earning himself an optimal position and €46,000 for the next leg. Hans-Dieter Dreher finished third with Elysium, a descendant of Zirocco Blue VDL. Two offspring of Zirocco Blue VDL are competing in this World Cup Final; under Devin Ryan, the experienced KWPN horse Eddie Blue (out of Silvana keur prest by Marlon, breeder Jan Honcoop from Chaam) placed 25th with just one jumping fault, resulting in three penalty seconds in this speed leg.
Guerdat
The best result by a KWPN horse was achieved by IS-Minka (Mylord Carthago out of Weyminka prest by Quite Easy I, breeder the late Jopie Kappert from Geesteren) ridden by Steve Guerdat. Earlier this season, they won the World Cup competition in Bordeaux. Despite a time that would have been good enough for fourth place, they knocked down one rail, dropping them to ninth place. The 2019 World Cup Final winner, Alamo (Ukato out of Mariona ster sport-spr prest by Equador, breeder Daan Nanning), ridden by Abdullah Alsharbatly, finished 28th. They also had faults. Alamo achieved great success with Steve Guerdat, who now has another fantastic KWPN horse under his saddle with IS-Minka.
Source: KWPN / Photo IS-Minka – HippoFoto
18 April 2024 | 10:27
Everdale Wins Grand Prix World Cup Final with dominance
With great ease and flair, the KWPN stallion Everdale dominated the arena in the FEI World Cup Final in Riyadh. Under his regular rider Charlotte Fry (GBR), the son of Lord Leatherdale secured the victory in the Grand Prix with a score of 75.388%. The KWPN recognized Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (s.Jazz) completed the KWPN celebration by clinching third place with 72.904% under Denmark's Nanna Skodborg Merrald.
Everdale and Charlotte Fry entered the World Cup Final as one of the favorites, knowing well that the competition would be fierce, with names like Isabell Werth (DSP Quantaz, fourth), Patrik Kittel (Touchdown, second), and Nanna Skodborg Merrald (Blue Hors Don Olymbrio, third) on the start list.
Charlotte Fry, the stable rider at Van Ols Horses in Den Hout, remained calm and rode Everdale (Lord Leatherdale out of Aliska K elite EPTM-dres PROK by Negro, breeder P. Kluytmans from Tilburg) flawlessly to victory. Everdale remained highly focused and consistent throughout the Grand Prix, delivering an impeccable performance. Particularly impressive were their scores in the canter tour, as well as in the piaffe and passage. Their impressive score of 75.388% secured the win.
The KWPN recognized stallion Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (Jazz out of Olymbria keur pref prest by Ferro, breeder J. Lamers from Oss) finished in third place under Nanna Skodborg Merrald for Denmark. Despite starting early in the field, the 16-year-old stallion presented a beautiful picture as always. Merrald commented, “We had a few minor hiccups in our test, but overall Don Olymbrio felt good. He was fresh and well-focused on me throughout the entire ride.” Merrald will compete with Don Olymbrio in a new freestyle on Friday.
Out of the four participating KWPN horses, an impressive three ended up in the top 5 positions. German rider Raphael Netz rode the gelding Great Escape Camelot (Johnson TN out of Amie Camelot prest by Turbo Magic, breeder C.C. Kerssens-Rademaker from Assendelft) to fifth place with over 72%. The combination displayed a harmonious and quiet connection throughout the test. Netz said about 'Camelot', “We've only been together for a year, but we've had a connection from the start. We're both young, a bit cheeky, and very motivated.”
The KWPN horse Fayvel (Zizi Top out of Ofra elite pref prest PROK sport-dres by Houston, breeders R. and I. Veninga from Stuifzand) finished thirteenth with 68.354% under American rider Anna Marek, securing their spot in Friday's freestyle final as well.
Mediaguide World Cup Finals
BvH for KWPN
Photo: Dirk Caremans
16 April 2024 | 16:43
Stallions evaluated in performance test
After last week's delivery for the performance test, today saw an official evaluation of the fifteen three-year-old show jumping stallions.
The entire stallion inspection committee convened today in Ermelo and assessed the stallions under the training riders. Overall, the stallions rode well and cleared several obstacles. Good progress was already evident in several stallions. "The committee gained a good initial impression of the jumping and will take these findings into account for the next evaluation, scheduled for next Tuesday. At 8 o'clock, the intake of older show jumping stallions is planned, and the assessment of the three-year-old stallions will commence around 9," senior inspector Henk Dirksen explains. "Today, two additional stallions could have been submitted, but this opportunity was not taken advantage of, so we will continue with the fifteen stallions submitted last week."
Overview page of performance test with participating stallions
JS for KWPN
16 April 2024 | 09:51
Sterrehof’s Opium (28) passed away
Stoeterij Sterrehof has unexpectedly had to say goodbye to the 28-year-old Sterrehof's Opium.
"An unfortunate moment in the pasture resulted in Opium (Polydor out of Ballerina by Bormio, breeder A. Haarlammert) injuring himself, and this injury proved to be, given his age, so severe that a peaceful passing was the best choice we could make for him," the stud farm writes on their website.
The KWPN-approved stallion was at the foundation of the partnership between Stoeterij Sterrehof and international show jumper Marc Houtzager. The combination finished seventh at the 2008 Olympic Games, triumphed in various Grand Prix events, and were part of the team that won the Nations Cup in Calgary in 2009. In 2015, the stallion bid farewell to the show jumping sport at Jumping Amsterdam.
Source: Sterrehof.nl/Horses
Photo Sterrehof's Opium: Dirk Caremans