A preferent mare achieves what every breeder hopes for: passing her quality on to her offspring. She has proven her ability to produce multiple foals with good conformation and aptitude for sport. The fact that fewer than 7,000 dressage, jumping, and riding-type mares hold this predicate underlines its value. Predicates make the quality of a mare measurable and therefore form an important tool for breeders. Most predicates say something about the horse’s own aptitude, but the preferent predicate is one of the exceptions. When a mare becomes preferent, it is because her offspring have performed well at inspections. This proves her ability to produce foals with correct conformation and the necessary talent. To obtain the preferent predicate, three of the mare’s offspring must have earned the ster, keur, or elite predicate, or must have been selected for the second viewing of the KWPN stallion selection. If a stallion has been approved by a KWPN-recognized studbook, this also counts toward his dam’s preferent status. A mare may also be declared preferent posthumously if her offspring achieve these results after she has passed away. More dressage horses The horses included in these figures and tables are registered in the dressage, jumping, or riding-type breeding directions. The vast majority of preferent mares, nearly 5,500 or 81% are registered as riding-type mares. This is explained by the fact that specialization was only introduced in 2006. Mares born in 2006 or later, or those presented at inspections from that point on, were assigned either the dressage or jumping breeding direction. This concerns a total of 1,212 mares, of which 777 are registered in the dressage direction and 435 in jumping. Notably, these proportions are the opposite of what we see among prestatie mares. After the introduction of specialization, more jumping mares than dressage mares have earned the prestatie predicate. Sport and breeding are inseparable and increasingly intertwined, yet this difference suggests that dressage breeders place greater value on inspection results, whereas the emphasis in jumping breeding lies more strongly on sport performance. Additionally, fewer jumping horses than dressage horses are presented at studbook inspections, giving jumping mares fewer opportunities to earn the preferent predicate. Predicates What a mare possesses, she can pass on. The preferent predicate therefore rarely stands alone, the vast majority of preferent mares also hold additional predicates. Nearly 92% of preferent mares are recorded in the studbook, while only 1% have never been presented at an inspection. The remaining 7% were entered through the former ZZ predicate, a predecessor of today’s sport predicate. This predicate was awarded to mares competing at ZZ level before the current sport predicate was introduced. Most preferent mares were successful at inspections themselves before beginning their breeding careers. Not only were the majority accepted into the studbook, many also earned additional predicates. Of the mares presented, nearly 34% hold the ster predicate, 35% earned the keur predicate, and 19% are elite, meaning that almost 90% possess a conformation-based predicate. Many breeders invest in future generations by using healthy mares for breeding. Over 20% of preferent mares have passed the PROK veterinary inspection, and 5% have earned the D-OC predicate. Remarkably, a significant number of preferent mares also hold the sport predicate. At just over 13%, this figure is only slightly lower than the percentage of prestatie mares that hold a sport predicate themselves. Preferent mares therefore excel not only in breeding, but also in sport, where they have delivered notable performances. Sport results The oldest mares included in these data were born in the 1930s a completely different era, with different sport levels and far less common overlap between breeding and sport than we see today. All the more remarkable, then, is the high number of preferent mares who not only contributed to breeding but were also successful sport horses themselves. In total, 875 preferent mares hold at least one sport predicate. Of these, 2% earned a sport predicate in both dressage and jumping. Among the sport-predicate mares, 65% achieved their predicate in dressage, and 32% in showjumping. A further 10% of preferent mares passed the IBOP or EPTM tests, an even higher percentage than among prestatie mares. There is considerable overlap between mares with strong IBOP/EPTM results and those with sport predicates. Over 29% of preferent mares that passed IBOP or EPTM later also earned a sport predicate. Most preferent mares were active at basic sport level, but a select group enjoyed truly impressive careers in both sport and breeding. 55 dressage mares competed at Light Tour level, 22 reached the Big Tour, 19 preferent mares competed at 1.50m level or higher, 2 even reached 1.60m, 7 jumping mares are classified as international Grand Prix, reflecting how international results in showjumping were recorded up until the year 2000. Just like the mares themselves, the offspring of preferent mares perform strongly both at inspections and in sport. More than 53% of preferent mares are also prestatie. On average, mares receive the prestatie predicate at an older age than the preferent predicate, because their offspring must first appear at inspections and only later in sport. The older the group of preferent mares you compare, the higher the percentage that also achieves the prestatie predicate. Grand Prix genes A number of mares have made their mark in both sport and breeding. These mares competed at the highest level themselves and passed their talent on to their offspring. One example of a preferent mare that jumped at 1.60m is Cantate, a daughter of Cantos. The well-known Elien, by Carambole, achieved the same. This mare, bred by the Greve family, produced only three offspring, yet all three were successful at inspections and are now continuing that success in sport. Sterrehof’s Pharna is another mare who excelled in sport and later became preferent. This Calvados daughter competed at the European Championships under Julia Houtzager-Kayser and produced, among others, the KWPN stallion Utopie. Several preferent dressage mares also competed at Grand Prix level. A relatively young example is Fynona (s.Ampère), who won numerous medals at international youth championships with Marten Luiten. Reine B (s.Rubinstein) also medaled in the youth championships under Lotje Schoots. The breeding success of Jan Greve is particularly notable, in addition to Elien he also bred the preferent Grand Prix dressage mare Inoraline W (s.Johnson). An older example is Finesse, a daughter of Aktion, who competed at Grand Prix level with Marian Dorresteijn and produced offspring that performed well at inspections, in sport, and in breeding. There are several additional mares who competed at Grand Prix dressage and went on to form the foundation of successful breeding programs, including Sisther de Jeu (s.Gribaldi), Niniek STV (s.Jazz), Latamanda (s.Matador), and Oogappel (s.Partout). Influential sires Several influential sires have left a significant mark on Dutch riding horse breeding. One of the most notable is the preferent stallion Nimmerdor. With 160 preferent daughters, he has produced the highest number of preferent mares. Nearly 19% of his female offspring earned the predicate. In absolute numbers, no stallion surpasses Nimmerdor in producing preferent daughters. However, in percentage terms, one stallion exceeds him: Amor, born in 1959. Amor produced 131 preferent mares, which accounts for over 22% of his female offspring. With 142 preferent daughters, Jazz secures a place between these two stallions in the overall top three. Looking solely at percentages, Lucky Boy rises to the top. From a relatively small number of offspring, he produced 68 preferent mares, meaning 16% of his female progeny received the predicate. The same trio also stands out as damsires. Amor appears as the damsire of 168 preferent mares. Nimmerdor holds this position 145 times, while Lucky Boy follows in third place with 106 preferent granddaughters. Foundation mares Not only stallions leave a lasting mark on breeding, several mares have passed on their quality for generations. Four mares produced no fewer than six preferent daughters each. One of them is the well-known Karin, a daughter of Apollo. This keur preferent prestatie mare, born in 1969, is the foundation mare behind many of today’s sport horses. The KWPN stallions Beltrum and Irvington VDL descend from her line, as do the Grand Prix horse Moedwil (s.Goodwill) and UTV champion Dolly. Another mare who produced six preferent daughters is Viola B, by Farn. She is the dam of the KWPN stallion Topas and stands at the root of the extensive Minka dam line. Born in 1965, Viola B herself held the model, preferent and prestatie predicates. That same year, Gelita (s.Amor) was born. She, too, produced six preferent daughters, as well as a KWPN-approved stallion: Obelisk, by Talisman. Her offspring also form a broad and influential family, Gelita contributed greatly to the international recognition of the Bryolieta dam line. The mare Bryolieta, by Kroonprins, produced only a small number of foals herself, but appears frequently in the dam lines of modern preferent mares. The fourth mare with six preferent daughters is Murona, by Vincent, born in 1994. She is the dam of the Grand Prix horse Axel (s.Sandreo) and is also well known through stallions such as High Five U.S., Princedale, and Knock Out. Her granddaughter Odi Murona (s.Blue Hors Farrell) was crowned reserve champion at the Pavo Cup this summer. Preferent for generations Just like the Bryolieta line and the descendants of Karin, several other dam lines are richly infused with preferent mares. Many preferent mares trace back to the Nomana line, also known from the Utopia horses. The Bottie line and the Lady Reveil line have likewise produced a remarkable number of mares that earned the preferent predicate. Preferent mares often pass their quality on in breeding. 53% of preferent mares were themselves bred out of a preferent dam. In 31% of cases, both the dam and the granddam hold the same predicate, resulting in three consecutive generations of preferent mares. For 17%, this extends to yet another generation, and 9% of preferent mares come from lines with five consecutive generations of preferents. Further back in the dam line, the percentages decrease, but the numbers remain striking. In 312 mares, the preferent predicate has been passed down six generations, in 141 mares, even seven generations strong. Mares of the future Alongside the mares that form the foundation of generations of breeding, a new group is emerging mares poised to build a strong foundation for the future. The youngest preferent mares were born in 2017. One of them is Moulin Rouge BEK, a daughter of Bojengel, who carries the valuable genes of the renowned De Niro daughter Annabel. She therefore belongs to the same dam line as the KWPN stallions Four Legends KS, Le Formidable, Chagall D&R, and Bretton Woods. The preferent mare Melrose (s.Dream Boy) was born in the same year and is likewise a granddaughter of Annabel. The youngest preferent jumping mares were born in 2015. The well-tested Kamille, by Comme Il Faut, competes at 1.40m level herself and has produced several offspring via embryo transfer. K.Amelusiena (s.Zirocco Blue VDL) and Kianca (s.Numero Uno) carried their foals themselves and have already proven their ability to pass on their qualities to the next generation. Stallions with the highest number of preferent daughters Stallion Number of preferent mares* Nimmerdor 160 (18,9%) Jazz 142 (8,7%) Amor 131 (22,4%) G.Ramiro Z 116 (10,9%) Voltaire 114 (8,1%) Ferro 80 (7,6%) Indoctro 78 (3,5%) Burggraaf 70 (4,0%) Flemmingh 69 (4,5%) Lucky Boy 68 (16,0%) *The percentage indicates how many of a stallion’s female offspring later became preferent. Mares with the highest number of preferent daughters Mare Number Gelita (s.Amor) 6 Karin (s.Apollo) 6 Murona (s.Vincent) 6 Viola B (s.Farn) 6 Charites (s.Roemer) 5 Endy (s.Ulft) 5 Fidora (s.Ulft) 5 Jelinda M (s.Recruut) 5 Lonnevanck (s.Donnerhall) 5 Olien (s.Pericles) 5 Passe (s.Erdball) 5 Shoraya (s.Ladykiller) 5 Tamora (s.Amor) 5 Tina D (s.Ordonnans) 5 Unette (s.Cadmus) 5 Wieni (s.Exkurs) 5 Text: Milou van Engeland Photography: Dirk Caremans

As an international horse business, VDL Stud delivers dozens of horses to clients worldwide every year. For exports, the company has been working with Horses2fly for a long time. “Our horses go to clients all over the world. For countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, the USA, and Brazil, Horses2fly mostly manages the process: from documents and inspections to the transport itself, quickly, professionally, and always with the horse’s welfare in mind.” – Janko van de Lageweg, VDL Stud At Horses2fly, everything is tailored to the individual. Whether it’s a foal or a sport horse, the team manages every transport from A to Z, including communication with buyers, customs clearance, and meeting veterinary requirements. “For a horse business, it’s important to rely on an export partner who understands the process. Horses2fly thinks along, takes care of everything, and delivers.” Do you want to sell your horse worldwide as well? Choose an export partner with experience, expertise, and a genuine passion for the work. Source: Horses2fly

From 9 through 17 December, the KWPN centre in Ermelo will once again host the first round viewing, powered by AJ Bedrijfsdiensten. Among the dressage stallions, Extreme U.S. is the clear leader, presenting fifteen offspring. The group lists are available online. For Extreme U.S., this marks his first crop, and with fifteen sons he immediately tops the starting list by a wide margin. McLaren and Glock’s Toto Jr. are also strongly represented, each with eight sons. In addition, O’Toto van de Wimphof, Dutch Dream, Omar Sharif and Le Formidable will each present six sons this year. Dressage and Gelder stallions In total, 235 dressage stallions and seven Gelder stallions have been entered for the first round viewing. The dressage stallions will be presented from 9 to 13 December, while the Gelder stallions will appear on 11 December. Among the Gelder stallions, the bloodlines of Alexandro P are frequently represented. All seven Gelder stallions have different sires, including one son of Extreme U.S. First Round Viewing During the first round viewing, the nearly three-year-old stallions present themselves at the KWPN centre, where they are evaluated by the stallion selection committee. From there, selected stallions are referred to the second round viewing, which will take place during the KWPN Stallion Show 2026, from 28 to 31 January in ’s-Hertogenbosch. Encourage the stallions Will you come to Ermelo to cheer on the stallions? The public is welcome during the first round viewing. Can’t attend in person? The first round viewing can also be followed live via kwpn.tv. Ban on trimming whiskers and ears It is not permitted for horses whose tactile hairs around the mouth and eyes have been completely removed and/or whose hair on the inside of the ear has been shaved to take part in stallion inspections and other KWPN events and competitions. Compliance will be monitored by on-site supervisors. Excessively protruding hairs may be trimmed. For adult horses, shaving the legs and trimming or shaving the tail is permitted. For stallion selection, any stallion whose tactile hairs around the mouth and eyes have been completely removed and/or whose hair on the inside of the ear has been shaved will be excluded from stallion inspections and other KWPN events and competitions. Powered by AJ Bedrijfsdiensten AJ Bedrijfsdiensten BV and its subsidiary Bronkhorst Brandbeveiliging BV together offer a broad range of professional services. AJ Bedrijfsdiensten BV has more than 20 years of experience and is versatile in the fields of event support within equestrian sport, construction of paving and bungalow parks, green space maintenance, facility services and forage trading. Bronkhorst Brandbeveiliging BV specialises in supplying and maintaining fire-fighting and first-aid equipment, maintaining dry riser systems and inspecting electrical tools, ladders, steps and mobile scaffolding. Both companies guarantee professional execution and are available 24/7. Groups dressage stallions Groups Gelder stallions Overview page first round viewing

For three jumper stallions the performance test has been ended, while other jumper stallions have been referred to the spring test. As a result, 14 jumper stallions will continue in the test. Based on veterinary reasons, two stallions have been referred: Sky Fall, a son of Chacco Blue, and Wendall van ’t Merelsnest, by Emerald van ’t Ruytershof. Both stallions may be re-presented in the spring. Positive development In addition, the stallion selection committee has ended the performance test for three stallions: Stefano (s.Comme Il Faut), Santiago DDH (s.Lord Sandro) and the four-year-old Riverdance (s.Lambada Shake AG). “This means we will continue with 14 jumper stallions, which will be assessed again next Tuesday. These stallions are showing positive development and the stallion selection committee is satisfied with how everything is progressing, including the commitment of the riders, the head of training and the stable staff,” says senior inspector Henk Dirksen on behalf of the committee. Overview page performance test

The stallion selection committees met today at the KWPN Centre to assess the stallions. For one dressage stallion, the performance test has been terminated. Overall, the dressage stallions are showing positive development, according to chair of the stallion selection committee Bart Bax: “It provides a great deal of information to see the stallions working here under our own riders, in a very natural way. Most stallions often turn out to be even better than we already thought. Johan Hamminga is supervising the training, and we are continuing along the line we set during the saddle presentations. The stallions have now been here for over a week and are well settled.” The performance test has been ended for Silverstone, by Jovian. The next assessment is scheduled for Tuesday, 2 December, followed by the final presentation on Saturday, 6 December. Overview page performance test 

The winners of the ‘Horse of the Year 2025’ title will be announced during the 2026 KWPN Stallion Show in ’s-Hertogenbosch. Two horses will be honored: one in the jumping category and one in the dressage category. Which horse deserves the title ‘Jumping Horse of the Year 2025’ according to you? Cast your vote and help decide, together with other enthusiasts, which jumping horse will receive this prestigious title. Below you will find the nominated jumping horses. The three nominees for Jumping Horse of the Year 2025 are Kannan, Incredible en Karonia L. Voting is open until December 31, 2025. Last year, Imagine (s.Cassini Gold) was crowned Horse of the Year Jumping during the KWPN Stallion Show. Which horse will receive the title this year? Kannan (Voltaire x Nimmerdor) Bred by M.G. Kramer-van der Meer, Oud-Beijerland The influential stallion Kannan, who passed away in early 2020 at the age of 28, first enjoyed a successful sport career under Michel Hécart. The son of Voltaire competed at the highest level before being dedicated fully to breeding in 2006; a year earlier, in 2005, he had been recognized by the KWPN. His legacy is remarkable, in 2014, Kannan topped the WBFSH Sire Ranking, a position he reclaimed in 2024. Within the KWPN, nine sons have been approved and more than 900 offspring have been registered. Kannan also remains prominently represented in the second generation. His grandson Mindset ES (s.Aganix du Seigneur), now an emerging talent under Hessel Hoekstra, won bronze at the 2023 World Championships in Lanaken. Other standout members of this influential line include Bacardi VDL (s.Corland), who was awarded the keur predicate at the 2025 KWPN Stallion Show, and his full brother Apardi, who competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Incredible (Clinton x Heartbreaker) Bred by Gebr. Bosch, Luttenberg Incredible delivered an outstanding series of results in 2025 under rider Daniel Coyle. The pair opened their season strongly with victories in both the 1.50m class and the 1.55m Grand Prix at CSIO4* Vancouver, and continued this form at CSI5* Calgary, where they again won the 1.55m and finished second in the 1.60m Grand Prix presented by Rolex. At the prestigious CSI5* ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1.60m) in Spruce Meadows, the twelve-year-old gelding added another major victory to his record. Later in the season, the combination claimed second place in the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier in Washington, having already secured another second-place finish earlier in the 1.50m Accumulator. Karonia L (Harley VDL x G Ramiro Z) Bred by Th. Lemmers, Beaxem The mare Karonia L enjoyed an exceptionally strong 2025 season. Under Portuguese rider Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida, the grey mare achieved a long list of international successes. Together, they increased their tally of international victories to 26, including wins in the Grand Prix of CSI5*-W Mechelen, CSI4* Montefalco, and CSI4* Gijon. The pair also competed at the European Championships in La Coruña last year. Most recently, the ten-year-old mare added another top result to her record, finishing second in the World Cup qualifier at CSI5* Stuttgart. Voting Voting is open from Friday, 21 November until Tuesday, 31 December 2025. By casting your vote, you will have a chance to win two tickets to the KWPN Stallion Show. Each person may submit one vote, duplicate votes will be filtered out. After the voting closes, all votes will be counted and we will announce which horse will earn the title Jumping Horse of the Year 2025. Go to the voting form Source: KWPN Photo: Dirk Caremans

The winners of the ‘Horse of the Year 2025’ title will be announced during the 2026 KWPN Stallion Show in ’s-Hertogenbosch. Two horses will be honored: one in the jumping category and one in the dressage category. Which horse deserves the title ‘Dressage Horse of the Year 2025’ according to you? Cast your vote and help decide, together with other enthusiasts, which dressage horse will receive this prestigious title. Below you will find the nominated dressage horses. The three nominees for Dressage Horse of the Year 2025 are Red Viper, Luxurious, and Vivaldi. Voting is open until December 31, 2025. Last year, Glamourdale (s.Lord Leatherdale) was crowned Horse of the Year Dressage during the KWPN Stallion Show. Which horse will receive the title this year? Vivaldi (Krack C x Jazz) Bred by A. Versantvoort, St. Oedenrode The preferent KWPN stallion Vivaldi is one of the most influential dressage sires of his generation. The chestnut stallion, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 23, first made a name for himself as a young horse with victories in the Pavo Cup and the Stallion Competition (class Z) under Hans Peter Minderhoud, but his true impact lies in breeding. Within the KWPN, 1,237 offspring were registered up to and including 2025, and he produced nine approved sons. Vivaldi also sired more than thirty Grand Prix horses, and his influence is strongly visible in the second generation as well, with successful grandsons such as Indian Rock, Incognito, and Extreme U.S. Vivaldi was declared preferent in 2018 in recognition of his exceptional contribution to breeding. Hexagons Luxuriouzz N.O.P.T. (Johnson x San Remo) Bred by W. Plomp, Tull en ’t Waal The nine-year-old Luxuriouzz v/d Waalsehoeve, competed as Hexagons Luxuriouszz N.O.P.T. under Thamar Zweistra, has shown strong development this year on the international Grand Prix circuit. The pair achieved several top-three finishes on home soil, including at CDI3* ’s-Hertogenbosch, CDI3* Exloo, and CDI3* Rotterdam. At the European Championships in Crozet, the chestnut gelding made his debut for the Dutch team, which finished fifth. As a five-year-old, he competed at the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses with Benedek Pachl, where he claimed the bronze medal. Red Viper (Romanov Blue Hors x Sir Sinclair) Bred by C. Kerbert, Enschede The approved stallion Red Viper delivered several standout results at both national and international level in 2024 and 2025. Under Bart Veeze, the dark chestnut stallion claimed both the World Championship title for five-year-olds and the Pavo Cup, after which Dinja van Liere took over the reins. With her, Red Viper continued his impressive form with ease. At the World Championships for six-year-olds in Verden, he placed third in the qualification and went on to repeat his World Championship title in the final with a score of 90.400%. Most recently, at the Anemone Stallion Competition in Kronenberg, he once again produced a strong performance, winning the Z class with a score of 92.2 points. Voting Voting is open from Friday, 21 November until Tuesday, 31 December 2025. By casting your vote, you will have a chance to win two tickets to the KWPN Stallion Show. Each person may submit one vote, duplicate votes will be filtered out. After the voting closes, all votes will be counted and we will announce which horse will earn the title Dressage Horse of the Year 2025. Go to the voting form Source: KWPN Photo: Dirk Caremans