KWPN-approved stallions are awarded predicates for the outstanding traits they pass on to their offspring. Approved stallions are eligible for the keur and preferent predicates. The stallion selection committee decides if a stallion qualifies for a predicate based on his breeding values.

Keur

An approved stallion can become keur when his first crop of offspring is at least seven years old. The keur predicate is awarded when a stallion demonstrates excellence relative to other stallions with respect to sport and conformation traits of his offspring. In practice, this means that a stallion must have a sport index greater than 140 and a high reliability percentage. A stallion’s ability to pass on good conformation also plays an important role in granting the keur predicate. Even if an approved stallion meets all the requirements of the sport index, he may not receive the keur predicate if he does not pass on good conformation to his offspring.

Preferent

The preferent predicate is the highest honor a stallion can receive with respect to quality. To qualify for preferent, a stallion must first be awarded keur. The preferent predicate is granted when a stallion demonstrates excellence relative to other stallions with respect to movement or jumping abilities and conformation traits of his offspring. Offspring must have a jumping index greater than 140 with reliability of at least 85% (75% for Harness Horse Stallions and Gelder Stallions). Both female and male offspring must inherit their sire’s outstanding qualities so that these may be passed on to future generations, especially through approved sons and grandsons. A stallion’s ability to pass on good conformation also plays an important role in awarding the preferent predicate. Even if an approved stallion meets all the requirements of the sport index, he may not receive the preferent predicate if he does not pass on good conformation to his offspring. Finally, the preferent predicate may be awarded posthumously.