The start of the first round viewing is approaching. On Wednesday, December 13, the first round viewing in Ermelo kicks off with the dressage stallions, followed by the Gelder horse stallions. Lastly, the show jumping stallions get to prove themselves. In total, there are 247 dressage stallions, 165 show jumping stallions, and 13 Gelder horse stallions on the starting list. Which stallions are the top suppliers of these young stallions this year?

The first round viewing marks the beginning of the stallion selection process. From here, the best stallions are referred to the second round viewing, which takes place during the KWPN Stallion Show 2024 from January 31 to February 3 in Den Bosch. The dressage stallions open the first round viewing from December 13 to 18, 2022. From December 19 to 22, the young show jumping stallions showcase themselves during free movement and free jumping. Finally, the Gelder horse stallions start on December 18.

Las Vegas and Jameson RS2 leading providers
Among the dressage stallions, Las Vegas and Jameson RS2 are both top suppliers of the first round viewing this year with fourteen sons each, followed by Kjento with twelve offspring. In third place is the young stallion So Perfect with eleven offspring.

1. Las Vegas, Jameson RS2 (14)
2. Kjento (12)
3. So Perfect (11)
4. Le Formidable, Glamourdale, Fürst Dior (9)
5. Bordeaux, For Romance (7)

Chacco-Blue top supplier
Among the show jumping stallions, Chacco-Blue is the top supplier with eight sons in the first round viewing, followed by Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve with six offspring. The young stallion Mattias has five offspring participating in the first round viewing.

1. Chacco-Blue (8)
2. Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve (6)
3. Mattias (5)

Gelder horse stallions
Among the Gelder horse stallions, Alexandro-P and Edmundo both have two sons participating in the first viewing. The other young Gelder horse stallions have different fathers.

Observing stallions
The public is welcome to observe the stallions in person. If you cannot attend, the first round viewing can also be followed live on kwpn.tv.

Prohibition on shaving whiskers and ears
In the pursuit of aesthetics, whiskers around the mouth and eyes of horses are often shaved. Prioritizing beauty over functionality, regardless of whether it is harmful or harmless, is not desired for the sake of well-being. Shaving a horse's whiskers leads to a loss of sensory ability and can hinder the horse. Therefore, to promote horse welfare, a ban on shaving whiskers and ears was introduced starting from the 2022 inspection season. For stallion selection, stallions with completely removed whiskers around the mouth and eyes and/or shaved inner ear hairs cannot participate in stallion inspections and other KWPN events and competitions. 2022 was a transitional year, but as of January 1, 2023, the rules are enforced, and groomed horses in this manner are not allowed in the inspection ring.

The KWPN Stallion Show is gearing up again. The world's largest stallion inspection takes place from January 31 to February 3 in Den Bosch. Ticket sales have already started, and KWPN members naturally enjoy discounts at the KWPN Stallion Show. It promises to be four fantastic days.

Check the group divisions

Source: KWPN
Photo Las Vegas: Dirk Caremans