With just two weeks to go, the show program for the KWPN Stallion Show is slowly being revealed. During the harness horse evening on Saturday, February 3, a show segment is planned featuring some harness horses that have been successful in the dressage arena. Under the guidance of Olympic rider Adelinde Cornelissen, these harness horses will showcase their skills.

Adelinde Cornelissen developed an interest in harness horses through her partner, Aris van Manen. "Harness horses are, of course, his hobby. I find harness horses very beautiful, and a good horse is a good horse, whether it's a show jumping, dressage, or harness horse," says Cornelissen.

Technique
According to Adelinde Cornelissen, harness horses can indeed be suitable as dressage horses. "A harness horse has its own specific characteristics in terms of movement, especially the action in the legs. This results in a different technique in dressage exercises. Perhaps the harness horses will show that they have more technique for piaffe and passage than most people think, and we will demonstrate that in this presentation."

Well-bred Harness Horse Lines
The following harness horses will participate in the demonstration: Zeronica (by Talos), the three-year-old approved Cadans M (by Torino), Gerbrandy (by Manno), and Kentucky, the Eebert son whose career as a champion began at the KWPN Stallion Show. Each of these dressage horses comes from well-bred harness horse lines.

Sport horses
Through and Through Twenty-year-old Zeronica has been competing in Grand Prix since 2017 under Anouk Noordman. The approved stallion Cadans M, with exceptionally high scores, also competes at the highest level and is ridden by Kelly Zuidervaart. The thirteen-year-old stallion Gerbrandy is presented by Harmina Holwerda in Den Bosch, riding him in the Intermediaire II. Gerbrandy is excellently bred as a harness horse, being a son of the influential stallion Manno and the full sister of the successful sire Fantijn. The nine-year-old dark bay Kentucky, ridden by Alexandra van de Sande, will participate in the harness horse evening. This combination is active at the ZZ-Light level.

Be enchanted
Be enchanted on Saturday evening, January 3, by the harness horses and come to the harness horse evening during the KWPN Stallion Show. This special Harness Horse Evening also includes the second viewing of the nine three-year-old stallions approved in Ermelo. The harnessed presentation of the two older stallions that still need to complete the second part of the first viewing in Den Bosch will also take place in the Brabanthallen. At the end of the day, the selection of potential premium stallions will follow. The show featuring three four-in-hand drivers, all presenting harness horses in their teams, will complete this evening. The Oregon Trophy will be the culmination of an almost three-hour program.

The KWPN Stallion Show is gearing up again. The world's largest stallion inspection will take place from January 31 to February 3 in Den Bosch. Ticket sales have already started, and KWPN members naturally receive a discount for the KWPN Stallion Show. It promises to be four fantastic days once again.

JM for KWPN

Photo Kelly Zuidervaart Cadans M: Dirk Caremans