Next week marks the time for the KWPN Select Sale, the KWPN auction of the year. After three online editions, this breeding celebration returns to its rightful place: the KWPN Stallion Show. One of the top horses that rose to prominence through the KWPN Select Sale is VDL Groep Zidane N.O.P., owned by Leopold van Asten.

As a 3-year-old, the Heartbreaker son, VDL Groep Zidane, found his way to Stoeterij Duyselshof, embarking on a fantastic career in top-level sport, culminating in winning the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters – Indoor Brabant.

"All Very Nice Horses"
Now retired at the age of 20, VDL Groep Zidane had a remarkable journey from the age of 9 to 16, competing at the highest levels. For Leopold van Asten, the Heartbreaker son holds a special place. "Wim (van der Leegte) purchased five stallions at the KWPN Select Sale, and they were all very nice horses. We had them started under saddle by Willem van Hoof, and I jumped each horse once. Zidane immediately gave the best feeling, as far as you can judge at that stage."

Very Bold
At that time, James Payne, the stable rider, took charge of Zidane's training. Later, Eric van der Vleuten, a sponsor rider of VDL Groep, rode Zidane for a while before he briefly returned to James Payne. Eventually, Leopold van Asten took over the reins. "As a young horse and a stallion, he was very bold, and we had our hands full. That's why we castrated him. I started with him in the fall when he was 9, and things progressed quite quickly," referring to the impressive performances.

Lightning Start
"His first major competition was the 3* 1.50m in Maastricht, where he immediately finished second." Just under four weeks later, he won the 1.55m in La Coruna, followed by a seventh place in the 4* Grand Prix of Jumping Amsterdam, a fifth place in the 1.55m of The Dutch Masters – Indoor Brabant, and a third place in the Grand Prix of Arezzo. All of this happened within a few months.

"We Got Five"
"The KWPN Select Sale has been good for us," says Leopold van Asten when reflecting on the stallions his employer purchased there. "I remember being at a competition in Bordeaux when Wim called and said, 'We got five.' Besides Zidane, we bought four more stallions in the same auction. We sold the Berlin well; Maikel van der Vleuten jumped with the Mermus R son in Aachen, and my brother Matthijs van Asten rode 1.50m with Zapphire."

Most Memorable Moment
The most memorable moment with Zidane? "That would be the victory in the Rolex Grand Prix in Den Bosch. It's almost a home game, and all my friends, family, and sponsors were there. Winning in La Coruna is beautiful, but there's no one there."

What a Top Rider Looks For
What does a top rider like Leopold van Asten look for in young showjumpers? "It's a long road to the top, and it remains difficult to predict if a good, young horse will eventually reach the highest level. But what I find very important is balance, reflexes, agility, and of course, conformation. Being healthy is crucial; although a slightly less impressive photo doesn't always indicate anything, you always want to start with a healthy horse."

Are you also looking for your next top showjumper and/or approved stallion? Check out the collection of the KWPN Select Sale. The jumping horses go under the hammer on Thursday, February 1, followed by the dressage stallions on Saturday, February 3. In addition to live bidding, online and phone bidding options are also available.

If you need extra information about the stallions or have questions about the auction, contact them at 0341-255511 or email selectsale@kwpn.nl. The KWPN Select Sale team is ready in Den Bosch to answer all your questions about the stallions to be auctioned.

Collection Dressage

Collection Jumping

Photos: Hippo Foto Media