On the third day of the KWPN Stallion Show, the approved dressage stallions of the P-year showed themselves very well and workable. KWPN Stallion Inspection Committee member Johan Hamminga led the presentation and also emphasized the importance of a cooperative character.

Hamminga was very impressed with this year's crop, which showed themselves well in the packed Brabanthallen during the KWPN Stallion Show: "The interior is just as important as the exterior, and these stallions all demonstrated that today: they are easy to work with, have quick reflexes, and more important are healthy."

Easy switching
First to enter the arena was the striking Pontiac (by Total US, breeder A. van de Tillaart), under the saddle of Gerrel Vink. The stallion, adorned with a lot of white, moved through the course with a lot of go and reflexes. Hamminga: "This stallion switches easily and engages well. Also, his dam line with multiple approved stallions and a Holsteiner influence has given this horse a powerful hindquarter." The gray Princedale (by Glamourdale, breeder Stal Willig) also comes from a dam line with many sport horses and has remarkable leg technique. Hamminga praised the stallion for his balanced character: "He was the same every day during the test and was very balanced." Very striking was the stallion Powerbank (by For Ferrero, breeders P.M. and W.P. Willems), who under José van Haaren moved with a lot of presence and technique through the course. "A horse with a lot of power and carrying capacity," said Hamminga.

Good interior
The stallions Pitch Perfect (by Le Formidable, breeder H. Veurink) and Perfect Pleasure (by Kingston Blue Hors, breeder D.J. Roefs) both clearly displayed their good characters and were also very balanced during the performance test according to Hamminga. Pitch Perfect, ridden by Vai Bruntink, showed an impressive canter and extended walk. Perfect Pleasure, under Femke de Laat, moved with beautiful balance and harmony through the course. Also, Patheon (by Hermes, breeder M. Schaap) showed himself very workable under Gerrel Vink. Besides a good interior, Hamminga also praised this stallion for his sharpness and reflexes. With rider Bart Veeze came the tall-legged Pina Colada (by Governor, breeder J. Mol), who according to Hamminga already stood out in the test due to his beautiful self-carriage and also a fine character. The striking chestnut Pablo Picasso (by Taminiau, breeders B.A.W. Mensinck and M.E. Ras) showed an energetic picture with Ruben Mengual Reig. "A stallion with a lot of power who improved a lot during the test and got a more beautiful movement flow."

Good reflexes
Like in the performance test, the chestnut Pjethro (by Kjento, breeder A.J. Beerens) showed himself well at the KWPN Stallion Show. "A real athletic with a lot of expression, a strong hind leg, and striking reflexes," praised Hamminga the stallion. The tall-legged Powerdale (by Glamourdale, breeder F. Hoogenboom) according to Hamminga is gaining more strength and carrying capacity and has an easy way of cantering. The light-footed Purple Rain (by Desperado, breeder A.J. van Os) showed a beautiful foreleg technique in Den Bosch, and this stallion also proved to be easy to work with. The striking Proud James (by Jameson RS2, breeder Y.Y.M. van Maasacker) performed a beautiful round under Maxi von Platen. "This is really what we are looking for in terms of balance, posture, and carrying capacity," explained Hamminga.

A comprehensive report will follow in the upcoming issue of the KWPN Magazine, and this live broadcasted presentation will be available on KWPN.tv.

Overview of presented dressage stallions approved in 2023

Photo credit: Pina Colada by Dirk Careman