On Saturday, February 1, during the KWPN Stallion Show in Den Bosch, the spotlight will shine brightly on the Dutch spectacular and immensely popular harness horses. Under the theme ‘Tribute to the Dutch Harness Horse’, these showstoppers will take the international stage. And it’s not just about the impressive stallions—two world-class drivers will also make an appearance.

Among them is none other than seven-time and reigning world champion Boyd Exell, who has claimed victory at the FEI World Cup Driving Championships an incredible ten times. In December 2024, he had yet another win with a first-place finish at the World Cup competition in Geneva. Joining him in Den Bosch will be rising Belgian talent Dries Degrieck, who secured the win at the Leipzig World Cup in 2024.

Their common ground? Dutch harness horses!
What unites Boyd and Dries is their shared passion for Dutch harness horses, which form the foundation of their four-in-hand teams. Both drivers are avid fans of this unique breed. During the evening, they will share their insights in a clinic, explaining how specific traits, temperaments, conformation, and movements of Dutch harness horses contribute to their success. To top it off, they will demonstrate their skills in a spectacular performance with their four-in-hand teams.

A challenge to find the right horses
Dries Degrieck shared his thoughts about the event: “Dutch harness horses are simply made for pulling a carriage. They always carry themselves beautifully, whereas other horses often tend to fall on their forehand when pulling a carriage. They also have such a powerful and elegant way of moving. On top of that, they’re always eager to work and really give their best. The challenge, though, is finding the right ones.”

Indoor team
“Sometimes I’m lucky enough to come across them, and other times I travel through the Netherlands searching for good Dutch harness horses. I sometimes buy them as young as 2.5 or 3 years old. A solid nine-year-old works too, but by that age, they’ve usually already found their purpose. This Friday evening, I’ll be bringing my indoor team of Dutch harness horses to Den Bosch. It’s my first time there, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

KWPN Stallion Show
From January 29 to February 1 2025, the Brabanthallen in Den Bosch will transform into the highlight of Dutch sport and breeding during the KWPN Stallion Show. Alongside the stallion selection, enjoy a fantastic program featuring thrilling sport and show classes showcasing the best of the Dutch sport horse world. Don’t have a ticket yet? Order yours quickly. Can’t attend in person? The KWPN Stallion Show will also be streamed live on the renewed KWPN.tv.

Overview page for KWPN Stallion Show

Order your tickets

GJ for KWPN
Photo Dries Degrieck: Dirk Caremans