KWPN Stallion Show Powered by Massey Ferguson Begins this Week
The KWPN Stallion Show powered by Massey Ferguson, the world’s largest event of its kind, will take place from January 30 – February 4, 2013 in the Brabanthallen at ’s-Hertogenbosch. Approximately 25,000 visitors from around the globe are expected to attend this celebration of performance horse breeding, sport, and entertainment. The 2013 KWPN Stallion Show features a showcase of future international sport horses.
Jumpers
January 30-31 (Wednesday and Thursday) are dedicated entirely to jumpers. The day program includes the second round viewing of three-year-old jumper stallions, which successfully completed the first round viewing. The Stallion Selection Committee will judge these stallions on conformation, movement, and jumping talent. On Wednesday evening, the KWPN will debut the Offspring Team Competition, in which teams of three offspring by the same sire will compete against one another over a course of obstacles. Sires represented include Cardento, Cartano, Whitesnake, Ukato, Oklund, Rascin, Untouchable, Ustinov, Up to Date, and Vittorio.
On Thursday evening, jumper stallions will face off in four different finals. Three of these are open to stallions of specific ages and are part of the GMB KNHS/KWPN Stallion Competition; the fourth is open to older stallions which regularly compete in national and international show jumping. The stallions will contend for the VHO Trophy, a prestigious award sponsored by the Association of Dutch Stallion Owners.
For the first time in the history of the KWPN Stallion Show, jumping evening will include a 1.50m Grand Prix. The class is open to all KWPN-approved and KWPN-recognized stallions qualified to compete at this level. Entries in the Grand Prix include the KWPN’s flagship jumper VDL Groep VerdiTN (s.Quidam de Revel) with Maikel van der Vleuten.
Dressage
Friday, February 1, is dedicated to dressage. The day program features the second round viewing of three-year-old dressage stallions. The evening program is packed with a number of exciting events, including several spectacular demonstrations as well as the traditional the GMB KNHS/KWPN Stallion Competition finals and the VHO Trophy competition.
Dressage evening will also include several interesting and educational clinics, such as the presentation of Olympic sires, with commentary by Wim Ernes. The stallion Glock’s Ziësto and Hans Peter Minderhoud are among the combinations participating in the presentation. For the Rabo Talent Team clinic, no one other than Anky van Grunsven will be on hand to coach the young talents, including a new combination: Diederik van Silfhout with the KWPN stallion Uphill (s.Oscar). In addition, Adelinde Cornelissen will talk about her training method, with help from her demonstration mount Jerich Parzival, the KWPN Horse of the Year.
Before the evening is over, we will introduce several “rising stars.” Facilitated by Gert van den Hoorn, we will present several horses which competed in the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses in the past three years. These future top horses include Duval’s Capri Sonne (s.Rhodium) with Dinja van Liere, Borencio (s.Florencio) with Emmelie Scholtens, Boston STH (s.Johnson) with Denise Nekeman, President’s Avanti (s.United) with Anne Meulendijks, TC Athene (s.United) with Gerdine Maree, and Zamora (s. Krack C) with Lynne Maas.
Saturday, February 2, promises to be an exciting conclusion to the 2013 KWPN Stallion Show powered by Massey Ferguson. The day’s program features the third round viewing of jumper-, dressage- and Gelder stallions, the best of which will compete in the Championship. In addition, the 2012 KWPN Horse of the Year will be revealed. Also scheduled is the Oregon Trophy competition for the best harness horse stallions. As in previous years, the program will conclude with the KWPN Select Sale, the elite auction of three-year-old jumper- and dressage stallions for sport and breeding.
Live Information Service
Especially for our foreign visitors, the KWPN will launch a new live information service at the 2013 KWPN Stallion Show powered by Massey Ferguson. Unlike in past years, this year’s English language service will include extensive background information and commentary throughout the four-day program. Experts in horse breeding and equestrian sport – KWPN inspectors, former and current top riders, and breeders – will share their knowledge of the KWPN and its horses. Commentators include Bart Henstra, Willy Arts, Peter Strijbosch, Pieter Kersten, Eric Naberink, Jeanet van Dellen, Toine Hoefs, Bas van der Vlis, Karin Retera, Natascha Halbertsma, Jan Pen, Danielle Arts, Ine van Deurzen, and Henk Dirksen.
The live English language service is provided via a headset, which may be rented for €25.00 per day. Headsets may be ordered through the ticket shop, along with tickets for the KWPN Stallion Show and the Guided Tour. A refundable deposit of €50.00 is required upon receipt of the headset.
Seminar with Wim Ernes
On Thursday, January 31, Wim Ernes will present an interesting and educational seminar in English at the KWPN Stallion Show powered by Massey Ferguson. He will discuss two main topics: the selection process of dressage stallions and their athletic development over time; and the strengths and weaknesses of the horses which competed in the London Olympics. Wim is an O-judge and the chairman of the KWPN stallion selection committee for dressage horses. In addition, he is the official coach of the Netherlands’ national dressage team.
After the seminar, guests are invited to stay for a reception hosted by the Holland National Horse Foundation (www.hnhf.org). The seminar begins at 15:00 hours in the Carrouselbar, and admission is free. English>Russian translation service is available! Seating is limited, so please e-mail salespromotion@kwpn.nl to reserve your place.
Guided Tour
Following the conclusion of the 2013 KWPN Stallion Show powered by Massey Ferguson, the Guided Tour will take place on Sunday, February 3. This year’s tour, which will visit Laarakkers Dressage Stables and VDL Stud, is a unique opportunity to gain insight into Dutch horse breeding and see many famous stallions in person. The tour is a must-do experience for those visiting the Netherlands! The tour includes bus transportation, lunch, and beverages. Admission is €50 per person. If you would like to join the Guided Tour, please e-mail salespromotion@kwpn.nl.
For more information, please visit www.kwpn.org.
(KWPN press release, may be republished without citing source.)
The KWPN (Studbook of the Royal Dutch Sport Horse) is the breeding organization of the Netherlands for jumpers, dressage horses, harness horses, and Gelder horses. The KWPN boasts about 26,000 members in the Netherlands and an average of 10,000 foals born each year. Performance, durability, and attractive conformation are the most important factors on which the international success of the Dutch horse is based. For years, the KWPN has topped the studbook rank list of the international breeding umbrella organization, the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH).
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KWPN Press Briefing | Charlotte Gunnink
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