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Keuring Awards
The KWPN of North America is proud to offer an expansive awards program as part of our annual keuring tour.
Keuring Awards
In addition to individual awards presented at each location on the annual KWPN-NA keuring tour, the KWPN-NA is proud to recognize exceptional individuals from the overall tour as our yearly TOP TENS in the dressage, jumper, hunter, gelders, and harness divisions, as well as IBOP, DG Bar Cup, and Global Equine Sires Cup winners.
- The Gert van der Veen award is given to the Champion mares aged 3-5 with at least 75/75 for conformation and movement. An award is given per breeding direction. Read more through the tab on the side.
- Iron Spring Farm sponsors the Keuring Championship Awards. These awards will distribute prize money to the breeders and recognize the Champion and Reserve Champion Foal and Mature Horses (3-7 year-old stallion, mare and gelding) in each of the breeding directions: dressage, jumping, hunters, harness and Gelders. Read more specifics on these awards HERE.
- Two of our under saddle classes for Young horses are sponsored: the DG Bar Cup for dressage horses is sponsored by DG Bar Ranch and the Global Equine Sires Cup for jumpers is sponsored by Global Equine Sires. The award money for the winners of the DG Bar Cup is split between the breeders and the owners. The award money for the winners of the Global Equine Sires Cup goes to the owner. Read more about these Young Horse classes HERE.
- We also award the Top Keuring Sire (activated stallion with most placings in the Keuring Top Tens) and the Top Keuring Breeder (breeder with the most placings in the Keuring Top Tens).
- Finally, we award the winners of the yearly Foal Futurity. The prize fund for this Futurity (which takes place during the Keuring tour), consists of $10k plus the entry funds. Read more about the Futurity HERE.
Click below to see the 2023 Top Tens, and congratulations to all!
2023 Top Tens
North American Champion Dressage foal:
Tinkerbell S– 86 (84/88)
Franklin X Karabel elite IBOP (dr) D-OC by Ebony
Owner: Lucy Field (OR) Breeder: Sonnenberg Farm, LLC (OR)
©Mary Cornelius
North American Champion Jumper foal:
Touchdown MG – 88 (86/90)
Grand Slam VDL X Eeyanette RGS ster keur elig by Veron
Owner/ Breeder: Kathleen Hickerson, Majestic Gaits (NH)
Titan SGS – 80 (77/83)
Koning DG ster IBOP(dr) D-OC X Janda keur IBOP By Parcival keur
Owner/ Breeder: Stephanie Schauer, Solo Deo Gloria Sporthorses (CA)
©Tamara with the Camera
North American Champion Harness foal:
Tana BHF – 81 (80/82)
Atleet keur X Lillian ster By Vaandrager HBC
Owner/ Breeder: Glen Yoder (IN)
North American Champion Hunter foal:
Trademark RCF – 77 (78/76)
Kaiman X Fiona By Laroche
Owner/ Breeder: Christina Vassallo (DE)
Picture by Liz van Woerden
North American Champion Hunter Yearling:
Sapphire Blue – 78 (78/78)
Popeye-K X Jewel By Wellington keur
Owner: Annparke Sullivan (PA) Breeder: Cassandra Mahoney (PA)
©Purple Horse Designs
North American Champion Jumper Yearling:
Small Town USA – 75.5 (76/75)
Diarado X N- Millionairess By Cornet Obolensky
Owner/ Breeder: Gentry Hill Farm (CA)
©Tamara with the Camera
North American Champion Gelders Yearling:
Sebastian B – 87 (85/88)
Gaudi X Incredible Babe J&S elite IBOP (tp) By Cizandro pref
Owner: Stacy Brass, Brass Stables (KY) Breeder: Joseph L. Schwartz (IN)
©Sarah Schaaf Photography
North American Champion Dressage mare:
Primrosa S ster keur eligible– 82.5 (80/85)
Secret X Juliette d’Rosa S elite IBOP (dr) sport (dr) D-OC By Ampere
Owner/ Breeder: Sonnenberg Farm LLC (OR)
©Mary Cornelius
North American Champion Hunter mare:
Poevai – 75 (80/70)
Contester II X Venezia By Rubinstein
Owner: Danielle Gregoire (OR) Breeder: Deborah P Harrison DVM, Lio Lomas Dutch Warmbloods (CA)
©Mary Cornelius
North American Champion Harness 2yo:
Rijona CWS – 77 (78/76)
Holland ster IBOP (tp) PROK X Dijona ster By Patijn pref
Owner / Breeder: Enos E.R. Schwarts, Curve Way Stables (IN)
Picture by Liz van Woerden
North American Champion Hunter 2yo:
Repercussion – 71 (73/69)
Parcival X Zarina By Riverman
Owner: Krista Vrabel Hebert (NJ) Breeder: Ruth Ann Kershaw, Indigo Farm Sporthorses (PA)
North American Champion Dressage 2yo:
Rocha-Roché – 82 (82/82)
Gaudi X Shirlene By Stedinger
Owner: Becky Beattie (ON) Breeder: Dawn Spencer, Spencer Sport Horses (MI)
North American Champion Jumper mare:
D’Encore WF keur sport (sp) – 80 (80/Sport)
Corland keur X Just One Look By Un Beerenauslese
Owner/ Breeder: Shelley L. Campbell, Windbourne Farm (OR)
North American Champion DG Bar Cup 7-8yo:
Leeloo Dallas keur IBOP (dr) sport (dr) – 80.5
Gaspard de la Nuit DG aang x Voque by Negro pref
Owner: Lauren Chumley (NJ) Breeder: Racheal McKinney, McKinney Performance Horses (AZ)
©Purple Horse Designs
North American Champion Harness mare:
Penelope ster PROK – 82 (78/86)
Jaleet IBOP (tp) PROK X Jo Roxanne R.M.A. elite IBOP (tp) PROK
Owner: Shooting Star Farm (NH) Breeder: Lester A. Graber, Redi Mix Acres Equine (IN)
North American Champion Hunter gelding:
Patron WF ster – 72.5 (70/75)
by Grand Slam VDL out of One More Look By Voltaire pref
Owner: Kelly Skoglund (OR) Breeder: Shelley L. Campbell, Windbourne Farm (OR)
North American Champion Dressage gelding:
Pandémie D’amour I.K. ster- 85 (85/85)
Le Formidable X Easterlanda TH elite IBOP (dr) D-OC By Jazz pref
Owner: Brooke Voldbaek (OR) Breeder: I. Kruts (NL)
©Mary Cornelius
North American Champions Ibop Harness (TIE):
Pinalya ster – 75
Globetrotter sport (tp) X Dinalya ster By Manno Pref
Owner: Leroy K. Fisher (PA) Breeder: Ivan K. Fisher, Poole Forge Stables (PA)
©Stacy Lynne
North American Champion Fine Harness Cup (PA) stallion:
Atleet Preferent
Patijn pref x Sintia ster by Waterman pref
Owner: William Duffy III, Grand Finale Farm (MA) Breeder: R. Aalders (NL)
©Stacy Lynne
North American Champion Fine Harness Cup (IN) mare:
Mijona keur IBOP (tp)
Hermanus x Dijona ster by Patijn pref
Owner/ Breeder: Martin Schmucker & John Graber (IN)
Picture by Liz van Woerden
North American Champion Ibop Jumping:
Navigator VF – 83.5
Messenger VF X J’Dekada By Lagrain
Owner/ Breeder: Valleyfield Farm (AB)
©Rylee Smolarchuk Photo
North American Champion GES Cup 5-8yo:
Navigator VF – 83.5
Messenger VF X J’Dekada By Lagrain
Owner/ Breeder: Valleyfield Farm (AB)
North American Champion GES Cup 4yo:
Ophelia VF keur IBOP (sp) – 83.5
Contefino x NEC Plus Ultra MGC Leuze by Darco
Owner/ Breeder: Valleyfield Farm (AB)
©Rylee Smolarchuk Photo
North American Champion Fine Harness Cup (IN) stallion:
Jaleet IBOP (tp) PROK
Atleet keur x Dorencda ster by Plain’s Liberator
Owner: Scot Tolman, Shooting Star Farm (NH) Breeder: Wim Cazemier, Cazemier Equine Center (IN)
Picture by Liz van Woerden
North American Champion Fine Harness Cup (PA) mare:
Kiralonda keur IBOP (tp)
Globetrotter sport (tp) x Alonda ster pref by Talos
Owner/ Breeder: Raymond Stoltzfus, Treasure Hill Stables (PA)
©Stacy Lynne
North American Champion DG Bar Cup 5-6yo:
Maebria DG elite IBOP (dr) D-OC – 89.5
by Totilas out of Famebria DG elite IBOP (dr) by Idocus crown
Owner/Breeder: DG Bar Breeders, Inc. (CA)
©Tamara with the Camera
North American Champion Gelders stallion:
Pharaoh DG PROK IBOP– 90 (90/90)
Koning DG ster IBOP (dr) PROK X Janda Keur IBOP By Parcival keur
Owner/ Breeder: DG Bar Breeders, Inc. (CA)
©Tamara with the Camera
North American Champion DG Bar Cup 4yo:
Odessa DG keur IBOP (dr) – 81.5
Koning DG ster IBOP (dr) D-OC x Alona DG ster by Ferro pref
Owner: Judith Nishi (CA) Breeder: DG Bar Breeders, Inc. (CA)
©Tamara with the Camera
North American Dressage Ibop Champion:
New Adventure DG ster IBOP (dr) PROK D-OC – 81.5
Don Schufro X Wenke By Blue Hors Zack
Owner: DG Bar Breeders, Inc. (CA) Breeder: Oak Hill Ranch (LA)
©Tamara with the Camera
North American DG Bar Cup 3yo Champion:
Pharaoh DG IBOP PROK– 88.5
Koning DG ster IBOP (dr) PROK X Janda keur IBOP by Parcival keur
Owner/ Breeder: DG Bar Breeders, Inc. (CA)
©Tamara with the Camera
North American Champion Ibop Gelders:
Pharaoh DG PROK IBOP – 81.5
Koning DG ster IBOP (dr) PROK X Janda keur IBOP By Parcival keur
Owner/ Breeder: DG Bar Breeders, Inc. (CA)
Picture by Tamara Torti
The Gert van der Veen Award
This award was established in memory of Gert van der Veen, who was instrumental in launching the KWPN-NA and ‘steered the ship’ for 15 years. Gert was the head of the NA Keuring jury for 13 years and an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors. He was generous with his time and knowledge, a good friend and a much-admired colleague.
Historically this award was given to the highest scoring mare in the keuring tour, with a minimum score of 75 points for conformation and for movement/jumping. In 2017, the award was expanded to up to five recipients, with one from each breeding direction for mares between the ages of 3 and 5. The winners are to still have a minimum of 75 points in conformation and movement/jumping and are selected by the NA Keuring jury.
Congratulations to our 2023 winners:
Primrosa S ster keur eligible– 82.5 (80/85)
Secret X Juliette d’Rosa S elite IBOP (dr) sport (dr) D-OC By Ampere
Owner/ Breeder: Sonnenberg Farm LLC (OR)
©Mary Cornelius
Penelope VF ster keur elig–83.5
Messenger VF X Bini-Balou Ster sport (sp) by Balou du Rouet Z
Owner/ Breeder: Valleyfield Farm (AB)
©Rylee Smolarchuk Photo
Nizza ster keur eligible – 75 (75/75)
Vitens X Imatra By W V Saron
Owner: Megan Owen, Owen Dressuur Boederij (OR) Breeder: A.K. Metz (Netherlands)
©Mary Cornelius
Penelope ster PROK – 82 (78/86)
Jaleet IBOP (tp) PROK X Jo Roxanne R.M.A. elite IBOP (tp) PROK
Owner: Shooting Star Farm (NH) Breeder: Lester A. Graber, Redi Mix Acres Equine (IN)
Breeder Achievement Awards
The KWPN-NA Breeder’s Achievement Award recognizes our member breeders who have accomplished significant results throughout the years with their breeding programs.
This award benefits KWPN-NA members by giving an award to the qualifying breeder at their local/regional keuring, allowing local/regional promotion of their breeding program (when possible); an award to the qualifying breeder at the KWPN-NA Annual Meeting; and special recognition of the breeder on the KWPN-NA website to specifically promote the success of the qualifying breeder.
Please note the Breeder’s Achievement Award does not take the place of the KWPN-NA Breeder of the Year award, which is based on a single breeder’s accomplishment and which is nominated and selected by the organization’s membership.
There are four (4) levels of achievement in this program, and receipt of this award allows the breeder to use the following breeder designation for advertising or promotional purposes:
- KWPN-NA Bronze Level Breeder (15 points needed)
- KWPN-NA Silver Level Breeder (30 points needed)
- KWPN-NA Gold Level Breeder (60 points needed)
- KWPN-NA Platinum Level Breeder (100 points needed)
2022/2023 Award Recipients
| Sonnenberg Farm LLC | Platinum | 125 |
| McTalley Manor | Gold | 69 |
| Kimberlee Farms | Gold | 62 |
| Six Pound Farm LLC | Silver | 43 |
| Sakura Hill Farm | Silver | 30 |
| Windmill Farms | Bronze | 15 |
| Larry and Kathy Childs, Crooked Post Farm | Gold | 62 |
| Judy Reggio, Windy Ridge Farm | Gold | 62 |
| Matty O'Rourke | Bronze | 17 |
| Lisa Dickman, Kaneques Farm | Bronze | 21 |
How It Works:
- Only the breeder of record of a horse presented can earn points for that horse.
- In the Young Horse category, a horse may show at a keuring as a foal, yearling, and/or two-year-old, but will earn points only one time within this category.
- The breeder of the horse will receive points for each accomplishment that their horse has achieved. For example:
- If a horse receives a First Premium as a young horse, the breeder will earn one (1) point (a horse can only earn one point as a young horse, even if earning multiple First Premiums).
- Three years later, that same horse (now a Mature Horse) receives its Ster predicate, and thereby earns two (2) more points for its breeder.
- If the horse successfully passes the IBOP (riding performance test) during that or a future year, it will receive two (2) more points.
- If the horse is a mare and also keur eligible at her studbook inspection, she would now earn the Keur predicate and an additional two (2) points for her breeder.
- Therefore, this one horse has the possibility of earning seven (7) points for its breeder if a mare and five (5) points if a gelding.
Keeping Track of Points:
- Breeders must apply for award status. Once a breeder has reached the qualifying points for the first level (Bronze), the breeder must send all applicable documentation to the KWPN-NA office for verification.
- When the breeder has earned enough points to upgrade to a higher level (Silver, Gold or Platinum), the breeder must again send the documentation to the KWPN-NA office. In other words, it is up to breeders to nominate themselves when they think they have earned enough points for the award or to move to a higher level of the award program.
- Breeders will receive their awards the following year (the year after they achieve the results).
The Point System is as follows:
Young Horses
| First Premium | 1 |
| Ranked Top Five (or former Top Ten) | 1 |
Mature Horses
| Ster Predicate (to included geldings) | 2 |
| IBOP Predicate (to include geldings) | 2 |
| Keur Predicate | 2 |
| Elite Predicate | 2 |
| Sport Predicate (or gelding equivalent) | 3 |
| Crown Predicate | 3 |
| Preferent Predicate | 3 |
| Prestatie Predicate | 3 |
| Approved Stallion | 10 |