This first round of the stallion selection is also called the ‘First viewing’. Young stallions are signed up by their owners to get inspected by the stallion committee. Each breeding direction has its own viewing and its own committee of judges. The dressage stallions are inspected first – tomorrow.

During the first viewing, the stallions get assessed on conformation and foundation first – on hard surface – and then on movement – in the arena.

The hard surface area is an indoor paved street where the stallions are presented in hand. The stallions get positioned in front of the judges first so they can look at the stance and shape of the body, legs and hoofs and overall quality. They then walk and trot away and toward the judges, who sit on the short end. This way, they can see if the body, hoofs and legs are used correctly.

The stallions will then show their free movement in a fenced area in the arena – the ‘cage’. The cage has an oval shape with a ‘figure eight’ inside, around which the stallions move in trot and canter. The judges can see how the stallions hold themselves in circles. The cage also has a barrier with a long side for going on a straight line. After their round, they trot by hand for one lap with their handler before leaving the cage.

Both the hard surface and free movement are done in groups, often by sire. So you will be able to see a several sons of one stallion in a row, which of course is very interesting. After all stallions in the group have done their free movement, the stallions are brought back to walk around by hand. The owners then hear one by one if their stallion is selected for the second round or not. Only if they are not selected, they get a short explanation by the judges.

The second viewing takes place during the KWPN Stallion Show in Den Bosch, January 28-31. If a stallion is selected during the Second viewing, they will receive an invitation to proceed in the process for the performance test.

Are you curious and want to see the stallions the coming 2 weeks? The first viewings are broadcasted live and on demand on ClipMyHorse.tv and KWPN.tv. Liz Van Woerden will also be in Ermelo to report for us.