The Special Awards were announced at the recent Annual Meeting in Holland.

Gert van der Veen Award

Blossom  With an 80 for conformation and an 85 for free-jumping, the 1.67m Blossom (Lupicor x Vanilla Shake by Larino keur) earned her star predicate and became eligible for the keur predicate. Blossom then went on to her IBOP, which she easily passed with with a score of 82.5 and thereby earned her Keur predicate at the same keuring. Blossom is owned and bred by John van den Bosch of Red Deer, Alberta.

This award was established in memory of Gert van der Veen. He was the tie between the NA/WPN and the KWPN for 15 years. Gert van der Veen was the head of the NA/WPN keuring jury for 13 years and an ex-officio member of the NA/WPN Board of Directors. He supported and believed in the NA/WPN through the tough early years. He was generous with his time and knowledge. He was a good friend and a much admired colleague.

FEI Horses of the Year
sponsored by Iron Spring Farm

Because both performed superbly last year (both winning medals at the World Equestrian Games), Hickstead and Ravel share the honor of being KWPN-NA Horses of the Year.

Breeder of the Year
sponsored by Claybrook Farms

Claybrook Farms   Claybrook Farms, owned and operated by Susan Taylor and Waino Pihl, was established in 2001, and specializes in breeding and training high quality Dutch Warmblood show jumping, equitation and hunter horses. Claybrook Farms has consistently produced top performers at KWPN-NA Inspections, in the Iron Spring Cup and in the show ring.

• 2010 – Chiki (Chin-Chin/Lupicor) Res. Champion KWPN-NA 3-7 Year-Old Jumper Mares.
• 2010 – Ranked in Top 50 USEF Jumper Breeders with four horses in Young Jumper and speed classes.
• 2010 – Aviator CBF, Arusa CBF, and Wolfgang CBF all placed in the Top Ten of Zone 5 YJC Rankings. Also showing and winning: Upstart Junior Medal classes, Wizardy is competing in Equation classes and Voyager CBF, ZaZu CBF, Ambassador CBF are competing in Dressage.

Member of the Year
sponsored by Loucky Hagens Groosman

Tony De Groot  Tony De Groot has unceasingly worked from the KWPN in North America since it’s inception in 1983. In the early years he served on the NA/WPN Advisory Board. Tony has played host for numerous keurings over the last 30 years and welcomed members to his ranch. He has also opened his facility for two Annual Meetings.

He has been a tireless promoter of the KWPN horse at home, at big events like the World Cup and in business, which ultimately resulted in the sponsorship from Rabobank.