August 11, 2024

Report of the KWPN Championships in the Netherlands

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KWPN Championships 2024 report

The mare and foal inspections (or how the Dutch call an inspection: ‘Keuring’) take place in May, June and July in the Netherlands. After all the regional Keurings, the Central Keurings take place. Champions of those Keurings then are invited to the National Championships (NVK = National Foal Inspection and NMK= National Mare Inspection). These traditionally happen in August, for all breeding directions. This year, they were held a little earlier. The National mare & foal Championship for the Jumping-, Dressage- and Gelders horses was held the 26th of July. The Harness horses have their own Championship, which is called the ‘National Tuigpaardendag’ or ‘NTD’ (this stands for ‘National Harness horse day’.) The 39th edition of the NTD took place yesterday at Stal De Nieuwe Heuvel in Lunteren. The Harness foals have a separate Championship on the 14th of August, at the KWPN centre in Ermelo.

Traditionally, the Breeders of the Year are also announced at the Championships. The Championships are also the stage of the Finals of two Young Horse Competitions. The Dressage horses have the PAVO Cup for 4-5- and 6- year old dressage horses and the Jumpers have the Van Santvoort Cup, for 4-,5-,6- and 7-year-old horses. The Gelders horses can also compete in these cups. The competitors have to qualify for the Finals during specific qualification competitions in the months before the Championships. The Harness horses have several Cups and performance classes happening during the NTD, like the Manno Trophy, the Renovo Cup, Young Rider Cup, Stallion Cups and more.

We will share the winners of the Championships. Please visit the website of the KWPN for full results and more extensive news reports. Liz visited several classes and took videos for us. Visit our YouTube Channel in the coming weeks to watch the videos.

National Mare & Foal Championships (NMK & NVK)

Champion 3-year-old dressage mare

Raspoetin-K van Kattenheye (Fynch Hatton out of Daylight de Hus by Don Juan de Hus) bred by Tony and Mieke Raman of Star Stables Kattenheye and owned by Miludka Swinkels from Helmond.

Champion dressage foal

Utah Beach (L’Avenir out of Jinola Elite by Dream Boy) bred by the Knoops family from Wellerlooi and registered with Saskia Poels from Heusden.

Champion 3-year-old Jumper mare

Artuna E Z (Aganix du Seigneur out of G.Fortuna E ster by Emilion), bred by Popke van Eik from Bakkeveen / Owner: VDL Stud, Bears

Champion Jumper foal

Umberto W (by Mees van de Watermolen out of Iwinita elite EPTM-spr PROK by Namelus R) Breeder/ Owner: J.W. Van Wessel, Zwartebroek

Champion 3-year-old Gelders mare

Rofa Dodessa van Heemstate (by Cennin out of Dodessa Elite Sport (Dres) by Upperville), Breeder Wemke Staatsen from Emmer Compascuum/ Owner C.A.J. Hermeling, Driel

Champion Gelders foal

Unum (by Odin out of Fendi Liena ster by Manno), bred and owned by H.A.G Steenbruggen from Puiflijk.
KWPN Champion of the 3yo Dressage mares: Raspoetin-K van Kattenheye (Fynch Hatton out of Daylight de Hus by Don Juan de Hus) bred by Tony and Mieke Raman of Star Stables Kattenheye and owned by Miludka Swinkels from Helmond.
National Champion dressage foal: Utah Beach (L’Avenir out of Jinola Elite by Dream Boy) bred by the Knoops family from Wellerlooi and registered with Saskia Poels from Heusden.
National Champion 3-year-old Jumper mare: Artuna E Z (Aganix du Seigneur out of G.Fortuna E ster by Emilion), bred by Popke van Eik from Bakkeveen / Owner: VDL Stud, Bears
Champion Gelders foal: Unum (by Odin out of Fendi Liena ster by Manno), bred and owned by H.A.G Steenbruggen from Puiflijk.
Champion 3yo Gelders mare: Rofa Dodessa van Heemstate (by Cennin out of Dodessa Elite Sport (Dres) by Upperville), Breeder Wemke Staatsen from Emmer Compascuum/ Owner C.A.J. Hermeling, Driel

PAVO Dressage Cup & Van Santvoort Makelaars Jumper Cup

PAVO CUP
The 6-year-old stallion Nashville SW (by Secret out of Esina elite pref IBOP-dres sport-dres PROK by Jazz, breeder Stal Willig VOF from Abcoude) won- which he also did as a four-year-old. He received an impressive 9.8 from Swedish guest rider Jessica Lynn Thomas who was especially very impressed with his willingness and rideability.

The 5-year-old class was won by the stallion Red Viper (by Romanov Blue Hors out of Zolena elite EPTM-dres sport-dres PROK by Sir Sinclair, breeder C. Kerbert from Enschede). After a victory in the semi-final and the first final part, Red Viper convinced guest rider Jessica Lynn Thomas of his quality too and score him a 9.8.
“He is easy to ride, very sharp on to the aids and always focused, you can see that his ears are always directed at me. I think I should move to the Netherlands. If I get horses like that under the saddle, I will consider it!” Jessica says enthusiastically. After the victory round, Red Viper was also invited for the performance test by the KWPN stallion committee.

The winner of the 4-year-old class was Patchouli Vera (Kjento out of Kiara elite IBOP-dres PROK by Bordeaux). She had the highest IBOP score in the country in 2023, and was one of the favorites for the Pavo Cup.
Patchouli received a 9.3 from guest rider Jessica Lynn Thomas. “This mare was first a little insecure with me which I noticed in her self-carriage, but she tried everything she could for me,” she explains. “She is a really nice, elegant horse that is easy to ride and did not look at anything and stayed focused on me all the time.”
Patchouli Vera is a real family horse. She was bred by Florine de Voogd and Veerle Boogaard and ridden by Annemijn Boogaard. “We never expected her to do so well, she is our first breeding product. A daughter of my own mare, which makes it really special,” says Veerle. “She is such a sweet horse and always tries her very best,” Annemijn adds. “It is really nice that we have been able to do go through this whole process with her ourselves.”

For all the results, go HERE.  For more information on the PAVO Cup, click HERE.

Patchouli Vera
Nashville SW
Red Viper
Van Santvoort Makelaars Cup
Similar to the PAVO cup for young dressage horses, there is also a young horse cup for 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-year-old Jumpers organized by the KWPN in the Netherlands. The finals take place during the annual National KWPN Championships. This cup is sponsored by Van Santvoort Makelaars.

Winner 4yo class:
Pagani of the Paddocks (by Catoki out of Lewinsky by Corofino I) bred by Anthony Mornie and owned by Stal Hendrix. Read more HERE.

Winner 5yo class:
Oilily MF (Impressive VDL out of Karma di Charme Bling ster IBOP-spr sport-spr by Dakar VDL) bred by Maud Flikkema and owned by Frank Gerritsen. Read more HERE.

Winner 6yo class:
Night Life VDL (by Erco van ’t Roosakker out of Ialba VDL elite IBOP-spr PROK by Arezzo VDL) bred and owned by VDL Stud. Read more HERE.

Winner 7yo class:
Mont Rose HX keur sport-spr (by Entertainer out of Isabella HX sport-spr by Diamant de Semilly) bred and owned by Stal Hendrix. Read more HERE.

For all the results, go HERE.

National Harness Horse day (NTD)

National Champion 2-yo mares
Symylady (by Macho out of Mylady Silvalina Elite Ibop (tp) by Cizandro Preferent), bred by Gebr den Otter from Bruchem, owned by J.W.A. van Dijk from Odiliapeel.

National Champion 3-yo mares
Rosa Lony W (by Cizandro Preferent out of Hanneke Keur Ibop (tp) by Atleet Preferent) bred and owned by A. van Wijhe from ‘t Harde.

National Champion 4-7 yo Keur/ Elite mares 
Ominka- Almire (by Heliotroop VDM out of Vatinka B ster preferent prestatie by Manno Preferent), bred by M. ter Schure from Basse and owned by L. ter Schure- Boltjes from Basse.

Macho
Mylady- Silvalina
Oberon
Winner Greet Bergstra Bokaal – Overall Champion mare in Harness 
Mylady – Silvalina (Cizandro Preferent out of Silvalina ster preferent prestatie by Manno Preferent), bred by S.A. Korevaar from Wijngaarden and owned by C. Brouwer from Oijen. Drivers: Robbie van Dijk and C. Brouwer.

Winner Manno Trophy 
Magnifiek (by Idol out of Helise keur Ibop (tp) by Atleet Preferent), bred by H. Kruidhof from Rouveen and owned by L. Huckriede from Enschede. Driver: Lambertus Huckriede.

Winner Renovo Cup  
Lindrini (by Hertog Jan out of Dendrini keur, Ibop (tp), sport (tp) by Manno Preferent), bred and owned by M. Kooyman from Arkel. Driver: Henk Hammers.

Winner Westfort Stallion Competition 
Oberon (by Icellie out of Helga T ster preferent by Cizandro Preferent), bred by H.H. J. Tonnaer from IJsselstein, owned by Gebr van Manen from Ede and J. Thijs from Heeze.  Driver: Robbie van Dijk.

Winner Future Cup Young Riders  
Oklahoma (Icellie out of Wyomi Landzicht ster preferent prestatie by Marvel), bred and owned by Hengstenhouderij Landzicht from Giessenburg. Driver: Roy Brand.

Winner Junior Championship under 16 yo 
Renvyle Internationaal (by Ditisem out of Cithilda keur preferent Ibop (tp) by Victory), bred by H.B.C Stal from Boijl, owned by F. Fritspatrick. Driver: Lucas van Odijk.

Harness Horse of the Year  
Lindrini (by Hertog Jan out of Dendrini keur, Ibop (tp), sport (tp) by Manno Preferent), bred and owned by M. Kooyman from Arkel. Driver: Henk Hammers.

Harness Breeder of the Year
Jan Thijs Seinen from Punthof, breeder of over 90 Harness horses in his career as a breeder, of which approved stallions Seinman and Neon GSM.

Chester Weber
Randem
Goodbye Amadeus
Ominka
Magnifiek
Harness Breeder of the Year with Neon GSM
Other Show blocks

There were several show blocks, of which a presentation by our very own American four-in-hand Champion Combined driving Chester Weber and his team. Team Weber competes and trains in Europe in the summer. He told the audience what he likes so much about the Dutch Harness horse, and what Harness horse breeders need to aim for if they want to breed good combined driving horses. The most important for a combined driving horse are three good gaits, said Chester. For dressage of course, but in the marathon they especially need a good, functional canter. Watch the full presentation on our YouTube channel.
Another US- related show block was the final goodbye to Macho. This stunning stallion, owned by American Bill Duffy and his wife Erin, will end his career in the Netherlands and travel to the USA this coming Tuesday.  Macho was bought by the Duffies as a young stallion after the second viewing and then took part in the performance test where he was approved by the KWPN with the highest scores in history. He bred several top mares and delivered Keuring champions from his first year of breeding. At this NTD, his 2yo daughter Symylady won the title. Bill is looking forward to having Macho ‘on his side of the pond’. He will stand him stud and looks forward to drive him at US shows and in competition.

Another nice class was the ‘Rondje Drenthe om het Bronzen Bartje’: the final of the competition with tandems. Marcel Ritsma took home the win with Gerran (Atleet pref) and Jack Daniels RSH (Manno pref). There were several other show blocks at the NTD: there was a class of drivers with a traditional Frisian (Northern province in the Netherlands, where the Frisian horse comes from) carriage called a ‘sjees’. The drivers all wore traditional Frisian clothing and received a price for the best performance. There was also a show with a three horse hitch, called a ‘randem’, which was very impressive to watch. Both these shows didn’t have a prize awarded. Finally, there was the official goodbye of the famous Harness sporthorse Amadeus (by Saffraan out of Tamara ster by Manno Preferent), bred by Henk Kruidhof jr. from Staphorst and owned by Leendert Veerman. Leendert and Amadeus are legends in the Harness horse world, having won about everything possible in the Harness competitions up to the highest level: Champion of the Honorary class.

For all the news & results on the NTD, go HERE.
Rosa Lony W
Symylady by Macho
Lindrini
Sjees
Junior drivers
Tandem