Report from the Road – DG Bar Ranch, California

9/18-19/2024
Hanford, CA USA
Host:  Willy Arts
KWPN Jury members: Floor Dröge  & Arie Hamoen
Photographer:  Tamara with the Camera
Editors: Tracy Geller-Stearns

Videographer: Liz van Woerden

For the next two days, we enjoyed the hospitality of the DG Bar Ranch family in California. We had an amazing Keuring at DG Bar Ranch!   As usual, it was very well organized, with a lot of spectators. Keuring Highlights for us were the amazing presentation of the approved KWPN stallion,  Pharaoh DG during his DG Bar Cup test, as well as the educational event held  on day 1. Big Thanks to the whole DG Bar Ranch Team, and Congratulations to the participants.

The educational event sponsored by the KWPN-NA was well attended, with about 50 people. A featured topic was conformation and free movement of yearlings, 2-year-olds and 3 year olds. We were able to see siblings from several of the DG Bar Breeders mares and stallions. Willy Arts discussed their breeding program and goals, and presented the very well kept 22 year old mare, Valeska DG who is a cornerstone of the DB Bar Breeding program.   In total during the Keuring, we saw 7 of her offspring, 4 of her grandchildren and one great grandchild.  Amazing! There was a riding horse presentation where jury member Floor Dröge gave a clinic explaining what the judges expect from each age group as they develop and how to help the riders improve each horse.The KWPN-NA provided dinner, and Willy gave a demonstration ride on Koning. It was a beautiful evening, and everyone learned something. 

Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

Riding Classes:   IBOP, DG Bar & GES Cup classes:
Thank you to our cup class sponsors, DG Bar Breeders and Global Equine Sires

DG Bar Cup for 4-Year-Olds:

PHARAOH DG IBOP (gp), PROK, D-OC (Koning DG D-OC IBOP (dr) x Janda keur IBOP by Parcival keur, BREEDER/OWNER: DG Bar Breeders)  What a horse! This one you want to get on top off and feel the power. The walk is powerful with rhythm and activity. The trot is well balanced, the hindleg is a bit long but he still has much carrying power and an uphill tendency with it. The hindleg is well engaged in the extensions and the front leg has a lot of reach. The canter is exceptional. He has so much power, balance and mechanics. And at the age of four he is already so strong that he can expand and collect in this same balance and uphill posture. Sometimes he could have a bit more suppleness in his back, but he has lots of balance and gives an amazing uphill silhouette. He is only four,  but he perfoms his test as if he is 7! He is so focused; reacting on the smallest aids and the contact to the bit.  He is an example of how it should be. Compliments to Willy for his education as well!  

PHARAOH DG ,  Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

PARADIGM Ster (Koning DG D-OC IBOP (dr) x Cambria by Coridanus, BREEDER/OWNER: Rachel Wade) The walk is marching, with rhythm and good ground coverage. The trot is like a clock, it is  always clear in the rhythm.  The silhouette is nicely uphill and we hope that when the hindleg gets stronger the connection to the bit will become even more elastic. The canter is active and has lots of technique in the legs. There could be some more stretch for more ground coverage. Right now,  he uses a little speed. He responds well on the aids but we would like to see the nose a bit consistent in front of the vertical.

PARADIGM,  Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

DG Bar Cup for 5/6-Year-Olds:

ODESSA DG Elite, IBOP (dr), D-OC (Koning DG IBOP (dr), D-OC x Alona DG Ster by Ferro Pref, BREEDER: DG Bar Breeders, OWNER: Judith Nishi)  The walk is clear with good ground coverage, but she might stay a bit more marching. The trot is elegant and light footed.  Her hindleg has good carrying power., and she shows that in her good transitions.  The front leg is elegant with a good reach. The canter is balanced and active. It is not a spectacular canter, but it is  so functional in its balance and adjustability. Odessa makes an uphill silhouette and is well presented. She responds quickly to the aids and goes around with a good connection from the hindleg, over the back to the bit.

ODESSA DG,  Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

OSCAR HF D-OC (Callaho’s Benicio x Valeska DG Elite, Pref, Sport (dr) by Krack C Keur,  BREEDER: Ingrid Hamar,  OWNER: Dynasty Dressage Group LLC)  The walk is big in overstep, yet could be a bit more direct in the hindleg,  so the rhythm is always clear.  The trot has a lot of swing.  The front leg has an extraordinary reach and the hindleg could have a bit more reflex,  but he is capable of making good transitions. The canter is a highlight!  It has lots of jump and a beautiful, uphill silhouette; his use of the front leg is extra. He showed a really nice and smooth test and is focussed on his rider.OSCAR HF, Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

DGB Cup for 7/8-Year-Olds:

MAEBRIA DG Elite, IBOP (dr), PROK (Totilas x Famebria DG elite IBOP (dr) by Idocus crown,  BREEDER: DG BAR RANCH & NATALIE BRYANT, OWNER: DG Bar Breeders)  The walk is supple and has overtrack.  She rides a couple of strides after a transition to find the rhythm but then stays really clear in it. The trot has lots of balance.  At first sight, the hindleg looks a bit far away, but it is so capable of engaging and collecting that it is not an issue.  She shows extensions with lots of shoulder freedom and when collected,  the talent for passage is visible. The canter is balanced and uphill; moreover, she also in the canter shows ability to collect. The lateral work and changes were the highlights. They are uphill with lots of expression. She is well presented and has an elastic, self carrying connection to the bit.

MAEBRIA DG,  Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

MAKANABRIA DG Elite, IBOP (dr), PROK, D-OC (Rock Forever x Gamebria DG elite sport (dr) IBOP (dr) by Belissimo M, BREEDER/OWNER: DG Bar Breeders).  The walk has rhythm and good overstep, however the hindleg could have a bit more mechanics. The trot is elegant with good extensions and a carrying hindleg. She could stay a bit more active in the lateral work but she bends well and stays uphill. The canter is uphill and balanced, and her hindleg is top functional and shows good ability to collect. She is a real princess to see, she makes good transitions and safe and balanced changes.  She is a joy to watch!

MAKANABRIA DG,  Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

IBOP – Dressage:

REMEDY  (Wynton pref x Top Hit by Totilas,  BREEDER/OWNER: Sara Bartholomew)  She showed under the saddle during the test today that she is capable of using her body in a really good way. The walk is active, supple and with good ground coverage. The trot has lots of rhythm;  every stride is the same and it is well balanced and with good carrying power. The canter has a good hind leg and is well balanced, but could be a bit looser in the body. She has a lot of forward thinking and an electric reaction.  This will be nice in the future, but for today it made it a bit difficult to ride a smooth test.

REMEDY,  Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

Studbook Classes:
Thank you to our Keuring Championship Award Sponsor, Iron Spring Farm

Stb/Ster 3 Year Old – Dressage:

RHEA DG  (Koning DG IBOP (dr), D-OC x Julea KS Ster, Keur elig, D-OC by Charmeur, BREEDER: DG Bar Breeders, OWNER: Courtlan Budland)  Rhea is a mare with a nice appearance.  She has a well formed front, with a pretty head.  A real mare to see. Her body is good in the connections and she has a correct foundation.  The walk is in rhythm, with enough ground cover. The trot has an active hind leg, but she could keep the activity a little more on the hindleg. The canter is top, with balance, power and technique. She makes really good changes.  Congrats to this new Ster, Keur Eligible mare!

RHEA DG,  Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

ROSEBRIA DG  (Koning DG IBOP (dr) D-OC x Kamebria DG Ster, Keur elig by Jazz Pref, BREEDER/OWNER: DG Bar Breeders).  A long lined mare, with good proportions, however her  back could have more muscling. She has an active and correct walk. The trot has lots of mechanics.  She has good balance, she doesn’t need the speed, and when she drops her neck the hind leg is still well engaged.  The canter has technique and is active but could be a bit looser in the back.  Congrats to this new Ster, Keur Eligible mare!

ROSEBRIA DG, Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

REMEDY  (Wynton pref x Top Hit by Totilas,  BREEDER/OWNER: Sara Bartholomew)  A mare with a good development. The forehand is well shaped, however the body direction could be more uphill. The back and loins are a bit weak, but the foundation is correct.  Remedy showed under the saddle during the IBOP that she is capable of using her body in a really good way.   Congrats to this new ster mare!

Stb/Ster Geldings and Stallions – Dressage

ROCKEFELLER HF  PROK (Koning DG IBOP (dr) D-OC x Valeska DG Elite, Pref, Sport (dr) by Krack C keur, BREEDER: Ingrid Hamar,  OWNER: DG Bar Breeders).  He is a very good type with an appealing front, a  good topline and a correct foundation.   The Walk is clear with enough overtrack.  He moves with a top posture and uphill tendency and has a canter with technique and power.  

ROCKEFELLER HF,  Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

Young Horse Classes:

Foals/Weanlings – Dressage:.

ULLINA DG  (Pharaoh DG IBOP PROK D-OC x Dalina DG Elite, Sport (dr) by Jazz Pref, BREEDER/OWNER: DG Bar Breeders).  This filly is very well developed and is a good, appealing dressage type with strong connections. Her walk is big and clear in the rhythm. She shows a lot of balance in trot and the canter is active but could be a bit more supple.

ULLINA DG, Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

UPTOWN DG  (Oscar HF D-OC x Porschea DG D-OC by Koning DG D-OC, BREEDER/OWNER: DG Bar Breeders).   This colt is well developed and long lined, however his hind leg is a bit long. The walk is really good; it has a big overstep and it is clear.  The Trot is supple, yet the hind leg could be a bit more engaged. His canter is really good with a lot of technique.
UPTOWN DG,  Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

Foals/Weanlings – Gelders:

URIAH (Pharaoh DG IBOP (gp) PROK D-OC x Bolimbria DG Ster D-OC By Sandro Hit,  BREEDER/OWNER: Beth Spuhler)  He has a really good rectangular shape, and is a real Gelders type.  The walk is big in overstep, and clear and active from the hindleg.  The trot and canter have a lot of technique and uphill tendency.

URIAH , Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

UNITED DG  (Oscar HF D-OC x Nanda DG Ster, Keur elig by Henkie, BREEDER/OWNER: DG Bar Breeders).  United is more than sufficient in the Gelders type.  He has a good front and the body is good in proportion.  His hind leg is a bit long,  but while moving the hindleg is well engaged. Canter is a highlight with a lot of jump and overtrack.

UNITED DG,  Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

Yearlings – Dressage:

TRITON DG (Koning DG IBOP (dr) D-OC x Julea KS Ster, Keur Elig D-OC by Charmeur, BREEDER/OWNER: DG Bar Breeders).  He is well developed and a strong type, with loins that are strongly connected.  He moves with quality;  the canter has a lot of suppleness and balance.

 TRITON DG, Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

TOPBRIA DG  (L Primo DG Ster, PROK, IBOP (dr), D-OC x Famebria DG Elite, IBOP (dr) by Idocus Crown, BREEDER/OWNER: DG Bar Breeders).   She is well developed and has an appealing front with a long neck. Her back could be a bit stronger. Trot is a highlight with mechanics, activity and an uphill tendency.

TOPBRIA DG, Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

First Premiums:

**These remarks are for a snapshot in the lifetime of a horse. Not all first premium or ster horses are mentioned in “The Report from the Road”; only those horses that really stand out to the jury.**

To Download a doc. version of this report to print, click HERE.

Jury members Floor Dröge  & Arie Hamoen,   Photo ©Tamara with the Camera

Find all the Reports from the Road of the 2024 Tour by clicking the button.