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Special Recognition Awards

The KWPN-NA is proud to offer Special Awards of recognition based on the criteria outlined below. These Special Awards are presented each year at the KWPN-NA Annual Meeting Awards Dinner. Each Year we open nominations for all categories first, after which we start voting. Starting 2025, you are only able to vote for Horse of the Year. The Breeder and Member of the Year are chosen by the Board, MC and Office. You can e-mail to mc@kwpn-na.org to submit a nomination. The deadline to send in nominations is December 15th.

Tony DeGroot – Member of the Year Award

This is a special achievement award to recognize a member that has contributed significantly to the organization over the past year. The award winner receives a special plaque and a $500 gift card.

Criteria include:

  • Any KWPN-NA member that has made a significant contribution to the organization. Member does not have to be a breeder, owner or rider. Member should be a volunteer of time and effort involving any of the below in relation to the KWPN-NA:
    • Keuring process;
    • Newsletter and/or website;
    • Annual Meeting;
    • Fundraisers;
    • Educational activities;
    • Promotion of the KWPN horse in sport and breeding;
    • Promotion of the KWPN-NA in the horse community.

Caitlin Hamar 2025 Member of the Year

MEMBERS OF THE YEAR

2025 – Caitlin Hamar

2024 – Lisa Dickman

2023 – Anna Beal

2022 – Liz Van Woerden

2021 – Bart Henstra

2020 – Willy Arts

2019 – Tracy Geller

2018 – Sandy Harper

2017 – Meghan de Garay

2016 – Willy Arts

2015 – Lana Sneddon

Breeder of the Year

Per 2023, one breeder is awarded for each breeding direction. 

The KWPN-NA Breeder of the Year Award is a special award for KWPN-NA breeders based on the following criteria:

  • The KWPN-NA breeder has attained success meeting the breeding goals of the KWPN through the keuring process and/or through sport;
  • The KWPN-NA breeder has made a significant contribution of time and effort to the KWPN-NA;
  • The KWPN-NA breeder is an ambassador to the KWPN-NA and to the greater horse community;
  • Keuring and sport results shall be cumulative rather than being based upon the current year;
  • The member shall have bred the horses, but some consideration will be given to horses imported by a member.

BREEDERS OF THE YEAR 

  • 2025 – Jennifer Zauel of Windmill Farms (Dressage Breeder of the Year), John van den Bosch of Bosch Farms (Jumper Breeder of the Year), Emil Spadone of Redfield Farms (Hunter Breeder of the Year), Josh Albrecht of Coalcyn Equestrian LLC (Gelders Breeder of the Year), Aaron Jay Fisher of Rocky Ridge Stables (Harness Horse Breeder of the Year)
  • 2024 – Richard Chong and Renee Cash Chong of Dutch Equine Stables (Dressage Breeder of the Year), Ellicia Edgar of Valleyfield Farm (Jumper Breeder of the Year), Ginger Parker of Ashcombe Sport Horses (Hunter Breeder of the Year), Raymond Stoltzfus (Harness Horse Breeder of the Year), Bailey West of Bailey Ranch Breeders (Gelders Breeder of the Year)
  • 2023 –  Jackie Eckhaus (2023 Dressage Breeder of the Year), Tracy Geller of Six Pound Farm (2023 Jumper Breeder of the Year), Shelley Campbell (2023 Hunter Breeder of the Year), Wim Cazemier (2023 Harness Horse Breeder of the Year), Kanoe Godby (2023 Gelders Breeder of the Year)
  • 2022 – MJ Proulx – Canadream Farm
  • 2021 – Deborah P. Harrison, DVM (Lio Lomas Dutch Warmbloods)
  • 2020 – Sporting Chance Farm (Dr. Carlos and Karin Jimenez)
  • 2019 – Valleyfield Farm (Ellicia Edgar)
  • 2018 – Majestic Gaits (Kathy Hickerson)
  • 2017 – Sonnenberg Farm, LLC (Dan and Gina Ruediger)
  • 2016 – Prima Equestrian (Roy Maher and Michelle Bartlett)
  • 2015 – Shooting Star Farm (Scot and Carol Tolman)
  • 2014 – Kimberlee Farms (Kim von Disterlo)
  • 2013 – Natalie Bryant
  • 2012 – Majestic Gaits (Kathy Hickerson)

Wim Cazemier (2023 Harness Breeder of the Year)


Tracy Geller (2023 Jumper Breeder of the Year)


Shelley Campbell (2023 Hunter Breeder of the Year)

 

Kanoe Godby (2023 Gelders Breeder of the Year)

Performance Horse of the Year

This special award recognizes the best KWPN horse performing at the FEI level or Hunter division as follows:

  1. Performing at the FEI level (includes all disciplines: Dressage, Jumper, Eventing, and Driving). Criteria include:
    • KWPN-NA member;
    • KWPN-NA member has to be owner of record with the KWPN-NA office;
    • Horse that has a confirmed record of success at the FEI level of sport;
    • Exhibits the breeding goals of movement and or/jumping ability, conformation and type;
    • Special consideration given to horses bred in North America.
  1. Performing in the Hunter Division and is recognized as High Point Hunter. Criteria include:
    • KWPN-NA member;
    • KWPN-NA member has to be owner of record with the KWPN-NA office;
    • Horse that has a confirmed record of success in the hunter division based on points earned;
    • Exhibits the breeding goals of movement and or/jumping ability, conformation and type.

 

KWPN-NA Horse of the Year 2023: Diadora (Vingino x Ralina) 2023 Circuit Champion High Performance Hunter with Kristen Bumpus. Breeder: Fam. R. Ebbinge Owner: Barbara LeStage

Everyone can send in nominations for this Special Award and vote. You don’t have to be a member. Send your nominations for Horse of the Year to our Member Committee email: . The deadline for nominations is December 15th. After the nominations have been announced, everyone will be able to vote for their favorite Performance Horse of the Year. 

KWPN-NA PERFORMANCE HORSES OF THE YEAR: 

  • 2025 – O’Romeo S  (Charmeur x UB40), breeder Sonnenberg Farm, owned by Mark & Tammy Richard, ridden by Hope Cooper.
  • 2024 – Jett MVS (Bretton Woods x Flemmingh), bred and owned by Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus of Mountain View Sport Horses 
  • 2023 – Diadora (Vingino x Ralina) High Performance Hunter with Kristen Bumpus. Breeder: Fam. R. Ebbinge/ Owner: Barbara LeStage
  • 2022 – Messenger VF (Monte Bellini x Darco), bred and owned by Ellicia Edgar of Valleyfield Farm.
  • 2021 – Tyara (Farrington x Bazuin), bred by K. Christiaanse and owned by Rebecca Lord.
  • 2020 – Suppenkasper (Spielberg x Krack C), bred by F. van de Poel, ridden by Steffen Peters and owned by Akiko Yamazaki and Four Winds Farm.
  • 2019 – Darry Lou (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Nabab de Rêve), bred by Roelof Bril, owned by Evergate Stables LLC (and leased for breeding to Studfarm Zangersheide), and ridden by Alberto Aldana, Beezie Madden, Nayel Nassar, and Harrie Smolders.
  • 2018 – Verdades (Florett As x Goya), bred by Piet Crum, owned by Laura Graves & Curt Maes, and ridden by Laura Graves.
  • 2017 – For Sunday
  • 2016 – Verdades (Florett As x Goya), bred by Piet Crum, owned by Laura Graves & Curt Maes, and ridden by Laura Graves.
  • 2015 – Czar (or Zar; Zeus x Prinz Gaylord), bred by Hans-Joachim Gross, owned by Stephex Stables (historically owned by Marten Van Der Meer and Equinimity LLC), and ridden by Daniel Deusser and Jessica Springsteen.
  • 2014 – Imothep (Indoctro x Calvados), bred by A.H.A. Hassing, owned by Hyperion Stud, LLC, and ridden by Darragh Kenny, Taizo Sugitani, and Candice King
  • 2013 – Simon (Mr. Blue x Polydox), bred by M.J. Vermeulen, owned by Abigail Wexner (John Madden Sales), and ridden by Beezie Madden and Jeroen Dubbeldam.
  • 2012 – Sjapoer (Contango x Wolfgang), bred by A. van Essen, owned by Ayden Uhlir, and ridden by Ayden Uhlir and Eric di Benedetto.