After two days of first-round viewing dressage, the number of selected stallions has climbed up to 31. Today, four sons of Escamillo were invited to the next round.  The stallions Deparon U.S. (2), Dream Boy (2), Vitalis (2) and Escamillo (4) all got multiple sons advance to the next round today. “We have been able to invite a number of good stallions to the second-round viewing, all the while we clearly opted for quality over quantity. Because we would have liked to select more stallions today. A few stallions did not make the cut due to comments on their foundation, that’s always a pity”, responds chairman Bert Rutten. “We have been able to keep our standards high and this resulted in 14 stallions today, among them four sons of Escamillo. That is unique blood in terms of genetic variation, and we are always looking for that, in the next round we will make a further selection.” Find today’s results here . Archive photo

After four days of jumper stallions, it is now the turn of the dressage stallions in the first-round viewing. Today’s result of 17 stallions for the next round is a nice beginning. The stallions Blue Hors Romanov and Totilas both got three sons selected and Secret (2) and Springbank II VH (2) also saw multiple offspring advance to the second stage. “This morning we got off on a slow start, but in the afternoon more complete stallions entered the arena. We have selected youthful, well-modeled stallions that can move with good engagement from the hind leg”, reacts chairman Bert Rutten afterwards. Together with Johan Hamminga and new member Wouter Plaizier, he inspected 52 stallions. “We have been working together in a pleasant manner today, so we are looking forward to the coming days.” Find today’s results here .  Archive photo

Following the jumper stallions, seventeen Gelder stallions made an appearance in the ring this afternoon for their first-round viewing. Two stallions were absent and ultimately eleven stallions received an invite to the second-round viewing. As part of their first-round round viewing, all Gelder stallions also made several jumps today. The stallion committee Gelder horse consists of Marloes van der Velden, Jan Pen and Arie Hamoen.   Positive development “The stallions were well-prepared for their first-round viewing”, explains Marloes van der Velden. “We may conclude that the Gelder horse is undergoing a positive development. The stallions showed good jumps. We notice that for the past few years more attention is directed towards preparing the stallions. Another positive aspect is that we have been able to select some stallions with a low degree of kinship. Additionally, we have a good diversity in the pedigrees, lots of stallions have a Gelder sire or the Gelder pedigree comes back on the maternal side.” Maestro Sinclair Due to his age, catalogue number 668 Maestro Sinclair (s.Sir Sinclair) was not presented in the pen today but under saddle. He was not invited to the second-round viewing. “The stallion has an alluring presence but should have more Gelder features. He also should have more size and height. He showed a decent performance but needs to carry more weight on the hind leg in both trot and canter. In jumping he demonstrated a good attitude.” Find the results here . Photo: De Paardenkrant/Horses.nl

The fourth day of the first-round viewing for jumper stallions revolved around the offspring of young(er) stallions and 15 horses got selected for the next round, including two out of the first crop of Kannan Jr. Out of his first crop, champion stallion Kannan Jr. got two sons selected, as do Jukebox and Cape Coral RBF Z. “We primarily had offspring of young stallions in the ring today and in general they left a good impression. It started on the hard surface, where we made significantly fewer remarks on the foundation and model than previous days,” explains chairman Cor Loeffen, who is responsible for the judging together with Wout-Jan van der Schans and Eric van der Vleuten. With only the after inspection to go, the provisional number is now at 79 stallions for the second-round viewing. “We have selected an interesting group of stallions, today was no exception. As a committee we have a good feeling about it and we hope to see these stallions back in Den Bosch, if the covid measures allow it, and otherwise it will be in Ermelo.” Find today’s results here . Photo: De Paardenkrant/Horses.nl

After three days of the first-round viewing, the preliminary total is up to 64 stallions that advance to the next round. Top progenitor Emerald van ‘t Ruytershof saw four of his sons progress to the next phase today.  Emerald van ‘t Ruytershof (4) and his sire Diamant de Semilly (2) both had multiple sons selected. The first was the top producer of the jumper stallions in the first-round viewing, today six of them entered the arena. “We have had sons of various Belgian sires in the ring today. Among the Emeralds, clearly some comments can be made with regards to conformation, they are little uniform, but convince in jumping”, tells Cor Loeffen. “It was certainly an interesting day today and we have been able to add another string of complete stallions to the collection for the second-round viewing. By complete I mean stallions that make a positive impression in conformation, pedigree, and free jumping. We also selected for size and scope and athletic ability in jumping. On the hard surface we had to make some comments, we noticed multiple times that stallions had different front feet.” Tomorrow, the fourth and last regular day of the first-round viewing for jumper stallions is on the program in Ermelo.  Find the overview of selected stallions per day here .  Archival photo

Another solid score in the first-round viewing as today 21 jumper stallions received a green light from the stallion selection committee, among them sons of Chacco-Blue, Carrera VDL and Highway M TN. After yesterday’s selected 24 stallions, this brings the total to 45 jumper stallions for the second-round viewing, still having two days and a re-inspection to go. “In general, the conformation and correctness of the legs were better than yesterday. We have selected stallions with size and height and mostly appealing conformations,” explains Cor Loeffen. With regards to pedigrees, it was a varied day today. Carrera VDL, Chacco-Blue and Conthargos all saw two of their sons advance to the next round. “We certainly saw a number of very complete horses in the arena and a group that was interestingly bred and had an acceptable conformation. In the second-round viewing we will judge the stallions again, taking all of these aspects into account, and whether the stallions confirm their pluses, or their minuses will be decisive.” Generally, the stallions presented themselves in a way that the jury could inspect them well. “Some started a bit over the top and it will remain a focal point to present the stallions in an as natural manner as possible. The stallions may be impressed by their surroundings, and it is imported that they keep forward in the air, instead of jumping higher because of the tension. We are glad we have been able to invite another interesting group of stallions to the second-round viewing”, says Loeffen. Find a list of today’s selected stallions here . Photo Paardenkrant-Horses.nl

On the first day of the first-round viewing, the stallion selection committee had a strong start as it selected 14 jumper stallions for the next round. Among them three sons of Nixon van ‘t Meulenhof.  The committee, comprised of chairman Cor Loeffen, Wout-Jan van der Schans and new arrival Eric van der Vleuten, is satisfied with the first day. “As a committee we worked together pleasantly and there was a good atmosphere. All three of us noted the same things, only differed in our considerations at times but we have looked at the stallions with a positive approach,” tells Cor Loeffen. For several stallions there was no discussion needed, they convinced in jumping, conformation and pedigree. “In addition, there was a group of interestingly bred stallions that jumped a little less convincing but still received a second chance.” On the hard surface several comments were made, weak front pasterns occurred multiple times, a few horses were toed-in or were slightly weak in the top line. “When judging such matters, it is not a snapshot, it is something that the horses still have next year. Of course, we take all our findings in the selected stallions into consideration in making a decision in the next round”, explains Loeffen. It was a day of foreign blood and Emerald’s half-brother Nixon van ‘t Meulenhof made a good impression through siring three stallions that got selected for the second-round viewing. The KWPN-recognised Quabri de L’Isle (2) is also represented by multiple sons in the next round.  Find today’s results here . Photo Paardenkrant-Horses.nl