The FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses is an event where sport and breeding come together. In Verden, the best five-, six-, and seven-year-old dressage horses compete for the world titles. Combinations can register for the selection process from the end of March. Participation To be considered for selection for the World Championships, combinations can register for the first selection moments that will take place on Tuesday, April 21, and Thursday, April 23, 2026. During these observations, the FEI Preliminary Dressage Test will be ridden for each age group.The tests will be evaluated by the selection committee for the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses, consisting of Johan Hamminga, Janine van Twist, and Alex van Silfhout. Registration is possible via MijnKNHS. Horses participating in the selection process must have been registered as a foal with a studbook recognized and established in the Netherlands that is also affiliated with the WBFSH. Riders must be members of the KNHS, and the combination must hold a valid competition card. As of April 1, 2026, combinations must be eligible to compete at the following levels: Five-year-olds: L2+10 / eligible at M level Six-year-olds: M2+10 / eligible at Z level Seven-year-olds: eligible at ZZ-Zwaar level Further selection process After the first selection, approximately twenty horses per age group will be invited for the second observation in Delft on May 27 and 28. The combinations selected in Ermelo will again present the Preliminary Test. This observation will also be the entry moment for the wildcards, who will present the Final Test. On June 22, the best twelve horses per age group will return to Ermelo. There, the Final Test will serve as the final selection moment. After this, the Dutch delegation for the World Championships will be announced. Schematic overview Selections Selection criteria Source: MvE for KWPN Photo: KWPN

Today both stallion selection committees met in Ermelo for the evaluation of the stallions participating in the spring performance test. One dressage stallion and five jumping stallions will proceed to the final presentation this coming Saturday. Two dressage stallions and six jumping stallions took part in today’s official evaluation. The stallion selection committee has ended the test for the dressage stallion Stromae (v.Las Vegas). Naturally, he may be presented again later through sport results. Among the jumping stallions, the voluntarily participating El Classico PS TN (v.Empire) has been referred to the autumn performance test. “This decision was taken by the committee after consultation with the veterinarian and the registered owners. As it currently stands, five jumping stallions will take part in the final presentation,” senior inspector Henk Dirksen explained on behalf of the committee. The final presentation for the jumping stallions will begin at 09:00 on Saturday, March 14, followed by one dressage stallion. This concerns: - Unions Way (v.United Way) - Panthero van de Watermolen (v.Latif VS) - Symphograaf (v.Pegase van 't Ruytershof) - Santiago VDL (v.Eldorado van de Zeshoek) - Sky Fall (v.Chacco-Blue) - Sir Vegas (v.Las Vegas) Performance Test overview page JS for KWPN    

From March 13 to 16, bidding will be open on 16 in foal mares and three interesting embryos in the KWPN Online Broodmare and Embryo Auction. On the dam side they are related to standouts such as Toots, Chagall D&R, Exquis Nadine and Honnaisseur SJ. This auction therefore offers excellent opportunities for breeders looking to give their breeding program a significant boost. Over the past few years, the KWPN Auctions platform has developed into an international showcase where breeders and buyers frequently come together. The new collection of broodmares consists of 15 dressage mares and one showjumping mare, in foal to stallions such as McLaren, Red Viper, Vino Tinto and Zonik Plus. In addition, embryos by Dynamic Dream, Comthago VDL and Vitalis will be offered. Strong genetics The dressage bred mares descend from stallions such as De Niro, Jazz, Vitalis and Desperado. Several mares are closely related to horses competing at the highest level. For example, Nova Jazz (s.Jazz) is a half-sister to the international Grand Prix horse Hip By Johnson and is also closely related to the Grand Prix horses Toots and VMF Gladiator. Another interesting mare is the Connaisseur daughter Idol Utopia, who is a half-sister to the Grand Prix horse Emotion and comes from the same damline as the Grand Prix horses Komsi Komsa and Hocus Pocus. One of the two mares from the Charites line is the Fontaine TN daughter Richenelle, who traces back in the third generation to the Olympic mare Exquis Nadine of Hans Peter Minderhoud. Showjumping enthusiasts can bid on the Eldorado van de Zeshoek daughter Oillily, who comes from the strong Walve damline and is therefore related to the European Championship horses Utascha SFN, Tripple X III and Coltaire. One of the interesting embryos is by Vitalis and is a daughter of the mare Roletta PS, out of the same dam line as for example Sandro Hit and Diamond Hit. This concerns a sexed filly embryo. More information The collection can be viewed from today at www.kwpn.auction . From Friday March 13, online bidding will open on the mares and embryos in this collection. Bidders must register in advance to participate and bidding will close on Monday March 16 from 20.00. For more information about the mares, a KWPN inspector will be happy to assist you. In addition, our sponsor Horses2Fly can assist with international transport. For questions, please contact salespromotion@kwpn.nl or +31 341 255511. View the collection Source: KWPN Photo: KWPN

The KWPN has approved the sixteen-year-old international showjumping stallion Diachron for breeding. The stallion selection committee for jumping evaluated the stallion, bred by Paul Schockemöhle, and gave a positive recommendation for approval. The KWPN Board has formalized this recognition. With the Mexican rider Fernando Martinez Sommer, Diachron competed at 1.60m Grand Prix level at the age of nine. After that, the stallion continued to perform successfully in international sport with several (amateur) riders until recently. Although Diachron does not have a large number of victories to his name, he distinguishes himself through his rideability and durability, two qualities that are of great importance for the modern sport horse. Positive contribution The stallion selection committee has been in contact with riders who have competed Diachron. They indicate that the stallion provides a very good feeling under saddle. The jumping stallion selection committee expects that Diachron can make a positive contribution to showjumping horse breeding, particularly with regard to size, frame, scope, attitude, rideability, and durability. Pedigree Diachron is a son of Diarado, a leading sire of showjumping horses. Diarado, himself a son of Diamant de Semilly, was the champion of the Holstein stallion licensing and competed at 1.50m level. The dam Winday is a daughter of Chacco-Blue, and the same combination with Diarado also produced the international showjumping horses Diarco Blue (1.50m) and Diacco-Blue (1.55m). The Hanoverian dam line continues with the 1.60m stallion Landgold, followed by Domino, Winston, Almhuegel III, and Agram. Requirements Diachron meets the veterinary requirements regarding bone spavin and navicular radiographs. The exterior evaluation revealed no remarks. The genomic breeding value is 95 (reliability 43%), and Diachron is not a carrier of the WFFS gene. The stallion is available with fresh semen at Waaij Stud.

Six jumper stallions and two dressage stallions were successfully presented today for the spring performance test. The final presentation is scheduled for March 14. Since last year, the spring performance test has been open to stallions aged four and older, which means large numbers are not expected. Three four-year-old and two six-year-old jumper stallions were successfully presented, in addition to one four-year-old jumper stallion participating in the voluntary test. Two dressage stallions have also started, including one taking part on a voluntary basis. Good Rideability All stallions proved to be well trainable. In addition to the selected four-year-old sons of Chacco-Blue, Eldorado van de Zeshoek (premium stallion Santiago), and Pegase van ’t Ruytershof, the same-aged El Classico TN PS (by Empire) from Team Nijhof and Paul Schockemöhle is participating on a voluntary basis. The six-year-old jumper stallions Poker de Latif (by Latif VS) and Unions Way (by United Way) were both selected through the stallion competition. In the dressage direction, two sons of Las Vegas have begun the performance test, including Sir Las Vegas (dam’s sire: De Niro), who is participating voluntarily. Next Tuesday, the first evaluation under saddle will take place as part of the performance test. In addition, one Gelder stallion was presented today for the saddle licensing inspection, but he did not receive approval from the stallion licensing committee. Performance Test overview page

Entries for the KWPN Online Broodmare & Embryo Auction are now open. Through the KWPN’s international online auction platform, breeders are given the opportunity to present pregnant broodmares and genetically interesting embryos to a worldwide audience. For this auction, pregnant mares are selected that are genetically interesting and correct in conformation and movement. The collection may also be supplemented with a limited number of embryos with a strong genetic background. In previous editions, several broodmares and embryos have been successfully sold online. Invitation The selection process starts with a preselection based on pedigree and the information provided at entry. If the mare is considered sufficiently interesting, she will be invited to the photo and video day in Ermelo on Saturday, 28 February. The final selection takes place during this day. Afterwards, the mare must undergo a clinical examination, including confirmation of pregnancy. Members may enter both KWPN-registered and non-KWPN-registered mares for the auction. Interesting Mares Preference is given to mares up to fifteen years of age, pregnant by a proven sire or a promising young stallion, with a genetically interesting dam line and preferably sport performance in the pedigree. The mare must be clinically sound, show an acceptable movement mechanism, meet at least ster-level conformation standards, and be in good overall condition. Entry If you have a pregnant mare or a genetically interesting embryo that meets the above requirements, you can register now. The entry fee is €350 excluding VAT. Bidding starts on Friday, 13 March, and the auction closes on Monday evening, 16 March, from 8:00 PM. Register your mare Auction platform Source: KWPN Photo: Anniek de Wit*

The KWPN Select Sale was the final program item of the KWPN Stallion Show, and it certainly did not go out quietly. For a record-breaking price of €345,000, the newly crowned champion stallion and wildcard Tony Gold (s.Glock’s Toto Jr.) was sold. The grandson of Weihegold and half-brother to Grand Prix stallion Total Hope had already brought the crowd to its feet during the championship inspection. He then immediately lived up to those high expectations in the auction ring. Following an intense bidding duel in the arena, involving multiple interested parties, Stal Brouwer and an Italian investor emerged as the proud new owners of this talented stallion. Strong auction evening The atmosphere on Saturday evening was electric. Bidding was lively in the arena, while online participation also reflected strong international interest. In addition to the auction topper, several other stallions reached the €100,000 mark, including both premium stallions Ti Sento (s.Kjento) and Trinellowaard (s.Extreme U.S.). The latter changed hands for €165,000. Proud of the result The average price of the auction stallions amounted to €54,000. “We can only be extremely proud of the result of this auction,” said Head of Breeding Ralph van Venrooij afterwards. “The fact that the selection committee also succeeded in adding the champion stallion to the collection as a wildcard, and that Tony Gold then fully met all expectation, makes it extra special. The quality of both the jumping and dressage stallions was high, and all stallions performed very well during the KWPN Stallion Show. Thanks to the confidence of breeders, owners, and buyers, we have once again firmly placed the KWPN Select Sale on the international map.” Results JM for KWPN Photo Tony Gold: Hippo Foto Media