As one of the first warmblood studbooks, the KWPN has decided to test all active KWPN-approved stallions for WFFS. By publishing the WFFS status of the KWPN-approved stallions, we want to keep breeders optimally informed. Therefore, we have summarized the most frequently asked questions about WFFS for you here. If my horse is a WFFS carrier, does that also affect its health? No, as far as we know, this is not the case. Carriers do not seem to have any advantages or disadvantages from the gene. Carriers can be excellent sport horses, who by chance have a deviation on one gene, while the accompanying second gene is good. They do not, as far as known now, have any hindrance of this in their day-to-day life. What is the risk that my foal has WFFS? As far as is known now, the condition is determined by one gene. Stallion and mare must both be carriers of this abnormal gene, then 25% of the foals will have the condition WFFS, 50% will be carriers and 25% is ‘WFFS free’. Is more known about similar disorders within breeding? Yes, WFFS is similar in terms of inheritance to hydrocephalus and dwarfism in Friesians. Friesians are all being tested nowadays. Carriers can be used for breeding but crossing of carriers is being avoided. Such hereditary defects also occur in cattle, and bulls that are carriers of a hereditary defect can also become breeding bulls. The bull gets a note that he is carrier of a disease, and it is up to the farmer if he wants to use this bull in his breeding program. Stay tuned because next week we will answer more frequently asked questions! Please click here for more information.

The World Championships for Young Breeders is fast approaching. From the 7 th  until the 9 th  of July, the National Equestrian Centre is to overflow with young, international breeders. Naturally, this would not be possible without the right support, and this is provided by Horses2Fly.  Horses2Fly has built an impressive reputation in the horse industry, here you have come to right place if you are in need of air transport of your horse. The company is run by Alex Nijboer and Pascale Drijfhout and distinguishes itself through the worry-free policy they adopt for their clients. Horses2Fly covers the entire process, from quarantine and preparation of the horse for the up-coming trip, to the paperwork and the actual transport.  Stable to stable And that was exactly what Alex Nijboer and Pascale Drijfhout had envisioned at the start of their business. Pascale tells: “We concluded that equine international transport should be customer-oriented, and we responded to that. We fly out horses of all ages and sorts, from foals and broodmares to top-level sport horses. Horses are our passion; I know every horse by name and make sure each gets an individually tailored feed and training plan. It is of the essence that the horses are optimally prepared and that’s where our facilities such as the paddocks and walkers come in play. Plus, as a veterinarian I can offer veterinary care whenever it is needed, and the welfare of the horses is my highest priority. Details matter, so we are also keen on the horses looking sharp when they leave, braided, washed and in good shape. Of course, export comes with paperwork and that is often time-consuming and tedious, you must know all the ins and outs, which is also the case for the quarantine rules. However, as our customer you do not need to worry about any of that. We take care of everything, from stable to stable!” The future belongs to the young Alex Nijboer explains why he gladly contributes to the now officially named WBFSH World Championship for International Young Breeders powered by Horses2Fly: “The future belongs to the young. We love supporting events for young people to encourage them to pursue sport and breeding. It is incredibly important that they are actively engaged because they are our future too. We are active across the globe and that’s why we believe our business is a good match with this international event that attracts ditto participants and audience.”

As one of the first warmblood studbooks, the KWPN decided to test all active KWPN-approved stallions for WFFS. By publishing the WFFS status of the KWPN approved stallions we want to inform breeders optimally. Following this decision by the KWPN board, about 250 active and approved riding horse stallions were, on behalf of the KWPN, examined on the presence of the WFFS gene by the Dr. Van Haeringen Laboratory in the Netherlands. Except for the ones that KWPN knows are no longer used for breeding, the tested stallions all have had foals registered the past five years. The result for each stallion is shown under the public header ‘general’ in the KWPN Database and an overview is available on the ‘WFFS page’, on the KWPN website. Procedures for the WFFS tests for horses From a technical point of view on breeding, stallions that are carriers can still be used for breeding. Their desired genes can still contribute to the KWPN breeding goal. It is not wise to bring two carriers together though, because that gives a 25% chance of a foal with WFFS. Therefore, it is advisable to test your broodmares so that you know whether your mare is a carrier. At the initiative of the KWPN, a test was made available in the Netherlands by the Van Haeringen Laboratory. What are the symptoms of WFFS? The Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome is a hereditary disorder that has been recognized in the United States for several years. A foal with WFFS can be aborted, be born prematurely and/or be born with abnormalities. The most important abnormalities in the newborn foal are skin abnormalities (such as too elastic skin that tears easily, wounds that ‘just’ occur) and hyperextension of joints. Usually, the animals will die within 1-2 weeks of birth, or they need to be euthanized. Stay tuned because next week we will tell you more about WFFS. And we will answer the frequently asked questions! Please click here for more information.

  Per 11 July 2022, the General Board appoints dr. ir. B.G. (Bastiaan) Meerburg MBA as general director of the KWPN. Meerburg can rely on a career in science and politics, he additionally fulfilled various board positions, including one at the Dutch Welsh Pony & Cob studbook and the Dutch Rare Breed Foundation. Meerburg studied Zootechnics at the University of Wageningen, completed an MBA at Nyenrode and obtained his PhD at the University of Amsterdam, after which he held various government functions. Since 2017, the in Heteren residing Meerburg is director of the Dutch Pest & Wildlife Expertise Centre.  Affinity Bastiaan is looking forward to starting at the KWPN: “I have a great affinity for horse and pony breeding. Together with my girlfriend, I run the Airborne Stud that has a small-scale breeding program of Welsh ponies and dressage horses. For me it is fantastic to be able to combine my hobby and profession. From my experience as chairman of the Member Council of the Welsh studbook, I know how studbook organisations function. It will be challenging to ensure all members feel included in the studbook. I am therefore eager to engage in conversation, to offer all members what they need and expect from the studbook. In turn, this enables them to continue breeding the world’s best horses, since that is exactly the strength of Dutch breeders. I love to contribute to that.”   Helicopter view Thanks to a career in science and the abundant political and management experience, Meerburg expects to bring a helicopter view and sensitivity to the table. “It is paramount that the KWPN takes a leading position in sport horse breeding, we want to expand that prominent position. There is a lot of discussion going on in the horse sector. Welfare is one example of the social issues that currently draw a lot of attention. As a studbook we must respond and take a stance. To me, science is an important basis, but I am aware that in breeding a lot of considerations are based on emotions. We must find a balance in it, so we can make our decisions comprehensible.” Connective leadership Andries van Daalen, chairman of the General Board, explains that there was extensive interest in this function. “The KWPN is an association where a wide variety of people and interests come together. We have therefore selected on connective leadership since that is of the essence in an association. We believe we found a sympathetic and pleasant person in Bastiaan. A director that has a broad orientation and a sharp eye for the various interests at play and the ever-changing world around us. His task is to safeguard what we have and to analyse how we can enhance our position, both nationally and internationally, within and beyond the scope of the equestrian sport and breeding.” Successor Piet Peters Meerburg succeeds Piet Peters, who became general director in August of 2018, but announced his wish to retire last January. “It has been wonderful combining work with my greatest passion for the last years of my working life. I felt right at home at the KWPN but is now time for the next phase in my life, with more time for my family. Horses and ponies are my passion and life, so I will always stay connected to the studbook, yet now as an enthusiast. I leave the KWPN with the confidence it is a healthy association where member influence and control are of top priority. My future plans are not concrete yet, I first start with a holiday period of three months and then choices will be made.” At the request of Piet, a goodbye gathering will be organised with the employees and General Board. Given his experience and involvement, Peters will remain active within the sector.    

The videos of the registered stallions of the past spring performance test are online! In the KWPN Database you can read the full reports of the stallions, the videos of the dressage and jumping stallions can be found below by clicking on the name of the stallion. Jumper stallions Ocala Z.G . (Cornet Obolensky x Diamant De Semilly) Oslo  (Côte de Zélande Delta Mossel Z x Chaman) Ovinio  (Ipsthar x Vigo D'arsouilles) Only One JB  (It's Otto x Nassau) Oerend Hard HBC  (Jukebox x Tolan R) Outlaw  (Manchester Van 'T Paradijs x Phin Phin) Oval Office  (United Touch S x Spartacus) Oxford VDL  (Untouched x Chin Chin) Nixon de Park  (Nixon van ’T Meulenhof x Quick Star) Nanton  (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Chacco Blue) Four Seasons  (For Pleasure x Cassini II) Dressage stallions Extreme U.S.  (Escamillo x Vivaldi Osaka  (Escolar x Florencio) O’Toto van de Wimphof  (Glock’s Toto JR. x Riccione) Secret Lover  (Secret x Fürstenball) Gelding stallion  Odin  (Edmundo x Vitens) Source: KWPN  Photo: Extreme U.S.

Next month, the WC Young Breeders kicks off at the National Equestrian Centre in Ermelo. The KWPN is represented by a Junior and Senior team, both consisting of JongKWPN-members. So, what is asked of the young breeders at such a championship? Arie Hamoen tells us more.  Every year, the JongKWPN organizes a Young Breeders course for her members in which all championships elements are treated, and it is concluded by a National Championship. The young breeders are divided over two age categories: the Juniors (15-19 years) and the Seniors (20-25 years). Every other year, the NC is not the destination but rather a springboard to the World Championship. The four best participants are selected to partake in the international championship. Saturday, the 23 rd  of April, the day had come for the JongKWPN-members. The winner among the Juniors was Niel Remijn and he was therefore the first name that was selected for the WC. The Junior team furthermore comprised of Saffira Hartemink, Nikkie Klaaskate and Celine Oosterom. In the second age category it was Eline Pouw who got bestowed the sash and she form the Senior team together with Nikki Jantzen, Vera Bos, and Jeanine Schoondermark. All participants may compete on an individual basis, and the best three results count toward the studbook championship. The young breeders are tested on four elements: theory, judging conformation, judging free jumping and free movement, and presenting a horse in hand.  Educate Inspector Arie Hamoen provides the guidance and support of the young breeders this year. The course started in January via an online meeting. “We kicked the series of with linear scoring. By doing so, we hope to educate the young breeders on how to look at a horse”, explains Hamoen. “Several weeks later we had a meeting at the KWPN centre where we showed and evaluated various videos from KWPN.tv. We watched footage from the stallion show and mare inspections and as a group we discussed the results, and which marks the horse would earn. During a training at Marcel and Tamara van Maanen of MT Stables, we again studied conformation and assessing movements, as well as presenting a horse in hand. Then the National Championships followed at Stal van der Peijl, where Alexandra and Scarlett gave us the last tips and tricks on presenting and then the teams were selected.” Team training For the teams, the courses have not come an end after the NC. In order to make a good impression at the WC, a few training sessions to make the last preparations are to follow. Naturally, Arie Hamoen will supervise those gatherings as well. “On Thursday, we had the first team training. At the WC they do not follow the linear scoring but use an English protocol that requires you to give a mark of 1-10 for various aspects, that do not entirely align with ours. We discussed the form together to familiarize the contestants with this procedure. We also spend time on showing the horse in hand. We will have a few more training sessions to dot the ‘i’s and hopefully, this is rewarded with some great results.” Unique opportunity to learn Arie Hamoen is enthusiastic about the Young Breeders championship: “This fantastic series of courses is a lot of fun for the young breeders or horse enthusiasts. It is an enjoyable and approachable manner to gain lots of knowledge on how to assess a horse. A unique opportunity even, since where else do they offer this possibility? I can therefore wholeheartedly recommend the young breeders to participate next year.” For more information or questions, please contact the organisation via regiojongkwpn@kwpn.nl. Photo: JongKWPN

Looking for a beautiful location right at the hippic heart of the Netherlands? Seek no further and plan a viewing at the Molenstraat 124 in Helden. This largely renovated equestrian property consists of a detached residential farmhouse with a detached riding hall and 2 stable units (28 horse stall). In addition, there is a detached horse stable with 17 horse stalls, a field barn, an annex with workplace and garage, a horse walker and pasture. It furthermore offers possibilities to realise accommodations. The entire lot covers 2.5 hectares, and the location is easily accessible by various roads, such as the highway A67 Eindhoven-Venlo. Within 10 minutes, you reach Equestrian Centre de Peelbergen where you can ride all week to your heart’s content. New section The current owner has put a lot of hard work into the property over the past few years. In 2019, the detached riding hall was erected and equipped with an indoor arena, indoor lunge pen/warming up arena, 2 stable units that include 28 spacious horse stalls and a cafeteria with toilet, shower, and laundry room. The indoor arena measures circa 30 x 50 meters and is fitted with professional footing, a hardwood kickboard wall and lots of natural light thanks to fenestration in the side façade and a skylight in the ridge of the roof. Perfect place for sports stable Real estate agent Dirk van Santvoort: “I foresee a brilliant future for a sports stable at this location. You are right in the centre of the area that entire revolves around sport: nearby de Peelbergen, but also in proximity to other stables, bridging horse trade and sales. Recently, an entirely new roof was installed. The stable with two units is ideal: if you have no need for all the horseboxes, it is simple to rent out one compartment. The generous, alluring indoor arena provides impeccable facilities to train. There is space in abundance! The residential home has not yet been renovated and can be entirely tailored according to your wishes. If necessary, it is possible to brainstorm with our in-house architects.” Private viewing Will you make your dreams come true at the Molenstraat in Helden? Van Santvoort Landelijk Wonen gladly tells you all about this property and you can call on the Van Santvoort team to plan a private viewing. Click here for all information on this property.