Saturdaymorning November 14, a large audience gathered in Ermelo to watch 15 jumper stallions participate in the final exam of the performance test, 14 of which were subsequently approved. The Kashmir van ’t Schuttershof son Fly was awarded the highest score of the exam: 85 points. The selection committee was very pleased to approve the varied group of stallions. “We couldn't have predicted at the beginning of the test that we'd approve so many stallions, but many of the stallions developed very well. With respect to blood distribution as well as distinguishing traits, it's a very varied group. The one excels in rideability, the other in scope, and another in quick reflexes. Hopefully, the breeders will give these stallions the opportunities they deserve,” explained chairman Cor Loeffen immediately afterwards.

Boasting 85 points, the best stallion report was for the Kashmir van ’t Schuttershof son Fly (ds.Caretino), registered to Stal Hendrix, Bert van den Oetelaar and breeder J.C.M. van Kessel of Heeswijk-Dinther. “This stallion won the Stal Hendrix competition in the summer and performed very consistently here in the test, showing willingness, rideability, very good reflexes, form and body use,” asserted Loeffen. Among the older stallions, both Isah Cup champions were approved with good scores: the talented jumper and nicely rideable Gringo (s.Catoki), registered to Teus van den Brink and Willem Greve, who earned 79 points; and Albert Zoer’s Florian (Zirocco Blue VDL x Cardento), who received consistently good scores and a total of 84 points.

Ten three-year-old jumpers were also approved, with six scoring more than 80 points. A consistent performer with good rideability, the Carambole son Haines GH (ds.Stakkato), registered to Jan Greve and Arie Hoogendoorn, was approved with a score of 83.5 points. The talented Eldorado van de Zeshoek son Highway M TN (ds.Chellano Z), registered to Team Nijhof and K. Mostert; and the very scopey Heart Touch (Untouched x Vingino), registered to Yvonne Copal and Jacques Boekee, were both approved with 83 points.  

Dressage stallions

Following the approval of 14 jumper stallions this morning, the seven dressage stallions which participated in the final exam were likewise approved. Among them were two talented Totilas sons and the remarkable Daily Deal son Daily Diamond, who earned the highest score: 87.5 points. In Ermelo today, Wim Ernes completed his last task as chairman of the stallion selection committee. “We approved seven interesting stallions, two of which are especially interesting with respect to blood distribution. They're a very a nice synthesis of blood distribution and talent,” explained Ernes happily, referring to stallions including the Daily Deal son Daily Diamond (ds.Fürst Heinrich), registered to A. Vellekoop of Haaksbergen and Nico Witte. With 9's for the canter, elasticity, carriage & balance, and dressage talent, Daily Diamond scored a total of 87.5 points. With just two points less, the Vivaldo son Habanna (ds.Van Gogh), registered to the Rutten family, was also approved. The very trainable stallion, who also boasts a "free" pedigree, earned 9's for carriage & balance, rideability, willingness, and talent. Both approved Totilas sons also scored more than 80 points. The very light-footed eye-catcher Total US (ds.Sir Donnerhall), registered to Joop van Uytert and Paul Schockemöhle, finished with a total of 87 points; while the very trainable Totilas son Trafalgar (ds.Lord Loxley), registered to Edward Gal, scored 82 points for his good performance. Today was Wim Ernes's last day as chairman of the stallion selection committee in dressage. Effective immediately, he will focus solely on his duties as team coach. The new chairman of the stallion selection committee in dressage is Bert Rutten, whom Ernes congratulated on the approval of his stallion Habbana. 

JS for the KWPN