The Olympic Games of Rio de Janeiro have come to an end and the equestrian medal rankings can now be drafted. Although the Dutch riders have not obtained any medals since 1988, the Dutch horses were able to do so. In virtually every discipline the KWPN-horses played an important role. 

Show jumping: Big Star wins gold

The KWPN-bred and –recognized Big Star (Quick Star out of Jolanda stb prest sport-spr s.Nimmerdor) wins in a spectacular manner individual gold with British rider Nick Skelton. Voyeur (Tolan van ‘t Riethof out of Loma elite prest s.Goodwill, breeder G.C.J. van Kooten from Voorburg) ends up right next to the medal stage in a thrilling jump-off, but contributed to team silver earlier that week. Taloubet Z (Galoubet out of Krista elite sport-spr prest pref s.Polydor) ensures team bronze for Germany. Rio is a special Olympic Games to breeder Cees Klaver, because similar to London, he sees two homebred horses in the finals. The success of Big Star is the culmination of his work. The individual deouement includes 35 starts, amongst them six KWPN-horses and the KWPN-recognized stallion Emerald.

Every colour of team medals

In dressage KWPN-horses contribute to every colour team medal. The young talent Cosmo (Van Gogh out of Lady ster prest s.Frühling, breeder S. Serrarens from Stramproy) is part of the German team that conquers team gold once again. The English silver team medal is made possible by two KWPN-horses. The golden Valegro (Negro out of Maifleur keur s.Gershwin) is pulling the weight together with stable mate Nip Tuck (Don Ruto out of Irena stb s.Animo, breeder Paardenmelkerij & Fokkerij J. v. Breemen from Bavel). The interestingly bred Verdades (Florett AS out of Liwilarda ster s.Goya, breeder P. Crum from Herveld) achieved the decisive score that secured the team bronze for the United States. In the individual final 33 procent of the horses is KWPN-bred. Next to quality in the width, it is the by Joop and Maartje Hanse bred Valegro that fulfils his role of favourite and prolongs the individual gold.

Exponential growth in eventing 

Where in London only two KWPN-horses made their appearance in the most versatile equestrian discipline, this number has grown significantly in the Olympic Games of Rio de Janeiro. Six KWPN-horses started the competition, after a drop-out in the cross-country, four Dutch horses have qualified themselves for the concluding element. United-son Bart L (out of Parisma ster s.Gribaldi, breeder H. Litjens from Afferden) makes a significant contribution to the French team gold.