Also this year, the World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken was a festive championships for both riders and breeders. KWPN was well-represented in each age category , which even resulted in a gold, silver and bronze medal for a KWPN-horse.

Gold for Garant (s.Warrant)  What a thrilling jump-off. Being the last competitor to enter the ring, Willem Greve steered the talented Garant in a phenomenal manner to the world title. A beautiful accomplishment for the horse that is bred by Gebr. Bosch from Luttenberg. Garant (Warrant out of C’Est La Vie elite IBOP-spr s.Verdi) was acquired by Willem Greve only four months ago and the pair obtained a wildcard to Lanaken. The Warrant-offspring jumped scope, carefulness and dedication, a true world champion. An enthusiastic Willem Greve: "Garant was incredible this week and was fantastic in the final once more. He has all the qualities to become a top show jumper.

Priorly I would not have dared to predict our win, but this horse deserves it." Willem Greve also qualified for the final with the KWPN-approved Grandorado TN (Eldorado van de Zeshoek out of Charmieque elite IBOP-spr sport-spr EPTM-spr s.Carolus II, breeders M. Rietberg & D.J. Verhoeven). The young stallion left no doubt about his potential and abilities but was too impressed by the screen in the main arena, where the five-year-olds had to jump for the first time. The 16-year-old Irish rider took home both silver and bronze with Z Seven Caretina (s.Coltaire Z) and Z Seven Canya Dance (s.Can Ya Makan). For the Netherlands, Jil Verheij placed fourth with Agana van het Greendale Z (s.Aganix du Seigneur). View the results here 

Fernando V (s.Zapatero VDL) wins silver Julian de Boer and Fernando V were the first reserve for the final and only heard they were allowed to start this morning. Their performance was rewarded with well-deserved silver. Willem Greve and the Carambola-Offspring Formidable placed fourth. The fast and eager Fernando V (Zapatero VDL out of Victorine ster s.Larino, breeder R. Vrieling from Coevorden) jumped with ease to the jump-off that counted nine pairs. Only the new world champion Gerard O’Niell and Killossery Kaiden (s.Lux Z) crossed the finish line of the jump-off with no penalties. With a daring round, one that was completed 8 seconds faster than world champion, but also included one knock-down, Julian de Boer grabbed the silver. Willem Greve, again the last rider to enter the ring, had his second opportunity for gold with Formidable sport-spr (s.Carambole out of Rebecca II ster prest s.Calvados, bred by H. Zagers from Koekange). A fault on the tricky second oxer resulted in fourth place. The bronze was won by Thierry Goffinet and Kannabis van de Bucxtale (s.Contact van de Heffinck). Victoria Gulliksen and Firefly H (Douglas out of Besmerle H s.Tenerife VDL, bred by J. Hogewind from Sint Jansklooster) had one unlucky knock-down in the jump-off, resulting in a fifth place at this World Championships. The same occurred to James Billington and Farrel VDL (Cardento out of Becherry ster s.Stakkato, breeder VDL Stud from Bears), the fourth KWPN-horse to complete the top-six. With 4 penalties in the first round, Faroso W (Zapatero VDL out of Barbarosa W stb s.Tenerife VDL, bred by H.J. Wagter from Wolvega) and Felix Schneider did not place themselves for the jump-off. The pair placed 11th overall. View the results here

Everst (s.Carambole) wins third medal for the Netherlands and KWPN Only five pairs steered clear off the fences in the first round. The Belgian rider Thierry Goffinet triumphed with Toulon-offspring Think Twice 111 Z. The Italian Lorenzo de Luca rode Jeleena de Muze (v.Tornedo FCS) to silver. Also Luc Steeghs finished the course without any penalties with Everest (2e round viewing, prok, Carambole out of Zarina stb-ext prok pref s.Indoctro, bred by Henstra & Henstra from Drogeham), but he noted the longest time. Steeghs competes the horse for its Libanese owners. They bought Everest in the Dutch Sport Horse Sales. "Their son will take over the reins at a certain point in time, but for now he is busy with his studies. He already rode a 1* Grand Prix in Roosendaal when Everest was six years old." Lennard de Boer was also on his way to a top placement with VDL Edgar M (Arezzo VDL out of Aramee O.A. ster s.Marlon, breeders E. & M. Meijer from Den Ham). Unfortunately a pole of the last oxer of the basis round hit the ground. "Such a shame, because he jumped fantastic and I was eager to join the battle in the jump-off," responded Lennard de Boer. View the results here