Last weekend the KWPN-NA Annual General Meeting in Lexington Kentucky. Several speakers, also from the Netherlands tributed to this very interesting program. At several occasions, the YKWPN-NA members that were running for a place in the team for the Young Breeders Championships in Bromont could show their skills.

After the traditional welcome reception on Thursday, the Friday started with an update from the Board of Directors. In addition, several special committees provided their information along with a report from the YKWPN-NA members.  Travelling from the Netherlands, Mr. Bart Henstra, KWPN senior inspector for the US, presented the ever popular review of the 2017 KWPN Champion Jumper stallions. He was followed by guest speaker Mr. Bert Rutten who first presented the Champion dressage stallions. The Chair of the Stallion Selection Committee for dressage horses also shared his philosophy of breeding, buying, and starting young horses. The public could ask questions that he willingly answered, a very interesting presentation indeed. Harness Horse specialist Wim Cazemier, who recently moved to the United States, presented the Harness horse stallions in the Championship 2017.
In the afternoon the group went to Spy Coast Farm for an educational session on preparing horses for free movement and the jump chute. The public was shown three horses that were presented by members of YKWPN-NA. Two horses were fully explained by the judges, the third was judged by the Young Breeders and afterwards their findings were compared to those of the judges. The best Young breeders were presented a prize. The day ended with a visit to the nearby Kentucky Horse Park to see the KWPN-NA office and tour the museum and facilities.

Champion Stallions

The Saturday morning started at the hotel with an overview of how to present your young horses for success in the IBOP.  Bart henstra bought some footage of a IBOP in the Netherlands and heshared his idea, toegther with Bert Rutten. The fact that Henstra is more a judge that looks at the talent in a horse and Rutten the one that seeks the qualities for the highest level, made it a lively and extremely interesting discussion. The YKWPN-NA presented the highlights from the Young KWPN-NA’s innovative Breeder Spotlight Podcast series. Three out of four breeders interviewed were also present now and shared their ideas also this time. Scot Tolman, was live on the internet.
Dr. Scott Hopper, DVM of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital provided a veterinary update and  Mr. Bart Henstra discussed the new D-OC requirements for elite predicate. Closing the morning was Mr. Bert Rutten preparing the group for what they were going to see in the afternoon. He explained extensively how he trains horses from a young age to Grand Prix.
The afternoon session was held at the Masterson’s Station Arena. There, some horses were presented in hand, which was again a training session for the Young KWPN-members. This was instructed by Willy Arts and Wim Cazemier.  After the presentation and the scoring, again a winner was presented with a prize. After that, the horses, from five-year-olds to Grand Prix-Horses were presented under saddle. Bert is not the instructor with the long speeches. He says little, but one could see the horses develop in only a short time, fascinating to see what his few tips did for the riders and the horses.  Especially keeping length in front and following the hand, is important to him.  To wrap up the afternoon, Mr. Wim Cazemier provided an exciting Dutch Harness horse demonstration with the KWPN Stallion Colonist. Striking were the similarities between riding a Harness horse and a Dressage Horse. That evening was reserved for the KWPN-NA Annual Awards Banquet and Silent Auction.

The next morning, it was again time for Young KWPN-NA. At the Matterson’s Station arena. Bart Henstra along with Janko Van de Lageweg were presented three horses and again, they discussed two and the third was for the YKWPN-NA members to judge. All for the best preparation to excel in Bromont.  We wish them good luck!

 

Source: KWPN-NA