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A standing ovation for a living legend: Big Star. The impressive stallion came all the way from England to his native country to receive the title KWPN Stallio of the Year 2017.

Big Star entered the ring under Pieter Keunen and directly gave a shout out to the audience. Nick Skelton once told in an interview that this is one of his stallion’s rituals. Via a videomessage Nick Skelton expressed his gratitude: “It is a true honour that Big Star is granted the title KWPN Stallion of the Year. In my forty years of being an international showjumper, I had the pleasure to ride many good horses, but without a doubt Big Star is my number 1. If asked to give him a grade between one and ten, I would give him an eleven in every aspect.” A video of the winning ride in Rio, clearly moved the audience and breeder Cees Klaver. Big Star, the stallion with the heart of a lion, jumped phenomenally to Olympic gold with his 58-year-old rider Nick Skelton. An unforgettable moment and crowning glory for both the combination and breeding of Klaver. In his honorary lap, the stallion cantered with that same exceptional power he is known for. The audience gave a standing ovation for the stallion that can rightly be called a big star.

Cees Klaver from Schoorl bred the 15-year-old Quick Star-descendant out of Jolanda prestatie sport-spr (s.Nimmerdor), who was active at 1.35m level. At the age of eight years, the bay stallion already took home grand prixs. Many victories followed, including the Grand Prix of Aachen, Rome and Hamburg, as well as the teamgold in the London Olympic Games. In the fall of 2012, the stallion was recognized by the KWPN. Last year, his first approved son Jay Star (ds.Cardento) passed his performance test with 80 points. 



Photo Dirk Caremans


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The KWPN (Studbook of the Royal Dutch Sport Horse) is a Netherlands-based organization specializing in the breeding of jumpers, dressage horses, harness horses, and Gelder horses.

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