Traditionally, the Friday is a day filled with the best foals and mares the KWPN breeders have to offer. The prestigious championships are a must-see for any enthusiastic breeder and are always a guarantee for exciting finals bursting with remarkable talent. 

The final of the dressage mares had the audience at the edge of their seats. The top-3 was incredibly close and all of them were a worthy champion, but it was Kiss me Set (Fellini out of Call me Set D-OC by Florencio, bred by Ad Pertijs) who could take home the prize (pictured on top). “A mare with a beautiful formed neck. If she trots and already shows off, she gives a bit extra, again and again and again.” She was followed by the Franklin-daughter Kavira (out of Davira stb-ext by Sorento, bred by P.P.W. Janssen of Overloon) of Nico Witte in Schijndel and Tim and Leida Collins of Riethove. “A mare that moves with a lot of presence and shows her natural ability in a relaxed and balanced manner.” The third place was claimed by the champion of Gelderland, Kardinale-Utopia, a daughter of Glock’s Toto Jr out of previous National Mare Champion Wiona-Utopia elite sport-dr PROK by San Remo, that was bred by Seth Boschman and is now owned by RS2 Dressage Center de Horst BV in Groesbeek. “A youthful mare, with a nice, closed top line. She has lots of elasticity in her trot and does not need a high pace to show off her movement optimally.”

Results Championships final 3-year-old dressage mares

Video of the champion Kiss me Set :

 

Well-rounded Kalimero.D (s.Harley VDL) grabs title

Last year her sister Jacaranda.D placed sixth in the National Mare Championships final, this year Kalimero.D upholded the honour and grabbed the title. Kalimero D (Harley VDL out of Bozella elite EPTM-spr pref PROK by Indoctro, bred by Harrie van Dael of Kelpen Oler) provided her Friesian owners VDL Stud another national title. “Kalimero.D is an appealing mare with a strong top line. In her jumping she showed lots of reflexes, technique and scope. A very complete jumping mare!” said an enthusiastic Cor Loeffen. The CK Drenthe champion Kings Lady (Vigo d’Arsouilles out of Vera sport-spr by Goodtimes, bred by VOF Platenkamp & Evenhuis Services of De Kiel and co-registered by Stal Brouwer of Gieten) came in second. “This mare gave us a fantastic technique and a very good overall performance in her jumping this morning.” The Friesian vice-champion Kirasinaa (Modesto out of Dersinaa ster PROK by Chin Chin) of breeder Sietse van der Meer was placed third. “A well-developed mare that jumps with power and elasticity.”

Results Championships final 3-year-old jumper mares

National Foal Championships: Nersinaa best of jumper foals

For the second year in a row, the winning jumping foal is owned and bred by Sietse van der Meer. “A true athlete, with lots of balance and elasticity in her body,” said Bart Henstra about Nersinaa (s.Jenssen VDL out of Idersinaa IBOP-spr keur by Bubalu VDL) (pictured). In second place was Hardwell-son Newsflash (out of Dolaris ster IBOP-spr by Cantos, bred by H. de Roover of Strijbeek) that also showed abundant balance and ability to collect and extend in his gaits. Third was the High Shutterfly-son No Surrender (out of Ulrieke ster by Nassau, bred by B.C. Rijsdijk of IJsselstein and W. Broekman of Bennekom). 

Results jumper foals

National Foal Championships: incredible Nina Ricci 

Nina Ricci won the diverse final of the dressage foals. Each and every round, the elegant mare showed off her quality in the ring. Even in the lap of honour, she kept going. A big success for brothers Martin and André van Norel (pictured above) who bred the filly out of Felice keur IBOP-dr by Uphill. “A high-blooded foal that excels in her movements and leaves a lasting impression.” The Dreamboy-offspring Nightsky Th (out of Juthmara TH D-OC by De Niro, bred by H.H.L.M. ter Huurne of Wierden) was placed second: “A foal that moves nicely uphill and easily extends and collects.” The third place was secured by Geniaal-descendant Nyandro JZ (out of Elsarina elite EPTM-dr PROK by Jazz, bred by J. Zeewuster and Erven J.S. de Jager of Sleen) that stood out in his elasticity and light-footed canter. 

Results dressage foals

Icellie dominates National Foal Championships Harness Horse

Out of the 9 foals that were placed for the final in the afternoon, five were sired by Icellie. The entire top three was consisted by his offspring. The champion was Nicellie (out of Gareda ster s.Larix, bred by Jurjen and Grietje van der Velde of Siegerswoude). Henk Hamminga, on behalf of the jury: “This is a well-modelled foal that shows a good balance and technique in his movement.” However, he was closely followed by the vicechampion Nardus (out of Anca keur s.Unieko, bred by Wim Ruinemans of Rhenen). “The two of them were well-matched. Nardus has a strong body and a high neck. He rises even more in his movement and he is light-footed.” In third place another colt: Nico (out of Tovitha ster pref s.Farbricius, bred by L. van de Put, Oosterwolde). “A long-lined, high-legged foal with a superb neck. In his movements he is elastic and displays a strong hind leg.”

Results harness foals

Breeders of the Year 2018

Today, the breeders of the year of all the breeding directions were made public. Isabel and Wil van Gisbergen were declared Breeder of the Year Dressage. Their breeding is all founded on the mare Barbria, who won team silver at the Atlanta Olympic Games, and has yielded the KWPN-approved Voice, the Grand Prix-mare Ambria and the Big Tour-mare Boa Vista don Bria. Henk Hekkert was honoured as Breeder of the Year Gelder Horses and was accompanied by his Henkie, the approved stallion that participated in the World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses earlier this month. The Breeders of the Year 2018 showjumping are Peter and Anne Mieke Rinkes (pictured). All over the world, at national and international competitions, you find horses bred by the pair. Multiple of them have been approved for KWPN-breeding, amongst them Kordon VDL who was presented by Sjoerd Kommers, and James Billington’s 1.50m stallion Comfortuna. 

Gelder Horses: Nacho R best foal, Klarinetty again number one mare

The well-developed Nacho R (Henkie x Zilverster, bred by Mr. Rougoor of Bocholt-Suderwick, Germany) convinced the most today. His posture and lovely front together with his good fore and hind leg, ensured him the championships title. The jury had no doubts: “It was an easy choice to crown him champion.”

The long-lined Floris BS-daughter Jansje MB (out of Pepita ster s.Fortissimo, bred by M. van den Brul of Hilversum) headed the strong group of four- to seven-year-old ster, keur and elite mares, that competed for the national title. “A mare with an alluring front,” said the jury. 

After her victory at the Day of the Gelder Horse, the first prize was again obtained by Klarinetty (Alexandro P x Upperville) of Ria Hekkert of Wijhe (pictured above). “Something special,” said jury Arie Hamoen. 

Results Gelder Foals
Results 4-7 yo Gelder mares
Results 3-year-old Gelder mares

Pictures (C): Sandra Nieuwendijk