Marleen and late Anton Woertman bred the Memphis-son Denver, that leads the 2020 WBFSH-ranking for showjumpers. For this achievement Marleen received a breeder premium from the Friends of the KWPN during the Online Stallion Show.

Denver is the best performing showjumper over 2020, but the gelding kicked off his career in eventing. He was successful at CCI4* level but made the transfer to the showjumping arena. Under the British rider Holly Smith, he is currently active at 1.60m level. The combination won various 1.45m and 1.50m classes, including the CSI3* Grand Prix of Vilamoura. In January 2020, Denver was back on Dutch soil to compete at Jumping Amsterdam, where he placed third in the Grand Prix!

Hobby breeders
Marleen Woertman bred Denver together with her father Anton, a hobby breeder that bred one foal per year. Denver’s dam is the mare Toscin, a daughter of Chico’s Boy. The Woertman family bred Toscin themselves, as they had previously bought Denver’s granddam as a riding horse for Marleen’s sister Simone. The lover for sport and breeding of Anton has ultimately led to the best showjumper in the world.

Never expected
On behalf of the Friends of the KWPN, Sonja Breure visited Harbrinkhoek to hand over the breeder premium to Marleen. “This is fantastic, no one could have envisioned this”, says Marleen. “Very special, you cannot imagine this ever happening. We are hobby breeders, so it is amazing to breed a horse like this”, adds Simone. “Marleen: “This is the crowning achievement for my father, I think he would have been extremely proud. He always followed breeding closely, visited the stallion shows and read all the equestrian magazines. He always made the stallion choice himself and had a good eye for that.” Simone explains how he discussed his horses with other, but always followed his own breeder instinct. “Last year I came across a news item that Denver was successful in showjumping”, tells Marleen about the reunion with their breeding product. “Ever since, I have kept track of Denver and I often see videos of him. It is incredible to enjoy this experience that we never expected to have.”

For more information and the program about the KWPN Stallion Selection, please visit the special page.

Photo Denver: Dirk Caremans