The first dressage groups have kicked off the stallion selection 2022/2023 in Ermelo today. Fifteen stallions were granted an invite to the second round viewing. 

The stallion selection committee, consisting of chairman Bert Rutten, Johan Hamminga and Wouter Plaizier, were accompanied by aspirant member Sönke Rothenberger. Together they inspected 47 stallion, fifteen of which received the green light to come back in the second viewing. 

Added value

“We are off to a good start. We have selected a few complete horses for the second round viewing. The impression we got on the hard surface matched what we saw in the cage afterwards, of course some stallion impressed us more than others”, chairman Bert Rutten says. “And even though it is of little relevance, I believe we have never seen so many greys before. Multiple of which advance to Den Bosch.” A Secret-son out of a Lusitano-dam was one of the stallions that was selected for the second round viewing. “A pilot was initiated to evaluate whether the cross of a dressage horse out of a Lusitano-parent is of added value. It’s great that we immediately have been able to select a result of that.” Rutten is also positive about the role of Sönke Rothenberger. “Young people being interested in breeding is always a good thing, especially when they have performed at such a high level as Sönke. We noticed he is actively engaged and knows the dam lines very well. He has truly delved into it and has his own views, allowing sport and breeding to come together.”

Photo: KWPN