The votes have been counted so it’s time to announce the KWPN Dressage Horse of the Year 2022 and the KWPN Jumping Horse of the Year 2022! By far the most votes were obtained by the KWPN stallions Kjento and Granorado TN N.O.P. , making them the winners of the coveted titles. The stallions are honoured during the KWPN Stallion Show 1-4 February. 

Nearly 6.000 votes were cast in the KWPN Horse of the Year 2022 election. KWPN stallions Kjento and Grandorado TN N.O.P. emerged as absolute favourites. 

KWPN Dressage Horse of the Year: Kjento

Once again, Kjento (Negro out of Zoriana elite pref prest IBOP-dres PROK by Jazz, bred by Ad van Os of Sprang-Capelle) was sensational at the WC for Young Dressage Horses. Kjento is a son of Negro (former Stallion of the Year himself) and the preferent stallion seems to have passed on his talent to the phenomenon Kjento. Kjento made a lasting impression in the performance test after which he was approved with 90 points and later turned heads in the stallion competition. Ridden by Charlotte Fry, the regal Kjento secured the gold at the world championships in Ermelo twice. Receiving a 10 for his trot and 9.8 for perspective, the jury showed they have faith in the future of the now eight-year-old stallion. So far a promising prelude of an impressive career. 

KWPN Jumping Horse of the Year: Grandorado TN N.O.P.

The KWPN stallion Grandorado TN N.O.P. (Eldorado van de Zeshoek out of Charmieque elite IBOP-spr EPTM-spr sport-spr prest PROK by Carolus II, bred by Dick Verhoeven and Marinus Rietberg of Holten) is successful at the highest level with Willem Greve in the saddle. The duo cleared six courses in three nation cups this year. After three pristine performances in the nation cups of Rome, Rotterdam and Knokke, TeamNL chef d’equipe Jos Lansink selected Greve and Grandorado for the WC in Herning this year. The eleven-year-old stallion started off the year strong as he placed third in the Rolex Grand Prix of the Dutch Masters-Indoor Brabant. Last august, the champion of the 2014 KWPN autumn Performance Test was signed by the Dutch Olympic Horse Foundation (N.O.P.). Grandorado sires the champion of the 2019 autumn performance test Le Quirky JR (ds.Canabis Z), that was approved with 88 points, including five 9s. This autumn another Grandorado-son was added to the KWPN stallion base. Mister SFN (ds.Haarlem) grabbed the top honours in the Blom Cup for five-year-olds in Valkenswaard this summer. 

Award ceremony during KWPN Stallion Show 2023

Kjento and Grandorado TN N.O.P. are honoured at the KWPN Stallion Show 2023 in Den Bosch. Grandorado is awarded the KWPN Jumping Horse of the Year 2022 title on Thursday night February 3. Kjento receives the winner’s sash on Friday night February 3. 

Come to the Brabanthallen!

Would you like to see these super stars up close in person and give them a round of applause? Come join them at the KWPN Stallion Show in Den Bosch. Buy your tickets online now!

Photos Grandorado TN N.O.P. and Kjento: Dirk Caremans.