Last week, KWPN inspectors Arnold Kootstra and Dirk Reijne traveled to France to inspect horses at four equestrian enterprises for prospective registration in the Studbook.

The first stop was Gerrit Bras's property in Chammes. This breeder of exclusively dressage horses saw three of his foals from this year immediately registered in the studbook. Afterwards, the inspectors sat down with Bras at his kitchen table to talk more about horse breeding. The following morning, the inspectors set out early for Nantes, where they visited Claude Waldman, a Frenchman who speaks perfect German. On his property, the inspectors registered a foal; and a Foal Book mare by Tygo x Voltaire was presented for Studbook registration. With her good movement and free-jumping talent, she was admitted to the Studbook and awarded the ster predicate. After providing interested parties with information about the KWPN in general, the inspectors headed to the next inspection location, Suré. Suré is home to Mr. and Mrs. Maas, on whose property the inspectors registered nine foals and inspected other horses there. The Maas family raises numerous horses from the Netherlands on their beautiful property.

An acquaintance of theirs, the Weijkamp family of Ailiéres Beauvoir, presented five dressage horses for Studbook registration. Among them were two offspring by Sandreo and three by Voice, appealing types with good movement. All were registered in the Studbook, and three of these were awarded the ster predicate. An exceptionally attractive horse was a very long-legged Sandreo mare, which showcased excellent movement. The best mover, however, was a five-year-old stallion by Voice, who showed an outstanding trot with very abundant carriage. A 12-year-old mare by Manhattan x Voltaire was also presented for Studbook admission, a correct mare with good conformation and "blood." In the canter, she demonstrated abundant push and very good reflexes. She was registered in the Studbook and declared ster.