In the first studio program of this edition of the KWPN Stallion Show, Henk Nijhof senior and his grandson Cameron Nijhof were guests at the table with host Charlotte Dekker. Cor Loeffen also joined to share his vision on the future of breeding.

At the kitchen table of Team Nijhof in Geesteren, numerous discussions take place. Many breeders come to the Nijhof family seeking advice on which stallion to choose for their mare. Henk Nijhof senior says, "To give good advice, you have to see the mare with your own eyes and delve into the pedigree. The breeder has the final say, but it's nice to discuss." Cameron adds, "The goal of our advice is not to sell coverings but to make a good combination. You want the offspring to perform well."

Orange feeling
The Nijhof family prefers to see their stallions in and for the Netherlands in sports. Three Team Nijhof stallions have received N.O.P. (Netherlands Olympic Committee) behind their names: Highway TN, Grandorado TN, and Hernandez TN, playing a significant role in both sport and breeding. Highway TN was chosen as the 'Showjumping Horse of the Year 2023', succeeding stablemate Grandorado TN. There is a lot of interest from potential buyers for the stallions, a topic also discussed at the kitchen table. Cameron says, "That orange feeling in the Netherlands, cheering together, I find it beautiful. If it's not necessary and we have a lot of pleasure from a stallion, then we don't sell." And with that, the discussion is closed.

Modern sport horse
The most significant development that Nijhof senior has witnessed in breeding is the adaptation of breeding to meet the demands of sports: "From a solid type, we have moved to a modern sport horse. Correctness and a good foundation have always remained the basis in breeding. And in addition to capacity, more attention is now paid to the character and the will to jump in showjumpers." Team Nijhof has hosted many influential stallions that have made significant contributions to breeding. However, Nijhof senior does not have a ready-made formula to discover the next influential stallion: "In the Netherlands, we have a very diverse breeding. There is no uniformity among the mares, so you also need many different stallions to ensure that there is a stallion that suits certain mares. It's about which stallions can advance breeding in the Netherlands." Nijhof mentions the Preferent stallion Heartbreaker as an example, stating that he "looked more like a pony and couldn't trot" but had a phenomenal attitude and jumping technique. It takes the right people with vision to recognize and approve these talents.

Challenge
Cor Loeffen is a familiar face for many breeders. He concluded his time in the stallion inspection committee last December with the final presentation of the performance test. Shortly thereafter, it was announced that he, along with Jacques Maree and Ieko Sevinga, would become part of the General Board. A decision Loeffen had thought about for a long time: "For years, I executed the studbook's policy, and now I got the chance to co-determine policy. That is a challenge for me." Loeffen also sees that sports now play a significant role within the studbook. At the same time, he notes that riders often have less knowledge of breeding: "I would like to see riders get more information about breeding. The equestrian sport has become more individualistic. As a studbook, we must reach the riders. This can be done, for example, through home inspections, our inspection team is equipped for that."

Future
Looking to the future, Loeffen expects that the minimum age for performance-tested stallions will be raised to four years: "As a studbook, we should not be afraid that stallions will go to another studbook. The testing is done correctly, based on the horse and with good veterinary guidance. At four years old, stallions can handle the work better." Following Cameron Nijhof, Cor Loeffen also emphasizes the orange feeling: "I hope that breeders and owners register their horses with the KWPN because, as a studbook, with all that data, we can provide more and better information. That benefits breeding. We all need to be proud of our KWPN horse."

AvdL for KWPN / photo credit: Dirk Caremans

In the photo from left to right: Charlotte Dekker, Henk Nijhof senior, Cameron Nijhof, and Cor Loeffen