Following the final Central Harness Horse Inspection in Tolbert, the balance has been drawn, and we now know how many harness horses will be seen during the National Mare Inspection at the National Harness Horse Day on August 9 in Lunteren. There will be 50, ranging from foals to four-/seven-year-old keur and elite mares. Macho is the sire of 17 of these mares, followed by Icellie, Lanto HBC, and Olympus, each with five offspring. Foals have also been invited from the Breeding Day in Terschuur and the Jong KWPN Inspection.

Fifteen three-year-old mares have been invited for the "Queen’s Class," as it's often called. Who will be crowned the Queen of Lunteren? Last year, sixteen three-year-olds were invited. The Northern Harness Horse Region contributes the most with nine entries. Five are from the East, and one from the South/West.

Sire Statistics
Macho is the sire of seven three-year-olds, followed by Lanto HBC and Icellie, each with two. Magnifiek, Hertog Jan, Hubert, and Dylano each have one offspring. Manno and Eebert are each listed twice as the dam's sire. Four of these three-year-olds participated last year as two-year-olds at the National Harness Horse Day, finishing as champion, reserve champion, third, and fifth.

Two-Year-Old Mares
The number of two-year-old mares has slightly increased compared to last year: nine now versus seven last year. Macho is the sire of four of these, and Icellie of two. Lanto HBC, Innovatief, and Magnifiek each have one offspring represented. Manno appears three times as the dam's sire. Once again, the Northern region leads with five two-year-olds.

Cizandro and Lanto
Compared to last year, five fewer keur/elite mares will enter the ring this year: eight now versus thirteen last year. Cizandro and Lanto HBC each sired two of these mares. Leffe Blond, Fantijn, Heliotroop, and Eebert each have one offspring. Three come from the North and South/West each, and two from the East.

Champion 2024
Among these eight are also last year’s champion and reserve champion in this category. Some of the mares have recently achieved keur or elite status based on this year’s sport results or IBOP. This could add extra excitement to the category. A mare can be invited to this class up to four times in her life.

Foals
This year, the National Foal Inspection will also take place at the National Harness Horse Day. Eighteen foals (fillies and colts) have received invitations. With six foals, Macho again leads as the main contributor, followed by Olympus (5), Oberon (3), and Hertog Jan, Icellie, Magnifiek, and Nicolei VB each with one. Eight foals come from the North, four from Terschuur, three from the East, and one from the South/West. Two more foals were invited via JongKWPN.

National Harness Horse Day
During the National Harness Horse Day on August 9, the best harness horse mares of the inspection season will be presented. Various KWPN-approved stallions will enter the ring, and highly coveted titles will be awarded, such as Harness Horse of the Year and Breeder of the Year. As tradition dictates, the day will conclude with the Finale der Nationale, where the Greet Bergstra Trophy is at stake. Additionally, in honor of the event’s 40th anniversary, a special show will be added to the program: The Founders Show.

More Information: KWPN Championships

DB for KWPN
Photo: Yorben de Lange