Under the saddle of Dinja van Liere, one of the top horses from the 2020 KWPN Select Sale is currently developing toward top-level sport. After three successful World Championships for Young Dressage Horses, Mauro Turfhorst (by Zonik) also showed his best side last summer in the Small Tour. This year, the stallion was acquired by the N.O.P.-foundation and now carries the suffix N.O.P.T.

Bred by Jan Greve, Mauro Turfhorst (out of Hidaylia ster by Negro) was sold through the KWPN Select Sale to Reesink Horses B.V. and Stoeterij Turfhorst B.V. As an almost four-year-old, he came under the saddle of Reesink’s stable rider Dinja van Liere, who has previously ridden KSS horses Hartsuijker and Capri Sonne Jr.
Despite his still short career, the stallion has already enjoyed considerable success. He performed well in the KWPN Stallion Competition, reached the final of the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses three times, won silver at the Dutch Dressage Championships at ZZ-Zwaar level, and even claimed gold in the Small Tour this year.

On the Way to the Grand Prix
Van Liere explains that the stallion is already well advanced toward taking his first steps at Grand Prix level. “He finds everything very easy, but I still want to dot the i’s before we enter the ring. He is quite bold, but can sometimes also be a bit unsure, and I don’t want him to feel insecure during a test. That’s why I want him to be 100% certain about what is expected of him first. At home, for example, he already goes very easily in and out of piaffe, but in a test everything has to happen at exactly the right spot. I want to confirm that just a little bit better.”

The rider is full of praise for the stallion, who according to her performs his work with great ease. “He has an easy body. He can collect well, but can just as easily stretch forward. He is very flexible yet strong enough. He also has an easy neck and is light in the contact, which makes him very pleasant to ride.”

Focus on LA 2028
Van Liere has many plans with Mauro Turfhorst, but whether she wants to aim for the World Championships in Aachen next summer with him is still uncertain. “That remains to be seen; first we want to see how he actually handles the Grand Prix ring. If that goes the same way as at home, I think it will be very good. Mauro needs very little competition experience to perform well in the arena too.”

For the World Championships in Aachen, the initial focus is on Imposantos, and Van Liere prefers to give Mauro Turfhorst and McLaren a bit more time. “Ultimately, I want them to be good enough for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, and that takes priority over the World Championships next year. If Mauro runs his first Grand Prix tests very easily, we may ride the observation competitions. But if that’s not the case yet, we certainly won’t rush things.”

Don’t Miss the KWPN Select Sale
Are you looking for a top sport horse or a future approved stallion? Then visit the KWPN Select Sale. On Thursday, January 29, the showjumping horses will go under the hammer, followed by the dressage stallions on Saturday, January 31. In addition to live bidding, it is also possible to place bids online and by telephone. Do you have questions about the auction? Please contact us via +31 341-255511 or email selectsale@kwpn.nl. The collection will be available online around January 9 at www.kwpn.auction.

JM for KWPN
Photo Mauro Turfhorst: Hippo Foto Media