Show jumping rider Suus Kuyten purchased the now KWPN-approved stallion Story of the Year PP last year at the KWPN Select Sale. She immediately had a good feeling about the son of Cavalier Russe Z: “He is a stunning black horse with an excellent jump.”

Story of the Year PP (out of Madermie PP by Iron Man van de Padenborre, breeder Stal Poppelaars) was approved by the KWPN this autumn, receiving high praise from the KWPN stallion selection committee. Chairman Wout-Jan van der Schans highlighted the stallion’s positive attitude and willingness to work. He jumps with great power, very good reflexes, correct frontleg technique, and excellent use of his body.

A true sport horse
This was also clear to Suus Kuyten, who purchased the stallion in early 2025 through the KWPN Select Sale. Kuyten notes that assessing a stallion during the KWPN Stallion Show in ’s-Hertogenbosch can sometimes be challenging. “I had already seen very good videos of Story of the Year PP at the first round viewing. I find Den Bosch a difficult venue because it can be quite overwhelming for the horses. Some completely lose their form there. Story of the Year didn’t, though, he actually became a bit rushed. That’s a quality I like to see in a horse: it often means you need to hold them back a little under saddle. When he was later saddle broken, he proved sensitive enough, with plenty of blood. But once everything clicked, he performed extremely well.”

Kuyten also points to the strong offspring of Cavalier Russe Z: “I think he produces very well. Story of the Year PP is a very sporty horse, and that always catches my eye. Naturally, there is already a lot of interest in him, including from some very well-known names, so I can’t promise he won’t be sold.”

Previous KSS success: Power Man
Previously, Kuyten also purchased the now-gelded stallion Power Man (by Jukebox) at the KWPN Select Sale. This year, Power Man competed in the five-year-old final at the world championships in Lanaken. Kuyten sold him last December through her own auction. “Power Man is a very beautiful horse, which is something KWPN is well known for. I bought him online at the time because I was away at a competition. My first impression of a stallion is often correct, so far, the horses I’ve bought based solely on video have actually turned out to be my biggest successes. All stallions in the KWPN Select Sale are carefully selected, and the jury consists of top experts, so you know there won’t be any unpleasant surprises.”

Kuyten plans to attend the upcoming KWPN Select Sale during the KWPN stallion show as well. “I’m already looking forward to a fun day in Den Bosch, watching from your seat and seeing which stallion catches your eye. Auctions are really my thing. At the KWPN Select Sale, I often try to follow a stallion that advances to the third round viewing, but my main focus will always remain on sport.”

Don’t miss the KWPN Select Sale
Are you looking for a top sport horse or a future approved stallion? Visit the KWPN Select Sale. On Thursday, 29 January, the show jumping horses will go under the hammer, followed by the dressage stallions on Saturday, 31 January. In addition to live bidding, it is also possible to place bids online or by telephone. If you have any questions about the auction, please contact +31 341 255 511 or email selectsale@kwpn.nl. The collection will be available online around 9 January at www.kwpn.auction.

JM for KWPN