Last year, the number of Gelder stallions was extremely limited. This year, however, there was a strong crop, with no fewer than four of the five stallions presented for the second inspection being selected for the performance test, crowned by the impressive and very complete champion Tobias.

Tobias is a son of Ojee-B out of the keur, sport mare Margonda (v.Floris BS). The dark chestnut was bred by G.M. van Asperen from Twello and is registered with co-breeder Siebe te Bokkel, who inherited his passion for the Gelder horse from his grandfather Gerrit. Tobias has shown promise since 2023, when he was crowned champion of the Gelder foals at the National Foal Inspection. The jury, consisting of Jan Pen, Jan Vonk, Wouter Plaizier and inspector Luuk Smetsers, praised him as: “a correctly built stallion that clearly fits the Gelder horse type, by a young sire, with a strong way of moving.”

Selected for the performance test
Also selected for the performance test is Torre Rosso, a son of Barton VDL out of Gaishia (elite sport (dr) PROK by Alexandro P). This well-developed dark chestnut, who fits well within the Gelder horse type, was bred by B. Reitsma in Nijega and is registered with Close Horses in Bergen op Zoom.

A striking presence
Appropriately named Triple Colours van de Rheehoeve is a son of Glock’s Energy out of Nice Colours van de Rheehoeve (v. Henkie). This skewbald stallion was bred by K. Roggen from Rhee and is registered with S. Passchier in Emmeloord. He showed himself very well both in Ermelo and in ’s-Hertogenbosch and sufficiently represents the Gelder horse type. In terms of colour, he certainly adds something new to the Gelder stallion population. He, too, was referred to the performance test.

Strong damline
Tinus van het Woldhuis boasts an impressive amount of sport in his dam line. He was bred by Ria Hekkert and is now owned by Chantal Tutein Nolthenius from Apeldoorn. He is a son of Jupiler S out of the preferent ster mare Konstance (v.Alexandro P). This golden chestnut won the reserve title among the Gelder foals at the 2023 National Foal Inspection. A well-developed stallion from a well-known Gelder mare line, although he could show slightly more stallion expression. This stallion will also have the opportunity to prove himself during the performance test in Ermelo.

Insufficient Gelder horse expression
The curtain fell for Toto O’Bala KH, who entered via the re-inspection route. He is a son of O’Toto van de Wimphof out of Ambala R (elite sport-dressage PROK by Tango), bred by P. and S.S. Kempenaar from Wetsens and registered with Joop van Uytert. A correct stallion, but he lacked sufficient Gelder expression.

GJ for KWPN
Photo: Tobias by Dirk Caremans