It is, of course, most special when a stallion is still alive at the moment, he is awarded the keur predicate, but sometimes granting the predicate posthumously is the only way to honour a stallion. On the third day of the KWPN Stallion Show, the Gelder stallion Upperville (s.Cabochon) was awarded the keur predicate.

Upperville was bred out of the elite, preferent performance sport mare Gecari (s.Creool). She herself competed at ZZ-Zwaar level under Sjoukje van Kooten. Sjoukje was closely involved in the choice of Cabochon for Gecari. Her father, Jan van Kooten, is listed as the breeder. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, he was unable to be present in ’s-Hertogenbosch today. He did follow the ceremony via the KWPN livestream, and his honours were represented in the arena by Sjoukje.

Upperville
Luuk Smetsers explained the awarding of the predicate: “Upperville was not used extensively as a breeding stallion, but he distinguished himself very positively by producing several versatile offspring who excelled both in sport and at inspections. Upperville himself competed in two World Cup Finals and at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen. With his Russian rider, he was successful at Grand Prix level for several years.” For Gelder horse breeders who regularly attend the KWPN Stallion Show, Upperville will undoubtedly still be remembered for his musical freestyle performance with Tatiana Dorofeeva.

Good genes
Upperville has two approved sons, Chablis and Edmundo, the latter of whom has also already been awarded the keur predicate. Edmundo was also present in ’s-Hertogenbosch and the always cheerful palomino was nicely presented in harness by Marcel van Bruggen. Upperville’s influence continues through his two grandsons Henkie and Odin, who are both making their mark, ensuring that Upperville’s strong genetics continue to be widely represented.

GJ for KWPN
Photo: Dirk Caremans