The National Foal Championships in Ermelo showcased the fine fleur of Dutch breeding. Friday August 11^th the best foals from all over the Netherlands gathered in Ermelo to contend for the title in their respective breeding direction. Tobias (s.Ojee-B) won the championship of the Gelder foals, Tamina Delin S (s.Extreme U.S.) was elected best of the dressage foals, jumper foal Talent (s.Emir R) proved to be aptly named and Toline S (s.Macho) danced to the victory in the harness horse ring. 

Every year the KWPN Championships include the National Foal Championships during which proud KWPN breeders show of the results of the pairing they came up with in the preceding year. At foal inspections all over the country, the best foals can obtain a coveted ticket to Ermelo to vie for the prestigious title.

Toline S (s.Macho) impresses every stride

TheVirbac Foal Trophy was awarded to the best Harness Horse foal. This year it fell prey to the filly Toline S (Macho out of Joy elite by Eebert, bred by Johan Smink of Steenbergen). Viggon van Beest, Thomas van der Weiden and Bauke de Boer inspected the foals, the first provided an explanation to the placing: “The girls beat the boys! Toline S is a harness horse typical filly that has a noble and alluring presence and heaps of expression in her movements. She has an uphill built that boasts strong connections, a fantastic position of the withers and shoulders and solid leg conformation. And when you watch her in motion, she ticks all the boxes. She gives you goosebumps! She’s got it all, the word exquisite comes to mind.” Her dam Joy was crowned National Champion at two and three years of age. This year’s national championships final for harness foals featured eight Macho-offspring.

Uphill Tamina Delin BS appealing champion of dressage foals

Fifteen quality dressage foals advanced to the final in their breeding direction. Johan Hamminga, Bart Bart and Menke Hoekstra based their selection on a powerful hind leg and swinging back. Extreme U.S.-daughter Tamin Delin BS (out of Fame Delin RT ster by Tuschinski, bred by Jaap Sikma of Hillegom) caught the inspectors’ eyes thanks to her aptitude to extend and collect her stride. The dam line of this foal produced the stallions Crosby and Las Vegas. Johan Hamminga lauds: “A foal with rectangular frame, an imposing forehand and a powerful body. She has a beautiful neck and moves with great technique in all three paces. We noticed that this filly emanates ease and serenity in her movement, always maintaining that uphill tendency.” Tango Lady (Fürst Toto out of Dancing Lady PROK by Dancier, bred by Mathijs Maat of Doorn) was declared vice-champion. The podium was completed by another Extreme U.S.-offspring, the colt Thor F (out of Bibiana ster PROK by UB 40, bred by M.A. Faber of Antwerp). 

Tobias (s.Ojee-B) tops strong collection of Gelder foals

The jury team of the Gelder foals was composed of Arie Hamoen, Luuk Smeets and Marloes van der Velden. The latter said to be impressed by the overall quality of the Gelder foals. “A compliment to the breeders and owners that are leading our Gelder horse breeding into direction and have provided us with these beautiful foals.” Tobias (Ojee-B out of Margonda keur sport s.Floris BS, bred by G.M. van Asperen of Twello and Siebe te Bokkel of Lieren) was donned with the winner’s sash. “A well-developed foal with a beautiful posture. He has ample ability to change gears, has a very good canter and showcased impulsion and a powerful push from the very first stride.” Tinus van het Woldhuis (Jupiler S out of Konstance ster s.Alexandro P, bred by Ria Hekkert of Wijhe) became the vice-champion. 

Talent (s.Emir R) lives up to his name

Inspectors Henk Dirksen, Stan Creemers and Marcel Beukers invited eleven jumper foals to the championship finale. Emir R-offspring Talent (Daydyne elite sport-spr D-OC by Indorado) emerged victorius. The colt was bred by Beaudine Hollemans and her grandfather Remco Bierma of Veendam/Exloo. “We placed him ahead of his competition thanks to his appealing looks and rectangular frame. He is well-developed, has a beautiful forehand and an athletic body. He convinced us with his good balance in the canter, his suppleness and effortless lead changes,” said Henk Dirksen. The runner-up also boasted a strong canter: Tessa vd Elshof TN (Eldorado vd Zeshoek out of Victoria stb-ext prest by Fuego du Prelet of breeder Peter Hemmen and Team Nijhof). Tiabanda VLD (Zirocco Blue VDL out of Banda de Hus by Argentinus, bred by VDL Stud) claimed the third position.  

Photo Toline S (s.Macho): Johnny van Ingen