The climax of the Blom Stallion Competition Show Jumping is just around the corner. After various selection competitions, the intermediate standings have been determined, and during the KWPN Stallion Show, it will become clear whether the frontrunners can maintain their positions. The finals promise exciting sports with valuable information for breeders.

During the last selection competition in Groningen, there was no shortage of spectators, and other competitions also attracted a lot of public interest and a great atmosphere. The Blom and Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competitions were also followed by a large number of enthusiasts through the livestream. The finals will be held during the KWPN Stallion Show, with the jumping stallions on Thursday, February 1, followed by the dressage stallions on Friday, February 2.

Hattricks
It was the year of hattricks. In jumping, the same winner topped the standings in all three competition rounds in the 1.20m and 1.30/1.35m classes. The M-dressage and Z/ZZ-L-dressage classes also had the same winner in all competition rounds. Under rider Hessel Hoekstra, New Pleasure VDL (For Pleasure out of Lady-A ter Putte by Diamant de Semilly, bred by the De Maertelaere family/Stal Van de Zuidakker) made no mistakes throughout the competition in the 1.20m class, winning all three competition rounds. This places the chestnut stallion in the lead in the intermediate standings.

Impressive riding
Numerous stallions consistently made it to the jump-off, requiring impressive riding to secure the top spot. Under Hessel Hoekstra, New Pleasure VDL demonstrated excellent cooperation, tight turns, and maintaining a good pace. Hoekstra formed a combination with New Pleasure VDL only three weeks before the first competition, as the horse was previously ridden by Cristel Kalf. After his first victory with New Pleasure VDL in Peelbergen, Hessel Hoekstra commented, "He is a very nice, fast horse, and he gives me a very good feeling. Cristel Kalf has trained him well, and I can immediately reap the benefits."

Competition
New Pleasure VDL faced strong competition from his stablemate Night Life VDL (Erco van ’t Roosakker out of Ialba VDL elite IBOP-spr PROK by Arezzo VDL). Under David Alex Gill, this VDL stallion secured the second position in the intermediate standings. Night Life VDL impressively navigated the course with ease and dedication. One thing is certain; they will give the leader in the intermediate standings a tough competition.

Skillful performance
The third position in the standings is held by New Star (El Barone 111 out of Bola elite pref prest IBOP-spr PROK by Vainquer, bred by J. van Kooten BV). Ridden by Max van de Poll, this half-brother of the KWPN stallion Jukebox was selected for the performance test through the Blom Cup in Valkenswaard. New Star has shown significant development in the last year, skillfully and cautiously navigating the jumps. The skillful and careful jumping stallion Newmarket VM (Chacoon Blue out of Nouvelle Star Z by Numero Uno, bred by Paul van Montfort from Maria-Hoop) with rider Kars Bonhof takes the fourth position in the intermediate standings.

Hoekstra leading again
Just like last year, but under rider Iris Hakvoort at the time, Stargos VDL (Stakkato Gold out of Estella sport-spr by Conthargos, bred by W. Winkeler from Herzlake) is leading in the 1.30/1.35m class. Hessel Hoekstra took over the reins earlier this year and has been performing commendably with Stargos VDL. Stargos VDL showed promising rides during the KWPN Championships in Exloo and the World Young Horse Jumping Championships in Lanaken. The VDL Stud stallion displayed enthusiasm, quick reflexes, effective use of its body, and playful ease in all competition rounds.

Champion
Will Stargos VDL succeed in being crowned the champion of the Blom Stallion Competition again? He will face strong competition from Defender DVS Z. This KWPN-approved Dominator Z stallion (out of Atureusa keur sport-spr by Padinus, bred by Van der Schaar, owned by H.C. Verhagen) is ridden by Marco Sas. Despite his relatively low experience in courses for his age, Defender DVS Z consistently delivers strong performances. During the first viewing, he presented his first sons, two of which were referred to the second viewing.

Impressive display
The top 3 is completed by the second Stakkato Gold son, Menno H (out of Toy H ster sport-spr pref by Baloubet du Rouet), bred by Pieter van Hees from Uden. Under Joep van der Kampen, this stallion left an impressive display. In the 1.30/1.35m class, stallions that have fully completed the competition in the last two years are allowed to start directly in the day competition of the stallion competition.

Boston VDL in the lead
In the 1.10m class, one KWPN stallion managed to finish all three competition rounds without faults. The easily ridden and equally well-jumping Boston VDL (Baltic VDL out of Jeune Dame VDL ster by Zirocco Blue VDL, bred by VDL Stud) achieved this under Cristel Kalf, placing him at the top of the intermediate standings. The four-year-old stallions jumped two rounds in each competition. In the finals during the KWPN Stallion Show, the stallions will navigate a base course and subsequently a jump-off. The result of the base course determines the final standings, unless there is a tie, in which case the jump-off of the day competition is considered.

Intermediate standings
There is still everything to play for, as the athletically talented On The Spot (Diamant de Semilly out of Kathelien W keur IBOP-spr by Cornet Obolensky, bred by Jan and Willem Greve) under Willem Greve is in second place in the intermediate standings, just one time fault behind. Three stallions have accumulated four penalty points over three competition rounds, and therefore, six courses. These are Ovinio (Ipsthar out of Kovinia sport-spr by Vigo d’Arsouilles, bred by Geert Moerings from Roosendaal) under Bas Moerings, Ormantico (Hermantico out of Dark Princess elite EPTM-spr PROK by Chin Chin, bred by A.M. Reuzenaar from Schaijk) under Lennard de Boer, and O’Connor TN (Ogano Sitte out of Gilana by Acord II, bred by Eder from Osterhofen) under Kars Bonhof.

Live and via KWPN.tv
The finals of the Blom Stallion Competition Show Jumping will take place on the evening of Thursday, February 1, during the KWPN Stallion Show in Den Bosch. Just like the finals of the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage, which will be held on the evening of February 2, these competitions can be followed both live in the Brabanthallen and via KWPN.tv. In addition to the overall standings, reserved for stallions that have participated in all three qualifying competitions, there is also the opportunity to compete for daily prizes. Thus, the finals provide a great opportunity to see a large number of stallions in action among their peers.

The KWPN Stallion Show is gearing up again. The world's largest stallion inspection will take place from January 31 to February 3 in Den Bosch. Ticket sales have already started, and KWPN members naturally receive a discount for the KWPN Stallion Show. It promises to be four fantastic days once again.

Overview page Stallion Show 2024

Text: Judith Martens for KWPN
Photo: Digishots