After various selection competitions, the interim standings have been determined in the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage. During the KWPN Stallion Show, it will be revealed whether the frontrunners can maintain their positions. The finals promise to provide excellent sport with valuable information for breeders.

With a substantial lead, it seems almost certain that Merlot VDL (Bordeaux out of Hyacinth-Vrouwe ster PROK D-OC by Florencio, bred by the Klinkhamer family from Sleen) will take home the competition win in the Z/ZZ-L dressage class. After three victories, the stallion, ridden by Femke de Laat, is in the lead. He is also the only KWPN stallion that appeared in all three selection competitions. His performances were judged with scores of 85.6, 86.2, and 84.8 points. During the last competition, there were again commendable words for the elegant stallion.

Good movement technique
"We looked at a very beautiful, fine picture; the horse was very obedient, beautiful, and steady in connection," said Monique Peutz. "He really has potential for the future, presents a very nice upward image, can collect well, has good movement technique, and, in addition, has a lot of expression and charisma." The second stallion entering the finals of the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage in the Z/ZZ-L class is GLOCK’s Toto Jr son Hexagon’s Gorgeous Black Art (out of Beauty Vienna D by Rubiquil, bred by K. Visser from Alteveer). This stallion, ridden by Beni Pachl, shows a lot of aptitude for the more advanced exercises.

Three in a row for Nalegro
Reigning world champion Charlotte Fry has the best cards for winning the competition in the M class with Nalegro (Painted Black out of Jalegrofleur ster pref PROK by Negro, breeders Joop Hanse from Burgh-Haamstede and Van Olst Horses). The impressive Nalegro, from the full sister of Valegro, stood out in every competition round for his strength, power, and impulsion. With scores such as 9.5 and two 9s, the score in the last competition reached 89.6, his highest score so far. The jury was very positive afterward: "The canter was truly a highlight; this is a horse that keeps coming from the hind leg with a lot of flexion in the joints.

Switching ability
He plays with the canter work." The stallion received a 9.5 for his canter. "Nalegro moves with ease through all three gaits, shows the ability to switch, and remains beautifully in length. The stallion has a lot of potential for the future; we think that's entirely in order." With a ten-point difference in the interim standings, Network (out of Keyveniz Texel stb-ext pref D-OC by Negro, breeders D. Staller and D. Broekema from Westbeemster) and Femke de Laat follow in second place. Network shows a lot of enthusiasm and good use of the hind leg. The final may seem like a foregone conclusion, but everything still has to happen in Den Bosch.

Intermediate standings
Because with less than six points difference from the intermediate standings score of Network, Nacho and Nordic Blue Hors follow. The Negro son Nacho (out of Benetton ster preferent D-OC by Krack C, breeder S. Maakenschijn), from Van Olst Horses, was also presented by Charlotte Fry. A stallion with a very powerful hind leg, a lot of carriage, and good use of the body. Danielle Heijkoop is in the saddle of the Totilas son Nordic Blue Hors (out of Demeter B ster sport-dr PROK by Jazz, breeders J.J Janssen and Stal de Beukenvallei), who is in fourth place in the interim standings. This stallion has a lot of collecting ability and good use of the hind leg.

Extreme U.S. champion L class
New this year is that the competition in the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage L class has already been decided. Extreme U.S. emerged as the winner during the last competition in Groningen. However, all KWPN stallions from this category will still appear at the KWPN Stallion Show, allowing breeders to get a good impression of this interesting age group. The importance for these young stallions to be seen in action multiple times, as they do not always present the same picture, was evident during the various competitions. For example, where the stallions generally struggled more with tension during the first competition, this was not the case in the impressive atmosphere in Groningen.

Good Balance After winning the first two competitions and a fifth place in Groningen, Extreme US (Escamillo out of Viva Contana PS by Vivaldi, breeder Gestüt Lewitz from Steinfeld) was declared the winner of the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage L class. After winning the Pavo Cup, the Escamillo son adds another title to his record. "This horse has a lot of quality in the basic gaits, good use of the hind leg, a lot of power, and uses his body in the right way," said Marian Dorresteijn after his performance in Ermelo.

Ex aequo rule
One Million (Vivaldi out of Joyrider elite IBOP-dress PROK by Apache, breeders M.H.J. Gotink from Warnsveld and Joop van Uytert from Heerewaarden) and Obession Taonga (out of Jatilinda elite pref IBOP-dress sport-dress PROK by All At Once, breeder Stal 104 from Wijdewormer) ended with the same final score, leading to the application of the ex aequo rule. This means that in the last competition, the score for the walk is considered. That resulted in One Million finishing second in the final standings, and Obessesion Taonga in third. "One Million was presented very pleasantly; he has a lot of quality, a good hind leg, a lot of power and body usage, and he uses it in the right way." One Million received a score of 9.2 for the walk in the last competition, while this score was given for the trot of Obsession Taonga. "The trot is very beautiful, very light-footed with a lot of technique. He consistently comes from the hind leg and moves nicely toward the hand."

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