In 2013, the then designated approved stallion Flambeau was one of the auction highlights at the KWPN Select Sale during the KWPN Stallion Show. The Ampère son was sold to Germany, then moved to Sweden, and eventually found his way to Belgium. There, he proved to have what it takes to reach the highest level, narrowly missing the freestyle final at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

From Showjumper to Top Dressage Horse
The Olympic Flambeau is an Ampère son out of the mare Lakarla (elite, preferent, performance, sport-dressage, PROK, by Zeoliet). He was bred by José van Eijkelenburg from a damline rich in sport. She sold Flambeau through the KWPN Select Sale. The stallion was approved in Oldenburg and later in Sweden before being gelded. “He started his career in showjumping,” begins his current rider, Larissa Pauluis. “After that, he spent some time at a dressage stable before coming to Belgium to return to showjumping. A good friend of mine was going to ride him but showed me a video. She asked if I wanted to try him because of his dressage pedigree. He was very complicated but had three good gaits. I didn’t believe in him immediately, but my husband did. At that time, I never imagined he had so much talent.”

“He’s truly a dream horse for me”
Flambeau has no shortage of talent, surpassing 80% last year in Stockholm. He also won the CDI5* freestyle in Crozet and placed second and third in the World Cup competitions in Stuttgart and Mechelen. “Contact was very difficult; he dictated where we went, and that’s what happened. He was nine years old but felt like a four-year-old. It took a lot of time to establish proper contact. When I started working on piaffe and passage, I realized he was a superstar. He’s turning 15 now, but he keeps improving with every competition. He’s truly a dream horse for me. Because of a small mistake in the final line of the Grand Prix, we just missed the freestyle final at the Olympic Games this year. In the Special, we struggled with contact issues, which made it difficult for me to ride smoothly, and we made too many mistakes. That timing was unfortunate, but these things happen when working with horses. After that, we had a fantastic season again, 2024 was an incredible year with Flambeau.”

Very successful with another KWPN Select Sale reference
For 2025, Larissa has her sights set on the World Cup Final. She is also training several young horses for the future, including the Lord Leatherdale son Jordy HBC (out of Siona H, elite, sport-dressage, PROK, by Metall, bred by HBC Stal BV). Jordy HBC is now competing at Grand Prix level and was also sold as a three-year-old at the KWPN Select Sale. “He’s a stunning black horse with a lot of talent for all the movements. Like Flambeau, he wasn’t easy as a young horse but in a different way. He was very hot and scared of other horses. However, he’s very intelligent and now rides wonderfully and easily. I believe a horse’s mentality is the most important thing for top-level sport. You must also respect when a horse finds something challenging and not push them too hard. A horse has to want to perform for you in the arena.”

Don’t miss the KWPN Select Sale
Are you looking for a top sport horse or a future approved stallion? Then visit the KWPN Select Sale. On Thursday, January 30, the showjumpers will go under the hammer, followed by the dressage stallions on Saturday, February 1. In addition to live bidding, it is also possible to place a bid online or by phone. Do you have questions about the auction? Contact us via +31 341-255511 or email selectsale@kwpn.nl. The collection will be available online on January 14 at www.kwpn.auction.