Te Royal Dutch Sport Horse: Upholding a “Royal”
Standard of Excellence Compiled by Jennifer M. Keeler
he KWPN (Studbook of the Royal Dutch Sport Horse) is a Netherlands-based organization special- izing in the breeding of high-performance equine athletes that are not only favorites of riders around the world, but also dominate equestrian sport. For years, the KWPN has held a top position in the studbook rankings of the international umbrella breeding organization, the World Breed- ing Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH). Tis distinction means that Dutch-bred horses routinely achieve exceptional success in international equestrian sports.
T
Tere are many reasons why the Royal Dutch Sport Horse has such international appeal. Performance, durability and attractive conformation are the most important factors on which the success of the Dutch horse is based, and its qual- ity is renowned and praised worldwide. It is willing, fear- less, physically and mentally strong, and bred to perform at the highest level while also being reliable, easy to handle and pleasing to the eye. Royal Dutch Sport Horses
perform under top riders at the Grand Prix level in inter- national show jumping and dressage, as well as in a mul- titude of other disciplines in-
cluding eventing and combined driving. However just as many are purchased by breeders, amateur and youth riders and horse
enthusiasts around the world. Since most riders do not have the ambition or opportunity to actively participate in equestrian sports as professionals, the KWPN does not focus exclusively on world-class sport; rather, it also considers facilitation of suitable matches between the large population of amateur owners and their horses a very important task. For this reason, the tempera- ment of the Royal Dutch Sport Horse is just as important as its sport talent. Breeding horses in Holland is a rich and highly valued tra-
dition. While select breeding has been carried out for centuries, King Willem II recognized the first Dutch studbook organization in 1887 and so laid the basis for regulated Warmblood breeding. As sport horses came to the fore- front in the 1960s, the Warmbloed Paardenstamboek van Nederland, or WPN, was formed following the merger of two other organizations into one in 1970. In 1988, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands awarded the honorary prefix “Royal,” which is now the “K” (Konin- klijk) in KWPN. Today, there are approximately 30,000 members of the KWPN producing more than 12,000 foals each year, making the organization the largest Warmblood stud- book in the world. Te success of the KWPN sport horse
is the result of an extremely goal-oriented breeding policy and a great deal of expertise and innovation. Breeders of KWPN horses know how to create the unique combination of great sport talent contained in a sound body coupled with a sound mind, finding the right match by pairing mares and stallions with complementary traits in an effort to breed the perfect foal—a process that does not rely on luck but on insight and experience. Furthermore, the quality of the KWPN horse and the expertise of trainers and riders who develop the talented youngsters also contribute to the great success of this breed. With complete conviction and enthusiasm, the KWPN
strives to achieve its ongoing goal: to breed modern sport horses that perform at the top level of international eques- trian sports. Likewise, it aims to breed healthy horses that happily and easily do what is expected of them. Achieving this goal has made the KWPN a world- wide name.
Photos: Top of page: Totilas at the 2010 WEG with Edward Gal. Top left: Four-in-Hand Dressage with Chester Weber and a team of KWPN Harness Horses. Bottom left: Free-jumping: Eloma Blue Empire (Mr. Blue x Aitolona by Tygo, bred by H.A. van der Weide). Bottom right: Te statue “Foals at Play” at the KWPN headquarters in Te Netherlands.
SPECIAL KWPN-NA SECTION Warmbloods Today 43
KWPN-NA
Roy Maher
Courtesy Team Weber
Jen Wrenth
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