North America, where breeders are now pro- ducing top international horses competing around the world in a variety of disciplines. With more than 1,300 members and an aver- age of more than 420 registered foals annu- ally over the last decade, the KWPN-NA has grown to become one of the continent’s largest Warmblood organizations. Trough a multitude of programs, the KWPN-NA staff and volunteer board work tirelessly to encourage the participation of registered KWPN horses in equestrian sport, and structure appropriate awards programs that will acknowledge and promote excellence on the part of KWPN horses, breeders, own- ers, riders and trainers in North America. Te KWPN-NA also maintains an extensive data- base that records detailed breed registration information, inspection and performance re- sults as well as ownership transfers and sales for all registered KWPN horses in North America; disseminates educational and informational data to breeders, owners and other interested individuals pertaining to the breeding, rais- ing and approval of KWPN horses; schedules and conducts various inspections throughout North America of stallions, foals, mares and geldings; and promotes public awareness of the Royal Dutch Sport Horse. Becoming a member of the KWPN-NA is a simple and cost-effective way to have access to experts, both European and North Ameri- can, who are willing to help Royal Dutch Sport Horse enthusiasts with their breeding programs. Members are not only eligible for awards and keuringen (inspections) with reg- istered horses, but are able to register foals and receive e-newslet- ters, a bi-annual newsletter and an annual handbook and stallion directory.
2 Te highlight of each year is the KWPN-NA annual meet-
ing, where members from across the continent have an op- portunity to come together to support and celebrate some of the world’s best equine athletes. With unique networking and educational opportunities, awards celebrations and lots of ca- maraderie, there is no better way to learn about Royal Dutch Sport Horses than to spend time with welcoming and helpful KWPN members. “Our annual meeting is an important way for our organization to provide new information and education for our members, and to get to know the breeders and members on a personal basis,” says Willy Arts, chair of the KWPN-NA Board of Directors. “For members, it’s a terrific opportunity to receive education, share knowledge and interact with other breeders, obtaining ideas and information to take back and use in their own breeding programs.” Dan Ruediger, Vice Chair of the KWPN-NA Board of Directors, believes the annual KWPN- NA meeting is a “can’t miss” event for all horse lovers. “Whether you’re a KWPN-NA member or just a fan of horse sports,” says Dan, “join us to take advantage of our dynamic agenda full of education, learn from industry experts and see a wealth of excit- ing equine ‘eye candy’.”
Kathy Hickerson
• Majestic Gaits, Brookline, NH •
www.majesticgaits.com
012 KWPN-NA Breeder of the Year Kathy Hick- erson owns Majestic Gaits in Brookline, New
Hampshire, near the Massachusetts border. With 12 acres housing approximately 20 horses, Hick- erson currently has nine broodmares while also standing four stallions and partnering with VDL Stud in Holland to distribute the frozen semen of 58 stallions. Hickerson’s family is a big supporter of the business, while Taylor Driscoll acts as trainer for the young horses. How did you become involved with the Dutch Warmblood breed? A visit to Iron Spring Farm in 1984 introduced me to the Warmblood; then I re-
Dante MG (Chin-Chin x O’Bert-e- De by Glennridge).
searched all the Warmblood breeds and found the Dutch to be the strictest for selec- tion and were producing the qualities that I liked. What is the primary focus of your breeding program? We breed for both dressage and jumping. Many of our horses go into eventing too.
What are the goals of your breeding program? We breed for a quality horse with the athletic talent for the Olympics but also the
character that an amateur can ride. The biggest success for me is when I get an email or text from an owner or breeder who says their horse is the best and so enjoyable to ride and that they are winning in the shows. If you had to pick a favorite horse from your program, which would it be and why? Miloma (Goodtimes x Dreamstreet) has my heart as she was so fun to ride. She was also the last horse I rode before knee replacement surgery, back and shoulder surgery. Since then I’ve focused my time on the breeding. What breeding lines have been the most influential in your breeding program and why?
Kathy Hickerson receiving her 2012 Breeder of the Year Award.
I’ve got a wide variety of lines, so no big concentration of one line. We love the Goodtimes (Nimmerdor x Caletto I) mares. They have been super producers for both dressage and jumping as they are big movers with powerful hind ends, which is important in all disciplines. Flemmingh (Lacapo x Carnaval), Navarone (Jus de Pomme x Armstrong) and Far- rington (Wellington x Doruto) have all been a big part of our breeding. We love a lot of jumper lines. Even for dressage, the top dressage horses mostly come from jumper lines.
A HORSE FOR EVERY RIDER (OR DRIVER)
has long since been replaced, the KWPN and the breed it repre- sents have both evolved to successfully meet the challenges and expectations of the modern sport horse. Today the Royal Dutch Sport Horse represents a completely different set of values: the abil- ity to impress enthusi- asts around the world with top performances in show jumping, dressage and spectacu- lar driving events. With the original
T
farm workhorse as the starting point, different and special ized breeding direc- tions emerged over
Maille and Lauren Barwick, winners of the Gold in the Freestyle and Individual Silver at the 2008 Para- lympics in Hong Kong (Ijsselmeer Ikepono x Étoile by Zooloog, bred by Deborah P. Harrison, DVM).
SPECIAL KWPN-NA SECTION Warmbloods Today 45
he KWPN is a modern sport horse association with a rich history. Founded at a time when the horse was valued exclusively for its pulling power, a practical function that
KWPN-NA Raymond Smith Kathy Hickerson
Roy Maher
BREEDER SPOTLIGHT
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