the years, each with its own breeding goal and breeding council. Depending on its bloodlines, conformation and abilities, a KWPN horse is registered in one of three distinct categories: the Rid- ing type (RP), the Gelders type (GP) or the Harness type (TP). Te riding horse group, which makes up 85% of all KWPN-registered hors- es, is also subdivided into dressage, jumpers and hunt- ers (in North America only). “As a breeder, I like the very scientific and organizational aspects of the KWPN registry and their Dutch Warmblood’s combination of athleticism, soundness and sensitivity,” notes breeder Sandi Lieb of Reddick, Florida. “Tey are also the first sport horse registry to recognize the necessi- ty of sport specialization in breeding to op- timize a horse’s potential in competition.” Te studbook’s goal-oriented breeding policy has certainly reaped rewards in the international dressage arena. Dutch-bred dressage horses are proof that it is pos- sible to combine great sport talent with a pleasant and willing temperament. Of course, KWPN dressage horses have three correct, pure, active and power- ful basic gaits with natural balance and suspension: they are the image of light- footedness and self-carriage. Tese quali- ties, combined with their performance orientation and durability, are the for- mula for success for the KWPN dressage horse. Best of all, they are happy horses who are quick to learn and a pleasure to own and ride.
KWPN jumpers are known for their unmistakable jumping talent combined with a cooperative and fearless tempera- ment, a healthy body and a sound mind. Horses of this type demonstrate charac- teristic movement due to years of selec- tion for the canter, which has resulted in horses with large strides, abundant push and great balance in the gait. Tis natural talent, combined with outstanding dura- bility and enthusiasm, allow Royal Dutch Sport Horses to tackle and conquer any jumping course.
Riding-type foals in North America
may be registered as hunter type. Beauti- ful horses with noble presence, sweeping movement, outstanding jumping talent and a steady and cooperative temperament,
46 September/October 2013
Valeska-DG (Krack C x Polimbria by Far- rington, bred by DG Bar Breeders Inc.) at Young Dressage Horse Championship in Verden.
SPECIAL KWPA-NA SECTION
KWPN horses are making their mark in the hunter ring and are increasingly the mount of choice in this popular division. KWPN
Blossom (Lupicor x Vanilla Shake by La- rino, bred by Bosch Farms) Winner 2010 Gert van der Veen Award and recently exported to Holland for competition.
horses excel not only under saddle, but also in harness. Approximately 12 percent of Royal Dutch Sport Horses are of the harness variety. Known for a proud bearing, flashy markings, spectacular trot characterized by excellent
Tony and Betty De Groot • DG Bar Ranch, Hanford, CA •
www.dgbarranch.com D
G Bar Ranch is located in the heart of California’s agricultural region and includes a 24-hour dairy farm, as well as a 25-acre horse operation and large breed- ing program for KWPN horses overseen by renowned rider and trainer Willy Arts. Co- owned by Willy and Tony and Betty de Groot, DG Bar Ranch is a unique family-owned and operated horse facility with an average of 70 horses on-site. DG Bar Ranch’s renowned breeding program was honored as 2004 KWPN-NA Breeder of the Year. How did you become involved with the KWPN breed? In 1983 Tony de Groot decided that it was time for his wife Betty to spend less time with the cows and more time enjoying horses, which had been her passion her whole life. So together they traveled to Europe and imported six horses from Holland. Willy Arts came to the U.S. in 1984 to help get DG Bar started, and it is the passion and hard work of the whole family that made it into what it is today. What is the primary focus of your breeding program? Our primary focus is towards breeding, developing and training young dressage
Licensed Harness stallion Zion-JC (Patijn x Roodnoot-Kea by Modern, bred by Carol and John Nemchick).
Gaspard de la Nuit DG (Ravel x Ceolieta by Sir Donnerhall, bred by DG Bar Breeders and Akiko Yamazaki).
horses for the FEI Young Horse competitions. We also breed a few jumpers. What makes the KWPN breed special for you? The KWPN horse is special because of our Dutch heritage, but also because they try
to produce a sound, athletic horse with a good character and temperament, which fits with our goal to produce a horse that can compete at the highest level with good rideability. If you had to pick a favorite horse from your program, which would it be and why? Favorite riding horse and broodmare is Valeska DG by Krack C — she competed in the USEF young horse program, represented the U.S. at the FEI World Breeding Cham- pionships in Verden (Germany), has received a very high IBOP score, has already pro- duced five fabulous foals and is back in foal. Another favorite broodmare is Satina DG by Contango, which has produced two offspring which are currently competing successfully in the young horse program: Caliente DG and Dalina DG. Dalina DG is qualified to compete in Verden for the U.S. this year. What breeding lines have been the most influen- tial in your breeding program and why? Most influential in our breeding program is
selecting the mare lines based on performance and soundness. We also compete with the mares before using them in the breeding pro- gram. Our most influential sire lines are Wanroij, Doruto, Contango, Ravel, Ferro and Jazz.
Stephanie Hamar Sheryl Ross
Bonnie Herbers
KWPN-NA
Rüchel
BREEDER SPOTLIGHT
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