suspension, high knee action and hind legs that step powerfully under the body, the impressive appear- ance and perfor- mance of these athletes have cap- tured the hearts of horse enthusiasts around the world.
BREEDING THE BESTTO THE BEST
Gelders type mare Adessa (Koss x Odessa by Ahoy, bred by Berley Hilton).
KWPN harness-type horses continue to prove themselves as the top choice of drivers for national and international show ring and combined driving competitions in all divisions (such as singles, pairs and four-in-hand). Te Gelders type is the traditional stock that was used for
daily work in the Dutch countryside. After World War II, many Gelders bloodlines were branched off to specialize in harness horse, jumper and dressage horse breeding. However, a group of breeders who were partial to the original Gelder horse opted not to join the reformation and instead chose to preserve the original type. Today, although the Gelders type makes up just three percent of total KWPN registrations, these horses captivate many people with their classical con- formation, lively disposition, athletic ability, willingness and reliable temperament. Equally well suited for work under saddle and in harness, the Gelders horse remains very popular around the world with recreational riders who enjoy them simply as pleasure horses, as well as competitors who appreci- ate their talent and versatility as a sport horse.
ing acres in the central coast of California, and is the birthplace of an average of 12 KWPN foals each year. Harrison imported her original broodmare herd from Holland in the 1980s, and is now on the fifth generation. In 2008, she was named the KWPN-NA Breeder of the Year. What is the primary focus of your breeding? I mainly produce dressage horses, and in 2004 I was the USEF’s number one breeder of dressage
D
horses. My aim is to produce a horse with the talent for the FEI and the temperament and trainability for the amateur. What are the goals of your breeding program? I strive to breed horses that are powerful movers with uphill balance, self carriage, and natural en- gagement behind, and who possess a character that wants to work and please the rider. When horses have these attributes they are easy to train up the levels and are a joy to ride. If you had to pick a favorite horse from your program, which would it be and why? I have produced numerous FEI horses and the Grand Prix winners Gatsby, Ijsselmeer, Jagger, Kamu- ela, Lauwersmeer, Morocco, Oahu and Rodeo to mention a few…but my favorite is my KWPN-approved Dutch stallion, Ijsselmeer, who was Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle champion and/or reserve champion for the California Dressage Society and USDF Region 7 for four consecutive years from 2005 through 2008. Not only did he have super talent, he loved people and showing — the bigger the crowd and the louder the cheers the better. Now at 23 years old, he is still quite the ham and is still passing on his delightful character and powerful move- ment to his offspring. What aspects of your breeding program are you most proud of? I am most proud of how many of my horses have excelled at the upper levels, many with amateur
Deborah Harrison, 2008 Breeder of the Year.
48 September/October 2013
fantastic foal. Te KWPN’s stringent standards for talent, per- formance, soundness and character ensure breeders the “best of the best”: mares and stallions that are capable of producing the finest sport horses in the world with an eye towards continual improvement of the breed. Tis ongoing pursuit of excellence has led to the KWPN studbook being consistently placed atop the world rankings for both jumping and dressage by the World Breed- ing Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH). “Te Dutch have been leaders in study- ing the genetics and management of Warmbloods in order to produce a superior athlete,” explains California breeder Deborah P. Harrison, DVM. “Decades of research and selection have paid off—the Dutch horse is at the top of the game.” Perhaps it is Royal Dutch Sport Horse breeders’ focus on
E
Counselor (b. Artesian by Judgement-ISF x Shannon- doah by Farmer, bred by Natalie Bryant) exported to Germany for competition with Johannes Ehning.
three cornerstones of breeding approach, selection and overall practices that have reaped so many successes at competitions
Deborah P. Harrison, DVM • Lio Lomas Dutch Warmbloods, San Juan Butista, CA •
www.liolomasdutchwarmbloods.com
eborah P. Harrison DVM is a practicing equine veterinarian with a special interest in equine reproduction. Her breeding business is Lio Lomas Dutch Warmbloods, located on 25 roll-
very year, sport horse breeders across North America are tasked with deciding which stallion paired with which mare will help make their dreams come true through a
Approved Gelders stallion Ijssel- meer Ikepono (Vosmaer x Cadenza by Taxateur, bred by Deborah P. Harrison, DVM).
riders. I’m also proud of younger stars like Taboo, team gold medalist at this year’s FEI North Ameri- can Young Rider Championships, and Casanova, high point U.S.-bred horse at the 2011 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships and Champion of the 2012 DG Bar Cup for five- year-olds. This year an 8-year-old gelding is competing in the Grand Prix classes.
SPECIAL KWPA-NA SECTION
Sheri Scott Kathy Sibley
Ben Radvanyi Photography
KWPN-NA Harvey Van Dyke BREEDER SPOTLIGHT
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84