throughout the world. Tis “holy triptych” includes targeted sport performance, durability and conformation. Te first part of the breeding goal is targeted sport performance: simply put, KWPN horses are bred to move and jump their way to the high- est levels of the sport. Second is the focus on durability. All of the movement and scope in the world is useless if horses lack sound- ness and longevity. In addition, breeders focus on good nutrition, training and raising of their carefully selected stock, which helps potential come to fruition. Finally, correct and attractive confor- mation is the third part of the KWPN breeding goal. A hand- some Dutch horse is more than just a pretty face; he’s an athlete. Te KWPN stresses quality over quantity and receives worldwide renown for its very strict selection process. Te first half of the breeding equation is the mares: the key to the success of future generations. “In Holland, we always say that it’s the mare that makes the difference,” notes Bart Henstra of the KWPN. In North America, mares are evaluated at all official inspections, called keuringen. Tey are presented in hand on a hard surface and are judged free on movement and jumping. After this evaluation, premiums are awarded as well as studbook and star designations (‘ster’ is the same term in Dutch). Star mares are invited back to be shown in hand again and the best become eligible for the “keur” predicate. All scores recorded at keuringen across North America are tabulated and the top ten champions in conformation, movement and free jumping are awarded. In Holland, a similar process occurs with the top mares competing at the national show in August in Ermelo.
the farm began importing Dutch Warmblood breeding stock that emphasized talent, rideability and good temperaments. By focusing on these traits, hundreds of talented and successful dressage, show jumping and eventing champions have been produced, including international jumpers Judgement ISF and Ovation ISF. Iron Spring Farm stallions have also sired over a dozen approved sons and literally hundreds of first premium, star and keur offspring. These accomplishments earned Iron Spring Farm the 2003 KWPN-NA Breeder of the Year award. What are the goals of your breeding program? We strive to produce, and help our clients produce, athletic horses with excellent temperaments.
L
Son of the famous Hickstead: Gallup WF (out of Rosalie by Ramiro’s Son II, bred by Bruce and Sharon Telford).
Perhaps the most stringent evaluations of all are applied to stallions. Dutch Warmblood stallions that are “approved” for breeding have earned this honor through an incred- ibly rigorous inspec- tion and approval process, consisting
of evaluations both in hand and under saddle, and sometimes possess an exceptional record in sport. In Holland each year, more than 700 two-and-a-half-year-old stallions undergo a pre- liminary selection, from which the top 200 are chosen to come to the city of Den Bosch each February for further evaluation at the legendary stallion show held there. Of these, only a select group of 60 stallions withstands the rigorous testing to receive an invita- tion to the final phase: the 70-day stallion testing at the KNHS Center in Ermelo. Tere, the stallions are evaluated for character, dressage talent, jumping ability and overall health, with the same high standards applied for temperament: stall behavior, willing- ness to work and reliability. Only the very best stallions qualify for a breeding license, en- suring that an approved KWPN stallion has the best bloodlines, proper vet inspection and superior athletic ability to produce the
Mary Alice Malone • Iron Spring Farm, Coatesville, PA •
www.ironspringfarm.com
ocated in the historic rolling hills and pastures of western Pennsylvania, Mary Alice Malone’s Iron Spring Farm has been a pioneer in the sport horse world for 37 years. Starting in the early 1980s,
Whether you’re an amateur, young rider or professional, everyone wants a horse that’s sound, fun to ride and very competitive in the show ring. We are also committed to refining the process of bringing young athletes along in a way that keeps them healthy and happy. What are some of the major successes of your program? Judgement ISF (Consul) and Ovation ISF (Rampal) are two international show jumpers produced in the ISF
Approved KWPN Stallion UB40, (Olivi x Kilucienne by Michelan- gelo, bred by A.J. van Os).
Approved KWPN Stallion Judgement-ISF (Consul x Faletta by Akteur, bred by Iron Spring Farm) with lifetime earnings of over $1.5M.
program; Zenith ISF (Judgement ISF) is eventing at the 3* level with Olympic gold medalist Leslie Law; Andorra ISF (Sir Sinclair x Consul) and Tennyson ISF (Contango x Roemer) are both rising stars in FEI dressage. There have been dozens of Dressage at Devon champions, USDF year-end award winners and FEI dressage horses sired by our stallions. It is very rewarding to see so many young riders and amateurs riding horses by ISF stallions, and earning medals and top scores nationwide (the individual gold medal, gold medal freestyle and team silver in dressage at this year’s NAJYRC were awarded to a Contango son). However, the biggest reward is the letters and emails we get every month from happy horse owners who have forged a relationship with a special horse. If you had to pick a favorite horse from your program, which would it be and why? Each horse is special and we are grateful for every single horse, but Contango stands out. He had a wonder- ful disposition and was a great competitor (earning more than 30 Grand Prix wins). His legacy as a sire and damsire, of approved stallions, Grand Prix dressage horses like Ravel, and jumpers is profound and we are hon- ored that he was a part of our lives and our program. What makes the Dutch Warmblood breed special for you? The commitment of breeders, both in North America and the Netherlands, to selecting bloodlines noted for soundness, performance and temperament. There are KWPN horses at the top of every Olympic sport, which is a testament to the success of that commitment.
50 September/October 2013 SPECIAL KWPA-NA SECTION
Terri Miller
KWPN-NA Bob Langrish BREEDER SPOTLIGHT
Sharon Telford
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