This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
An Interview with BWP’s Boudewijn Schepers


to North America for the past five years as our keuring judge. He travels throughout North America inspecting foals, yearlings, mares and stallions. Te stallions that he approves in the NAD are approved with the same strict criteria as in Belgium and therefore benefit with reciprocity; approval both in the NAD and Europe. Of the stallions he has approved in the NAD, two have since competed in the Olympics and WEG, one was elected as ambassador and 23 are now elite stallions. He has also approved 26 elite mares in North America.


B


How long were you head stallion judge? I was the head stallion judge for 10 years. Counting my tenure


on the stallion committee for eight years, it’s been a total of 18 years on the stallion committee. Normally you can do maximum of three terms of four years or 12 years; however I was asked to continue until this year, 2014.


What are some of the top characteristics you look for in a stallion during the selection process? It is the entire process that I utilize to evaluate a stallion; hard


surface, triangle, at liberty and free jumping scope and willingness. For me the first impression is very important, the expression, cor- rect conformation, correctness of the top line and maybe most important the correctness of the legs. Later in the free jumping, we need the natural scope and willing attitude that the BWP is so well known for.


Do you think that if a stallion is a great free jumper he will be a good jumper in the ring and why or why not? Free jumping is important information we can get at the se-


lection show. It is important to estimate the raw talent and give feedback on this to our breeders. At that moment, free jumping is the only info we can get and it gives a good idea of scope and technique. However, it is not a guarantee for the future because the rideability later is very important.


Of the stallions selected since you became head stallion judge, how many of these stallions became successful at the Grand Prix level? I have approved about 500 stallions, including in the U.S.,


Hungary, Spain and Poland. Of those stallions, 85 reached Elite stallions and 11 Ambassadors. About 35 stallions were sold or gelded before they reached the Elite status but competed at Grand Prix afterwards. It means about 27 percent reach the level of Elite or higher. Te last years it is higher; it means the quality is still growing. I am confident the statistics demonstrate a cor-


42 November/December 2014 Special BWP Section


relation between success in the selection process and in the big classes. Tis was best demonstrated to me during 2010 WEG Kentucky, not only with Vigo, but with 11 approved BWP stal- lions (among the) 120 starters. It is excellent evidence that our selection system is doing well.


Do you think the criteria that the stallions must pass in regards to health and radiographs is too strict or is it ap- propriate? Sometimes you have the impression it is too strict when you


lose a good stallion for a little problem. I do think the world breed- ing association [WBFSH] should and could do it the same way, and this would be better for everyone. BWP requirements have always been stiff but mare owners are then confident, when using a BWP approved stallion, they are incorporating physical soundness.


Do you think that the selection of stallions during your tenure has helped to elevate the ranking of the BWP reg- istry? We have been fortunate to have both good stallions and an


excellent system to judge, but we also know that once in a while we will miss a good one. Stallions such as Darco, Heartbreaker and Clinton have recently done so much for BWP, not only in their own performance but also via their sons and daugh- ters. BWP was the first registry to approve these three stal- lions—we saw their quality first and we were the first registry to approve them as stallions. Tey have since influenced all the major registries.


What stallions do you think have been most influential to the BWP? Without doubt, Darco is the most important. What he has


done for the rankings is unbelievable. Without him we would have never reached the high rankings. His sons Non Stop and


oudewijn Schepers has been the head stallion judge in Belgium for over a decade and on the selection jury for almost 20 years. We have been fortunate that he has come


Judge Boudewijn Schepers at a North American keuring. For BWP/NAD to have such a high caliber judge come here each year has elevated the registry and attracted high end breeders and top riders to bring their horses to the keurings.


Chris Sallee


Belgian Warmblood Association


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  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100