future stallion considerations, what conformation and move- ment strengths and weakness should be addressed in the train- ing and management of their riding horses. Tere is also the added benefit of the camaraderie of other KWPN’ers talking about and watching one another’s horses, cheering each other on, and looking for what the new stallions are throwing.
Want to Buy a Horse? Are you a breeder seeking more information on what a given
stallion may produce with your mare? Do you want to present a horse at a keuring in the future? Are you a buyer looking for a youngster that catches your eye, or for a chance to purchase a promising young horse prospect that is already going under saddle? Look for a colored dot on the bridle/halter number as this dot indicates this horse is for sale. You may simply want to spend a day surrounded by beauti- ful horses. A KWPN-NA keuring provides just such a place.
Walking the Walk A keuring is your chance to see the ‘selection and evaluation’
process in action. Tis process has kept the KWPN in the top tier of the World Breeding Federation of Sport Horses leaderboards. Our North American sport horse breeding com- munity has been thrilled by the international performances of Valegro, Verdades, Totilas, and Ravel in the dressage arenas. For jumpers, great performers are VDL Bubalu, the late/great Hickstead, Plot Blue, VDL Groep Verdi, Imothep, and more. Every one of those mentioned attended a keuring as a three- year-old…and so did their sires and their dams, and so did their sires and dams. Tis is the very same process used here in North America.
Homework Assignment How does one maximize the keuring experience as a spectator?
A copy of the entries from each location will be available for printing from the KWPN-NA website,
kwpn-na.org. Select your location of choice, print the entry list for it, grab a pen/ pencil, several highlighter colors and you’re ready. Before leaving home, scan the entries’ pedigrees. If there are
several by the same stallion—highlight that stallion’s name in a given color. Ditto for another stallion—use a different color. If you scan the age groups you may see successive generations out of a certain mare. Underline her name in each pedigree. Do you have a favorite stallion from the magazines and websites, or are you curious about a stallion you’ve never seen? Look for his name and highlight him in yet another color. Circle any predi- cates in the pedigree: for mares– ‘sport’, ‘elite’, ‘keur’, ‘prok’, ‘star/ster’, ‘preferent’, ‘prestatie’ (pronounced ‘pres-staats-see’); for stallions– ‘keur’ and ‘preferent’. Tese are the indicators of quality and various accomplishments adding to the ‘royalty’ status of the respective horse. At this point it adds to your knowledge base to look up the names online, learning more about these horses in forums and pedigree databases, and by viewing photos.
Day of the Keuring As the classes begin, it’s time to focus on the horses. First—just
look at them. Which ones “ring your chimes?” Second—circle their numbers and now look at their pedigrees. Do you see a pattern of type or pedigree in your preferences? In the foal class, look at the dam and her strengths—did the stallion complement or detract from her? Again, make your notes. (Be careful with the embryo transfer foals, who are most likely shown with a surrogate mare.) Learn from the jury commentary at the end of the class why different premiums and placements were made. Make your notes and write down the numbers of the ringing order and what premiums were as- signed. Educate your own eye to see those same things. Now return to the entries list and check your notes. Did
you tend to like the offspring of a given sire? Was there a stal- lion that you hadn’t even considered but loved what he threw? How did the offspring look compared to their dams? Did that single mare bring wonderful foals regardless of the stallion used? (Tat’s the kind of mare we all want in our barns!) Apply the same process to the under saddle classes. Tese
classes are really important. How are horses from your favorite bloodlines doing once the saddle is on their backs and the rid- ers and trainers have worked with them? As a group of simi- larly bred riding horses, are they easy or difficult to ride? Were they better in free movement, or did the rider really help to support them? What is the overall quality of their gaits? Te offspring of good stallions and mares optimally should be a consistent collection—there should be a commonality of type or gaits or rideability/temperament. Regardless of their place- ment (remember they are very young and it is a new, intense experience), how did they handle the pressure? Did the rider help or hinder the horse? Many who may finish in the middle of the placements will go on to be great riding horses. During breaks and lunch, visit with other breeders, owners and spectators. You will find all are eager to share and enjoy the experience as well. Evaluate constantly while looking at horses waiting for their classes, or roam the stalls (if permis- sible) to see the foals up close, especially if one was of particu- lar interest to you. (Don’t forget to look for the ‘for sale’ dot!) Do you have a question that remains unanswered? Please ask a KWPN-NA jury member when they’re available. Tey are there for you, the spectator, too. Now that your self-education process has begun, keep up the good work any and every time you can attend a keuring. Maybe next time you’ll be listed as the owner or breeder. See you at rail side!
To view the keuring locations and schedule, go
online to:
www.kwpn-na.org/keuring-tour/ For a list of classes offered at our keurings, go to
www.kwpn-na.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ kinfo15b_web.pdf
Also watch for keuring entries by location to be available online. 36 September/October 2015 SPECIAL KWPN-NA SECTION
KWPN-NA
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