Encouraging Young Breeders Our newest focus, beyond that on the horses, is on our members under the age of 30. We look forward to what they, in their turn, will bring to the competitions and the KWPN-NA of the future. Tis year we will be offering a new opportunity designed to be rewarding and exciting for our young breeders. Recognizing the importance of each year’s Young Horse Championships for jumping, dressage and eventing along with the studbook and sire rankings given by the World Breeding Federation of Sport Horses (WBFSH), they realized that a key component needs to be highlighted. Who will breed these horses in the future? A WBFSH task force presented the member studbooks with
The author, Michaela, stands in the center of Hilltop Farm’s barn.
ting everything together. Please encourage USDF to not only continue, but to also expand this program! A few of us young, Dutch Warmblood enthusiasts have start-
ed the Young KWPN-NA to educate and engage the next genera- tion—everyone is welcome! All too soon I will be agonizing over my breeding picks, and all those old breeders standing next to the warmup ring won’t be there for me to turn to. One day, the vision of my breeding program will dance, pound their feet and shine in that ring. We all need to start devel- oping that vision, that image of the ideal horse that keeps us up at night researching pedigrees and watching Youtube videos. We’ve got a lot of work to do. I’ll see you at the warmup ring. v
Young Breeders to Carry
the KWPN Torch By Faith Fessenden
T
his is an Olympic year. As we do at each of the Games, we see a new venue, new teams and athletes, new dreams—all symbolized
by the arrival of the torch. It’s a handing off of com- mitment and enthusiasm of past participants to new, younger, challengers who will continue allegiance and dedication to Olympic principles. In our sport horse world, the same handoff is well un-
derway. Young riders, and now young breeders, will carry the torch within the North American department of the KPWN. In both Canada and the United States, one finds ‘young rider’ classes at all shows and divisions. It is now time for our young breeders to make their mark.
44 September/October 2016 SPECIAL KWPN-NA SECTION
an opportunity to pass the torch forward from the sport horse breeders of the twentieth century to those of the twenty-first (our children). Tis flame was that of knowledge and skill in horse breeding, horse health and training, and intelligent use of their gifts and talents. Tere was also the bonus of friendship and com- munity. And so the Young Breeders International was introduced. In 2001, 26 contestants from 11 studbooks within four countries met in Verden, Germany for the first competition, Te World Championships for Young Breeders. Since then, at two year intervals, a different host studbook steps up to provide the venue. Te youngsters’ attendance has increased, requiring two age-specific groups: a junior team (16–19) and a senior team (20–25). So far the Young Breeders International teams have travelled
to Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, France, Sweden and Great Brit- ain. Attendance grew these past 15 years to 143 competitors (21 senior teams and 18 junior teams) representing 21 studbooks from nine countries: Germany, Austria, France, Denmark, Great Britain, Canada, Sweden, Belgium and Slovenia. Te components of the championship are knowledge and
skill. Written tests are given (one for senior teams and one for junior teams) to test their knowledge of reproduction, herd man- agement, conformation and free movement, etc. Te practical tests address conformation, free movement—to include jumping in the chute, presentation, turnout and personal conduct.
Calling Young KWPN’ers In 2017, the Young Breeders Championship will be held here in North America. Canada volunteered to host—fittingly, since they are celebrating their 150th anniversary (of the Confederation). It will be held July 20–22 in Calgary. Our goal is to form the first junior and senior Young KWPN-NA teams for this special event. If you are, or wish to be, a member of the ‘Young KWPN-
NA,’ go to our Facebook Page (
https://www.facebook.com/ kwpnnamemberspage/?fref=ts) and join, leave a post or private message saying “Yes! I am a young KWPN’er.” We’d love to hear from you and will promptly be back in touch with anyone who is interested. Te teams will be organized by co-chairs Faith Fes- senden and Scot Tolman. Find more information about the International Young Breeders program at
www.young-breeders.com. v
KWPN-NA Michaela Tolman
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