The KWPN stallion selection committee welcomed eighteen already approved and twelve unapproved dressage colts at the saddle presentation in at the KWPN headquarters in Ermelo, The Netherlands, on 21 September 2016.
The licensing committee decided on whether the 18 approved colts were ready to compete in the 50-day autumn KWPN Stallion performance testing which starts in October. They also saw a collection of 12 stallions, who had dropped out or were rejected from the KWPN licensing process last winter for various reasons or who were never presented to the licensing committee.
The 18 already approved colts -- those who were presented at the 2016 KWPN Stallion Licensing in Den Bosch in February and got a positive verdict - were all accepted to begin the autumn testing.
From the group of rejects or unseen colts, only one got a pass to compete in the performance testing: Il Divo (by Winningmood x Oscar x Saros xx) bred and owned by Gert-Willem van Norel.
The day after the saddle presentation the Dutch equestrian press questioned the rejection of one stallion in particular, Ironman. Ad Valk's black stallion Ironman (by Ferro x Tuschinski x Havidoff), bred by Yvonne Copal, owned by Valk and ridden by Martine van Vliet, presented himself beautifully, according to the those media. Bert Rutten, chair of the KWPN licensing committee, easily explained the rejection though, as the stallion has a paddle in the left front leg.
Photo © Wilma Frentz
Related Links
Igor, Champion of the 2016 KWPN Stallion Licensing
2016 KWPN Reserve Licensing Champion Ierland Passed Away
Dettori Wins 2016 KWPN Spring Stallion Performance Testing