At the second BWP Suitability competition of the year 2017, offspring of Desperado, Special Agent Amour and Don Massimo were named the winners. Organized by the Antwerp branch of the Belgian Warmblood (BWP) society, this talent search and suitability test called the Corsendonk Dressage Cup was hosted at Dena Stables in Turnhout, Belgium, on 4 November 2017.
Provincial branches of the BWP society are organizing dedicated suitability competitions for 3 and 4-year old horses. Open to horses from all studbooks with the exception of BWP licensed stallions, the competition format has become increasingly popular with Belgian and Dutch riders. The first suitability competition of 2017 was held on 29 October 2017; the second one sponsored by Corsendonk Brewery was hosted on 4 November 2017. Both competitions featured a panel of international judges.
The aim of the competition is to evaluate young horses under saddle in all three gaits, as well as for rideability, balance and conformation. For young mares, a score of 75% or above can be counted towards their studbook assessment. The edition held at Dena Stables proved extremely popular with riders, owners and breeders, with entries far exceeding available places. More than 90 horses were seen on the day, which was split into two classes for the 3-year-old and 4-year-old horses.
The judges consisted of an international panel, with Chris Haazen from the Netherlands, Jean-Pierre de Waele from Belgium and Dr Eva-Maria Broomer from the United Kingdom. Broomer was impressed with the quality of the horses presented.
“It was great to see a wide range of participating studbooks and pedigrees, showing that Belgium has a vibrant and diverse dressage breeding and riding community that is moving in the right direction," Broomer told Eurodressage. "We would like to thank the organisers for a very smoothly run and pleasurable competition, and we would like to thank all participants who did a wonderful job presenting their horses so well.”
In the 3-year-old class, it was a tie for top place with a top mark of 83 awarded to Jack Sparrow D.E., a KWPN passported young stallion (by Desperado x Negro) ridden by Katia Smets, who showed an excellent range of movement and elasticity in all three gaits, and the BWP mare Obelle Amour de Tamise (by Special Agent Amour x Rubinstein), who was ridden by Kara Bosman and impressed with outstanding type and conformation.
The 4-year-old class was won by the BWP gelding Nias van het Blejanhof (by Don Massimo x Escuro) ridden by Evi Steyvers, who was awarded a mark of 83.5 for showing three expressive gaits paired with superb rideability.
Photo © Danny Bonnet
Results - 2017 BWP Suitability Competition - Corsendonk Cup
3-year olds (top 10)
- 1. Katia Smets - Jack Sparrow DE (KWPN, by Desperado) - 83
- 1. Kara Bosman - Obelle Amour de Tamise (BWP, by Special Agent Amour) - 83
- 3. Pieter Vermeire - Iron Man (SBS, by Bailamos Biolley) - 82.5
- 4. Bart van den Eynde - Olympic Aroma Krack (BWP, by Ampere) - 82
- 5. Gert Helsen - Parfait d'Amour (OLD, by Apache) - 81.5
- 6. Julie van Ranst - Jivahno (KWPN, by Everdale) - 80.5
- 7. Nele van der Weyden - Joy van de Kerkhove (KWPN, by Don Olymbrio L) - 79.5
- 8. Flore de Winne - San Lora (HANN, by San Amour) - 79
- 9. Diete Vos - Diamo (OLD, by Diamo Gold) - 78
- 10. Pieter Foets - Orofino van de Kempenhoeve (BWP, by Escolar) - 76
4-year olds (top 10)
- 1. Evi Steyvers - Nias van het Blejanhof (BWP, by Don Massimo x Escuro) - 83.5
- 2. Celine Swinnen - Igor (KWPN, by Chirlon x United) - 83
- 3. Ingrid Daeleman - Natchera G (BWP, by ) - 82
- 4. Klaartje Dumond - No Fear van den Bruel (BWP, by Special Agent Amour x Florestan) - 82
- 5. Ann Sophie Goethals - Incognito (KWPN, by Sorento x Fidermark) - 81
- 6. Pieter Foets - Iccadichoe (KWPN, by Charmeur x Sir Donnerhall) - 79.5
- 7. Dennis Bervoets - Imagine (KWPN, by United x Jazz) - 77
- 8. Nicky Peeters - Noblesse van het Genelaar (BWP, by Charmeur x Negro) - 76.5
- 8. Nathalie Mingou - Vavida BL (OLD, by Royal Dance x Ramiro) - 76.5
- 8. Dennis Bervoets - Nele van het Kristoffelhof (BWP, by For Romance x Riccione) - 76.5
Complete results: 3-year olds - 4-year olds
Related Links
Orpheus van het Kinschot Wins 2017 BWP Suitability Competition