Kirsten Brouwer has gelded her number one horse, the Grand Prix level chestnut Foundation RR.
De Hoefslag first published that the KWPN licensed stallion has been gelded a few weeks ago.
Grand Prix Breakthrough Horse
Kirsten Brouwer is best known as a multiple WCYH medal winning ready but Foundation RR was the horse that has enabled her breakthrough at Grand Prix level.
He is a 14-year old KWPN stallion by United out of Wiana (by Jazz) and is bred by Mr Naber. He was originally named Ferdinand.
As a young horse he finished 11th under Brouwer in the 2015 Pavo Cup Finals, sixth under Franka Loos in the 2016 Pavo Cup Finals, and second under Loos in the 2017 KWPN Stallion Competition Finals.
The combination had its big break through on the international scene in the winter of 2022-2023, scoring 75.087% in the Grand Prix at the 2023 CDI-W Amsterdam. They were in the running to make it to the 2023 World Cup Finals in Omaha until an injury right before the 2023 CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch sidelined them for more than a year.
The pair became squad listed at the start of 2024 and was long-listed for the 2024 Olympics despite no recent shows. Their planned come back at the 2024 CDI-W Amsterdam was postponed. They ended up only doing two shows this year of which one was the 2024 Dutch Dressage Championships, where the stallion refused to be in the front of the aids.
Gelded
De Hoefslag disclosed that Foundation was gelded a few weeks ago.
"After the castration we took a small step back. He's become a totally different horse. He is so much more relaxed and really benefit from the surgery. He's nice in his body and much more happy. I think he's more at peace," said Brouwer.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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