The late foundation stallion Vivaldi has been posthumously name KWPN Horse of the Year 2025. The stallion's legacy was celebrated at the 2026 KWPN Stallion Licensing in 's Hertogenbosch on 30 January 2026.
More than 4,000 votes were cast in the Horse of the Year election, with the majority going to Vivaldi (Krack C out of Renate-Utopia, by Jazz). The stallion was represented that evening by his two of his retired Grand Prix level competing sons, Desperado and Dream Boy.
In total, Vivaldi produced more than sixty Grand Prix horses and succeeded in establishing his own sire line both in the Netherlands and internationally.
Present at the ceremony were Vivaldi’s rider Hans Peter Minderhoud, as well as his last owners Joop van Uytert and Ad Valk, and the daughters of the late Antoon Versantvoort, Vivaldi’s breeder.
“Vivaldi’s offspring are loved by every rider because of their good character and rideability,” explained Floor Dröge. “Vivaldi’s breeding influence reaches far and wide; I think there is hardly a show or competition where we do not see a horse with Vivaldi in its pedigree. We are pleased that the general public once again recognises and appreciates this influential stallion.”
Vivaldi was in the running for the title against Dutch Grand Prix team horse Luxuriouzz (Thamar Zweistra) and World Young Horse Champion Red Viper (Dinja van Liere).
Photo © Dirk Caremans
Related Links
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