At the 2008 Olympic Games in China, KWPN horses occupied the entire winners podium in show jumping. Of course, the highpoint of the occasion was the gold medal Eric Lamaze (CAN) captured with the late Hickstead (s. Hamlet). The world renowned jumper was born on the property of Jan van Schijndel of Maren-Kessel. However, when Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) won the silver medal aboard Ninja la Silla (s. Guidam), bred by Jan van Uitert and Nancy Huijsmans of Esbeek; and Beezie Madden (USA) claimed the bronze with Ninja la Silla's half-brother Authentic (s. Guidam), bred by the Morsink brothers of Wierden, success was complete for the KWPN.
Expectations are high again this year. Several Dutch-bred horses are among the medal candidates in show jumping, including World Cup winner Plot Blue (s. Mr.Blue, bred by Stal Burgers of Moergestel) under Marcus Ehning (GER); Big Star (s. Quick Star, bred by Cees Klaver of Schoorl), under veteran rider Nick Skelton (GBR), who will do his best to win on his home turf; and Dutch champion Jur Vrieling with VDL Bubalu (s. Baloubet du Rouet), bred by VDL Stud of Bears.
The following top Dutch dressage horses are strong contenders for the medals: Jerich Parzival (s. Jazz, bred by the Beijer family of Puiflyk) with Adelinde Cornelissen; Uthopia (s. Metall, bred by Jan van Zetten, Sr. of Kesteren) under Carl Hester (GBR); and Valegro (s. Negro, bred by Joop and Maartje Hanse of Burgh Haamstede) with Charlotte Dujardin (GBR). Several other Dutch horses are also strong medal candidates.
For years, the KWPN has led both the jumping and dressage studbook rankings of the WBFSH, the international umbrella breed organization. And KWPN horses are on the rise in eventing. All eyes are now on the Olympic Games in London, where many Dutch horses will excel under riders from 20 different countries.
JUMPING
ARGENTINA – Royal Power – José Larocca
AUSTRALIA – Vedor – Julia Hargreaves
Watch Me vd Mangelaar – Matthew Williams
AZERBAIJAN – Warrior – Jamal Rahimov
BELGIUM – Vigo d'Arsouilles (KWPN recognized) – Philippe Le Jeune
BRAZIL Special – Luiz Francisco de Azevedo
CANADA – Star Power – Ian Millar
Victor – Tiffany Foster
CHILE – Underwraps – Tomas Couve
COLOMBIA – Grupo Prom Royal Vinckenburgh – Rodrigo Diaz
EGYPT – Wervel Wind – Karim El Zoghby
FRANCE – Silvana HDC – Kevin Staut
GERMANY – Plot Blue (KWPN recognized) – Marcus Ehning
GREAT BRITAIN – Big Star – Nick Skelton
Murka's Vindicat W – Peter Charles
JAPAN – Avenzio 3 – Taizo Sugitani
JORDAN – Vrieda O – Ibrahim Bisharat
MEXICO – Victoria – Federico Fernandez
HOLLAND – Eurocommerce London (KWPN recognized) – Gerco Schröder
Sterrehof's Tamino – Marc Houtzager
VDL Bubalu (KWPN recognized) – Jur Vrieling
VDL Groep Verdi TN (KWPN stallion)- Maikel van der Vleuten
DRESSAGE
CANADA – Breaking Dawn – Ashley Holzer
DENMARK – Exquis Taikoen – Anne van Olst
GREAT BRITAIN – Uthopia – Carl Hester
Valegro – Charlotte Dujardin
SPAIN – Painted Black – Morgan Barbançon Mestre
SWEDEN – Watermill Scandic HBC (KWPN stallion) – Patrik Kittel
HOLLAND – Glock's Undercover – Edward Gal
Jerich Parzival – Adelinde Cornelissen
Uzzo – Patrick van der Meer
UNITED STATES – Ravel – Steffen Peters
EVENTING
HOLLAND – Concrex Oncarlos – Tim Lips
Vira – Elaine Pen