Keuring News
Report from the Road - 2003 NA/WPN Keuring Tour

NA/WPN: Valley View, Sylvan Lake, AB

Hosts: Ruurd & Wieke Dijkstra

Jury: J Verkerk, M Giddens

Friday, September 5, 2003 - Hello again from 'the road'. As last year, the keuring tour starts at Valley View Farm near Sylvan Lake, Alberta where we were met by an enthusiastic group of owners and spectators. A mixed group of horses was presented at Valley View this year. Although in several cases we saw horses of beautiful type and good conformation, we would have liked to have seen better movement and more power in the gaits.

Two mares were presented for studbook/star evaluation. Solana VS (Flemmingh x Nimmerdor, owned by Kristin and R G Williams) earned her star predicate with a few good jumps that showed good technique and good use of the back. She has a good shoulder, but could show more power and balance in the movement. Tinerva Alta (Kennedy x John U to Berry xx, owned and bred by Janneke Poot), also awarded star, was a mare with a beautiful front and good carriage in movement, but needed more reach in her gaits.

Keur mare candidate Salinda (Calvados x Beethoven) was a real broodmare type with lots of expression, a strong body and good foundation. She received her star last year, showed her foal this year and needs only to fulfill performance requirements to complete her keur predicate. Rosinaa (Wellington x Ariban xx, owned by Allison Hagen) showed her foal Witsinaa, successfully completing her requirement, and was awarded the keur predicate.

A total of nine foals were shown for premium grading. All received a second premium.

The high score horse of the day was Salinda, owned by Harry and Eileen Bosma.

Dijkstra's had probably the most spectators - the majority Dutch-speaking family members thanks to a family reunion - that we will see at any keuring this year. Overall, again a safe and successful start to the tour.

NA/WPN: Spruce Meadows Masters

 

 Saturday and Sunday, September 6 - 7, 2003 - For the first time in approximately 10 years, the NA/WPN and KWPN were represented by a booth at the Spruce Meadows Equifair, thanks to the persistence of Allison Hagen and the help of an enthusiastic phalanx of volunteers speaking both English and Dutch. The booth was well located with an eye-catching banner and photos of horses competing in the international ring. The booth was well received and stayed very busy throughout the long weekend. Our thanks to Allison and her many helpers for taking on this project in addition to trying to prepare for a keuring the same week.

Highlights from the Masters Tournament are posted on the NA/WPN News.

NA/WPN: Windbourne Farm
Aurora, OR

Host: Shelley Campbell

Jury: J Verkerk, M Giddens
Jury Trainee: L Sneddon

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - Magic (Inspekteur x Nimmerdor) had the distinction of being the first mare on this tour to be designated as eligible for the Keur predicate. Magic, owned by Deborah Hausman, showed powerful movement and good carriage. She was honored the best mare of the Oregon keuring and placed first of the three star mares at this location. Tenacity (Ulft x Coriolan, owned by Catherine Koranda) showed a supple trot and is very correct in the legs. Tonette (Voltaire x Libero H, owned by Shelley Campbell) is a well developed, strong type with a good shoulder. She moves correctly and showed good technique during the jumping.

The easy mover Windom (Ferro x Darwin, William and Delila Barnett), a real Ferro type - black with a good front, was placed first with a first premium in the foal class. With Honors CCF (Darwin x Volckmar, Michael and Cathleen Vanzwol), although not as expressive as Windom, nevertheless showed a very good walk, an elastic, easy trot with good reach and also received a first premium.

NA/WPN: DG Bar Ranch
Hanford, CA  

Host: Tony and Betty de Groot, 

Jury: J Verkerk, D Harrison, Jury Trainee: L Sneddon

 

Friday and Saturday, September 12 - 13, 2003 - Weather report: hot, hot, hot. Although the temperature reportedly reached 105 the first day, the DG Bar handlers appeared immune to the discomfort. As always, the horses were beautifully prepared and the inspection well organized.

One gelding in the class of nine received the Star equivalent designation. Truman (Contango x Volckmar), owned and bred by Elizabeth Veenendaal, showed a good walk and good carriage at the trot to receive the orange ribbon.

Four mares received the Star Predicate: Tasha (Ferro x Rampal) owned by Katie Hoefs, showed good conformation, supple movement and good jumping ability. Tasha was awarded the special ribbon for the best conformation in this class. Trinity (Indoctro x Zeoliet) owned by Katherine Kuhn, was a modern type mare with powerful gaits and was awarded the special ribbon for best mover. Regard (Burggraaf x Voltaire) was also a powerful mover and showed good jumping ability - she earned the ribbon for the best jumper. Tamika (Wanroij x Werther), owned by Harry and Eileen Bosma, showed good cadence and balance in her trot. Tasha and Trinity were designated eligible for the Keur predicate.

Mienta (Octrooi/Best of Luck x Argus), owned by Shayna Bernie, scored 72.5 on her IBOP and successfully completed her Keur requirements. Samira (Damiro x Wanroij), Shannondoah (Farmer x Volckmar) and Sierra Siren (Volckmar x Wanroij) owned by Natalie Bryant, all successfully completed the IBOP test with scores of 74, 77.5 and 70 respectively.

Valeska DG, a fancy-moving yearling by Krack C out of Polimbria (by Farrington) received a first premium as did Ultima DG, a two year old filly by Ferro out of a Wagner mare. Both were bred by DG Bar breeders; Ultima is owned by Sandra Harper.

Seven of 11 current year foals received a first premium. The first place went to Winged Warrior DG (Aram x Contender, owned by DG Bar Breeders), a colt with uphill movement and tremendous suspension. Second in this class was the well-developed Wisdom MVSH (Farrington x Flemmingh) owned by Mark and Jackie Eckhaus. Two supple and balanced Contester foals placed 3rd and 4th - Wilona (Contester x Pantieon, Ann Pacheco) and Winchester DG (Contester x Farrington, DG Bar Breeders). Wescott DG (Idocus x Sultan, DB Bar Breeders), Wrazmatazz (Jazz x Darwin, Lisa and Jason Brandman) and Windemere DG (Polanshy x Doruto, DG Bar Breeders) completed the First Premium line-up.

All photos Katie Kuhn
Regard
Winged Warrior
Wisdom
Wilona

NA/WPN:Ulysses Sport Horse Tucson, AZ 
 

Host: Shirley Yializis,

 

Jury: J Verkerk, D Harrison, Jury Trainee: K Kuhn

Sunday, September 14, 2003 - Weather report: continued hot.

Of the 12 mares inspected at Catalina, Arizona, only one received the star predicate. Symphony (Flemmingh x Zuidhorn) earned the honor for her owner Shirley Yializis.

Whimsical Ruby, a chestnut filly by Contango out of Kassandra, a Rolls Royce mare, received a first premium in the class for for current year foals. Whimsical Ruby is owned and was bred by Royal Star, LLC, Holly Kimberly-Small.

NA/WPN: Silver Hill Stable
Austin, TX
 

Host: Sandra Heinrichs

Jury: J Verkerk, D Harrison, Jury Trainee: K Kuhn

 Monday, September 15 - At Sandra Heinrich's good facility and in good weather (for a change), two mares received the star predicate and were also designated eligible for keur. Primamor (Consul x Idool), owned by Timothy and Evelyn Cudd, is a mare with good body type and correct movement. Sierrajeanne is a very modern Contango daughter (out of a Roemer mare) with good takeoff in movement and good use of the neck. She is owned by Jan Richardson. The seven year old mare Ojazzie (Silvio II x Jazz), owned by Kathy Child and Deborah Davenport, was already in the studbook and earned her star predicate. She is a well developed mare with three good gaits and showed herself to be quick and careful in the jumping.

Five of the eleven current year foals received first premium. First place, Westar (Idocus x Fleming) owned and bred by Larry and Cathy Childs, had an outstanding trot - very supple with an enormous ability to carry himself and the ability to extend and collect. He was also well developed and long lined. Wrigley, the second place foal was already weaned so was not as well developed in the topline, but this son of Rousseau (out of a Bolivar mare), owned by Didi Carpenter, was rectangular in type, had a good poll, good length in the front leg, and moves with good reach and technique.

Versailles, a Ferro yearling out of same dam (Nirvana x Fleming) and with the same owner/breeder as the first placed foal, is an almost over-developed yearling of good type - well muscled and long lined - with good carriage in the movement. Ulette D Malouin (Metall x Argus), owned by Pattie Shipley-Smith, was a powerfully moving two year old with good length and good front.

Udamann (Voltaire x Burggraaf) owned and bred by James and Joanne Cunningham was a very nice two year old colt. He was a good type, well developed and well connected in the topline, with a good shoulder and good substance. His walk could have more reach but the trot and canter are very good.

Westar photo by Cathy Childs
Wrigley photo by Katie Kuhn

NA/WPN: Morven Park

Host: Loucky Hagens-Groosman

Jury: J Verkerk, D Harrison
Jury Trainee: K Kuhn

 

Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - Weather report - excellent!

Two 007 foals owned and bred by Sieti Belz-Fry led the foal class. Waterford (mare by Wanroij) and Waterloo (mare by Jazz) both showed very good type and excellent movement. Wamorkus, owned and bred by Loucky Hagens-Groosman, was in third place. Wamorkus is a full sibling to last year's Top Ten Foal Vitamorkus (Contango x Rita Morka x Jazz).

Touche (Idocus x Caletto), a lovely, modern, well conformed mare owned by Margot McAllister, was designated star and eligible for keur. Two geldings were designated star quality - Rafael (Juventus x Forli xx), owned by Cheryl Swing and Trooper (Rampal x Fleming) owned by Lisa Cox.

Four mares did the IBOP riding test to finish their keur mare requirements and all four were successful. The highest score went to Ramona W, (Ferro x Havidoff) owned by Clark Moss, who showed good gaits with an especially good canter. Karona (Flemmingh x Statuar) owned by Barbara Eberle also showed her dressage ability. Ouija (Recruut x Screen King xx) owned by Susan Duncan and Barbara Kuzell, demonstrated good technique and ability over fences. Nemels (Samber x Lector) owned by Wiley J Grosvenor showed good jumping ability and a very good walk.

All photos by Katie Kuhn


Touche


Waterford
 


Waterloo


Wamorkus

NA/WPN: Iron Spring Farm, Coatesville, PA

Host: Mary Alice Malone

Jury: J Verkerk, D Harrison, Jury Trainees: K Kuhn, F Fessenden

Thursday and Friday, September 18 - 19, 2003 - Weather deteriorating. Thanks to their usual outstanding organization and an envious ability to 'roll with the punches', the ISF keuring actually took place almost as scheduled. Permanent stabling was made available to all keuring participants and the two day schedule was compressed into a day and a half. The rain held off until late Thursday so we managed to finish everything but the current year foal classes which were rescheduled for midday Friday. Isabel hit us in the wee hours of the morning so except for downed trees and wires, necessitating a few detours, and no phone or electricity for a few hours, we stayed high, dry and safe. We hope the rest of you and your critters are also safe and that things have begun to normalize somewhat.

Iron Spring Farm had an excellent foal class - probably the best we have had in this location - with 8 of the 17 receiving a first premium. The highest scored foal was Whisper ISF (Consul x Grand Slam owned by Iron Spring Farm), a well developed, long lined foal with good carriage and powerful movement. Two foals tied for second place. One was a foal from Judgement's first crop. Willful (out of a Northern Baby mare), owned and bred by Alibi Farm, was a good type with a good front and supple walk and trot. Winston ISF, a foal by Contango is out of Selona ISF, the Ferro mare who placed fourth in the country last year. Also a good type and correct mover, Wyeth ISF (Contango x Voltaire) placed third in the class.

Orange ribbons also went to:
Wartimes by Goodtimes out of Dr. Carlos and Karin Jimenez' elite mare Marie Louise
Wizard ISF, a Consul foal out of successfully the performing mare Persimmon (by Contango)
Walden ISF, a Contango x Consul foal with good use of the hind leg and powerful movement
Willow, Consul x Ahorn, a foal with good type and substance owned by Dr. Sharon H Anderson

Valerie, a yearling by Rampal out of the Thoroughbred mare Kiskisa by Northern Baby, owned by Alibi Farm, was an elegant filly with good development and sufficient reach and power.

In the class for two year old colts, there were two first premiums given: Uriah ISF (Contango x Jetset D) owned by Iron Spring Farm and U Pearl Harbor (Indoctro x Jetset D) owned by Carol Carroll.

Three mares were designated star and eligible for keur. Tahiti ISF (Contango x Hivona x Consul), Tiara ISF (Juventus x Grand Slam) and Toscane (Cabochon x Amethist). Sadie Starr (Idocus x Argus) owned by Beth Sproole-Hansen, Olivia (Anriejetto x Corvado), owned by Dayna Gant, Paela (Ulft x Calypso) owned by Diana Rucci and Marueen Richold and Rivanna (Idocus x Sebastiaan) received the Star predicate. Tahiti got the high point ribbon as the best mover and best jumper and Tiara ISF received the rosette for best conformation.

Four mares completed the requirments for the Keur predicate. Odette (Houston x G Ramiro Z, Prima Equestrian) completed her requirements with a successful IBOP. Persimmon (Contango x Hidden Road xx) completed the offspring requirment with her foal Wizard ISF. Limaude II (Cabochon x Cobbler's Thread, Denise Rugen) passed the conformation and movement requirement and Nova (Consul x Akteur, Dr. and Mrs. Carlos Jimenez) completed her offspring requirement.
 


Tahiti


Tiara


Whisper ISF

NA/WPN: Bearspot Farm
Acton, MA
 

Host: Jennifer Tousignant

Jury: J Verkerk, D Harrison, Jury Trainee: F Fessenden

 Sunday, September 21, 2003 - Kudos to the New England team. Headed by Jennifer Tousignant, this group pulled off one of the best organized and best attended inspections we have ever had. The facility, owned by Jane Karol. was lovely, the participants were 'rewarded' gift bags, the food was abundant and delicious and there were more spectators (including a class from Johnson and Wales) than we have probably ever had at an inspection. Thanks to all of you who made this day a success.

T Lente, Alicia Winter's Cabochon x Farrington mare received the special ribbon for best mare of the day. She was designated star and eligible for keur. Taloma (Navarone x Goodtimes) owned by Kathy Hickerson and VDL Stud also received her star and was designated eligible for keur. Rene, Ferro x On the Road xx, also owned by Kathy Hickerson received her star.

Two foals received first premium ribbons. Windsor (Contango x Glendale) owned by Mary Bahniuk-Lauiristen and Werites SSF (Freestyle x Jazz) owned by Scot and Carol Tolman.

Orchis (Jazz x Roemer), also owned by the Tolmans, did a good riding test, showing very good gaits and good balance to complete her keur predicate.

More details to follow. In the meantime - Thank you New Englanders - good job!

NA/WPN: Pennock Point, Reddick, FL

Host: Masu Hamcher

Jury: J Verkerk, D Harrison, Jury Trainee: F Fessenden

 

Monday, September 22, 2003 - Weather report: hot and humid at Sandy Lieb's good facility..

The high point ribbon for the day went to Sandi's Promised (Wanroij x Rolls Royce), a well developed mare with a good topline, and good walk and canter. The mare showed in the IBOP under saddle, scoring 70 points. Outrance (Animo x G. Ramiro Z) owned by Julie Ballard Haralson, showed light footed and active gaits and showed a lot of scope in jumping. She scored 75.5 in the IBOP.

The special ribbon for best jumper went to Sigoletta (Little Rock x Wellington) owned by Angenita Grande. The mare scored 82 points for her performance but her topline needed to be stronger for a first premium.

Of the two star mares Tola (Flemmingh x Argus) owned by Julie Ballard Haralson is eligible for the keur predicate. Her stablemate Triantha (Wellington x Caritas) received her star.

According to his pedigree Staccato (Idocus x Domino), owned by Donald and Yolanda Williamson, showed a good techniue in his jumping and sufficient scope. The correctly built and well-muscled colt could have more length in type and gaits.

NA/WPN: Pegasus Equine, Berlin Heights, OH

Host: Dean Wikel 

Jury: J Verkerk, D Harrison
R van der Kuil (Harness Horses)
Jury Trainee: F Fessenden

 

 

Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - Our luck is holding. The rains passed through the previous day and left us with a beautiful sunny day that began with the crowd-pleasing harness horse (KHH) entries.

Harness Horses:
Four of the six entries in the studbook mare class received a first premium. The first place went to Tina (Renovo x Fortissimo) owned by Erin LaCroix - super-elegant mare with a wonderful trot. Second place was awarded to Tindra (Jonker x Cicero. Dean Wikel, a mare with a very good front and neck. Also designated star was the long lined Sendrini M (Majesteit x Lendrini) and Tanja (Jonker x Droomwals) both owned by Dean Wikel.

The mare Rommy (Milano x Mimone x Hendo), who was the top mare in hand last year, did her driving IBOP and completed the requirments for keur. Rommy, a beautiful mare with lots of expression, was a former National Champion as a two year old in Holland. Pauletta B (Fabricius x Katja x Waterman), a former Champion as a three year old, completed the offspring requirment to also complete her keur predicate.

Horal (Balmoral x Tango), a fourteen year old KHH stallion owned by Windholme Farm, was Licensed for breeding. Horal was previously selected for the stallion performance testing Ermelo. He is an elegant stallion with very good carriage and use of the front leg.

One foal, Wildest Wishes (Jonker x Fabricius, owned by Dean Wikel), was shown and received a first premium. Unbelievable (Manno x Hendo, Dean Wikel), the lone entry in the two year old class, showed good balance and good use of the front leg and was also a first premium.

Riding Horses:
Three foals received the orange ribbons in Ohio. The best foal was Winfield CBF (Goodtimes x Rarusa H) owned by Waino Pihl and Susan Taylor). Winfield is a very elegant and long lined foal with a very good gaits. The second placed foal was Wimbleton (Ferro x Idocus, owned by Robin Hunter, also a well developed foal with good type and movement. Wonderful, by O.Zarah61 out of last year's top jumping mare L Titty 51, was the third placed foal.

Overall highedst scored mare was Tamora (Ferro x Notaris) owned by Lana Sneddon. She was a lovely type and showed good movement as well as jumping ability. Tesana (Contango x Consul), owned Michael and Evelyn Hobbs received the highest score for conformation. Both mares were designated eligible for keur. The star predicate was also awarded to Sijalda (Flemmingh x Caritas, Joel and Keersten Nichols), Saretta (Ferro x Edorette, owned by Jenny Himango) and Tiniloma (Goodtimes x G Ramiro Z, owned by Julile Weedon and Renee Miller).

The elegant young stallion Tenacious Diamant (Savage Diamant x Utrecht), owned by Loretta van der Veer, received a first premium as did two yearlings - Valenciennes (Jazz x Consul, owned by Michael and Evelyn Hobbs) and Voltaire's Look (Voltaire x Lucky Boy, owned by Carole Bowden).
Valenciennes

(Photos by Michael Hobbs)

 Tesana

 

Wrap Up

 Whew! It is over for another year! A few thoughts.

To expect that the quality of horses in 2003 would be as good as 2002 would be unrealistic as 2002 was an unusually successful year. Nevertheless, at a number of keurings, the quality of foals was better than in previous years. Many foals showed more expression and were more modern in type. The technique and the way the foals are moving is improving - for instance, fewer move on the forehand. It was good to see that the latest licensed stallions - Judgement, Contester and O.Zarah - have thrown foals that can compete with the already proven sires in the US. Some of the top foals from last year were presented again and it looks like they are developing well - giving hope for the future.

In this second year since free jumping was added to the inspection procedure, the number of horses that free jumped was not much higher, but the horses that did jump were, in general, well prepared. It was good to see that more and more owners prepared horses for the riding test (IBOP). For next year, new rules will be published and the updated IBOP will make it easier for more horses to show their ability under saddle.

While the overall quality of the mares was good, there were fewer 'superstars' than in 2002.

Correctness of conformation, especially in the hind leg, is becoming an important issue. Correctness, for functionality, soundness and durability, is even more important than expression. In general, the better the horse is conformed, the better it will move; the better it moves the more expression it shows. When breeders use the popular stallions, especially with frozen semen, they should use the linear scoring information available on those stallions, and should compare it to the scores given to their individual mares. In order to make progress in the next generation, breeders need to use the tools available to them within this system to help make good breeding choices.

All three jury trainees have now gone to the Netherlands for training and have made good progress in the training in the US. We feel the training program is successful to date.

All of us who have participated in this tour want to thank everyone again - especially the hosts for their hospitality, the volunteers for making the whole thing run and all of you who participated. It takes all of you to make the tour possible. The involvement in the NA/WPN is good and the atmosphere and attitude is also good. There appears to be friendly competition but everyone cooperates to get the job done.

All of you can give yourselves a much deserved pat on the back. See you in March in Visalia.