"July marks the autumn of the breeding season as far as inseminations go. The last group of semen freezing stallions have started now and a few last minute walk in collections are taking place, with other jobs like haymaking and breaking horses about to start. We're also developing, assessing and training the young horses currently under saddle and we'll maybe squeeze a few more summer shows in. 

Right on track

This year  we are right on track. In the late AI group, just one, Dior, a stunning Royal Dance mare, reabsorbed the first pregnancy  to the international Grand Prix KWPN approved stallion Mooiman Hfd (ranked one of the Netherlands' top ten dressage breeding sires) so she is in this late group of mares. Two stunning Arab stallions have been in for freezing before export to Sweden and the Connemaras kept us busy with walk ins, plus a few other last minute coverings from the jumping and dressage studs.

Selling like hot cakes

With the very attractive dark bay mare Channel No5 in foal to Mooiman Hfd sold, all the young horses sold but two from the higher price band which means we have two very good young horse prospects for the grooms to put in a competition CV in 2012 following a winter's training. The lovely three-year-old Oldenburger San Tropez Hfd (Santana Hfd x Rough Lad) and four-year-old KWPN Coolman Hfd (Wellington Keur/sport/dressage/prest x Mooiman Hfd) stay to mature as planned. Enjoy the video of San Tropez Hfd and Coolman Hfd and snippets of the young horses training at HFD at the bottom of this blog.

Starting horses

We like to have the breaking horses started before the winter makes the coats thick and while we have stable space. The last two of this year's three-year-olds were started the begining of the July - they will be the last until the January intake.

Excited breeders send us their experiences and stories of the year's foal and youngstock shows. It all adds to the feeling that the summer work schedule will soon be changing. One breeder captured their outing on video which I thought I would share with you along with the criteria that would attach to such an inspection.

Jumping criteria for the KWPN

This video kindly sent to us by Kara and Darren Hardy of their three-year-old colt Denver Hfd (Oliver Hfd x Drossan) shows him being assessed. Below is the jumping criteria followed by ourselves and the KWPN stud book which is ranked the best in the world for jumping horses. Have some fun - see if you can inspect him referencing the bullet points below. You may like to try evaluating your own youngsters useing the check list too.

A small word of advice: Remember the first thing that strikes you about the horse when you first set eyes on him/her and work from that first impression. A little tip I picked up from senior KWPN inspector Ine Van Deurzen.

Conformation

• Stands in a rectangular model
• Is long lined with a proportional build
• Has an horizontal build.
• Has along neck that is slightly raised and arched with muscling in the top line
• Has a strongly built and strongly muscled back/loin formation
• He is attractive.

Movement

• The walk is an active four time gait that has suppleness and impulsion
• The trot is an active two time gait that has suppleness and impulsion and self carraige
• The canter is  pure three time gait that is active, light with suppleness, impulsion, balance and self carraige
• Can lengthen and shorten easily in the canter, without losing rythm, tact or self carriage
• The canter is light and balanced without making much front
• Remains more horizontal in the body.

Jumping

• Is able to collect strongly before the last canter stride before the jump ands is able to place the hind leg far forward under the body in order to get a powerful take off
• Leaves the ground quickly with power
• Jumps with an upward wither with the highest point over the middle of the jump
• Brings the under arm above the horizontal and folds the cannon bone under the under arm
• Bascules; brings the neck down during the jump causing the rump to follow the direction of the neck; opens the hindquarter
• Athletic ability: supple and develop forward motion over the jump lands lightly and canters of easily; is careful, efficient and has much scope.

Character

• Has courage
• Has a willing,hard working and honest character
• Is intelligent, looks and evaluates the jump
• Has the will to perform
• Is easy to handle
• Reacts quickly.

 Each section is awarded a mark. These are then multiplied so the breeder/owner can understand how the over all score was achieved

 Weakness can be supported by strengths as long as they are not the majority in all athletes. We have yet to produce the perfect model but the overall score must be close. As  breeders we have to educate ourselves to evaluate our own offspring with an honest informed experienced eye. 

Jumping evaluation video

 Apologies for not being unable to upload the video, but please click on this link to watch the video:

Young horse assessments

That's all for this month. See you next time!"