Van Olst Horses: powerhouses at work

Van Olst Horses brought four amazing stallions to ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The four KWPN-approved stallions showed themselves impressively under Charlotte Fry and Lara Butler. Nacho (Negro x Krack C, Breeder: Sandra Maakenschijn, Chaam) showed himself with a lot of front and a great canter under Lara Butler. Nalegro (Painted Black out of Jalegrofleur ster pref PROK by Negro, breeders J.L. Hanse and Van Olst Horses) and Charlotte Fry already showed a great example of piaffe and passage. Both riders returned later with two other powerhouses from the Van Olst stables: the KWPN-approved Grand Prix stallion Nespresso (Negro out of Zwyrintha IBOP-dres keur pref prest by Tenerife VDL, breeder: R. van Erp)  under Lara Butler and two-time world champion Kjento (Negro out of Zoriana elite pref prest IBOP-dres PROK by Jazz, breeder A.J. van Os) went through the course with a nice contact and a lot of power under Charlotte Fry.

 

Pjethro and Zandra 2nd place during the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition class L

Pjethro 2nd during the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition class L. He was presented on Friday evening in Den Bosch.
All stallions from the 2020 year that participated in the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition class L presented themselves to the public on Friday in Den Bosch. They were explained by Alex van Silfhout. The result of the class L had already been determined in the pre-selections. As a result, the young stallions did not run a test in the impressive Brabanthallen, but a presentation.
Under Zandra Birkeland, Kjento son Pjethro (ds. Desperado, breeder A.J. Beerens from De Moer) was allowed to receive the reserve title with 256.2 points. “This horse has a lot of ease in his movement, he has it all and on top a great work attitude.”

Young Stallions at the Stallion Show in Den Bosch

On the Friday afternoon of the KWPN Stallion show, the approved dressage stallions of the R-year, which were approved in 2024, showed themselves well. Floor Dröge and Bart Bax supervised the presentation. Especially Real Dream (Dynamic Dream x Negro x Ulster) from Van Olst Horses stole the show under Charlotte Fry.
The stallions always entered the ring two at a time, with a change so that they were not left alone in the impressive ring. First up was the grey Ridgedale (Glamourdale out of Zakiyah KEUR, PREF, PREST by Jazz, breeder D.M.L. Stoop-Collombon) under Zandra Birkeland. The stallion was a bit tense in the entourage, but always kept moving with good leg technique.
Real Dream was the biggest surprise of the group. Especially because of his concentration, relaxation and also very good walk. Charlotte Fry presented the dark brown stallion (Dynamic Dream out of Fivanny ster PROK voorl.keur by Negro, breeder Maatschap Pleyter and VanTriest). According to Bart Bax, Real Dream is better under saddle than in free movement. “Especially his canter already has a great deal of closedness.”
Rayano (Glamourdale out of Kalista elite IBOP-dres by Cum Laude, breeder H. Verthriest), was presented by Kim van der Muren-Hirdes. This long-lined stallion showed a lot of quality especially in canter, as well as easy changes of tempo.
Kjento son Renzo (out of Aronia elite PROK IBOP-dres prest pref by Rousseau, breeder C.M.E. Reijerink) has a lot of breed and charisma. Under Zandra Birkeland, the stallion moved easily in rhythm and nicely forward. “This stallion is easy to work with and comes back easily on the hind leg,” according to Bax.
The last to enter the ring was the large chestnut Roderico (Ibiza out of J’Adore elite sport-dres IBOP-dres PROK by Apache, breeder/owner M. van Grinsven, co-registered P.J.F. Wetzelaer, P. Kuypers, L. Bos). This generously developed stallion was also ridden by Zandra and has grown in strength since the performance, according to Bax. “He is easy to work from back to front and has a nice uphill tendency.”

Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale fully lived up to their role as favourites at Jumping Amsterdam

Amsterdam is traditionally the opening of the top sports year 2025 and has certainly started fantastic for dressage with perhaps the best freestyle by Glamourdale and Charlotte Fry ever.

At the World Cup competition in London it was already clear that the fourteen-year-old Glamourdale (by Lord Leatherdale, breeder: J.W. Rodenburg) has improved again since the Olympic Games in Paris under Charlotte Fry.

Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale fully lived up to their role as favourites at Jumping Amsterdam on Friday. With 79.500%, the world champions of Herning won the Grand Prix that serves as preparation for the World Cup round on Saturday, the freestyle. The jury members were unanimous in their choice for the winning combination.

“Glamourdale was amazing in the test,” smiled Charlotte Fry. “He’s getting better and better. We had a small mistake in the changes, but I forgive him. There are always things that can be improved, because I always strive for perfection. He loves to ride in these kinds of arenas. It’s his first time here in Amsterdam. He really enjoys it and it’s a pleasure to ride him. I’m looking forward to the freestyle tomorrow. It’s great to ride here in Amsterdam. Whether we win or not, he’s in super shape and we’re going to do our best. Hopefully it’s enough.”

An exceptional field gathered for the eighth World Cup™ qualifier in Amsterdam, where the audience offered standing ovations even before the first break.  There was one combination in Amsterdam that left no doubt about its supremacy: Charlotte Fry and. Gasps of admiration echoed through the crowd during their “Best of Britain” Freestyle.

Fry left nothing to chance and with just shy of 90%, the victory was hers. A total of 89.840% secured the win.

This marked Fry’s second consecutive win in Amsterdam, following last year’s triumph with Glamourdale’s stablemate, Everdale. It was Fry’s second victory in a row with a thriving Glamourdale, who secured the World Cup™ qualifier in London (GBR) on 19 December 2024. With her second victory this season, Fry has moved up to 12th in the Western European League World Cup  standings, though she remains undecided about pursuing the final, whereas Isabell Werth is currently in the lead and has definitely marked the Finals in Basel on her calendar.

“We’re taking it step by step,” said Lottie Fry. “Our main focus this year is the European Championships, and we’re building toward that.”

“Glamourdale was amazing today. We’ve been working hard at home on some exercises and that paid off today. I’m thrilled the scores reflect that. He was already incredible, but he keeps getting better. Glammie thrives in arenas like this,” said Fry.

Glamourdale is EU available for this breeding season.

Secret Lover dances to 87.60% and the Subli title for five-year-olds at Jumping Amsterdam

Last night, during the first evening of Jumping Amsterdam, the final of the Subli Cup took place. Lottie and Secret Lover (by Secret, bred by B. Zumbruch from Wangerfeld) received master score of 87.600%, which ensured them the title.

“Secret Lover was fantastic tonight”, said Lottie after her victory. “Of course, it is an impressive atmosphere for a five-year-old. But he was very focused and had fun. I am very proud of him. He has great gaits and an amazing character. He is good at everything!”

“Next week I will go to the KWPN Stallion Show in Den Bosch with Secret Lover. We will start in the M class. He has so much potential, he really is a great stallion.”

Today, Lottie will start in the Grand Prix with Glamourdale. “I have been riding at Jumping Amsterdam for many years and the atmosphere is always great. I love riding in this arena.”

Victory for Lottie and Kjento in the Intermediate II

The popular KWPN stallion Kjento (Negro x Jazz), who has been raising high expectations in dressage for many years, has once again proven his exceptional qualities. After an impressive debut in the Small Tour and his titles as two-time World Champion Young Horses, the ten-year-old stallion made the switch to the Big Tour yesterday. In his very first appearance at this highest level, he immediately achieved a victory, under the saddle of Charlotte Fry.

During the Subtop competition in Deurne, Kjento delivered a great performance in the Intermédiaire II, where the combination recorded a score of 69.779%. This score was enough for a convincing victory. Lottie, who has been training the stallion for a long time, indicated that she was very satisfied with the performance, despite the fact that Kjento still has to develop further in this new class. However, Lottie emphasized that the stallion has enormous talents and that his potential is obvious.

Kjento, bred by A.J. van Os from Sprang-Capelle, has confirmed his status as world champion in the young dressage horses several times. His exceptional movements, powerful hind leg and expressive trot earned him four tens in 2021 and thus the world title for six-year-old horses. In 2022, he managed to prolong his world title with again excellent points. These achievements have not only made Kjento a popular stallion for breeding, but also a serious candidate for the highest levels of international dressage.

After his successful performances in the Small Tour, including a dominant victory in the Prix St. Georges at CDI Aachen with a score of 75.294%, Kjento made his debut in the Big Tour yesterday. Lottie emphasized that this is a big step, but that it is important to gain experience at this level. The talent and potential is there, according to Lottie. “We even got a 10 for the passage!”

Next month the stallion will be presented at the KWPN Stallion Show in Den Bosch.

Horses/KWPN

 

Paddington Geuzenhof dances to second place at the KWPN Young Dressage Talents

Last Sunday, Paddington Geuzenhof (Lanatas X Krack C), breeded by Sandra Maakenschein, appeared at the start during the Young Dressage Talents at the Wolfshoeve.

In the section for the five-year-olds, Zandra Birkeland and Paddington finished at a beautiful second place with a percentage of 88%. With a 9.5 for the canter, a 9 for the Harmony and an 8.8 for Perspective and Potential as a Young Dressage Horse, Paddington showed himself super. Praising comments from the jury as “natural uphill“, “excellent presented” and “very talented“.

Zandra about Paddington: “Paddington did give such an amazing feeling! It was his first competition but it felt like he had done it a million times before with the way he danced through the test. What an incredible horse he is, with such an amazing character.”

Paddington Geuzenhof is KWPN selected  and AES approved

Lord Leatherdale daughter wins in Ranshofen

Krista Kolijn won the final of the six-year-olds in Ranshofen on Saturday 8 June with beautiful figures. The Dutchman was behind Bartlgut’s Fürstenberg (by Franziskus), who was champion of Austria as a four-year-old.

Kolijn rode 81.40 points together with six-year-old Ivy (Lord Leatherdale x Negro x Krack C). For the walk, Ivy received the trot, canter and the general impression of eights (8.1, 8.3, 8.3, 8.3) and a 7.70 for Durchlassigkeit. The duo took the win in the category with a difference of 2.1 points.

Lord Leatherdale son auction topper

At the Brightwell’s elite auction in Great Britain, Jackson van de Lettencouter (Lord Leatherdale x Fiderhit) raised the most money. The ten-year-old Small Tour gelding was sold to British buyers for £ 52,000 (€ 59,951).

Lord Leatherdale (Lord Loxley x Ferragamo x Anmarsch) always comes forward as the sire of striking offspring. Dolman (Lord Leatherdale x TCN Partout) runs international Grand Prix with Jordi Domingo (ESP) and is in the race for a team place for the European Championship in Rotterdam later this season. In the Prix St. Georges, Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro), Graaf Leatherdale T (Lord Leatherdale x Kennedy) and Hyatt (Lord Leatherdale x Rousseau) stand out. The top stallion Everdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro) now also shows his talents at International Grand Prix level.

Three top progenitors at 1 station

In addition to our up-and-coming young talents, the three top progenitors of our station showed themselves with great enthusiasm on Easter Monday. All 3 impressed them in their own way. The preferent Negro (by Ferro) and the preferent Painted Black (by Gribaldi). And the stallion who has since set up his own stallion line; Lord Leatherdale (by Lord Loxley) under saddle.

The emperor of our station is the now 24-year-old preferent top progenitor Negro (Ferro x Variant). Negro continues to stand out with his offspring. Last summer there were again many daughters who scored high on the studbook recordings of the KWPN. Negro crossed with today’s bloodlines continues to give a modern sport horse without losing quality. His son Kjento (mv.Jazz) is a wonderful example of this. But also new offspring of Negro continue to report at the highest level; Nespresso (mv.Tenerife) Anne van Olst, Elegance (mv.Monaco) Beatrice Ferrer Salat and River Rise Nisa (mv.Amsterdam) with Charlotte Dujardin, the rider who was unprecedentedly successful with the legendary Valegro (Negro x Gershwin). Negro also passes on his qualities as “father of the mother”. A daughter of Negro almost guarantees breeding success. Striking from Negro daughters include World Champion Glamourdale (by Lord Leatherdale), Grand Prix talent Everdale (by Lord Leatherdale), Pavo Cup winner Jameson RS2 (by Blue Horse Zack), Grand Prix winner Eddieni (by Johnson) and approved stallion Jayson (by Johnson) who is in the race for a World Cup ticket to Ermelo.

The Olympic participant Painted Black is also preferent. This 22-year-old son of the top stallion Gribaldi out of a mother of Ferro showed 2 very modern foals. The proof that Painted Black also still participates well in today’s modern dressage breeding. Painted Black showed himself super fit on Sunday and showed his impressive trotting mechanism. He has had an impressive dressage career and has started a second youth in breeding. More and more of his children break through at the highest level. Recently they are; Charming Lady (x Krack C), Don Bravour (x Chronos), Black Pearl (x Negro) and Zenith (x Krack C).

The now 16-year-old Lord Leatherdale has proven himself at Grand Prix level. The stallion with his “innovative and free” blood lines has set up his own stallion line. A special achievement that is reserved for very few stallions. It fits fantastic at our station in combination with Negro mares. The combination of Lord Leatherdale x Negro is now called “classic”. Chippendale is the first son of this combination. In the meantime, his 3 sons have been approved; Giovanni (x Scandic), Crosby (x  Flemmingh) and Imagine (x Jazz). Everdale also has 3 approved sons at the KWPN; Inclusive (x Uptown), Inverness (x Johnson) and Inspire (x Don Romantic). Van Glamourdale has meanwhile his son Lance V.O.D. (x Davino) approved in Denmark and Lennon (x Jazz) appointed at the KWPN.