Negro (1995-2025) passed away

Unfortunately, on Wednesday 26 February we had to say goodbye to our beloved Negro, at the age of 30.
Above all, we are grateful that we had the special privilege of having Negro in our midst for 27 years.
The “preferente” Negro meant a lot to us. In his younger years he was very successful in the dressage with Anne van Olst. Then he broke through in breeding and he turned out to be a particularly strong and dominant sire, not only as a father but also as a grandfather and great-grandfather, who left his mark in particular in the form of movement, connection and attitude.

In addition to a large number of dressage (Grand Prix) horses, Negro produced many (inter)national approved stallions and countless predicate-rich mares.
Some of his best-known offspring are of course the multiple Olympic gold winner and current world record holder Valegro and Negro’s grandson, the multiple World Champion Glamourdale. We are happy that we can continue and expand Negro’s ‘legacy’ in sports and breeding with his son and “crown prince” Kjento.
Negro has now been cremated and his remains will have a special final resting place on the grounds of Van Olst Horses in Den Hout.

Lantanas daughter Rosaleigh NA top among the dressage mares at the ETPM

On Friday 21 February, 9 dressage and 4 jumping mares were assessed for the last time during the EPTM exam day. Rosaleigh NA (Lantanas out of Kayleigh NA elite pref IBOP-dres D-OC by Negro, breeder N.A. den Rooijen from Lage Zwaluwe) was the top scorer among the dressage mares with 80 points. This mare gained a lot in rideability during the test. “She has a lot of talent and a good trot, in which she can easily close and extend. She also shows a lot of suppleness,” explains KWPN inspector Marcel Beukers. The trot and suppleness were both rewarded with an 8.5.

Two stallions selected by the NRPS

Sting (Glamourdale x Cum Laude, breeder: H. Verthriest) and Scotch ’n Soda (Kjento x Trento B, breeder J. Gloudemans) were selected by the NRPS!
Friday was the third day of the NRPS Stallion Inspection. This day was all about the dressage stallions. The NRPS has referred a group of eighteen dressage horses for the third inspection: sixteen three-year-old stallions, one seven-year-old and one nine-year-old. The three-year-old stallions were only expected to move freely.
The third inspection is during the Stallion Gala on 21 and 22 March in Dronten.

Successful IBOP test for the Glamourdale daughter Rumathika M

It was a successful day at the IBOP in Brummen last week. 19 dressage horses were assessed, four of which scored at least 80 points. One of them was the Glamourdale daughter Rumathika M (out of Jumathika M elite IBOP-dres PROK by Ferdeaux, breeders C.F. van Mook and Gebroeders van Mook from Alem) from Stal van Mook, presented by Nina van Mook. This mare achieved a very nice total score of 83 points. Subsequently, the mare was admitted to the studbook with 75/85, which led to the elite predicate. “This mare has a very good canter, with a lot of balance. In movement, her good use of the hind leg is positively noticeable, and in trot she has a lot of balance and carriage. She naturally moves uphill and she is easy to ride and work with.”

Glamourdale honored as Horse of the Year and declared Keur

A magnificent conclusion to the Friday evening of the KWPN Stallion Show was provided by Glamourdale, who was also declared keur. The stallion has been a calling card for the Dutch sport horse for years: he is the reigning world champion, won freestyle bronze at the Olympic Games in Paris and team gold and individual silver at the 2023 European Championships Riesenbeck. The son of Lord Leatherdale (out of Thuja stb pref prest by Negro, breeder Joop Rodenburg from Ouderkerk aan den IJssel) also became world champion for young dressage horses as a seven-year-old.

In the special evening show section Glamourdale was celebrated for his achievements in breeding and sport. In addition to being named Keur stallion, Glamourdale also became the KWPN Horse of the Year 2024 after winning team and individual bronze at the 2024 Olympic Games.

He has multiple offspring competing at higher levels in sport, including the highly promising Kuvazs with Marieke van der Putten, Kashmir with Jessica Leijer, and Kyro. Of the mares presented at the inspection, 78% achieved the ster predicate, 20% are preliminary keur, 3% are keur, and 27% are elite. His sons Mandienio WL, Powerdale, Princedale, Ridgedale, and auction topper Rayano are approved, earning Glamourdale the keur predicate.

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.”

Secret Lover wins the Anemone Horsetruck Stallioncompetition M

The overall victory of the Anemone Horsetruck Stallioncompetition went to Charlotte Fry and Secret Lover,  (Secret x Furstenball bred by B. Zumbruch and owned by Van Olst Horses. ) The black Furstenball  stallion had already won the preliminary rounds in Kronenberg and Groningen, giving them an advantage heading into the final. In Den Bosch they received a total score of 90.2, with a highlight of 9.3 for the canter. Although the pair just missed out on the day victory, they still took home the overall title in this final.

“This is a horse with a very beautiful silhouette and a lot of talent for collection,” said judge Maarten van der Heijden. “He showed great willingness to work and executed smooth transitions. The canter stood out with its energy and activity while always remaining uphill. The walk had good rhythm and improved throughout the test. In the trot, we saw a lot of swing, rhythm, and shoulder freedom.”

Everest wins the Anemone Horse Trucks Hengstencompetitie

Three combinations competed for the overall victory in the Z-level division for stallions born in 2018. Lottie Fry, who had a very busy day riding no less than 7 stallions in various classes that day, won the title with Everest (by Especial x Negro) . The pair had led in the qualifiers (82,4 – 82,2 – 88,6) and also topped the board in the final with 86,6 points, scoring 8.5 for walk, 9.2 for trot, 8.2 for canter, 8.6 for harmony and 8.8 for general impression. The grey stallion is bred and owned by Van Olst Horses.

Fry on Everest”This horse moves beautifully in the lateral work and always gives a diligent impression. He has tremendous talent for both collection and transitions,” said Van der Heijden.

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.”