Marc Houtzager: Mr. Europe is a horse without a manual

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1. What makes Mr. Europe so special to you?

“Mr. Europe is a very good horse to work with in my team. He can jump well and has developed quite quickly to the 1.50m level. It is a horse that will soon be usable for the big work.”

2. How does Mr Europe deal with the stable?

“Europe is very nice in the stable. He is a stallion, but he behaves very normally.”

3. How is he to drive?

“Mr. Europe is a nice horse to ride, a horse without instructions. His training has been going well so far.”

4. What's the best thing you can do with Mr. Europe have you experienced until now?

“We have achieved good rankings in the international young horse classes. For example, as a six-year-old he won in De Wolden and as a seven-year-old in Valkenswaard. In the autumn we were second during the CSI4* in Münster in the 1.50m class.”

5. What are your future plans with Mr. Europe?

“Mr. Europe is only nine years old and then the real sport starts. I don't have a real schedule yet, but I hope and expect that he will grow to the 1.60m level."

6. Do you advise people to buy a foal at the Prinsjesdag auction? Or do you recommend a three or four year old?

“As a rider I would rather buy a four-year-old than a foal. It's a long way until they are four years old. However, I think it's great that there are auctions like the Prinsjesdag auction. The auction has a positive effect on sport. It is good for the breeders if they can sell their foals well, which is stimulating. You notice that there are fewer good young horses on the market, because less has been bred in recent years.”

Kazan and T.King Toulon WZ approved at Zangersheide

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At the well-attended spring inspection of Studbook Zangersheide, two stallions from the 2015 collection of Foal Auction Prinsjesdag were approved for breeding. One of these, the striking Baloubet du Rouet son Kazan, was subsequently purchased by Studfarm Zangersheide, which further increases the chance of a bright future.

The Kazan bred by Jan Lamers (Baloubet du Rouet out of the elite sport-jump performance mare Sereuza s.Heartbreaker) comes from a real performance line and was therefore easily selected for Foal Auction Prinsjesdag. Last month he was already selected for the KWPN performance test, and now Zangersheide also gave the green light to this jumping cannon. Judy-Ann Melchior immediately caught the eye of the very convincing jumping Kazan in Lanaken, and bought him for the stud farm.

Athletic Future Talent
The genetically interesting, good jumping T.King Toulon WZ (Toulon out of Berlottie W elite IBOP-jump by Emilion) will also be used for breeding under the flag of Studbook Zangersheide. The Toulon son, bred by Peter and José van Wegen, was sold at Foal Auction Prinsjesdag to Jonny Roelofsen, who presented him together with Wim ten Pas at the Belgian stallion selection. Congratulations to all!

Again GGK stallion for National Foal Auction Prinsjesdag

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Hof Sosath left the Oldenburg stallion selection last Friday with a new approved stallion. The offspring of Vagabond de la Pomme was previously known as Kingston GBL. The stallion was bred by Gebr. Lohuis from Nijverdal and was sold in 2015 for €11,000 during National Foal Auction Prinsjesdag.

Mother Donnalina is a descendant of the Oberlina tribe. She previously produced the approved stallion Incanto (by Kannan). Sire Vagabond de la Pomme was successful in the 1.60m class under Pénélope Leprevost. Dam's sire C-Indoctro won several 1.40 competitions with Ulrich Kirchhoff.

The freshly approved stallion will be available to breeders from next season. We congratulate the Lohuis and Hof Sosath family with this fantastic news! View Kingston GBL here  as a foal.

Jumping foals break records during anniversary edition Foal Auction Prinsjesdag

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Jumping foals break records during anniversary edition Foal Auction Prinsjesdag

If the 25th edition of the Foal Auction Prinsjesdag has made one thing clear, it is that quality is paid for. The performance-infused collection was well received by the international buying public, bringing in an average price of €15,523. Two excellent fillies took the cake with €48,000 and partly because of this the one million barrier was broken for the first time.

“Great, as a board and organization you can only dream of an auction like this in advance”, agrees chairman Arjan van der Waaij. The intensive efforts to put together a top collection and to get the right buyers to the auction were optimally rewarded on this 25th edition of Foal Auction Prinsjesdag. “Every auction looks at the average price, and of course we are very happy with an average of more than 15,500 euros. That is again 1,500 euros more than last year. But what we find even more important is that both the breeders and the buyers go home with a very satisfied feeling. And given the fantastic course of this auction and the many happy faces, I think that is certainly the case.”

Investment
What this auction also made clear is that buyers are willing to make a long-term investment by purchasing high-quality fillies from proven performance stocks. Rosie van het Netehof (Nixon van 't Meulenhof from the well-known Qerly Chin line) and Riante VDB (Cicero Z from the Usha van 't Roosakker line) both raised €48,000 and left for Iran and a Dutch sports stable respectively. . “As an auction we are totally dependent on the entrants and we have really worked hard to get such exceptional fillies in our auction. It is now an investment for buyers, but one with a good revenue model. Because with such excellent fillies, it quickly pays off as soon as they are used for breeding through, for example, embryo transplantation. With a bit of luck you will have earned back a large part of the investment”, says Van der Waaij.

International
The 65 foals have been sold to countries such as America, France, Canada, Iran, Estonia and Germany. The Di Cantero filly Retina van de Bisschop (ds. Elvis ter Putte) yielded €30,000 and remains in the Netherlands, and with a price of €28,000 Mona Lisa ES (Quickly de Kreisker x Cumano) and Rodéric van 't Merelsnest (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Lord Z) also yielded a good yield on. “Prior to the auction we had a special anniversary drink, but now after the auction we raise our glass again. And then quickly set our sights on tomorrow, the auction of the dressage foals. That is a completely different auction with a completely different audience, but we will do our best to make it such a party again."

Prinsjesdag adds two exclusive wildcards

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Both qualitatively and quantitatively, Foal Auction Prinsjesdag has been able to put together fantastic collections for its 25th edition, with 64 jumping and 62 dressage foals. Two very exclusive jumping foals have been added by means of wildcards, which will be auctioned on September 19.

The two wild card foals underline the Prinsjesdag motto 'Strength through performance' in a special way. For example, a very interesting colt by top progenitor Diamant de Semilly could be registered with Benny Wezenberg, who comes from the same dam as the successful Grand Prix show jumper G&C Arrayan (s.Baloubet du Rouet). Under Sergio Alvarez Moya he is currently fifth in the world ranking and, with a twelfth place in the individual final, he emerged as the best KWPN horse at the European Championship in Göthenburg. Other recent successes for G&C Arrayan include victories in the LGCT Cannes Grand Prix and the 1.55m in Versailles, and a fifth place in the World Cup Final in Omaha. The colt Mistral W is also a half-brother of the Grand Prix show jumper Baricello W (s.Quidam de Revel) ridden by Seamus Hayes. Dam Grandezza also brings in the valuable genes of Grannus and Pilot.

Unique breeding material

The filly Marthago (s.Chapeau TN) also offers a unique opportunity for Foal Auction Prinsjesdag† This genetically high-quality foal comes out of the famous Carthago daughter Larthago of breeder Tinus van der Bruggen, with whom she is a half-sister of the international sport and breeding stallion Harley VDL. Under Mathijs van Asten, Larthago herself performed up to international 1.50m level and she has managed to manifest herself in breeding in a special way. Besides the keur stallion Harley VDL, she also produced the Grand Prix show jumpers Hopes Are High Z (by High Valley Z) and Sören Z (by Sandro Boy), the international 1.50m jumping stallion Cevin Z (by Coriall). the promising approved stallion Casago (s.Casall) and several 1.40/1.45m show jumpers.

Collections

All information and the full collections of maternal line data, photos, videos and clinical reports can be viewed at www.prinsjesdag.eu† The show jumping foals will be auctioned on Tuesday 19 September, the dressage foals will be auctioned a day later on Wednesday 20 September. On both days the presentation starts at 2.30 pm, followed by the auction at 5 pm. Location National Equestrian Center, De Beek 125, 3852 PL Ermelo.

"Arc and I grew up together, it's very special to have him from a foal."

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Rider: Frank Schuttert

1. What makes Arc de Triompe so special to you?
“Arc de Triomphe is very special to me because we have had him since foal. When I was only sixteen I, the then five-year-old Arc, started driving myself. We actually grew up together. Arc is tall with his 1.75m and as a young horse it took a while before he was 'finished'. However, the successes soon came. We won the Vion Cup in both the six- and seven-year-olds and have had many international successes since then. I am very happy with him.”

2. What's the best thing you've experienced with Arc de Triomphe so far?
“That we became champions of the Netherlands in both the six- and seven-year-olds. One of the things I don't forget is that in 2014 we won the 1.50m in Maastricht. That was great, it was on the Saturday night and the stands were packed. It's great to win as a Dutchman in your own country with a very fast jump-off. Also the win in the 1.50m in Münster and the second place at the CSI3* in Varberg in Sweden were great! †

3. What is Arc de Triomphe like?
“Arc de Triomphe is a very easy horse. He is super calm and sweet in the stable.”

4. How is he to drive?
“It is an uncomplicated horse to ride. At home I don't jump much with him. He has a lot of experience and knows the game. I regularly go into the forest. At competitions I ride it quietly in the morning and try to peak at the right time during such a week. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.”

5. What are your plans with Arc de Triomphe?
“Arc has been and continues to be of great value to me internationally. He is now twelve and I hope he will last a while. The nine-year-old Chianti's Champion is becoming my best horse at the moment, but at this level you really need several horses. Arc de Triomphe and Winchester are still performing well at the highest level.”

6. Why do you advise people to buy a foal at the Prinsjesdag auction?
“The organization of the Prinsjesdag auction is very professional and highly regarded. Very well-bred foals are offered, many of which have now also proven themselves at the highest level.”

read HERE the interview with breeder Fred van Straaten.

read HERE the interview with buyer and owner Jan Schuttert.

“Arc de Triomphe was the best foal!”

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Buyer and owner: Jan Schuttert

1. Why did Arc de Triomphe appeal to you at the time at the auction?
“I thought Arc de Triomphe was the best foal at the auction that year. He had quality and was a descendant of a good line of the Van Straaten family.”

2. How did the rearing and training of Arc de Triomphe go?
“We raised and trained him ourselves. That went without any problems. No matter how good a foal is in terms of model or pedigree, the training ultimately determines whether the horse becomes a good one or not. †

3. Did Arc de Triomphe live up to your expectations?
“Arc de Triomphe certainly lived up to my expectations. He has a super jumping technique with an excellent use of the foreleg. He is also reliable, his attitude and health are top notch. In the show jumpers he was champion of the Netherlands in both the six- and seven-year-olds. He also performs with great success at an international level, together with my son Frank. He has won many ranking tests, which count towards the world ranking.”

4. Do you have a special relationship with Arc de Triomphe?
“Yes, Arc has been with us for twelve years. It is a very sweet and easy horse to handle”.

5. What are other people saying about Arc de Triomphe?
“Other people like it when they hear that we bought him as a foal and that he has grown into such a good international top jumper.”

6. Was it exciting at the time with bidding?
“You select the foals that you like in advance. It is then exciting whether you can buy these nominated foals within the budget.”

7. Why do you advise people to buy a foal at Foal Auction Prinsjesdag? Why would you rather buy a foal and not a three or four year old?
“There is a lot of choice at the Prinsjesdag auction and the foals have a good pedigree. Organizing an auction for three-year-olds would also be a good idea.”

read HERE the interview with breeder Fred van Straaten.

read HERE the interview with rider Frank Schuttert.

“The buyer made a good investment at the auction at the time!”

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Breeder: Fred van Straaten

1. What was Arc de Triomphe like as a foal?
“Arc de Triomphe was an enterprising, tough foal. Already when he was a few days old I saw that it was a topper. He was big, well put together and a strong canter with a lot of suppleness. These are traits that I see a lot in his maternal line. At the presentation at the auction, he sold himself.”

2. How is his mother?
“His mother is the 1.60m show jumper Una Bella S (by Calvados). At the age of sixteen she is still jumping internationally with the Italian Matilde Giorgia Bianchi. She also achieved many international successes with Hendrik-Jan Schuttert. I chose Triomphe de Muze at the time, because this stallion himself performed strongly in sport and with Chin Chin and Galoubet in his veins, he was a correct addition to the dam's line. Afterwards she had two more offspring from him. These two horses also perform at international level: Baretta S (2006) jumps 1.50m with the Italian Tommasco Conti and Ciao Bella S (2007) jumps 1.45m with Josta van Straaten. I still breed from the line of Una Bella S, because we also breed with Ciao Bella. She already produced the designated stallion Hazelhorst (by Cardento).”

3. How did you experience the auction at the time?
“Arc de Triomphe was a commercial foal. He looked good and was a fantastic canter. There was already a lot of interest during the presentation and many bids were made during the auction. †

4. Do you recommend other breeders to sell their foals through the Prinsjesdag auction?
“I certainly advise other breeders to sell through the Prinsjesdag auction. Good prices are offered and the organization has built up a lot of trust that you can benefit from as an entrant. Not only is the auction itself interesting, but as a breeder you also make use of the platform that the auction offers. The photos and videos of the foals are widely viewed on the internet and this gives your breeding fame. I myself have had several foals auctioned through the Prinsjesdag auction, but because I am not a member of the selection committee anymore in recent years.”

5. Do you follow Arc de Triomphe closely and has it met your expectations?
“Yes, the results are easy to follow via Horsetelex and I also keep track of everything via social media. I don't have much time to look at competitions on the spot. Arc de Triomphe certainly lived up to my expectations with its performance at international level. At the time, the buyer made a good investment at the auction!”

read HERE the interview with buyer and current owner Jan Schuttert.

read HERE the interview with rider Frank Schuttert.

In conversation with Fred van Straaten Sr.

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In conversation with Fred van Straaten Sr.

What conditions must a (jumper) foal meet in order to be selected for Foal Auction Prinsjesdag?
“The foals must be correctly built. We want the people who buy the foals to be satisfied after many years. Sport and health are related to each other. If a foal does not have a good leg position, it will sooner suffer from wear and tear. But by correct we also mean a well-built, functional body. Top horses have a body that is suitable for top sport. A foal with a sunken back or a hock joint that is too straight is therefore not selected either.”

The power of performance?
“We look at the mother. What has he done in sports? We have a rule that the mother, grandmother and great-grandmother must have performed themselves in the sport or have offspring that perform remarkably in the sport. That is an indication of a horse's disposition and character. And it also says something about health. A large part of presenting is related to character. A top athlete is able to deliver great performances, even if they feel a pain. We are looking for horses that go for it, fight for you. We select with that in mind. The moment a foal enters the orbit and it is enterprising, it moves electrically and when you see that it does not stick to the mother but goes its own way, then you know; we must have it.”

Prinsjesdag has been auctioning the creme-de-la-creme among the foals for years, where can you find it?
“As a selection committee, we start at a very early stage. You speak to many breeders before the foals are born. You know what kind of mares they have and you keep an eye on what kind of stallions they cover. You do not select according to your own preference. During the selection, we really sit in the buyer's seat. You learn that through years of experience. I always go out with Willem van Hoof. As an auction team, we are very well attuned to each other. By properly evaluating, we improve the selection every year. We do not only select from the larger breeders, we are always looking for the most interesting material and also try to capture interesting foals from breeders with one or two foals. Our entrants are our distinctive character. We have built up a very strong group of loyal entrants. It is important that you make people feel good.”

What do you expect from this year?
“I think we selected very high-quality genetically this year. The pedigree structure just gets better every year, partly because we adjust our criteria every year and try to be even more critical of the material on offer. We really go for quality over quantity. We also worked really hard to get some interesting fillies into the auction and I think we succeeded. This year we have selected a number of For Pleasure offspring. They are doing very well in the sport now. Many people try to breed another foal from him, but the sperm is expensive and they run out at some point. At our auction people can now choose from four For Pleasure foals, all from top dam lines. Sometimes while selecting it feels like you are in a really big candy store. You just can't choose!”

In conversation with Bert Poppelaars

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In conversation with Bert Poppelaars, who has been a member of the selection committee of Foal Auction Prinsjesdag since 2008.

Bert, how do you select the foals for Prinsjesdag?

“When selecting our foals, we pay attention to correctness, quality, elongation and flexibility. Furthermore, the foal must have sport in terms of pedigree and must be commercially attractive. We reach a large part of the entrants through our own network. But what is also striking about our auction is that we have such a large number of loyal selling breeders. We also managed to reach many breeders through our stand during the KWPN Stallion Inspection in Den Bosch.”

What is the distinctive character of this auction?

“We make absolutely no concessions in terms of quality. Both the mare and the foal must have super quality. It is sometimes difficult to tell breeders that we cannot select their foal this year, but honesty is the best policy. As a result, every time I have selected a foal, I leave the yard with a good feeling. It strikes me more and more that breeders are already doing the pre-selection themselves. We've been coming to see some people for years. They know what kind of mares we are looking for and that we pay very close attention to leg positions, for example.”

What do you expect from this year?

“I expect even more satisfied buyers, because they are making an investment with us this year. An auction often has about three or four outliers in the selection. This year we have a very broad, high-quality top layer!”

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