Get the VIP Treatment at the KWPN Stallion Show

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Registration Closes October 31

Sutherlin, OR — What could be more exciting than private tours of some of the finest barns in the Netherlands, a VIP seat with English translation at the 2012 KWPN Stallion Show and the opportunity to personally interact with some of the sport’s biggest luminaries? If talking horses for a week sounds like fun, you won’t want to miss the 2012 KWPN-NA Annual Meeting, held January 29 – February 5 in the Netherlands and centered around the KWPN Stallion Show. This event is the largest of its kind, with more than 25,000 spectators descending on ‘s Hertogenbosch to experience the excitement of top-level sport and the introduction of the biggest new equine stars.

Julie Ballard Haralson has attended three KWPN stallion shows over the past 10 years. “I love every bit of it,” she recalled. “The KWPN educational seminar for foreign visitors; the auction; the young jumping horses; standing within three feet of the most famous horses and riders in the world and watching them warm-up for their classes; trying to guess the judges’ scores; visiting the sale horses at their stalls; shopping; seeing old friends; shopping some more, and lots of laughs!” Haralson, of Newnan, GA, bred three horses that were awarded 2011 KWPN-NA Top Five Awards. One of her favorite memories of the Stallion Show was in 2010 when Edward Gal rode both Totilas and Gribaldi. Who knows which international superstars will make the 2012 edition an event to remember?

The program begins January 29, 2012 (Sunday) with a Welcome Reception at the Hotel Vught. Meet all of the other KWPN-NA members who share your passion for Dutch horses. The excitement builds Monday with a full-day (11 hours) bus tour to several stables and stud farms. Lunch is included in a day chock full of beautiful barns and even more beautiful horses. Visits will include both dressage and jumping farms.

Tuesday features a bus tour of southern Holland, including the Deltaworks. This system of hydraulic engineering protects the south of Holland against storm surges from the North Sea and improves water balance. A technical marvel, the Deltaworks is sometimes referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The day concludes with a buffet dinner at the hotel.

Wednesday kicks off the Stallion Show. KWPN-NA members will enjoy Skybox seating and beverages with expert English commentary throughout the show. Question and answer sessions with various KWPN inspectors will help make this an educational event second to none. KWPN College rounds out the evening. This entertaining learning opportunity is geared to foreign visitors and is not to be missed.

Thursday evening the best young jumper stallions compete in four different finals. Friday is devoted to dressage and the evening program is packed with many exciting events, including spectacular exhibitions in addition to regular competitions.

Saturday concludes with the best dressage, jumper, harness and Gelders stallions selected for the Third Round. These rising stars will strut their stuff and compete for the honor of continuing onto the performance test. The best stallions will compete for the championship in their breeding direction. The evening is capped with the excitement of the stallion auction.

“With the 2012 KWPN-NA Annual Meeting Package, there is no better time to experience the Stallion Show. The great rate, commentary in English and the VIP amenities will make this a fun and easy experience,” explains Judith Nishi, a breeder who also helped plan next year’s event. She attended the Stallion Show in 2010 and knows first-hand the value of the experience. “I realized how much there is to learn. Attending the Stallion Show helped increase my knowledge and improve my ability to evaluate horses.”

If you have always dreamed of attending the Stallion Show, this is the year! The registration fee is just $650 and includes all of the tours and events, and many meals. Special hotel rates have been set up for the group. Details can be found at http://kwpn-na.org/news/index_details.php?unid=1362 and the registration form can be downloaded at http://kwpn-na.org/display/files/RegistrationForm.pdf. The deadline for registration is October 31, 2011.

About the KWPN-NA
In 1983, the Dutch Warmblood Studbook in North America was established as the North American Department of the Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands (KWPN) in order to promote breeding and enjoyment of the KWPN horse in North America.

To learn more about KWPN-NA membership, stallions and breeding, visit www.kwpn-na.org.

Media Contact:
Christine DeHerrera
Equestrian Sports Promotions
303-263-7531
equestriansports@earthlink.net

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