During the KWPN Stallion Show, Henk Nijhof and his grandson Cameron Nijhof sat at the table with Charlotte Dekker. Numerous conversations take place at the kitchen table of Team Nijhof in Geesteren. Many breeders come to the Nijhof family seeking advice on which stallion to choose for their mare. Henk Nijhof senior says, "To give good advice, you have to see the mare with your own eyes and delve into the pedigree. The breeder has the final say, but it's enjoyable to discuss."
Cameron adds, "The goal of our advice is not to sell coverings but to create a good combination. You want the offspring to perform well."
Dutch Feeling
The Nijhof family prefers to see their stallions in and for the Netherlands in sports. Three Team Nijhof stallions have received the N.O.P. designation, namely Highway TN, Grandorado TN, and Hernandez TN, indicating the company's significant role in both sports and breeding. Highway TN was chosen as the 'Showjumping Horse of the Year 2023,' succeeding stablemate Grandorado TN. There is considerable interest from potential buyers in the stallions, a topic also discussed at the kitchen table. Cameron says, "That orange feeling in the Netherlands, cheering together, I find that beautiful. If it's not necessary, and we derive a lot of pleasure from a stallion, then we don't sell." And with that, the discussion is closed.
Modern Sport Horse
The most significant development Henk Nijhof senior has witnessed in breeding is that it now adapts to what the sport demands: "From a solid type, we have transitioned to a modern sport horse. Correctness and a good foundation have always remained the basis in breeding. And in show jumping horses, in addition to ability, more attention is paid to character, the will to jump." Team Nijhof has had many influential sire stallions in breeding. Still, Nijhof senior doesn't have a ready-made formula to discover the next influential sire: "In the Netherlands, we have a very diverse breeding. There is no uniformity among the mares, so you also need many different stallions to ensure that there is a stallion that fits certain mares. It's about which stallions can advance breeding in the Netherlands." Nijhof cites the Preferent stallion Heartbreaker as an example, stating that he "looked more like a pony and couldn't trot" but had a phenomenal attitude and jumping technique. It takes the right people with vision to recognize and approve these talents.
Challenge
Cor Loeffen is a familiar face for many breeders. He concluded his time on the stallion selection committee last December with the final presentation of the performance test. Shortly after, it was announced that he, along with Jacques Maree and Ieko Sevinga, would be part of the General Board. A decision Loeffen had thought about for a long time: "For years, I implemented the studbook's policy, and now I got the chance to help shape the policy. That is a challenge for me." Loeffen also sees that sport has become a significant factor within the studbook. At the same time, he notes that riders often have less knowledge of breeding: "I would like to see riders receive more information about breeding. Equestrian sports have become increasingly individualistic. As a studbook, we need to reach riders. This can be done, for example, through home inspections, our inspection team is equipped for that."
Future
Looking to the future, Loeffen expects that the minimum age for performance-tested stallions will increase to four years: "We, as a studbook, should not be afraid that stallions will go to another studbook. The test is conducted properly, based on the horse and with good veterinary guidance. At four years old, stallions can handle the work better." Following Cameron Nijhof, Cor Loeffen also emphasizes the orange feeling: "I hope breeders and owners register their horses with the KWPN because, as a studbook, with all that data, we can provide more and better information. That benefits breeding. We should all be proud of our KWPN horse."
Source: KWPN- F. © Team Nijhof/Newmore