Zwolle International Stallion Show, Hattrick for US Dressage

At the Zwolle International Stallion Show in the Ijsselhallen of Zwolle, The Netherlands, from 3rd to 7th March 2001, Lisa Wilcox and Courtney King produced a hattrick in the Essent Best Stallion Class. Winner of the Grand Prix division, the "Best Stallion" class, was Lisa Wilcox on the Oldenburg stallion Relevant (by Rubinstein x Goldloewe). Relevant, formerly trained by Nicole Uphoff, scored 76.93% in the Kur to Music and became the overall champion. Wilcox continued to perform strongly in the Grand Prix on the Trakehner stallion Friendesfurst (by Rondo x Gelria - pictured right). The elegant chestnut put 71.68% on the scoreboards and was second overall.

Making a very impressive debut on European soil was Courtney King an the KWPN stallion Idocus (by Equador x Zonneglans). King, who competed successfully in the 1998 North American Young Riders' Championships trains with Lendon Gray who travelled to Zwolle to work with her longtime student and former mount. The pair bedazzled the crowds finishing third in Round One of the Grand Prix Best Stallion Class behind another American Lisa Wilcox with a 70%.

Idocus, who is owned by Christine McCarthy of Royal Starr Farm, was shipped to The Netherlands for the 2001 KWPN Licensing in his home country. The dark bay will stay in Holland till after his short Stallion Performance Test in Ermelo.

At Prix St Georges level Wilcox wielded the axe of power once again, but this time aboard Rosier, an Oldenburg stallion by Rubinstein x Weltmeister. With 72.95% in the Prix St Georges freestyle, Wilcox pushed Anky van Grunsven on the KWPN sire Krack C (Flemmingh x Beaujolais) to second position. Although the difference with Krack C was only 0.70% in the kur, Rosier was honoured as the "Promising Stallion". The semi-finals of the Promising Stallion class were won by the Oldenburg Royal Diamond (Rubinstein x Inschallah) ridden by -- guess who -- Lisa Wilcox. Royal Diamond, the 2000 German Bundeschampionate Winner, scored 70.75% under his American rider.

In the young stallion classes the trophies were distributed among Rubels, Negro and Boxberger Artistic Rock. Best 5-year-old stallion was the NRPS registered Rubels (by Rafurstinsels x Amethist), presented by Hans Peter Minderhout. Anne van Olst continued her string of success with the KWPN registered Negro (Ferro x Variant) by leading in the Youngster Stallion class for 6-year-olds. The Young Stallion finals were won by the Trakehner stallion Boxberger Artistic Rock (by Rockefeller x Seeadler) under the Ducth Alwine Nuy.

It was more than striking that the Oldenburg bred stallions of Gestut Vorwerk in Cappeln, Germany, reigned supreme at the Zwolle International Stallion Show, a competition which is gaining prestige over the years. Unfortunately, many riders and countries had to cancel their entry due to the outbreak of the Foot and Mouth disease in Great Britain. Transport of livestock was forbidden throughout Europe and, even though horses can not contract the disease, they are able to spread it.

Text by Astrid Appels
Results of the Zwolle International Stallion Show at Eurodressage.com