Longread: Reinie Tewis is achieving success through expertise and goodwill
No stallion inspection passes without Reinie Tewis. He turned his childhood dream of becoming a stallion holder, into his profession and is a master at discovering talent among young stallions. As a trainer, he has built up an impressive track record and has been behind top-level standouts such as Cosun, Heathrow, F-One USA, Tornesch, Vingino, and recently sold top talent Mattias. Optimizing a horse's performance remains Reinie's greatest driving force.
After being based in Westdorp for twenty years, Reinie, along with Sonja Vlaar and their daughters Lynn and Rose, settled in Zweeloo, also located in Drenthe, three years ago. On a slightly smaller scale than before but with undiminished enthusiasm, the stallion owner prepares the stallions for the stallion inspection every year. This year, this resulted in among other things the premium stallion Raven (s.Mattias) and four other selected stallions.
Preparing themselves
Although Reinie does not come from a 'horse family,' it quickly became clear to him what profession he wanted to pursue. "Breeding has always fascinated me, and I started following the inspections at a young age. I attended agricultural school, and when I was sixteen, I did an internship at Matty Marissink. That's how I ended up at the stallion inspection, where the stallion Wolfgang came into my path. That was the first stallion I could lease, so that's how it started," Reinie reflects. The later keur-declared stallion Cavalier, who performed at the highest level under the name San Patrignano Mister with Franke Sloothaak, was subsequently his first stallion. Even during that time, Reinie already prepared stallions for the inspection, and the enjoyment he derives from it has only increased.
Quality keeps improving
"At that time, I prepared one or two stallions every year and was already very happy if they made it to the second viewing. By now, the bar is set a bit higher because I have trained many good stallions, and the quality keeps improving," Reinie says. Only a few people will miss the enthusiasm with which Reinie presents his stallions. He beams from ear to ear when his stallions provide a remarkable performance. "Discovering talent is the most beautiful thing for me. And the connection with the breeders, with whom I often collaborate on the stallions. The stallion inspection is something I am busy with all year round. We start the actual training of the horses in mid-September, and then the winter months are always focused on the stallion inspections. If that then yields success, I can really enjoy it."
Five selected
Last season, Reinie prepared ten stallions for the inspection, nine of which were selected for the second round viewing. In 's-Hertogenbosch, five stallions were selected for the performance test, including the premium stallion Raven (Mattias out of Annelita C elite pref prest IBOP-spr PROK by Guidam), who comes from their own breeding. For other breeders, Reinie prepared the genetically very interesting Aganix du Seigneur son Aranix Rising Z (out of Lady D sport-spr by 't Roosakker by Echo van 't Spieveld) from Carin Schotanus and Hendrik Blink, and the Mumbai son Rich and Royal (out of Cantate 47 by Crunch) from breeder Roelof Bril. Reinie is co-owner of Vital van HD (by Kasanova de la Pomme out of Otina van HD sport-spr by El Torreo de Muze). "We co-own him with Henk van der Sluis. I got in touch with him because he wanted to buy a harness horse from me, but in the end, nothing came of it, but that's how this jumping stallion came into our path. I could get involved as a yearling. Sometimes you need some luck."
KWPN Select Sale
Vital van HD comes from a strong Belgian performance line and goes directly back to Pieter Devos' former top horse Candy. From his first crop, Mattias also sired Roven (out of Heathrow, breeder J. Braams-Hoving), who was subsequently sold at the KWPN Select Sale and prepared by Reinie. "We had two Mattias sons in the auction in 's-Hertogenbosch, including the auction topper Mad Max Z, who was not selected. I can't and don't want to keep all the stallions myself, so the auction is a good option. In principle, all our horses are for sale if the price is right. You have to be critical yourself; not every stallion is commercially viable for the auction, and the whim of the moment rules: if they jump well, you get money. And if the performance fails, you just have to wait a bit longer to sell."
International riders
In recent years, Reinie has already sold a couple of promising stallions in this way. "I find it very rewarding to watch Jumping Amsterdam on Sunday afternoons on TV and see riders pass by who bought horses from me at the KWPN Select Sale. And the best part is that those riders are very happy with them." Top rider Denis Lynch bought a stallion prepared and offered by Reinie in the auction for two consecutive years. In 2022, it was the Manchester van 't Paradijs son Outlaw, and last year the premium stallion Prophet (formerly Popino-Larus s.Gaspahr), both of which were approved by KWPN. Another good example is the stallion Power Man, a son of Jukebox, sold to Suus Kuyten, who is also making a name for himself as a KWPN-approved stallion. "We often maintain good contact with such riders when they are satisfied with the stallions that come from here. That's the best advertising. If everything goes well, I might come to the inspection next year with a stallion from Piet Raijmakers; it's nice when such people appreciate your good stallions."
Six stallions per year
The young stallions are in raising in Emden, Germany, six stallions per year. "We have them together with owners or alone. In principle, I prepare all those stallions for the inspection because they are already selected based on type, canter, and pedigree. If they are healthy and jump well enough, I'm happy to take them to the inspection. This year, before the inspection, we sold one of our stallions to Germany, the others were all presented."
Predictive value
Although Reinie finds the inspections even more beautiful than the sport, he knows exactly what makes a good jumper. An important part of the current stallion selection system is free jumping, which Reinie strongly promotes. "When I receive a horse from raising, the breeder or owner usually calls the next day to ask if I've already had it jump. The same applies to international riders, so they also attach great importance to it. They say that you can select closer to the breeding goal under saddle, but free jumping tells me a lot. In my experience, the horses that perform well in freedom almost without exception also do so under saddle. The other way around is a different story, but fortunately, there are many options to present a stallion under saddle to the stallion inspection committee. I also think it's a good thing that, as an owner, you have multiple ways and chances to present your stallion.
Retaining free jumping
A major advantage of the current system with free jumping is that it also makes it feasible for the ordinary breeder to get their own stallion to the inspection. A period of four months of training is affordable for most breeders. As soon as the saddle comes into play, the bills start coming in, and it's a very long road. There were about 260 stallions at the first inspection, who is going to ride and handle all these horses? You need at least five months for that if they can't do anything yet. I know a few people who first have a horse ridden for five months and then assess how their horse jumps. There is also a good chance that we will miss many stallions because people do not want to go through that longer process and those stallions then go abroad. So, I am definitely in favour of retaining free jumping."
Mattias
Breeders and riders all know how to find Reinie when it comes to preparing for the inspection. "Because we have a stud station, we have contact with many breeders, and it's also a matter of goodwill. I can't afford those expensive auction foals, so we enter into collaborations with breeders or owners." A good example of this is the Comme Il Faut son Mattias, who made a big impression last winter with his first year of stallions at the inspection and was sold to top rider Jur Vrieling. "Mattias was already very special as a foal. I had given the breeder breeding advice about the stallion Comme Il Faut, and it resulted in a beautiful, large foal from a good line. I never expected to have the chance from his breeder to buy Mattias together with Jan van Kooten because the auction committees were also chasing Mattias. Fortunately, I have that goodwill. When Mattias was two years old, we let him jump for the first time, and it was so special that I didn't put him back in the group. He did come into the pasture at our home every day, and at the end of the summer, we started training. It was immediately clear that he was a special horse," Reinie says.
Athletic grey
As a three-year-old, the athletic grey was registered with 83 points at the KWPN and was mostly trained by Sonja. "I find the stallion inspections very beautiful, and Sonja likes to ride, which is a good combination. But we consciously focus only on the first years of training. I also noticed that I have less connection with a horse once it is in training elsewhere. That is different from when you are busy with it yourself every day. When they are about six years old, it is time to sell them. That's how it went with Mattias last year too. Jur Vrieling had seriously asked about him when he was four, but at that time, we didn't plan to sell him. At the beginning of last year, he jumped very well for three days in a row in Zuidwolde, and then more and more people started asking about him. Because I had promised Jur that I would let him know when we wanted to sell, I gave him the first chance to try Mattias. It immediately clicked well, but it took some time before he went to Jur. Of course, I think it's great that Mattias is now going to get all the opportunities he deserves, but deep down, I would have preferred to keep him myself. I don't like losing him, but you have to be realistic: keeping him is not an option for us."
Long-term vision
For the breeders who have had confidence in Mattias from the beginning and have used him for breeding, such a sale to a top rider is an ideal scenario. "As a stallion holder, I also think you have a certain obligation to the breeders. It is also in the interest of the breeders who have used your young stallion that he ends up in the right place so that he can further develop as a sport horse. Mattias has always been a very special horse, and Sonja has spent a lot of time with him. I hope he will do very well in the sport, and I'm glad we still have offspring from him." There are currently two stallions left at the stud farm in Zweeloo, the full brothers Next In Line and Outsider DK (s. Jukebox), both from the breeding of Arjan Roosjen. Next In Line won the De Wolden competition for five-year-olds last year and then had a rest, so he didn't start in the KWPN Championship for Young Show Jumping Horses.
Schedule
"That didn't quite fit into our schedule; we like to take our time with young horses and we can't handle well with the pressure that, for example, a stallion competition brings. Next In Line only participated in one competition last winter; it all came a bit too early. For us, it would be better if the competition were spread over more different competitions, and the final result is determined by the average of, say, five competitions. That way, you have more time to take a break in between or skip a competition when it doesn't fit into the schedule. Now, the stallion competition consists of three competitions, and they have to ride all three; otherwise, you're not allowed to go to Den Bosch. And with the four-year-olds, the pressure to ride clear rounds is now very high; I would have liked to see that differently."
Different blood
The sire of Next In Line and Outsider DK, the stallion Jukebox (s.Padock du Plessis), was co-owned by Reinie with Jan van Kooten and Jos Lansink, for whom he also prepared several stallions for the inspection. This internationally 1.45m-classified stallion has been with Monique van den Broek since November. "It's nice that such a stallion has immediately covered a few good mares here in the region, such as the mother of Next In Line and Outsider, and that his offspring are developing positively in the sport. I don't want all breeders to breed with my young stallions; on the contrary, it's also very interesting if the good mares are bred with different blood. That's why I always try to have interesting stallions from other stallion owners available, such as Ermitage Kalone last year, for example. It will be nice if I can present the sons of such a stallion at the inspection later on because I am always looking for different blood. This year, I had three Mattiases, but I think it's also good to offer 'new' blood. The most important thing is that as a stallion holder, you have a lot of faith in your stallion, and if a stallion lives up to your expectations, you will also get breeders to use him."
Smaller scale
Reinie trains the stallions together with Sonja and employee Maron Mensinga. "Maron works three days a week with us and also helps prepare the young horses. Sonja rides the two stallions, does the administration, and helps with all other activities in the stable. We have been in Zweeloo for the third year now and take the time to make everything on and around our farm to our liking." Reinie does free jumping in an oval arena. "We deliberately chose this because young horses always stop in the corner. Now they stay in rhythm, and as soon as they know the way a bit, I can manage them on my own. In the future, I want to change the covering stable; the phantom is still on the old part, but we want to move it to another location. And we want to cover the horse walker." In the summer season, Reinie is not only busy with insemination but also prepares some mares for breeders in Drenthe. Like Asca Z daughter Nirmosa MB from Henk Mulder and Trieneke Brink, who was declared national champion in Ermelo in 2021. "Preparing mares is a service to the breeders, but I also think it's important that clients' mares achieve predicates. That's also beneficial in the long term. For example, if sons of those mares come to the inspection again."
Small breeders
Reinie's regular clients include many small breeders. "I think that's great; you can discuss breeding with them and give advice. Most small breeders have earned their living outside of horses, and for them, it's a hobby: then it doesn't matter if it costs a few cents. They want to experience everything, and if they have their stallion prepared by me, and the quality is there, it also brings in some money. If they keep their breeding products longer, the involvement and breeding experience are also greater." In today's breeding, there is increasing attention to sport performances in the dam line, especially in stallion selection. "That's a good thing, but you always have to evaluate the horse itself. Just because the dam performed well doesn't mean the horse will too. And there are still many mares from small breeders who haven't had the chance to prove themselves in sport. They may have taken a few laps with the granddaughter, but they don't necessarily have to be bad broodmares. I've also had mares for inspection who have never worn a saddle but can jump very well. You can confidently use them for breeding."
Succession
More beautiful than all the achieved successes, Reinie finds the enthusiasm with which his four daughters Jessy, Amy, Lynn, and Rose are involved in equestrian sports and breeding. "Their enjoyment motivates me enormously. Lynn and Rose are already riding and involved in everything; it's great to share our passion. That passion has kept me going day in and day out for years."
Text: Jenneke Smit
Image: Jacob Melissen
25 April 2024 | 09:17
One jumper stallion is leaving the KWPN center
With another official assessment scheduled for next Tuesday, one jumper stallion has been referred to the next performance test.
After consultation with the stallion selection committee and the owner, it has been decided that the Arezzo VDL son Redford VDL (out of Marina W reg.A van Chacoon Blue) from VDL Stud has been referred to the next performance test. This brings the total to 14 three-year-olds and 7 older jumper stallions. They will be assessed again by the committee starting from 08.00 on Tuesday. The final presentation will take place on May 14.
Mediaguide Performance Test
JS for KWPN
25 April 2024 | 09:11
Ticket sales 25th edition Championship for Young Dressage Horses starts
From September 4 to 8, the 25th edition of the prestigious Longines FEI WBFSH World Championship for Young Dressage Horses is on the calendar. This year is the last time the event will be held in the Netherlands for the time being.
This international spectacle brings together the absolute top of five-, six- and seven-year-old dressage horses, with the hunt for medals as its central theme. As icing on the cake, the organization has added an extra day to the program, allowing visitors to enjoy no less than five days of the best the dressage sport has to offer.
The World Cup is an unmissable highlight in the dressage sports calendar and attracts enthusiastic visitors from all corners of the world every year. Want to experience this wonderful occasion from the best seats? Ticket sales start Wednesday, April 24, with an exclusive discount to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the World Cup. Passe-Partouts until Sunday, April 28 00:00 are not 110 euros but only 90 euros. There is a limited number of tickets available at this rate and with that, gone = gone. To use this discount, the discount code ERMELO25 must be used in the ticket shop.
You can go to ticket sales here and view the program here .
Source: World Championship for Young Dressage Horses
Photo My Toto: Dirk Caremans
23 April 2024 | 13:49
Seven older jumping stallions started performance test
This morning, seven older jumping stallions were delivered for the 21-day test. In addition, the 15 three-year-old stallions were assessed by the stallion selection committee.
The delivery of the older jumping stallions went smoothly; all seven stallions were stabled at the KWPN center. These include the ones selected through the stallion competition, A Moonlight Speciale Z (s.Aganix du Seigneur) and Don Tarpania Z (s.Dominator Z), and the four-year-old stallions Prestobantos (s.Opium JW van de Moerhoeve), Karel de Grote W (s.Kazan Z), Pasquino van de Hagenhorst (s.by Hardrock Z), Picasso R.A.G. (s.Cornet Obolensky), and Pura Vida (s.Carambole).
Subsequently, the 15 three-year-old stallions participating in the 35-day test were evaluated. "The stallions are generally good to ride and are making progress, some more than others, but the committee's feeling is positive. The next assessment is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, and the findings will also be communicated to the owner," explains senior inspector Henk Dirksen.
The performance test will conclude with a final presentation on May 14, after which the approved stallions will be announced.
Media Guide Performance Test
JS for KWPN
23 April 2024 | 10:17
Five older dressage stallions delivered
In addition to the seven three-year-old dressage stallions, today five older stallions were stabled at the KWPN center. These stallions participated in the 21-day test.
The total number of dressage stallions currently participating in the performance test has reached 12. Pavo Cup champion Everest (s.Especial), selected through the stallion competition, has been delivered. Also, last year's premium stallion Pride (by Secret) has stables, as well as the equally aged Power Dutch (s.Glock's Toto Jr), Private Dancer (s.Le Formidable), and Lamborghini U.S. (s.by Lord Europe), who is participating on a voluntary basis and was seen yesterday at the stallion show of Van Uytert. "The stallions were presented by their own riders again and then viewed on the street. Tomorrow is the training with Johan Hamminga, and Friday is the first regular assessment," says senior inspector Floor Dröge.
Mediaguide performance test
JS for KWPN
22 April 2024 | 11:25
Blue Hors Don Olymbrio and Merrald second in World Cup Final
With the KWPN recognized Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (Jazz), Nanna Skodborg Merrald rode to a second-place finish for Denmark in the World Cup Final in Riyadh. The top 3 were within three-tenths of a percentage point: Patrik Kittel won the World Cup Final with Touchdown (s.Quaterback) with 81.661%, Merrald received 81.429%, and Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz (s.Quaterback) 81.404%.
A regrettable end came for Charlotte Fry and Everdale (s.Lord Leatherdale) in the World Cup Final. After a magnificent performance dominating the Grand Prix on Wednesday, World Cup victory seemed within reach. Unfortunately, Everdale had a small amount of blood in his mouth just before their freestyle, resulting in disqualification even before they began their performance.
Plenty of power
The final remained exciting until the last starter. Nanna Skodborg Merrald had been at the top for a few combinations until Kittel had to go in. With the KWPN recognized Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (Jazz out of Olymbria keur pref prest by Ferro, breeder J. Lamers from Oss), Merrald steered flawlessly through the test. Don Olymbrio presented a beautiful upward picture and showed great closing power, with plenty of power right up to the final halt. Merrald was delighted with the now 16-year-old stallion: "I can hardly believe that, just like last year with Zepter, I'm second again with Don Olymbrio. He felt truly amazing today." The duo performed a new freestyle to Spiderman music.
Great Escape Camelot
Great Escape Camelot another KWPN horse finished in the top 5: Great Escape Camelot (Johnson TN out of Amie Camelot stb prest by Turbo Magic, breeder C.C. Kerssens-Rademaker) with his German rider Raphael Netz. With a score of 76.4825, they finished fifth in their first World Cup Final, where Netz was also the youngest participant (24 years old), along with the American Benjamin Ebeling. Great Escape Camelot showed great enthusiasm and, together with his rider, presented a beautifully harmonious picture.
Also finishing in the top ten was Fayvel (Zizi Top out of Ofra Elite Pref Performance PROK Sport-dres by Houston, breeders R and I Veninga) under the American Anna Marek. The duo had to be the first on the course but delivered a skillful and smooth freestyle with a high level of difficulty. "The harder it gets, the easier he finds it. He's very clever and handles the difficult exercises with ease," laughed his rider afterwards.
Mediaguide World Cup Final
Text: BvH for KWPN
Photo: Dirk Caremans / Hippofoto.be
19 April 2024 | 15:04
The performance test continues with seven dressage stallions
Today, the first assessment took place for the three-year-old dressage stallions in the performance test. Three of the ten stallions have left the KWPN center.
Eight three-year-old designated stallions and two voluntary ones were assessed today by the stallion inspection committee. Subsequently, the findings were discussed with the owners.
Hopeful continuation
The assessment resulted in the voluntary participant Royal Wimphof NSH (Just Wimphof x Franklin) being withdrawn by its owners. Additionally, the committee terminated the performance test for the Bordeaux son Ruig (out of Jazz) and the Vaderland son Raf KL (out of Ferdeaux). "The process will continue with the other stallions. They will be reassessed next Friday, and the final presentation will take place on Tuesday, May 14," explains senior inspector Floor Dröge. On Monday, the four-year-old and older stallions can be submitted for the 21-day test.
Mediaguide performance test
JS for KWPN
18 April 2024 | 14:07
IS-Minka starts with 9th place in the World Cup Final
The World Cup Final in jumping and dressage is taking place in Riyadh. In the first leg of the jumping, IS-Minka, ridden by Steve Guerdat, has made a good start. IS-Minka is a daughter of Mylord Carthago.
A total of 34 combinations participated in the first leg of the World Cup Final, with three KWPN horses taking part and no Dutch riders. Henrik von Eckermann, based in Limburg, immediately lived up to his favorite role by finishing faultlessly in the fastest time with King Edward (by Edward), earning himself an optimal position and €46,000 for the next leg. Hans-Dieter Dreher finished third with Elysium, a descendant of Zirocco Blue VDL. Two offspring of Zirocco Blue VDL are competing in this World Cup Final; under Devin Ryan, the experienced KWPN horse Eddie Blue (out of Silvana keur prest by Marlon, breeder Jan Honcoop from Chaam) placed 25th with just one jumping fault, resulting in three penalty seconds in this speed leg.
Guerdat
The best result by a KWPN horse was achieved by IS-Minka (Mylord Carthago out of Weyminka prest by Quite Easy I, breeder the late Jopie Kappert from Geesteren) ridden by Steve Guerdat. Earlier this season, they won the World Cup competition in Bordeaux. Despite a time that would have been good enough for fourth place, they knocked down one rail, dropping them to ninth place. The 2019 World Cup Final winner, Alamo (Ukato out of Mariona ster sport-spr prest by Equador, breeder Daan Nanning), ridden by Abdullah Alsharbatly, finished 28th. They also had faults. Alamo achieved great success with Steve Guerdat, who now has another fantastic KWPN horse under his saddle with IS-Minka.
Source: KWPN / Photo IS-Minka – HippoFoto