This fantastic mare's pedigree explains where all her potential derives from: She carries the blood of many famous Sires and almost all of her ancestors were awarded high breeding evaluation with titles like Ster, Pref, Prest and Keur. Noticable is that she is inbred three times to well known Trakehner Sire Marco Polo who left his stamp not only in the Trakehner but also in the KWPN, Hannoverian, Oldenburg and Holsteiner studbook directly or through his offspring.
SIRE:
VDL LAROCHE was bred and approved in the Netherlands with a ranking of fourth in the jumping portion of his inspection. The illustrious VDL Stud Farm bought him right after his approval and owned him for many years. Now he standing at stud at Hilltop Farms in MD, USA. Here is what they have to say about this exceptional stallion:
"Hilltop Farm is proud to once again offer our breeders the Grand Prix showjumping stallion LAROCHE. Owned by the presitigous VDL Stud early in career, this KWPN approved stallion finished 4th in the jumping portion of his Stallion Test. Laroche was described at his testing as an ‘honest stallion with a big, powerful, well-carried canter… Laroche has more than enough talent for jumping and gives his rider a good feeling.’
Laroche next won the KWPN Stallion Jumping Competition at Den Bosch, Holland. With Angelique Hoorn, Laroche had a successful international Grand Prix career in Europe before being purchased for Frankie Chesler in Canada. With a long career throughout Europe and North America, Laroche’s accomplishments follow those of his successful ancestors.
His sire Olympic CONCORDE competed internationally under Jos Lansink for many years with excellent results. He was selected as the KWPN Horse of the Year in 2004 and was the youngest stallion to ever be awarded the Preferent title.
Laroche’s dam is the Keur Preferent Prestatie mare Bernadette, by the legendary NIMMERDOR. He too was an international showjumper of great quality. He sired 18 approved sons, including Ahorn, Goodtimes, and Heartbreaker. In 2000 Nimmerdor was elected “the stallion of the 20th century” in the Netherlands.
Of unique interest in Laroche’s pedigree is the Trakehnher stallion Marco Polo whose influence is felt in both his sire and dam. The jumping ability and good character which he passed was apparent early on. Polo Boy, Vivaldi, Pybalia, and Marius (sire of Milton) were all international showjumping stars of the early 1980’s that descend from Marco Polo.
The Swedish mare Pjalgary VDL, Rudi, and VDL Groep Saffier all appear on the 2008 FEI Ranking List for Jumping Horses. Mr. President and Bugatti are winning in the jumper ring in the US for Laroche.
Laroche is a well-regarded stallion in Europe and has already produced a number of exceptional offspring including six Ster mares, two Keur mares, and one licensed stallion. His offspring have proven very successful as showjumpers and his European-based offspring have earned him a KWPN jumping index of 149, which ranks him 8th of all KWPN stallions with offspring aged 10 or older.
Laroche offers a kind and respectful character and is an easy stallion to live with on a daily basis. He has good bone with well-developed feet, a kind eye, and a strong hindquarter with a particularly good canter. Laroche is an excellent choice for breeders looking to improve jumping ability."
VDL Laroche's career highlights were among many other achievements:
2010: Jumping Breeding Index of 149 - ranked 8th of all KWPN stallions with offspring 10 or older
2007: Open Hunter Champion ~ Ashley Meadows
International Grand Prix Jumper for many years
2002: Winner of the VHO Trophy in Den Bosch
2001: 4th at the CDI Maastrict - Rabobank Prix
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