With the end of 2023 in sight, it is time again for the election of The Horse of the Year 2023. Who will be Nane 492’s successor? The voting is open until December 31 via this link.

Five nominees

Where previously three or four horses were nominated, this year there were no fewer than five and there were still a number of Frisian horses that came close to a nomination. That is a compliment to all breeders, owners and athletes, because many Friesian horses achieved impressive results. After careful deliberation, five were ultimately chosen and let’s be honest: what a top list!

Jehannes 484 Sport Elite AAA

Last year Jehannes 484 already earned a nomination and this year he is again one of the Frisian horses that managed to make a mark. The stallion was again the trendsetter at the inspections this year. He produced both the champion and the reserve champion at the Central Inspection and has already managed to add a nice number of Model mares to his beautiful palmera. Based on his entire oeuvre, a more than deserved spotlight for 12-year-old Jehannes 484, for whom it is only a matter of time – read: numbers – before he can write a P after his name.

Jurre 495 Sport Elite AAA

If you have won the Stallion Inspection five times, you are a very big horse and that in itself is reason enough for a nomination. But Jurre 495 will undoubtedly make another attempt at this title in 2024, which would put him in the history books. With Hielke 530 he now has an heir to the throne, this year the 12-year-old stallion himself also stood out with the championship of studbook stallions for the carriage. In doing so, he follows in the footsteps of his former stablemate and ‘friend’ Eise 489, who left for America, who won this title four times. So who knows, Jurre 495 could also follow in his footsteps as Horse of the Year.

Jelger van het Hiem Ster Sport Elite

Under his sporting name Johnny Cash (Tsjalle 454 x Tjimme 275), the 12-year-old stallion competing for the Mexican stud farm Finca Sanro caused a sensation at the Pan American Games last year. With rider Carolina Cordoba Wolf he was a real ‘eye-catcher’ in South America and in Germany where his training base is. Great international PR for the Frisian horse that – quite rightly – gets every opportunity in Mexico due to the popularity of higher dressage. The foundation for Johnny Cash’s dressage sport was laid by Ted Kop Janssen, who purchased the stallion, after which he was successfully ridden to sub-top dressage by Dana van Lierop before the stallion emigrated to Mexico.

Wealtsje A Model Preferent Performance AA

An excellent broodmare and the epitome of sustainability. Everyone wants a mare like Wealtsje (Teeuwis 389 x Jasper 366) in the stable. At the age of 16, the mare is doing great at the CK. Thanks to several CK victories, she has already been nominated for Horse of the Year and the fact that she is now again among the select group of top horses says enough about her qualities, which she – also – passes on. With Dedmer 519 she has an approved son, Maile (Stendert 447) became Sport and with Hiltsje Kroon AAA (Jehannes 484) and Aeltsje Kroon AA (Hessel 480) two Kroon daughters, the latter also delivering a Kroon AAA daughter with the three-year-old Meeuwtje fan de Luts (Teun 505). And it doesn’t stop there if it’s up to Wealtsje and us.

Berber van Brabantshof Model AA

If you win the Central Inspection twice, you are a special appearance. This can be clearly underlined in the case of Berber (Jehannes 484 x Norbert 444), because as a two-year-old she also became reserve CK champion. Her half-brother of Boet 516 has now received an invitation for the second viewing. Berber is also the epitome of resilience. Despite setbacks, she made it back to the judging podium and there seems to be no end in sight to her victories. Who knows, maybe Horse of the Year 2023 will be added.

Previous winners

The KFPS Horse of the Year election is now in its thirteenth edition. Below are the twelve winners of recent years.

2011 Tjaarda 483
2012 Annichje van Bokkum
2013 Norbert 444
2014 Beart 411
2015 Els FT
2016 Claim 489
2017 Limited Edition
2018 Horses2Fly Anniek
2019 Elias 494
2020 Wirdmer van de Boppelannen
2021 Building C.
2022 Nane 492

Photos by: Digishots and Karin Sevink