Negro

1995 Dutch Warmblood Stallion
Black, 16.3 hands
Ferro – Variant – Gondelier

Owner: GertJan van Olst

2010 Breeding Fee: $2000

Performance Test:

Approved KWPN
Reserve Champion of Stallion Performance Test

About Negro

Negro was a brillant performer, living up to the standard set by the sport horses behind him. At his Stallion Performance Test in 1998 he finished in 2nd place overall. Honest and reliable were terms that described him in his stallion report and his canter earned an exceptionally high 8.5. Negro also impressed with his jumping ability and earned no score less than 7.5 for jumping. Negro then began his show career by winning both his 5- and 6-year old Stallion Show competitions in a highly convincing fashion and was the highest placed Dutch horse at the 2001 FEI Young Horse Championships. By the early age of 7, he was winning at Prix St. Georges and at age 8 Negro debuted at Grand Prix with a score of 74%. Trainer Anne Van Olst still calls Negro “the best horse I have ever ridden.”

Photo © Dirk Caremans

Negro’s sire, Olympic Ferro, has been one of the most successful international dressage stallions in history. With rider Coby Van Baalen, Ferro captured the Team Silver at the 1998 World Equestrian Games, 1999 European Championships, and 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Ferro has also been a prolific breeder and has earned the “Preferant” title for the KWPN. His offspring are known for their powerful hindquarters and ability to collect and find favor with both dressage and jumper riders. Ulft, Le Mexico, and Farn are all cornerstones to Dutch jumper breeding programs and highlight the versatility behind Negro.

Negro’s dam, the Keur mare Fewrie, is by the successful international dressage stallion Variant and the highly decorated Keur Preferante Prestatie mare Mewrie. Mewrie was successful in national level showjumping, not surprising as her sire Gondelier was an international showjumer. The talent for sport and the willingness to work are deeply rooted in Negro's pedigree.

No matter how well-bred or how successful a stallion himself may be, he will ultimately be judged by the quality of his offspring. Negro's official foal report from the KWPN noted that his progeny “show ample walks and powerful, impressive canters. They hold themselves well in trot and show good balance, elevation, and remarkable self-carriage.”

As his offspring matured, they only became more impressive and his correctness, athleticism, and brilliance consistently transmit through. The KWPN awarded Negro Keur status in early 2009 due to his exceptional offspring. While Negro offspring are competing successfully in jumpers and eventing, it is not surprising that it is the dressage arena where they dominate. One of Danish Olympian Anne van Olst’s favorite horses to compete is Taikoen. Carl Hester has ridden many Negro offspring over the years and likes them so much he has a couple in his stable he is currently developing.

In the US, Tornado was short-listed as a US Representative for the FEI World Young Horse Championships in 2006; Mette Rosencrantz’s Taison was the USDF Horse of the Year at Training Level in 2005 and in 2009 finished 6th at the US Developing Horse Championships; and Nick Wagman’s talented mare Uforia competed at the Intermediaire I National Championships and is now competing at Grand Prix.

Negro offspring show his beautiful type, strong hind quarter, and powerful canter. He offers an elevated movement and natural uphill balance.

“Hilltop Farm is thrilled to offer this Keur KWPN stallion to our breeders. Negro’s beautiful type and expression, combined with his powerful gaits and jumping ability, form a combination that is hard to match.”
~ Natalie DiBerardinis