Influential KWPN dressage stallion Vivaldi has passed away at the age of 23.
Eurodressage reported the sad news on Wednesday, paying tribute to the stallion who established his own influential V-line of progeny.
By Krack C out of Renate Utopia (by Jazz), Vivaldi was bred by Antoon Versantvoort in the Netherlands. Named after a famed Italian composer, the stallion was KWPN-licenced in 2005 with impressive scores. Initially owned by Joop van Uytert and Ad Valk, the stallion later came under shared ownership with Dutch investor Ton Kies of Exquis.
Vivaldi won the Pavo Cup for five-year-old dressage horses in 2007 (comparable to the Dutch National Championships). In 2008 and 2009, ridden by Hans Peter Minderhoud, he won the KNHS/KWPN stallion competition, where he was awarded 10 for his trot.
Vivaldi was then internationally successful up to Prix St. Georges. In 2012 and 2013, he won the VHO trophy at the KWPN licensing in Den Bosch, before retiring from competition at age 11. After his retirement, Ad Valk and Joop van Uytert bought out Kies’ share. In 2019, Vivaldi was among the top ten of the world’s best dressage sires in the WBFSH rankings.
One of Vivaldi’s most notable sons is Vitalis, a highly successful sire in his own right. Vivaldi also produced numerous top Grand Prix horses, including Desperado (Emmelie Scholtens) and Glock’s Dream Boy (Hans Peter Minderhoud).
Australian connections
Vivaldi’s influence has also been felt in Australia. He is the sire of Cennin, the KWPN stallion campaigned by Jessica Dertell in pursuit of Paris Olympic selection last year. Additionally, Lisa Martin’s Paris Paralympic star Vilaggio also carries Vivaldi bloodlines, being by Vilancio, a son of Vitalis. The Bloomfield Farm stallion Versace, who has sired many offspring here in Australia, is by Vivaldi.
“Vivaldi’s progeny are amazing in both competition and breeding,” says Glenis Dyason of International Horse Breeders, who supply many of the stallion’s sons and grandsons via frozen AI for Australian breeders. “Vitalis certainly does continue on the legacy, as well as Vivaldon and Vivino, and the sons of Vitalis including Vilancio and Viva Vitalis.”
