KWPN:
Name of Registry which also registers the internationally acclaimed Dutch Warmblood.

1700:
Approximate number of DHH mares annually bred resulting in a foal crop of 700-800 fillies and 700-800 colts.

Bred For:
Performance in Driving Competition and Harness Classes.

Characteristics:
Proud high carriage, long vertically set neck, displaying a long moment on suspension in the trot, a broadly moving foreleg with high knee action and a powerfully carrying hind leg.

KWPN Requirements:
Registerable foals must be sired by Approved Stallions. Approval status is achieved by meeting the highest standards of conformation, pedigree, show performance, temperament, sperm quality, health and X-ray evaluation.

Approved Status:
There are only 30-40 Approved Stallions at any given time. As late 2-year-olds, the best 100-200 colts start their evaluations by going through several elimination rounds from Dec. through Feb. of their 3-year-old year.
By this time the field is narrowed to approximately 12 which then go to a 70 day Central test, where they are trained under one roof and routinely judged by the KWPN jurors. Those which pass the tests in performance ability, temperament, and willingness, are evaluated for excellent fertility and clean X-rays. On average only 3-4 colts are approved.
After the first and second foal crops, the foals by each new Approved Stallion are randomly selected and evaluated by the jurors. If the foals do not demonstrate progression of the breed, the stallion is suspended or removed.
The stallion must come back in Harness at least through his 5 year old year to maintain approval status.

Open Registry:
When the Registry decides that the breed needs injection of new blood for improvement, specific breeds such as Hackney and recently American Saddlebreds have been chosen. Stallions from these breeds are carefully selected as Approved Stallions.

Predicates:
Following the name on the registration papers, certain merits are awarded as follows:

Keur:
Given to stallions which have clearly caused improvement in the breed over several years.

Preferent:
Highest honor for sires that are bestowed as famous progenitors such as Renovo and Cambridge Cole

Fillies and Mares:
Two year old fillies are shown in IN-Hand classes at district shows and are rated. Fillies achieving above a certain rating are invited to the National Show which places them in the upper 3 percentile of their foal crop.

Ster:
Three-year-old fillies are shown in In-Hand classes at District shows and are again rated. Those with sufficient ratings are invited to the Nationals, are given the predicate of Ster, and are in the upper 3% of their foal crop.

Keur:
Mares who have had a foal and have shown good ability in harness.

Elite:
To emphasize the importance of soundness, mares that have passed extensive x-ray examination.

Perferent:
For the most elite mares which have produced at least three offspring that have remarkable conformation and action.

Prestatie:
For mares that have minimum of three offspring that have remarkable conformation and action.

Sport:
For mares that perform excellently in single horse Harness classes.