Janko van de Lageweg and VDL Stud Looking Forward to Success of 2015 WEF Sport Horse Auction

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2015 – Janko van de Lageweg and the team at VDL Stud are proud to continue their participation of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) Sport Horse Auction presented by Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) for the third consecutive year. VDL Stud has been a fixture in the highest levels of equestrian sport, specifically focusing on the breeding and training of elite show jumpers, dressage, and hunter horses. This year, VDL will present 16 select horses to registered bidders at the WEF Sport Horse Auction, which will be held February 26, 2015, at 7 pm at The Stadium International Ring at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

“This year we brought a group of horses different from what we have showed in the past. There will be a selection of horses of different ages and for the first time, we have brought over horses with extensive show experience,” said van de Lageweg. “These horses are suitable for what many riders, trainers, and owners are looking for in each of the disciplines, whether that be jumpers, equitation, or hunter prospects.”

The relationship with ESP and WEF has been fruitful for VDL Stud as each year, the number of bidders increases and the demand for the VDL tag continues to grow. Van de Lageweg looks forward to providing quality athletes for WEF auctions in years to come, “I always look forward to working with ESP and their team each year. It is a great way to promote our horses and more importantly, it gives us an opportunity to get high quality horses to owners, riders, and trainers in the U.S. It is the largest show in the world, and we are very honored to be a part of it.”

VDL graduates from past WEF auctions have been extremely successful in their respective careers, many reaching the top ranks of international show jumping circuits around the word. Nicole Bellissimo (USA) and VDL Bellefleur, owned by Bellissimo LLC, currently lead the 2015 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix series held at WEF. Darragh Kenny (IRE), a top Irish show jumper, has a string of VDL horses he competes at the international level including Chin Quidam VDL, Imothep HS, Alpha VDL, and approved KWPN stallion Dakota VDL owned by Hyperion Stud. Callan Solem (USA) also competes a number of VDL horses including VDL Wizard, winner of the recent $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, as well as VDL Torlando and Cortender, both from the VDL Stud in the Netherlands.
“We have received a lot of very good feedback and great results from horses sold in previous auctions. A lot of clients who participated in the auction in years past continue to come back to purchase new horses, which is a great sign of the quality we are producing,” explained van de Lageweg. “The results of past graduates proves that the horses we bring to this auction are of great quality and past buyers continue to enjoy a lot of success with them.”

Van de Lageweg and his team at VDL Stud are constantly aiming to produce and train elite horses that have the greatest potential to excel at the top levels of equestrian sport. “At VDL we always do and will continue to use mares with the very best bloodlines. This way, we get a standard of breeding that is as high as possible,” he said. “When the horses are still young and at VDL, we select the ones we believe have the most potential and begin working with them. Breeding and sport is all about trying to get the best you have to the very top.”

The WEF Sport Horse Auction is one of the most highly anticipated events of the winter circuit, and the 2015 edition will be the largest so far in the event’s three-year history. “I think we have a great group of horses available this year. The auction has seen significant change in the past couple of years. It has become more professional and the biggest difference in terms of what we have brought this year compared to years past, is the number of experienced horses, which will change the environment and the buyers at the auction,” commented van de Lageweg.
Each VDL horse is available for trial by contacting Janko van de Lageweg at 561-324-0256 or +31 651815225. The Veterinary Repository is available to veterinarians who would like to inspect the radiographs and exam information on behalf of their clients. Please contact Melanie Peterson at 561-870-6587 for access.

To register as a bidder for the auction, please contact Melanie Peterson at 561-870-6587 or melanie@horsemls.com.

Equestrian Sport Productions invites you to this unique opportunity to view and acquire the next generation of champions. Please join in an exciting evening that is sure to raise the bar on sport horse auctions in North America.

Gates open for the WEF Sport Horse Auction at 6 pm. The Stadium at PBIEC is located at 13500 South Shore Blvd., Wellington, FL 33414.

Horse photos, videos, and the registration information can be found at www.wefsporthorseauction.com.

Photos copyright Sportfot and Shawn McMillen Photography

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