The just 13-year-old stallion was widely known for his accumulated successes in dressage and as a breeding stallion was greatly valued for his outcross lineage. Bred by A. Postma in Hantum, Arjen 417 was collectively owned by the van Dam family and Obbe and Margriet van der Weide, at whose studfarm he performed stud duties until his death.
As a 4-year-old Arjen 417 was approved in the spring of 2004.
Sired by Erik 351 and with Nikolaas 310 as his dam´s sire, Arjen´s low kinship percentage caught the eye of the stallion inspection judges. With 83 points he received high ratings for the performance test with special emphasis and praise for his willing character and excellent attitude. His high ratings for the performance test soon became evident when he made his appearance in sports in which he progressed to the level of Prix St. Georges. Probably his most notable achievement is the 2008 Frisian Dressage Championship level Z2 with his rider Bennie van Es.
Based on the evaluation of his offspring, who were shown to have the same willingness of character as their sire, Arjen 417 was approved in 2009. Eighty of his descendants earned at least the `Star´ predicate, four of his offspring were awarded the `Kroon´ predicate and one daughter has risen to the predicate `Model´. Arjen 417 will continue to influence breeding by means of his so far only approved son Wytse 462 (dam´s sire Oege 267).
Arjen 417 died at the end of last week. Initially he appeared to be suffering from a harmless virus infection, but in the end he perished due to several tumours.
More news
