A spectacular debut for Night of the Stallions powered by SLTN at Indoor Friesland

Day two of Indoor Friesland 2025 is already over. Times flies when you're having fun. After the Breeders' Café, there was another new initiative on the program: The Night of the Stallions, powered by SLTN. The stands were packed. We already saw it this afternoon: breeding is alive and well in Friesland! For those who couldn't make it and didn't watch via Horse & Country TV's livestream, here's a glimpse.

After a dazzling light show and an enthusiastic announcement by announcer Bert de Ruiter, the first horses arrived. Stal Brinkman took care of the first part. The stallion Rising Blue presented himself under saddle, accompanied by none other than TeamNL show jumping national coach Wout Jan van der Schans.

The VDL Stud followed. Neymar VDL & VDL Sambucci de Muze showed up, again under saddle and accompanied by the expert commentary of the national coach. Enjoying the sport, good stallions, and useful information for the breeders.

Next on the agenda was a presentation by the NRPS. Several stunning pony stallions entered the arena, showing them in both dressage and show jumping.

Marcel van Bruggen, the stud farm, had traveled all the way from Varik in Gelderland to Leeuwarden, along with the impressive Gelderland stallion Edmundo and his son Odin. The blond stallions, with their striking golden coats, were shown saddled and harnessed, respectively.

It was now high time for the breed Friesland is so proud of: the Frisian horse. Stud Farm & Stud Farm Friese Visser and Veurink presented Wolter 513 and Waander 512. Both jet-black stallions were shown under saddle, clearly to the great delight of the audience.

Stal Brouwer couldn't be missed this evening. The four-year-old dressage stallion Rome USB gave a show segment with commentary by Mathijs Brouwer.

Stallion station Van Uytert also wanted to contribute to the evening. And not just any contribution. Top stallion Extreme US entered the arena, ridden by Renate and accompanied by Joop himself. A nice touch in this show block is that Joop complimented Indoor Friesland on today's initiatives, this Night of the Stallions and the Breeders' Café.

Special! The Barock Pinto Studbook provided a presentation that included a freestyle performance by six young stallions.

Leeuwarden is crazy about harness horses, which was certainly evident from the following part of Stal Henk Hammers.

Stal Harrie van de Middelaar also wanted to be there. Olympus HS & Fryso 518 were shown both saddled and in harness. A real spectacle!

The Night of the Stallions offered plenty of variety. A dressage horse was also featured. Stal Brinkman presented Dutch Dream, ridden by Gerdine Marée, with commentary by top Olympic rider Hans Peter Minderhoud.

Stal Brouwer & Hengstenstation van Uytert brought two more fantastic stallions to the WTC Expo arena: Secret USB & Savian. Mathijs Brouwer also provided the commentary.

Three more Frisian gems then took to the arena. Stal de Mersken presented Kanne 534, Jehannes 484, and Jimte 533. Under saddle, this trio delivered a magnificent freestyle. During the lap of honor, the spectators rose to their feet and cheered the stallions loudly.

Of course, ponies were also a must-see at this unique evening. A presentation by the NWPCS Welsh and Cob studbook followed. This versatile studbook showcased its qualities in-hand, under saddle, and even in harness.

The penultimate segment of this very first Night of the Stallions. Dressage, Friesian horses, carriage driving, and Indoor Friesland ambassador Marten Luiten—it won't surprise you that the WTC Expo went wild: Stal Albert Lueks and Dressage Stal Marten Luiten presented Manno 541 and Neon GSM.

All good things must come to an end. But of course, not without Stal Chardon in the ring. Jelmer had brought some of the best horses: Hielke 530 under saddle and five-time Dutch champions Jurre 495 & Siebren 547 on the long lines. Once again, the audience was thrilled.

This brought another unique evening to a close. The kind of evening Indoor Friesland excels at. Of course, the Frisian Evening can't be beat, but this was definitely a great warm-up, a wonderful dress rehearsal. For those who were there, enjoy the reminiscence, and for those who missed out, don't miss this evening next year either!

Photos: Digishots
Text: Media team Indoor Friesland