The KWPN licensed stallion El Capone has returned from Denmark to The Netherlands and has been put in training with Dutch Grand Prix team rider Diederik van Silfhout.
The 8-year old El Capone (by UB40 x OO Seven x Saluut) is owned by Dutch stallion owner Nol Gerritsen in partnership with Danish horse dealer Andreas Helgstrand. The Dane acquired half ownership of the black stallion in August 2016.
El Capone was approved as a licensed stallion in 2012 and he was twice reserve Pavo Cup Champion. Under Marieke van der Putten, he won the L and M-level KWPN Stallion Competition, but did not compete in the Z-level championship in 2015-2016. He was also shown at the 2015 World Young Horse Championships and finished 18th in the consolation finals. Van der Putten took him to Prix St Georges level.
Initially it was reported that Helgstrand bought full ownership, but in an article on Horses.nl today Van Silfhout mentioned that Gerritsen still owns a half share in the stallion. The stallion moved to Denmark but has returned to Holland two weeks ago.
"El Capone is still owned half by Nol Gerritsen. We already discussed with him whether it is possible for me to ride El Capone. Now Helgstrand's stable jockey who always rode El Capone has left, so the stallion came here," Van Silfhout told Horses.nl. Diederik aims to take the stallion to Grand Prix level, and first compete him a few times at small tour level
Photo © Dirk Caremans
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