Bert Poppelaars, KWPN Breeder of the Year 2000, Passed Away

Mon, 12/05/2022 - 15:48
KWPN
Bert Poppelaars at the 2004 KWPN Stallion Licensing :: Photo © Dirk Caremans

Bert Poppelaars, the KWPN Breeder of the Year 2000, has passed away on 3 November 2022. He was 71 years old. 

"Poppelaar was one of the most prominent and innovative breeders of his generation," Horses.nl wrote. "He combined the scientific principles of genetics with farmer's wit and a thorough knowledge of sport horses. This combinations of difference fields of expertise made the KWPN decide to name him the first Breeder of the Year in 2000."

Poppelaars built a successful pif breeding operation in Kortgene, The Netherlands and sold boars across the world. Because of the stringent regularisation of pig breeding in the Netherlands, he sold his company and switched to horse breeding with a new farm in Hedikhuizen?

His mare lines of Madermie (by Grannus x Abgar xx), Ladina (by Grannus x Tangelo xx) and Lonnevanck (by Donnerhall x Ulft). He bred the licensed stallions Padinus (by Heartbreaker), Polansky (by Kostolany), and Zick Zack (by Zack), as well as the Dutch Under 25 team horse Cuvanck PP (by Downtown x Munchhausen), amongst others.

Bert's son Koos Poppelaars has been contuining the business with his partner Mara de Vries. Poppelaars is also a driving force behind the Global Dressage Auction.

Photo © Dirk Caremans

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