Former KWPN Licensed Stallion Ebony Passed Away

Dressage

Spain

Spanish young rider Alba Sanchez Martinez lost her number one in the barn, Ebony, a 17-year old KWPN gelding previously competed internationally by Vai Bruntink.

Ebony was a KWPN stallion by Painted Black out of Vanolite (by Jazz x Contango). He was bred by A. Groen.

Vai Bruntink

Scouted by Sjak Laarakkers and Vai Bruntink as a youngster, Ebony was originally owned by the group Laarakkers, Astrid van Driel-De Jong, and W. Hoogeslag.

He was licensed at the KWPN Stallion Licensing and scored 84 points at the 2013 KWPN Autumn Stallion Performance Testing. As a breeding stallion he sired the licensed sons Knock Out (by Ebony x Dreamcatcher) and Nikson W (by Ebony x Blue Hors Zatchmo).

Vai and Ebony were fifth in the 2013 Pavo Cup Finals and third in the 2013 KNHS Subli Championships. In 2014 they were 9th in the semi-finals, but did not land a top 10 place in the finals. The pair represented the KWPN studbook at the 2014, 2015 and 2016 World Young Horse Championships in Verden and Ermelo, finishing 9th in the finals for 5-year olds, 9th in the consolation finals for 6-year olds, and 5th in the consolation finals for 7-year olds.

In 2019 they made their international small tour debut in Exloo and then a three year absence from international showing followed. In 2022 the stallion was gelded to be focused on sport. He returned to international arena at the 2022 CDI Geesteren and competed in Meerle. Then they went to the 2023 CDI Sint-Truiden, where they got 67.761% in the Grand Prix but were eliminated from the Special. This was their last international show.

Spain

In June 2024 Ebony sold as a schoolmaster to Spanish young rider Alba Sánchez Martínez.

Alba Sanchez had previously shown in Spain in the children classes with Hebreo II de Ymas. Alba debuted Ebony at the 2025 CDI Tolbert in The Netherlands but got eliminated from both the team and individual test. Nationally she last showed him March 2026 at the Centro Ecuestre de Castilla y León and scored 63.578% in the team test and 64.020% in the individual. They were 25th at the 2026 Spanish Young Riders Championships

Sad Farewell

Bruntink reported the untimely passing of Ebony. Sanchez confirmed to Eurodressage that he suddenly passed fro a ruptured aneurysm.

Bruntink reminisced on her journey with the black. It was "a road with a lot of beautiful moments, but also with challenges. Because it wasn't always easy. At big contests you found it difficult to really feel comfortable and completely relax. Together we searched, learned, tried, and continued. Exactly because of that you have personally taught me a lot. About riding, about patience, about trust and sometimes also about accepting that not everything goes the way you imagine."

Bruntink added, "choosing to sell you to her at the time turned out to be one of the best decisions we could have made for you. She gave you a great home and together you had such a wonderful time. She loved you fiercely and everything could be seen. That makes us extra thankful."

Alba stated, "this is devastating for everyone. He had a sweet heart and such a special character. He was the best companion I could have asked for. He taught me so much. He will always be with us."

She added to Eurodressage that, "I’m currently training with Juan Antonio Jiménez Cobo. We’re exploring possible options that would allow me to continue progressing in my competitive career."