Where are they now?

Every year, DK Sporthorses sells a few of the fine jumpers we breed (can’t keep them all!). We caught up with some of them to check what they have been up to:

Nina Simone DKS (2013 mare, Kannan x Cento) competed regularily in classes for 7 year olds in 2020, jumping them with ease and confidence with her rider Regis Villain. The bay mare, half-sister of our Kumana DKS (Cumano x Cento), exits the YH category next year and we hope to see her perform just as well in “grown-up” classes.

Another Kumana half-sister, Mira DKS (2012 mare, Mylord Carthago x Cento) went to USA where she is competing with an amateur rider. This gray mare is exceptionally easy to ride and looks a perfect partner for her owner Hope Meinen-the two of them recording many clear rounds and podium finishes.

Nic Nac Quality (2013 stallion, Kannan x Clinton), after getting his approval as a stallion for Zangersheide and competing in Europe, continues his career in the USA with Peter Lutz. This stricking jumper, that we produced in partnership with Quality Stud, is regularly placed in his classes for 7 year olds, showing power and agility.

Drago 123, born Mostar DKS (Darco x Cassini I) jumped first in Germany and lately in the USA. His recent owner Mollie Hartung described him as “a horse with the greatest mind I ever had”. Jumping with great style Drago is an ideal confidence giver and will continue his career with another amateur rider requiring his expertise.

Ekano DKS Semilly (Kannan x Cumano), the most famous of Kumana’s progeny, after becoming the champion of France for 5 year olds in 2019, continued his career in 2020, easily moving up in height with his rider Alexis Gourdin for Haras de Semilly. An approved stallion, Ekano’s foals are already showing their quality.

Another Kumana’s baby, Forget me not DKS (2015 mare, Diamant de Semilly x Cumano) after a few introductory courses last season, started her sporting career in full this year and recorded many clear rounds in 5yo classes with her rider Jean Hinet. In the arena she has shown a steady and focused mind, as well as a desire to jump clear.

So, what are they up to?

Well…we can say with pride they are all jumping!

Nina Simone DKS

Mira DKS

Nic Nac Quality

Drago 123

Ekano DKS

Forget-Me-Not DKS

Ekano DKS is the 2018 Champion of Normandy!

Our first foal produced in France, Ekano DKS is the 2018 Champion of Normandy for 4-year-old males!!!

He comes from a rare alchemy of the best European bloodlines: Kannan x Cumano x Cento, three great show jumping champions, all three ranked in the Top 100 World Stallions. He was sold to Sophie and Richard Levallois of Haras de Semilly, and they have done an outstanding job bringing him along (masterful riding from Alexis Gourdin does not hurt either 😀). In 2017, Ekano DKS was approved for breeding by Selle Français Stud book. He is by Kannan and out of Kumana DKS (Cumano-Cento), a crossing that we have grown to love because of the superior and smart horses it produces.  In past years, Kumana gave us beautiful foals:  Forget-Me-Not DKS (Diamant de Semilly, she is still with us and she is for sale); Game Boy DKS (Diamant de Semilly, sold to Mr. Egbert Schep 2 years ago); and Hanley DKS (full brother of Ekano DKS, recently sold to Christine and Gilles Croguennec). This year, Kumana produced a beautiful colt by Nabab de Reve, Ikano DKS.

Click here for video of the 2018 Championship of Normandy!

Ekano DKS Excels at Selle Français Stallion Qualification in St. Lo!

The first horse produced by Dejan Krunic Sporthorses in France, Ekano DKS (Kannan-Cumano), was presented last week at the Selle Français national stallion selection/qualification in St. Lo by his owners Sophie and Richard Levallois, of Haras de Semilly. His combined score from the three qualification metrics, Modelle (Conformation), Allures (Movement) and Saut en Liberté (Free Jumping), placed him 7th out of 96 presented 3-year-olds. More spectacularly, he received the highest score for Modelle (Conformation) and placed near the top for Allures (Movement) and Saut en Liberté (Free Jumping). We're thrilled to see such a spectacular showing from the first horse produced in France. We're also particularly pleased with his scores, since the experts at Haras de Semilly made the very wise decision not to over-prepare their colts in Free Jumping so as not to wear them out young. We're thrilled to see Ekano DKS being cultivated so carefully by such a fantastic program, and we look forward to his showing in the final stallion selection this fall. 

Ekano DKS is Kannan out of Kumana DKS (Cumano-Cento). This year Kumana DKS gave birth to another Kannan, Hanley DKS. That means that her most recent foal is the full brother of Ekano DKS who is well on his way to being an approved stallion! Hanley DKS is currently for sale.

DKS Welcomes Helios Quality DKS! (Kannan-Clinton-Heartbreaker)

Dejan Krunic Sporthorses is excited to welcome Helios Quality DKS to the family! He was born May 2, 2017 under the care of the amazing professionals at Haras de Semilly. Thank you, Sophie and Richard, especially for providing such wonderful photos of the foal! Helios Quality DKS is Kannan out of Bella Vita van de Molendreef (Clinton - Heartbreaker - Beach Boy). He is the product of our collaboration with Koen Terryn of Quality Stud. This is the second foal by Kannan we have produced this year, and we can't wait to see what this sun god can do! It should be exciting to be able to compare the Kannan-Cumano-Cento born earlier this year to the same dam. Helios Quality DKS's dam is a full sister to Beezie Madden's Coral Reef Via Volo, which was named 2011 Horse of the Year in the United States. Houston Quality DKS' dam also boasts a full brother who is an approved stallion and an international jumper in Germany, Deep Purple van de Molendreef. This mare has already produced three spectacular foals for us, including one, Nic Nac Quality, which is currently owned by the famous Belgian stallion farm Van de Heffinck. She has, so far, produced only colts. They've each been very impressive, and we're thrilled to have another. 

DKS Welcomes Kasalla DKS! (Casall-Cassini I-Cor de la Bryère)

Dejan Krunic Sporthorses is excited to welcome Kasalla DKS to the family! She was born March 2, 2017 under the care of the amazing people at Haras de Semilly. Thank you so much Sophie and Richard! Kasalla DKS is Casall out of Beauté de la Vie (Cassini I-Cor de la Bryère), a breeding that we are incredibly excited to see develop due to the blood and reflex from Cor de la Bryère that we expect to see from this combination. Casall is a living legend whose feats and those of his offspring continue to be admired and discussed. This superstar with huge scope transmits amazing movements, strong backline and outstanding style. Casall produces athletic foals which are well-esteemed on the international market.

More to come as we get to know this special filly, and begin to get a sense of what amazing things she is going to accomplish!