J Patrick Hanley 12/13/20 J Patrick Hanley 12/13/20

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!

J Patrick Hanley 7/17/17 J Patrick Hanley 7/17/17

Helios Quality DKS (Kannan-Clinton-Heartbreaker) and Kasalla DKS (Cassini-Lansing-Cor de la Bryère) Selected For Elite FENCES Auction!

For the second year in a row, Dejan Krunic Sporthorses is excited to announce that our horses will be appearing in the Elite FENCES auction at the end of August 2017. The premier French auction begins August 29, 2017 with a different auction each night until September 3, 2017.

Last year, Nina Simone DKS (Kannan-Cento-Carreras) sold at this same auction. This year, Dejan Krunic Sporthorses had two foals selected for the auction: Helios Quality DKS (Kannan-Clinton-Heartbreaker) and Kasalla DKS (Cassini-Lansing-Cor de la Bryère). Both foals are spectacular looking.

Kasalla DKS is Casall out of Beauté de la Vie DKS (Cassini-Lansing-Cor de la Bryère) and was the first filly born of the 2017 season. She's looked great from the start. We're particularly interested in the blood and reflexes that Cor de la Bryère should provide her with. Combined with the enormous scope of Casall, as well as his movement and strong backline, it is easy to understand what the FENCES selection committee saw in this filly.

Helios Quality DKS is Kannan out of Bella Vita van de Molendreef (Clinton-Heartbreaker-Beach Boy) and he's going to be tough to part with. (In fact, we're going to have to tie Dejan down to prevent him from going to the auction to buy this stunning colt back from himself!) Helios Quality DKS is the product of out collaboration with Koen Terryn of Quality Stud. When naming a horse after a Greek god, you have to think twice. What if this one is a dud? Of course, with a dam who is full sister to Beezie Madden's Coral Reef Via Volo, named 2011 Horse of the Year in America, it was hard not to have high hopes for him. To boot, his full brother, Nic-Nac Quality, is an approved stallion with Zangersheide. From what we've seen so far, those hopes were not in vain. This is a spectacular looking colt. He's full of power and has excellent conformation and movement. His athleticism is apparent, and he appears to be a very good prospect for future stallion selections.

This has been an exciting summer for us and having two foals selected for the Elite FENCES auction is just one of the reasons!