Richard -- The Equine Athlete

Kroongraaf is a son of the ‘preferent’-awarded
Holstein stallion Burggraaf (Landgraf I x Cor de
la Bryère) who jumped at international level
under Roelof Bril. In showjumper horse
breeding worldwide, Burggraaf is considered
one of the most successful sires. Notably, his
progeny, S'Blieft under Leslie Howard and
Burggravin under Roelof Bril won a series of
Grand Prix and World Cup qualifiers.

Kroongraaf also inherited his jumping genes from his dam Rianne. This famous Amor daughter is a
full sister of the international showjumping horse Optiebeurs Surprise with which Rob Ehrens was
very successful. Rianne can be considered as one of the best Dutch dams ever. In combination
with four different stallions she produced no less than three international showjumping horses and
two licensed stallions. Her most successful progeny in the sport is the showjumping horse
Belladonna (Kibrahim), under Katie Prudent Monahan. But also Topsy (Le Mexico) under Ulrich
Kirchhoff and Febroko (Le Mexico) under Liewe Koopmans have done very well at international
level. Besides Kroongraaf, Rianne produced the licensed stallion Candy Surprise (Candyboy),
which jumped at national level under Jenny Zoer.

From his first breeding years Kroongraaf produced several remarkable jumpers. Richard is bred
along the same lines as his grand-dam's most successful progeny.

Richard's dam, Cendy comes from the Dutch mare line, fokfamilie 69 which has produced the
approved KWPN stallion, Nautilis and numerous horses who have been successful in sport. She is
by the important stallion, Le Mexico. Le Mexico produced the approved stallions, Silvano, Ulft,
Zelhem, Zonneglans, Astronaut and Expert. These half dozen have been important, especially
Ulft, who has had a remarkable influence on Dutch Warmblood breeding. Le Mexico produced not
only breeding stock - he also produced international showjumpers and dressage competitors.

Richard's Granddam's Sire, the thoroughbred stallion Pericles raced 14 times with 2 wins and 3
places. In 1976 he was awarded the Keur predicate by the KWPN and later in 1977 joined the elite
Preferent stallions in Holland. Although never competing on the international jumping circuit
himself, Pericles has sired a number of successful sport horses including the Grand Prix jumper
Pentagon, ridden by Johann Heins. He also sired numerous approved sons and grandsons making
him an important thoroughbred influence in sporthorse breeding. Pericles is by Relic, a grandson
of Man o' War.