Ermitage Kalone is the winner of the BWP Young Stallion Award. We want to announce it already now, as an honorary ceremony is not possible yet. We keep that in mind for a right moment. Ermitage Kalone is a son of Catoki out of a Kannan mother; he came to the stud of Joris Van Dijck in Broechem at the age of 18 months. Joris and his father Marcel were impressed from the beginning and convinced of the talent and the interesting pedigree. The BWP Stallion Selection Committee approved Ermitage Kalone in 2017. And so did the breeders. The stallion jumped his first competitions at 1.40m level under the saddle of Gilles Thomas. It was so convincing that Marc Van Dijck and Gilles Thomas are talking of a horse for the biggest competitions.
Dam line
Joris Van Dijck : I found Ermitage Kalone in the South of France. It was love at first sight. He has a big frame, much expression and he jumped in an impressive way. Moreover, his dam line is particularly interesting. His dam Bellaventure Kalone never participated in sports competitions due to an injury at a young age, but her mother Blague du Mary carries the Anglo-Arab blood of Veloce du Favi and Samuel. She is the mother of, amongst others, Prestige Kalone (by Potter du Manaou) who jumps at 1.60m level with the Canadian rider Danielle Lambert, and of Vertige Kalone (by Berlin) who is active at 1.45m level. Her dam Jasione is mother and grandmother of a whole list of SF approved stallions, 1.50m and 1.60m jumping horses and of several eventing horses performing at 3 and 4 star level. Moreover, Ermitage Kalone carries blood and genes that was not yet present in BWP.
Sharp
Joris Van Dijck : When we jumped Ermitage Kalone as a 2yo, my father said literally ; “We have had stallions for 40 years, but such a good stallion we never had.” That means something (he smiles). He is very sharp at the fence, very reactive. He is easy to handle, but at work he shows much blood and willingness. His first descendants confirm that with expression, blood and modern type. At the Second Phase of the BWP Stallion Approval, 3 of the 4 presented sons were selected for the Third Phase. His descendants are catching and that did not remain unnoticed among the breeders. The stallion is in great demand.
Under the saddle of Gilles Thomas
Joris Van Dijck : Early in 2021, the stallion jumped his first international competitions with Gilles Thomas. Unfortunately, that is interrupted by the Rhino outbreak, but both Marc and Gilles are enthusiastic about the stallion. They both think that he is capable of performing at the highest level. He is 7 years old now and they believe that he will jump to a bright future.
