Iron Spring Farm’s UB40 continues to make a name for himself in both North America and Europe. Two UB40 sons were selected for performance testing at the 2008 KWPN Stallion Keuring held in s’ Hertogenbosch last week. One three-year-old son bred by A.A. van de Koppel, Amigo out of Tolanda (Elite) by Krack C, finished in the reserve championship position in the dressage stallion category. Amigo is a beautiful, modern-type with a gorgeous head and neck and uphill build. The result is incredible movement. The KWPN stallion jury announced that Amigo was the best-moving stallion but still a bit youthful, and so he received the reserve championship. The other selected son, Armstrong M, out of Umathika by Sandro Hit, also impressed with his movement and presence. He was to be sold in the Select Sale, but his owner thought better of it and bought him back for 190,000 euros. Both stallions will now go on to the 70-day test at Ermelo. In North America, the first UB40 foal crop was born last year. Seven foals were awarded First Premium status, including Centerline HF, who was also United States Dressage Federation Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Weanling Colts/Geldings Horse of the Year.

“We were proud to introduce UB40 to the North American market,” said Mary Alice Malone, owner of Iron Spring Farm. “He’s a modern type with great movement and athletic ability. We are thrilled with the results of his offspring and have high hopes for his future.”

Cinco de Mayo ISF, by UB40, won the weanling colts class at Dressage at Devon and also earned the First Premium award from the KWPN-NA. The UB40 daughter Carissa CS was named the Best Young Horse at her KWPN-NA keuring in Oregon.

While his offspring were busy bringing home the top scores and blue ribbons, UB40 also collected his share of the ribbons. In 2007 he won 13 classes from Florida to Virginia, including FEI Six-Year-Old and Third Level classes, with scores in the 70s. These results confirm the excitement that the Olivi son received at his stallion testing, where he finished second in the dressage ranking. In 2006, his first year in the U.S., UB40 won the DG Bar Cup at the Pennsylvania KWPN Keuring and finished in second place in the KWPN-NA Top Ten in the same class.