Sutherlin, OR - What does it take to get a horse to Grand Prix? This is the theme of this year's KWPN-NA Annual Meeting to be held at DG Bar Ranch on March 24-26. This incredible opportunity to learn from some of the most respected names in sport horse breeding and training begins Thursday evening with Olympian Lendon Gray, USET member Courtney King Dye, Olympic medalist Steffen Peters, and top young horse trainer Scott Hassler via video, sharing their experiences of bringing a horse up the levels, including a review of their work with international Grand Prix stallion Idocus.

This KWPN Crown stallion, by Equador out of Eretha by Zonneglans, is now 21 years old and still healthy and sound. What does it take to train and maintain an international competition horse like Idocus?

Olympian Lendon Gray, who trained Idocus from the time he was 6 years old through Grand Prix, and USET member Courtney King Dye, who competed the KWPN stallion internationally, including at the Rolex FEI World Cup Dressage Finals, took the time to answer a few questions about The Road to Grand Prix and their time with Idocus.

Question: Where was Idocus in his training when you began working with him? What were his special qualities as a young horse?
Lendon Gray: He was solid second level. He had a wonderful work ethic.

Question: As you are training a horse up the levels, how do you identify when he is ready for more challenging work?
Lendon Gray: The foundation should be fairly solid before you begin more challenging work. That foundation is built higher and higher as the work gets more advanced.

Question: How does a systematic, progressive training program help develop a sound, happy horse?
Lendon Gray: Nothing is asked of the horse without having the prerequisites in place. And if something starts to go wrong, one just needs to step back a little to shore up that base.

Question: What are some of your favorite memories of Idocus?
Lendon Gray: His wonderful character. The way he would greet me each morning when I arrived at the stable. Also, his wonderful balance and suppleness--the best I ever rode.

Question: How old was Idocus when you first met him? What was he like? When you first rode him, what was the feeling he gave you?
Courtney King-Dye: He was six years old. As he still does, he acted like he was the king--inquisitive of everything, afraid of nothing. He made me feel like a queen when I rode him! Even just hacking him at the walk, he was amazing, just covering the ground, swinging underneath you. I'll never forget the feeling of that...I hope!

Question: When you were showing Idocus at Grand Prix, what was his routine like? Did it differ from your other Grand Prix horses?
Courtney King-Dye: Yes, it differed a lot. He loved to hack. Not only would he hack a few times a week in addition to work, sometimes at a show I'd warm him up, hack around for 10 minutes, and go in the ring. Most horses couldn't tolerate such a distraction, but Idy was so cool in the mind, what made him happy worked.

Question: Idocus is recognized for his long career. Were there any special things you did that kept him going?
Courtney King-Dye: I think most of what made Idy last so long are his phenomenally straight legs and great feet. Yes, it helped that I did maintenance on him, and he learned quickly, so I didn't have to drill him or work him too hard, but that just helped. His body did most of it.

To learn more about The Road to Grand Prix, join the KWPN-NA at their Annual Meeting. For all details please visit www.kwpn-na.org.

ENDS

About the KWPN-NA In 1983, the Dutch Warmblood Studbook in North America was established as the North American Department of the Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands (KWPN) in order to promote breeding and enjoyment of the KWPN horse in North America. To learn more about KWPN-NA membership, programs, stallions and breeding, visit www.kwpn-na.org.