Cocktail’s origins
Born in 1984, Cocktail is a KWPN stallion whose career and pedigree make him a horse of considerable importance in the world of equestrian sport. Standing 1.68 m tall with a chestnut coat, Cocktail is the son of Purioso (keur), a stallion that sired three Olympic horses: Olympic Cocktail, Olympic Wendela and Olympic Ambush. He is descended from Furioso II (1965–1986), one of the most influential stallions in the history of sport horses, whose offspring have achieved excellent results in all disciplines. His dam, Ulissa (keur, preferent, prestatie), is descended from the English thoroughbred Le Val Blanc.
Performance Test
Cocktail got off to a promising start, participating in the Kwpn Performance Test in Ermelo in 1987, at the age of three. The judgements received during this test highlighted the exceptional qualities of this stallion, which were evident in his elasticity, regular gait and willingness to work. Although he initially showed signs of stiffness in his back, he improved considerably over the weeks, becoming extremely enjoyable to ride. During the test, his gait became regular and powerful, his trot proved to be regular, while his canter revealed better performance on the right than on the left. Cocktail also possessed acceptable jumping technique and sufficient amplitude, but showed a natural predisposition for dressage.
Cocktail and Anky van Grunsven
His talent did not go unnoticed. In 1995, Cocktail was named Horse of the Year, thanks to the results achieved under his rider Anky van Grunsven. Anky described their relationship as very special, highlighting the bond that had developed between them. Despite a heart problem that required a period of rest, Cocktail made a triumphant return to competition by winning the Indoor Brabant, proving himself to be a horse of extraordinary resilience and talent. His ability to shine under the pressure of a large audience further highlighted his charismatic and competitive nature. (font Anky.com)
Curiosity:
The Dutch Masters, formerly known as Indoor Brabant, is an international equestrian show held in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. The show is held annually in March and is one of the largest international indoor equestrian events in the Netherlands. The first edition of Indoor Brabant was held in 1966, founded by a group of local people from Tilburg to honour show jumper Toon Ebben. The founders, Ton Jansen, Harrie van Dijk and Henk Brands, wanted to organise the new international equestrian show in Tilburg, but there was no space available, so the three men found a venue in the Brabanthallen in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. As the men were from Tilburg, the mayor of ‘s-Hertogenbosch wanted someone from the city itself to be the president of the show. Daddy Stibbe, father of Eddy Stibbe, became the president of Indoor Brabant and was able to create a successful event from the outset. In 1979, Indoor Brabant became part of the World Cup show jumping circuit.
Jazz
Cocktail’s progeny continued to make their mark in the equestrian world, contributing significantly to the breeding of high-quality dressage horses. One of his most illustrious sons was Jazz, born in 1991, a stallion who had an unprecedented impact on dressage horse breeding internationally. Jazz, son of Cocktail and dam Ulster, dominated the WBFSH rankings for years, siring over 3,100 offspring, including several approved and recognised horses. His influence extends far beyond the borders of the Netherlands, with numerous modern stallions carrying his blood.
The maternal line also includes the important stallion Nimmerdor, known for siring Ulster, Jazz’s maternal grandfather.
Vivaldi
Another of Cocktail’s descendants, Vivaldi, born in 2002, has achieved exceptional results in dressage competitions, establishing himself as Reserve Champion in his performance test for stallions in the Netherlands. Under the saddle of Hans Peter Minderhoud, Vivaldi has achieved international success up to Prix St. Georges level, demonstrating the genetic potential passed on by his illustrious ancestors.
Vivaldi’s maternal line also includes the important stallion Ulft, known for siring the great Olympic Ferro.
In summary, Cocktail represents not only a milestone in the history of KWPN breeding, but also a symbol of excellence and performance in the world of dressage. Thanks to his lineage and unique qualities, he has helped shape the future generation of sport horses, leaving a legacy that will continue to influence for years to come.
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