Negro the legend

Negro Kwpn stallion

On March 5, 1995, a horse that would make dressage history was born: Negro. Bred by Wouter Borgers in Lunteren, Netherlands, Negro was originally known as Novabor, “bor” being an abbreviation of his breeder’s last name, an affectionate name that evoked their bond, who died shortly before his birth. Black in color and 168 cm tall, Negro stood out from the start for his exceptional temperament and the beauty of his physical proportions.

Genealogy

While Negro’s talent is unquestionable, his roots tell a story of excellence. He was the son of the stallion Olympic Ferro, (Kwpn Ulft x Farn x Prefekt) a true dressage world champion, known not only for his successes in competitions, but also for his harmony of movement and unparalleled use of the hind leg and for a brilliant attitude toward work that was passed on to his offspring.

Negro’s mother, Fewrie, (preferred, IBOP AA 92 by Variant x Gondelier) born in 1987, Kwpn who has produced 16 foals including six full of Negro siblings, among whom some have competed at Psg and Gp dressage level. Fewrie was sired by the broodmare Mewri Kwpn (keur, preferent, prestatie, sport) and maternal grandmother Geerie (ster, preferent, prestatie), who represented sport, pattern, strength and great quality, and by the stallion Variant, who competed in small dressage tours with Dutch rider Anky van Grunvsen. Variant sired some Grand Prix dressage horses, such as Hermes, Lucky and Marciano G.

Its breeder

In 1988, Wouter and Eef went to Lieshout, Brabant (Netherlands), because Rini Biemans had some mares for sale; Wouter bought Fewri and her sister Equador, a year older, and eventually decided to keep only Fewri.

Wouter Borgers, in love with Fewrie, had chosen to keep her next to him after seeing how special she was. Says Eef, “My husband was very fond of Fewrie, he thought she was a great mare, she could move very well and had a golden disposition, she was never mean.”

Her husband told her never to sell her and so she stayed with them.

From this promise was born a progeny of wonderful horses, and Negro stood out from the beginning as a special foal.

Approval and scoring

However, Negro’s story did not begin without difficulty. During the first attempt at approval, the stallion was not selected for the approval test because of a judgment that called him “too classic.” But fate had something special in store for him. Sold to Henk van Tuyl, Negro was given a new chance and was again registered for approval as a stallion. This time, his potential shone through and he was approved, then sold to Gertjan van Olst, where he began his competitive career and breeding stallion .

Under the guidance of the talented amazon Anne van Olst, Negro became a star. Anne herself called him “the best horse I have ever ridden,” a statement that encapsulated the deep bond between horse and rider. His apogee came in 2000, when he won the Dutch stallion competition, representing a first step in his rise in the dressage world. His participation in the Verden World Championship in 2001 marked another milestone: he was named the best Dutch 6-year-old horse, a title that is a testament to his extraordinary career. With an incredible debut on the small tour, he managed to capture three wins from four starts, earning a stellar score of 72.50 percent.

Achievements

Negro’s career has continued to flourish over the years; in 2009, the KWPN recognized his Keur status, once again attesting to the quality of his bloodlines. In 2012, the KWPN awarded him the prestigious title of “Preferent,” attesting to his breeding value and impact on the equestrian world. In 2017, Negro was crowned stallion of the year, an accolade that demonstrates his lasting influence on the equestrian scene.

Sons

But the true test of a great stallion is measured through the quality of his progeny. And Negro has never disappointed. His sons, prized for their character, versatility and elegance of movement, have left their mark on the dressage world. Valegro, perhaps the most famous of his descendants, won the hearts of millions of equestrian enthusiasts under the guidance of Charlotte Dujardin. Not only Valegro, but Kjento, a KWPN-approved stallion, also achieved impressive scores in performance tests, becoming world champion at the Championships for Six-Year-Old Dressage Horses in 2021 with an extraordinary score of 96 percent. And many more…

Negro left an indelible mark on the KWPN, achieving a breeding value of 155 in 2014, ranking fourth among dressage stallions with over 90% reliability.Despite the chases and challenges, Negro’s legacy continued to grow, generating 1066 offspring over the age of four, including 283 registered as competitors. By 2021, he maintained a respectable position, dropping to 12th place with a breeding value of 135. To date it has 2119 children registered only with the KWPN and 8 KWPN approved children. 122 of his daughters have been named KWPN elite mares.

His legacy lay in the fairness, athleticism and brilliance achieved by his descendants, who consistently demonstrated the talent and grace inherited from him.

Negro The legend

On February 26, 2025, clearly marked by time and experience, Negro left us at the age of 30, a week before his 30th birthday. His departure marks the end of an era, but his legacy will live forever in the performances of his descendants. Goodbye, Negro, and you run free. Your legend will continue to shine in the firmament of equestrianism, and your spirit will live on in the riders and mares who will carry on your name and your extraordinary legacy.

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