Dressage-News

SUTHERLIN, Oregon, Apr. 5–A U.S. retail banking division of Rabobank, the Dutch group that is a major supporter of horse sports, has become a strategic partner in supporting North American breeders.

The sponsorship includes prize money for a wide variety of champions, a new breeders awards program, the Rabobank Star Breeders Awards, as well as support for education programs. The partnership was a natural fit for the U.S. retail banking division of the Rabobank Group, a premier lender to the global food and agricultural industry with century-old roots in the Netherlands. Rabobank is a financial services leader providing commercial, retail and agricultural finance solutions in more than 40 countries around the world.

“I’m excited that two companies that have each been in existence for over 100 years will be partnering together,” said Tony DeGroot, a member of the Rabo Agricultural Advisory Board and owner of DG Bar Ranch, a sport horse breeding, training and sales facilities in California. “This will be a big plus for both institutions.”

The Rabobank Star Breeders Awards will recognize top North American breeders of KWPN horses as their horses earn points at keurings and for receiving Keur and Star predicates. In addition, prize money will be awarded to 20 champions each year–champion and reserve champion foal, and champion and reserve champion 3-7 year old horse, in each of the KWPN’s breeding directions: jumper, hunter, dressage, harness and basic.

“We are very excited to be able to offer breeders prize money,” said Willy Arts, KWPN-NA Chairman.

Rabobank, N.A. is a California community bank and a leading provider of agricultural financing and banking products to farmers, ranchers, input suppliers and agricultural manufacturers. With 92 retail branches and 15 commercial banking centers, the bank serves the needs of communities from Sacramento to the Imperial Valley through local decision making and active community involvement by its employees.