HX Magazine 2024 | Edition 2

Stallions
Cape Coral RBF Z
Over the years, Cape Coral RBF Z has developed into a
cornerstone of Stal Hendrix’s stallion breeding program. His
qualities, achievements, and lineage ensured that breeders have
made excellent use of him. And now, his progeny consistently
exceeds the highest expectations.
Something special
Cape Coral RBF Z was bred by Marcel and Maryelle Coenen from
Roggel, just a short distance from Stal Hendrix. “We purchased
his dam, Gerona PP, as a foal in Belgium and later she competed
in sport with Mans Buurman at 1.40m level. Gerona was a beautiful
mare with excellent jumping ability. We intentionally kept her
for breeding”, tells Marcel Coenen. In 2009, Cape Coral RBF Z
became her first foal. “At the time, we spent quite a bit of time in
Germany and had a good feeling about Cornet Obolensky. So, I
personally drove to Fritz Ligges’s stud, where he was stabled at
the time, and thankfully, Gerona was in foal right away. As a foal,
Cape Coral immediately stood out. Watching him leap over a
puddle of water in the pasture gave me the impression he could
become something special. My son trained him when he was a
young horse, and he began catch people’s attention even more
when Mans Buurman took over the reins. At one point, I spoke
to Paul Hendrix at the stallion approval in Holstein, and not long
after, he came to see Cape Coral together with his son Michel.”
Michel remembers it vividly: “Cape Coral had already built quite
a reputation in our area, and when I tried him, he gave me an
excellent feeling right away. He’s a big horse with a very good
canter and tremendous scope. Although he was still a bit green
for his age, the potential was undeniable.” The deal was sealed,
and Cape Coral RBF Z went on to perform with Pieter Keunen.
Coral receiving recognition from a prestigious studbook like the
KWPN. He has consistently ranked high in breeding values, and
I dare say he is developing into one of the best sons of Cornet
Obolensky in breeding,” says Paul Hendrix. “Cape Coral’s
offspring possess great scope, are easy to ride, and jump with
excellent technique. They’ve found their way into the stables of
top riders, so we can expect a lot from them in the coming years.”
Flagship
The story of Cape Coral RBF Z is a real success story for
everyone involved. Breeder Marcel Coenen beams with pride
when he talks about the stallion: “For our breeding program, he
has been an outstanding flagship, and I’m thrilled that he has
stayed so close to home, allowing us to follow his journey so
closely. Paul’s enthusiasm is also something that makes us, as
breeders, incredibly proud.” Cape Coral RBF Z owes his name to
the city of Cape Coral in Florida, which Marcel once visited, and
to the initials of his three children. “RBF stands for our children
Robin, Bram, and Freek. Our other breeding products also carry
the same suffix. I’m happy that he has always kept that name
because it has brought the best recognition to our breeding.”
If there is one stallion in which Paul Hendrix has always placed unwavering trust, it is Cape Coral RBF Z.
Nearly a decade after acquiring this magnificent son of Cornet Obolensky, it is clear that this trust was
more than well-founded. Under Pieter Keunen, he has proven himself in sport at 1.50m level and continues
to affirm his worth as a sire. This has led not only to a string of exceptionally promising offspring but also
to his recent prestigious approval by the KWPN studbook.
Text: Jenneke Smit
Offspring
Before being sold to Stal Hendrix, Cape Coral RBF Z was
already approved by the AES and his breeder used him for two
of his mares. The in 2015 born Celine RBF Z (ds.Corofino I) has
competed successfully at international 1.45m level with Aurelia
Loser and Jane Richard, while Celeste RBF Z (ds.Cassini I) is
performing at 1.40m level with Red Morgan. His first significant
crop was born in 2016, producing standouts such as La Luna
Especiale, Constantin Z, Laguna HX, Lugano, and Limited
Edition HX, all competing at 1.45m level. Cape Coral RBF Z
himself reached international 1.50m level with Pieter Keunen,
including a clear round in the Sires of the World competition
in 2018. Later, Michel Hendrix also competed with him for a
few months. Today, Cape Coral is represented in national and
international competitions by an impressive roster of offspring.
Among them is his first approved son, No Mercy (see sidebar),
as well as the KWPN-approved stallion Opus One JDV (ds.
Cardento), who was premium awarded as a three-year-old at
the KWPN Stallion Show and is now being further developed
by French rider Christophe Grangier. Thanks to his promising
start as a sire and his own achievements, Cape Coral RBF Z was
approved by the KWPN earlier this year. “It’s great to see Cape
No Mercy, a star in the making
One of Cape Coral RBF Z’s standout offspring is the
KWPN-approved stallion No Mercy. Bred in 2018 by Hans
Vrijvogel from Den Bosch, this promising young stallion is
being developed by Tom Martens and has been stabled
with Vincent Voorn since he was three years old. As the
first son of Cape Coral RBF Z to receive KWPN approval,
No Mercy earned excellent marks as a three-year-old.
Following successful performances in stallion competitions
and young horse classes, he made his international debut
this past summer. At the international shows in Wuustwezel
and the WBFSH Studbooks Jumping Global Champions
Trophy in Valkenswaard, No Mercy delivered clear rounds
every time. His stellar performances helped earn him the
KWPN’s silver medal in the six-year-old category. According
to his rider, the stallion has an outstanding work ethic and
a dream to ride. Qualities that will take this rising star to
great heights.
24 | HX Stallions
HX Stallions | 25