The sire is KWPN-approved Proud James (Jameson RS2 x Johnson), one of the most exciting young dressage stallions of his generation. He combines an elegant, modern type with exceptional movement, natural balance and outstanding rideability.
In 2024, Proud James won the four-year-old class at the World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses. Just one year later, he claimed the ultimate title. Ridden by Mette Sejbjerg Jensen, Proud James was crowned World Champion of the five-year-old dressage horses in 2025. In the final, he achieved an impressive overall score of 90.6%, including 9.3 for trot, 9.0 for canter, 9.2 for rideability and harmony, and an outstanding 9.5 for perspective.
His exceptional talent had already been recognised during the KWPN Performance Test. Proud James was approved in 2023 with an outstanding total of 91 points. He received scores of 9 across almost every category, while his natural self-carriage and balance earned him a perfect 10. His rideability, willingness to work and excellent attitude were also highly praised.
Proud James has continued to attract attention in 2026. At the beginning of the year, he was ridden and presented at stallion shows by Isabell Werth. In May, British Grand Prix rider Annabella Pidgley acquired a 50% share in the stallion and has since taken over the reins. The focus is now on developing Proud James further towards Grand Prix level.
Proud James is from the first crop of Jameson RS2 (by Zack), himself a winner of the KWPN Performance Test and Pavo Cup, as well as a two-time winner of the KWPN Stallion Competition. Jameson RS2 later went on to compete successfully at international Small Tour level and has already produced several approved sons.
His dam Cyraniek (by Johnson) is an Elite, PROK-approved mare who also produced the KWPN-approved stallion W-Horseland Inverness (by Everdale), an international Small Tour winner. The dam line has produced several other Grand Prix horses and approved stallions, including Beukenvallei's Iconic B and Up Seven.
Damsire Johnson ranks among the most influential dressage sires of his generation. With Hans Peter Minderhoud, he enjoyed a successful international Grand Prix career, winning team gold and individual bronze at the European Championships in Aachen and representing the Netherlands at the Olympic Games in Rio. In 2022, Johnson topped the WBFSH ranking of the world's leading dressage sires.
Proud James' first offspring are now starting to make their mark as well. They are characterised by their modern type, expressive movement and attractive presence. In October 2026, a son of Proud James out of a Springbank II dam was selected for the Oldenburg Main Licensing in Vechta.
These early results are an exciting indication of Proud James' potential as a sire. With his exceptional movement, outstanding rideability and proven dressage pedigree, he appears to be passing many of the qualities that have made him so successful on to the next generation.