Over the last few years, the popularity of Warmbloods has mushroomed. These horses are being seen more frequently, especially in Grand Prix and Olympic quality events. Though the term warmblood is used in a very generic sense, there are actually several breeds of these horses, and each single breed has its own particular competitive edge.
Among riding horses around the world, the Hanoverian occupies a top position on the list of the most preferred breeds. This breed was essentially inspired by England’s King George II, who also ruled Hanover. He ordered Lower Saxony’s Celle Stud in 1735 to begin breeding a coach horse that will be appropriate for farming, too. The Hanoverian was born due to this order. The breed got absorbed into the military sometime in the later 1/2 the 19th century. This horse was generally utilized in the 1st World War. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the Hanoverian was crossed with Thoroughbreds to hone up its competitive instincts. This cross-breeding ended in horses that were powerful and extraordinarily springy and light of movement. These days the Hanoverian is most often seen at dressage events, cross-country events, show jumping and eventing.
The Selle Francais breed boasts of a few trotting bloodlines, and yet frequently outperforms the larger part of the competition at Grand Prix events and show jumping of Olympic class. The Selle Francais was the result of post-World War II cross breeding involving Trotter-Thoroughbred crosses and some lighter breeds from France. This breed received official recognition in 1958. In looks, it looks like big-boned Thoroughbreds. It has achieved gigantic success at competitions at the international level. It has become a super star at several disciplines, too. I have heard this breed spoken of as the very apex of everything a sport horse must be. The Selle Francois is a bold, powerful horse. Even though it excels at most equestrian disciplines, it is outstanding at show jumping.
The history of the Trakehner has 2 forks. This breed traces its origin to 1732 when Prussia’s Frederich Wilhelm I’s best studs were brought together for the express reason of producing a new super sort of cavalry horse. The mix included Thoroughbreds, Arabians and Prussians. By 1940, Trakehners had grown to a population of approximately 80,000. The history of this breed is decorated with an entire collection of gold medals from world-wide Olympic events. This breed is thought of as a premium one for dressage and three-day eventing.
The other branch of the Trakehner tree had to do with the Red Army of 1945, when East Prussia had been attached. Plenty of the army’s horses perished. At the conclusion of hostilities, just about 800 horses from the breed’s foundation stock were left. They were led across the frozen Baltic Sea to Western Germany. Only a 100 of them made it. More of this breed was distributed all over Europe, and more efforts were made to bring them all together. These efforts led to the saving of about another 1000 of them. The breed was rehabilated slowly over the 10 years that followed. The Trakehner is today considered one of the best of Warmbloods. Stallions are put through comprehensive tests and evaluation sessions to gain entry into stud books. This breed is among the world’s toughest. It is exceptional at show jumping and dressage.
If you go out hunting for an eventing horse, confine your search to Warmbloods. You can’t do better.
Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers click here
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