|
Danish Warmblood |
|
|
Danish Warmblood |
This European competition horse is one of recent selective breeding, its stud book started in the 1960s. The new national sports horse of Denmark was developed in a controlled temperate climate. Danish breeders have established a superior quality competition horse with a greater versatility than many European breeds in a relatively short time span. It is one of the best examples of a modern sports horse in Europe today, retaining an excellent temperament and still possessing spirit and courage.
Denmark has a history of breeding horses. Fourteenth century Cistercian monks bred Spanish horses with north German mares in Holstein, which was a Danish Duchy until 1864. Famous for breeding horses prior to World War II, Danish breeders had to rely on imported stock for equestrian mounts. Late in coming to competitive equestrian sports, the Danes founded a National Equestrian Federation in 1918. This national riding horse, whose stud book opened in the 1960s, was first known as the Danish Sports Horse. Two breed societies began in the 1960s to lay the foundations for a national breed, later joining as one, and today known as the Danish Warmblood. Without government assistance common in most European countries, the Danes developed the Warmblood through private initiative and good foundation stock from Germany, Sweden and Britain.
One of the breeds the early Danish breeders produced was the Frederiksborg, the base stock for the Danish Warmblood. The Frederiksborg is a showy carriage and riding horse with some elegance. Used as an upgrading influence, the Thoroughbred improved the breed's speed, quality, and action. Locally bred mares, mostly of Frederiksborg-Thoroughbred stock, were used as a foundation. They were successively bred to Anglo-Norman, Thoroughbred and Trakehner stallions. The resulting mix of horses was subsequently adjusted to produce sound horses, relatively fixed in type, with excellent conformation, scope and galloping abilities. Polish horses, as those generally known as Malapolski and Wielkopolski, were also used in the development of the Danish Warmblood. There is a notable lack of Hanoverian influence which is common in many other European sports and competition horse. These horses are noted for their generous, tractable temperaments and athletic movement.
As a result of strict breeding methods imposed, Denmark became the foremost producer of sports horses by the 1980s. This reversed the country's status from importer to exporter with breeders producing great champions. The 1979 European Three-Day Event Champion and 1980 substitute Olympic Champion was Monaco, a Danish Warmblood. Another famous Danish Warmblood is Narzog, who was the 1983 European Dressage Champion and the 1984 Olympic silver medalist.
It is interesting to note the influences of German warmbloods in creating new competition breeds in Europe. The Trakehner's influence was important to the Danish Warmblood because of its fixed type, correct conformation, and proven ability. However, the Hanoverian, which has been used to improve many og the other European breeds, is lacking in the Danish Warmblood lines. This may account for the Danish Warmblood's distinctive character when comparing it with other European warmbloods. As with all warmbloods, a variety of types are registered in the studbook, but carry the overall distinctive characteristics of the breed.
The Danish Warmblood stands from 15.3 to 17 hands averaging about 16.2 hands high. Its coat colors are all solid, bay being the most common, with some white markings on the face and socks. It has a top-class head with a near-Thoroughbred profile, and has a bold, kind and intelligent expression, showing common sense and the overall effect is that of great beauty. There is no fleshiness in the jowl area, Its throat clean, and its neck's topline shows an impressive length of rein. One feature of this beautifully proportioned horse is its well-made, nicely sloped shoulders. The withers are well-placed and prominent, blending into the slope of this breed's riding shoulder to ensure the best possible placement for the saddle. His limbs are powerful, with big, well- defined joints, and ample bone to carry the body weight of the horse and that of his rider. It has excellent legs with long, muscular forearms and broad, flat knees. Its hoof shape and corresponding pastern slope is conformationally correct. The Danish Warmblood has a pleasing outline displaying all the desirable attributes of a competition horse. It excels in dressage, and, since it is naturally balanced, it is excellent as a cross country performer.
The best of the breed show a characteristic Thoroughbred outline combined with strength, substance, and good legs. Courageous and spirited, this warmblood has an excellent temperament with good, free action. It is excellent as a dressage horse and is a first-class performer in cross country. The Danish Warmblood is primarily used under saddle and has proven its abilities as a top-class competition horse.
For more information, visit:
|
© 1997-2018 NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 3/3/2018 |
|
| ||
|
|||||
