The Dutch
Warmblood is a "warmblood sport horse" breed. Warmblood simply distinguishes
this type of horse from the "cold bloods" (draft horses) and the "hot bloods"
(Thoroughbreds
and Arabs).
Sport horse refers to the intended use of the breed - as a competitive
and recreational horse for the major international equestrian disciplines
of dressage, jumping, 3-day event, and driving.
History of the Dutch Sport Horse
The modern Dutch Warmblood evolved from the two "native" Dutch
breeds - the Gelderlander
and the Groningen.
The Gelderlander,
which evolved on the light sandy soils of central Holland was a stylish
horse of medium stature, frequently chestnut with flashy white markings;
while the Groningen evolved
on the heavy clay soils of northern Holland into a larger and heavier horse,
frequently black.
In the heyday of coaching in the 19th century, horses were imported
to Europe from England - the Norfolk Trotter, the Yorkshire Coach, the
Cleveland
Bay, the Hackney
- to be crossed on the native mares, becoming the ancestors of the moden
sport horses of today's foremost horse-breeding countries and regions.
As horse use grew to include more farm work, the breeding goal changed.
The farm horses had to be all-round horses honest and tractable enough
for plowing, yet stylish enough for carriage use and for riding. As farm
mechanization progressed after World War II, the breeding goal was redirected
toward producing pleasure sport horses. During this process of ‘modernization’,
there was again considerable foreign influence from France, England ( Thoroughbreds),
and Germany (Holsteiners
and Trakehners).
Even today, the Dutch horses continue to be influenced by imported blood,
but the special qualities (temperament, adaptability and soundness) which
have made the Dutch Warmblood horse unique, continue to be treasured and
cultivated. Although the word "breed" denotes to most English speaking
horsemen a closed studbook (like that of the Arabians
and Thoroughbreds),
it has a different connotation in the European Warmblood breeding community.
Breed refers to the "breeding area" as much as to the strict purity of
the bloodlines. Each breeding area sets its own breeding goals and style
of administration which, despite shared background and bloodlines, gives
specific qualities and characteristics to its horses.
Today in Holland there are three distinct types of horses bred.
The most numerous and internationally important is the "Rijpaardtype"
or Riding Horse Type a distinctly modern, elegant sport horse bred for
athleticism, good character and soundness. International jumpers, dressage
horses, hunter and equitation show showhorses, combined driving, and vaulting horses are selected from this category.
In addition, there is the “Tuigpaardtype” or Show Driving Type
- an extravagant, stylish, high stepping carriage horse which is shown
rather like the American Fine Harness horse. These horses have mostly Gelderlander
blood, with an infusion of Hackney.
The third type is the "Basistype" or Basic type - a stylish all-round
horse reminiscent of the earlier Gelderlander,
useful for riding, driving, and farm work, and important for maintaining
the gene pool of the old Gelderlanders that is still used in the breeding
of the Riding and Show Driving types.
What is the modern Dutch horse?
It is a remarkable sport horse which has made a meteoric rise
to prominence in the international equestrian world in recent years. The
Who's Who of international superstars includes names like Calypso, Next
Milton, Big Ben, Ampere, Ommen, Zucarlos, Linky, Eastern Sunrise, Pascal,
Ideaal and many more.
The success of the Dutch horse is no accident. The same characteristics
and approach, which have made The Netherlands preeminent in agriculture
and commerce, have been applied to their goal to breed the best sport horse
in the world.
The Dutch breeding program and rigorous selection procedures coordinate
to realize this goal. The Dutch horse is selectively bred for good conformation,
good gaits, excellent character, performance ability, and soundness.
MHB's Breed Spotlight
The breed spotlight will change once a month. Since this is the first month, I chose Dutch Warmbloods, because that is the breed that I have the most interest in. But, starting soon, we'll be taking requests for the breed spotlight. Have a breed you'd like to see up on this page? Then EMAIL US!!!