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East Coast Sport Horses, LLC is proud to further the
breed of the Dutch Warmblood through our breeding program where our
focus is the breeding of strength, speed and discipline into a
generation of future Sport Horses. Click here
to visit our Sales page and view those presently have available for
sale. We hope the following information provides you an
understanding of the breed. Photos on this page are foals, mares and
stallions from our
facility.
Profile, description and history of the Dutch
Warmblood Horse
The Dutch Warmblood is a fairly
modern breed that was derived from two native Dutch Breeds -- the Gelderlander and the Groningen. The breeders intended to combine the
best characteristics of each breed and then the resulting offspring were
further refined with the introduction of Thoroughbred blood. This
resulted in athletic horses, with good sloping shoulders, giving them a
flatter and longer action, as well as longer necks and shorter backs
than the native Dutch breeds. The addition of thoroughbred blood also
improved the Dutch horses' scope and stamina. Dutch farmers earned
their living with horses, so strict breeding practices have long been
used. Other related Warmbloods, such as the Oldenberger and the
Hanoverian, were used to clarify some minor conformation details and to
emphasize the desirable calm temperament.
As with most Warmbloods, the
Dutch Warmblood continues to evolve. Today, the KWPN recognizes three
different categories of Dutch Warmblood horse -- the harness horse, the
Gelderland type and the athletic sport horse type which is the one ECSH
specializes in. These horses are high achievers, but achievements are
not permitted to overshadow the good conformation, beauty or charm that
have made the Dutch horses famous. In a relatively short time the
modernized Dutch sport horse has rocketed to international competitive
importance. Dutch Warmblood horses, famous for their character,
soundness and athletic ability, are exported to all corners of the
globe, and are international winners under the flags of many different
nations in international competitions and Olympic Games.
Dutch
Warmbloods are bred to perform in dressage and show jumping at the
highest level. These horses are appealing modern horses, with great
eagerness, reliability and intelligence. The sport horse is bred to
excel in dressage and jumping with a proud, high head carriage and high
knee action.
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 Arabians). 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, three-day
event and driving.
Most Warmblood breeds are
continuing to evolve. In fact, they are not "breeds" in the sense that
Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Morgans and Saddlebreds are breeds. They do not
have closed studbooks. Other breeds are often introduced to the gene
pool to reap the benefits of hybrid vigor, and to speed and improve the
evolutionary process of attaining the "Breeding Goal" of the particular
studbook. The Dutch Warmblood is no exception.
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Dutch Warmblood horses average
about 16.2 hands with some reaching 17 hands. Coat colors are chestnut,
bay, black or gray with white markings often on the face and legs. The
head is well shaped, usually with a straight profile, and the neck is
arched and well muscled, merging neatly into the withers, which are
fairly prominent. The back is straight and fairly long, with the croup
short, broad and flat. The tail is set high. The chest of this horse is
deep and full and the shoulder is well sloped. The legs are strong with
a long forearm. Hind quarters are powerful and highly muscled, a
characteristic inherited from the original and powerful farm horses of
the Netherlands and a feature necessary for strong movements. These
factors combine to give great power to the "engine" of the Dutch
Warmblood.
The Dutch Warmblood is a very
versatile horse. It excels in top level competition, dressage,
show-jumping, eventing and even carriage driving. The calm, even
temperament makes them easy to work with and they are willing to turn a
hoof, so to speak, to just about anything. If you scan the leader
boards at any national or international competition, you are sure to
find Dutch Warmbloods on the list.
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A rigorous selection system and
continuous evaluation of breeding stock, as well as a high-tech
research, statistical and records department bring the latest
developments in science and technology to bear on the improvement of the
Dutch Warmblood. In addition, the long horse-breeding history and
agricultural heritage of the Dutch, bring generations of nearly inborn
expertise to the production of top quality Dutch horses.
The main tools in the ongoing
evolution and improvement of the Dutch Warmblood are the Keurings, or
inspections, which are held in the Netherlands and in North America
every year, at which horses are evaluated and rewarded according to
their quality and fulfillment of the Breeding Goal. Unlike some
Warmblood registries, Dutch horses are not branded as foals based on the
fact that they are "registered." Instead, in order to be branded with
the proud Dutch lion, they must be presented for Studbook Inspection at
the age of three or older. If they are of sufficient quality they are
inscribed in the Studbook, and can be branded. Some of ECHSA's
youngsters are out of a branded mare, Erette who is by Oldenburg/by
Ashailla. The latter is a foundation of the Dutch Warmblood.
The selection system includes a
testing system for breeding stallions, one of the most selective and
rigorous in the world. Dutch Warmblood stallions, even after being
admitted to the studbook, must undergo a reevaluation each year to
assess whether each one fits the picture of the continually developing
breed. Only stallions demonstrating a decidedly positive effect on the
breeding of the Dutch Warmblood come under consideration for the
classification keur (choice). The highest
classification is preferent (preferred),
an honor awarded to famous stallions such as Amor, Doruto, Joost, Lucky
Boy and Nimmerdor. ECSH continues Nimmerdor's
and Consul's lineage through our offspring which may be found on
our "Sales" page.
Mares are also designated
according to their contributions to the breed. The special predicates
for mares include star for mares of especially good quality,
keur for star mares who have produced a
foal and that have demonstrated their ability in jumping and dressage in
a performance test. Preferent is awarded for mares who have
produced at least three foals considered superior in both conformation
and gaits. A mare is awarded the honor of prestatie if three of
her progeny are also top performers. ECSH's "Erette" is an approved, branded, star Mare. Many horses at ECSH have "keur"
in their lineage.
You will see many of these
classifications and predicates in the lineage of many ECSH horses.
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The Royal Warmblood Studbook of
the Netherlands (KWPN, Koninklijke Vereniging Warmbloed Paardenstamboek
Nederland) is the registry and studbook for Dutch Warmblood Sport
Horses, and has a history dating back to early in the last century. It
deals with breeding goals and rules, inspection and evaluation,
promotion, research and administrative matters for breeders of Dutch
horses. Dutch horse breeders have been united for more than 100 years.
King Willem III recognized the first studbook organization in 1887 and
so laid the basis for regulated warmblood horse breeding in the
Netherlands. The KWPN studbook originated in 1969 from a combination of
various regional books and was granted the royal title (K) in 1988 by
Queen Beatrix.
The North American Department,
Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands was established in 1983 to
promote the breeding and enjoyment of the Dutch Warmblood Horse in North
America. NA/WPN stands for
"North American Department, Royal Warmblood Studbook of the
Netherlands", now known as "The Dutch Warmblood Studbook in North
America".The NA/WPN has been
charged with two major responsibilities, first to preserve, promote and
develop the Dutch Warmblood horse to the highest possible standard in
North America, and second, to serve its subscribers and breeders through
a continuing program of services. In 1997, the name of the NA/WPN was
"Americanized" to The Dutch Warmblood Studbook in North America.
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For More
Information about the Dutch Warmblood check out:
KWPN
(Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands)
Postbus 382
3700 AJ, Zeist, Holland
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Pedigrees can be important when
breeding for strength, speed and discipline. The ECSH lineage includes:
E'Sop's Fable, by Le Mexico is
a 17hh Dutch Warmblood who tied for the 1994 GTE High Jump record of
6'6" with a 5' spread at Huntington Beach.
Le Mexico was one of many
Selle Français stallions who were exported from France to become a
foundation sire in the Dutch Warmblood breed.
Consul, by Nimmerdor,
sired Judgment ISF and is
ranked one of the top stallions in the overall standings for sires of
jumpers competing in the United States. His progeny have earned more
money than any other sire of show jumpers standing in the United States,
putting Consul first in line for USA Equestrian’s South Pacific Memorial
Award.
Nimmerdor was been named
the leading producer of Jumpers in Holland as well as being high on the
index for producing Dressage horses.
Arthos, by Orthos, is a
17hh Warmblood who was in the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, where he received
8th place Team Jumping Medal. He was also the winner
of numerous Show Jumping Grand Prix spanning a 10-year career in the
ring!
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IJF
stands for "International Jumper Futurity". The mission of IJF is to
promote the breeding of sport horses in the United States who will be
competitive with their European counterparts. Toward that end, breeders,
owners, trainers and riders are recognized and financially rewarded.
Ultimately the international sport horse breeding industry and the sport
of show jumping in America will be improved.
IHF stands for
International Hunter Futurity.
The International Hunter Futurity, a
competition for young hunters, has emerged as a method of promoting the
hunter to a position of prominence in the world of horse sports.
A stallion's nominated status will attract more mare owners as mares
booked to this stallion will produce foals which are eligible to compete
in this lucrative program.
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Note: Images and logos on
this site are the copyright of East Coast Equestrian Training Center, Inc. and
East Coast Sport Horses, LLC.
Any reproduction of photographs,
images or logos on this site for public or commercial use is strictly prohibited
without prior written permission from
Dutch Warmblood horses average
about 16.2 hands with some reaching 17 hands. Coat colors are chestnut,
bay, black or gray with white markings often on the face and legs. The
head is well shaped, usually with a straight profile, and the neck is
arched and well muscled, merging neatly into the withers, which are
fairly prominent. The back is straight and fairly long, with the croup
short, broad and flat. The tail is set high. The chest of this horse is
deep and full and the shoulder is well sloped. The legs are strong with
a long forearm. Hind quarters are powerful and highly muscled, a
characteristic inherited from the original and powerful farm horses of
the Netherlands and a feature necessary for strong movements. These
factors combine to give great power to the "engine" of the Dutch
Warmblood.
IJF
stands for "International Jumper Futurity". The mission of IJF is to
promote the breeding of sport horses in the United States who will be
competitive with their European counterparts. Toward that end, breeders,
owners, trainers and riders are recognized and financially rewarded.
Ultimately the international sport horse breeding industry and the sport
of show jumping in America will be improved.
"International
Hunter Futurity"
