The Belgian Warmblood
The Belgian Warmblood has been carefully developed over the past 50 years. The resulting modern Belgian Warmblood is an ideal riding and competition sport horse of international quality. The Belgian’s primary strength has been in showjumping and eventing, however they are becoming regulars in the dressage arena as well.
Overview
Country of Origin: Belgium
Primary Discipline: Showjumping Date Founded: 1955 |
History
The Belgian Warmblood is a relatively new breed. The Belgisch Warmbloed Paard (BWP), or Belgian Warmblood Studbook, was founded in 1955. Although breeders in the Netherlands, Germany, and France had been producing saddle horses for hundreds of years, Belgians were not allowed to breed lighter saddle horses until the 1950s due to concern about protecting the Brabant (Belgian draft horse) bloodlines.
Because there were no native riding horses or heavy warmbloods to create foundation stock for the Belgian Warmblood, Belgian breeders relied on importing stallions and mares. The foundation stock of the Belgian Warmblood included jumping horses from France (Selle Francais) and the Netherlands (KWPN), as well as Hanoverians and Holsteiners from Germany.
Because there were no native riding horses or heavy warmbloods to create foundation stock for the Belgian Warmblood, Belgian breeders relied on importing stallions and mares. The foundation stock of the Belgian Warmblood included jumping horses from France (Selle Francais) and the Netherlands (KWPN), as well as Hanoverians and Holsteiners from Germany.
Breed Characteristics
The ideal size for a Belgian Warmblood stallion is 16-17 hands, and mares must be at least 15.1 hands to have breeding privileges. Belgian Warmbloods appear similar to the Holsteiner, Selle Francais, KWPN, and Hanoverian.
The BWP does not have regulations regarding coat color; however the most common coat colors are chestnut, bay, black, and grey. The tobiano pattern is present in the Belgian Warmblood, though it is very uncommon.
The BWP does not have regulations regarding coat color; however the most common coat colors are chestnut, bay, black, and grey. The tobiano pattern is present in the Belgian Warmblood, though it is very uncommon.
Breed Uses
The BWP’s slogan is “Bred to perform.” Belgians are best known for their jumping abilities. Olympic show jumpers bearing the BWP brand include Big Ben (1984), Darco (1992), Egano (1992), Just De Pomme (1992), Joli Couer (1996), and Sapphire (2004, 2008).
Despite the fact that the BWP’s studbook is one of the smallest, the Belgian Warmblood is extremely competitive with other European and German studbooks in terms of jumping ability. The Belgian Warmblood ranks 4th in the FEI WBFSH World Ranking List for Jumping Studbooks; ranked behind only the KWPN, Selle Francais, and the Holsteiner.
The Belgian Warmblood is also competitive in eventing, dressage, and show hunters
Despite the fact that the BWP’s studbook is one of the smallest, the Belgian Warmblood is extremely competitive with other European and German studbooks in terms of jumping ability. The Belgian Warmblood ranks 4th in the FEI WBFSH World Ranking List for Jumping Studbooks; ranked behind only the KWPN, Selle Francais, and the Holsteiner.
The Belgian Warmblood is also competitive in eventing, dressage, and show hunters
Naming Convention
Foals are named with the same letter according to year, as listed below:
1994 - R 1995 - S 1996 - T 1997 - U 1998 - V 1999 - W 2000 - A 2001 - B 2002 - C 2003 - D 2004 - E 2005 - F 2006 - G 2007 - H 2008 - I 2009 - J 2010 - K 2011 - L 2012 - M 2013 - N 2014 - O 2015 - P 2016 - Q 2017 - R 2018 - S |
Breed Approval Process
In order to be registered, foals must be
sired by a BWP Approved stallion and out of a dam in either the main or
auxiliary studbook of the BWP. Foals may also be registered with the
BWP if they are sired by an approved stallion of the following European
studbooks: Hanoverian, Oldenburg, Dutch, Selle Francais, or certain
other recognized studbooks (not listed), as long as the stallion has
completed his performance requirements and undergone blood or DNA
typing.
Mares entered into the main studbook are of a recognized sport horse breed, including, but not limited to most other European Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, and Arabs. All mares must be over 15.1 hands to be eligible for inspections and inclusion into the studbook. Mares are evaluated on their movement, elasticity, conformation, and general impression. Stallions registered in certain European Warmblood foalbooks are eligible for inspection by the BWP. They must be 3 years old or older, by approved stallions from a recognized European Warmblood association and out of main studbook dams. In summary, the BWP utilizes a fairly “wide open” breeding policy in order to utilize the best jumping blood to be found. The Belgian Warmblood is characterized not by uniformity of coat color, appearance, or pedigree, but by uniformity of purpose. Any stallion or mare shown to consistently produce foals of unacceptable quality may have their license or breeding status revoked. |