The Oldenburg
OverviewCountry of Origin: Germany
Date Founded: 1600s The Oldenburg is known for being among the best sport horses in the world. The goal of the breed is to produce refined, correct, high-performance sport horses that have ground covering, elastic movement suitable for all types of sport purposes. HistoryThe Oldenburg breed originated from the north-western corner of Lower Saxony. The breed originated from the efforts of Graf Johann XVI von Oldenburg (1573 - 1603) who combined local Friesian work horses with Fredericksborg, Turkish, Neapolitan, and Andalusian horses to produce war horses. His successor, Graf Anton Gunther von Oldenburg (1603 - 1667), further developed the breed by traveling extensively thorughout Europe to bring back elegant and desirable stallions from Naples, Spain, Poland, England, Tartary and Barbary. He also made his stallions available to his tenants and other commoners. Eventually the Oldenburg came into high demand as a elegant riding horse and tall, attractive carriage horses. Thoughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the introduction of Thoroughbred blood led to refinement of the breed. Since the 1970s, the introduction of other warmblood breeds such as the Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Westphalian, Trakehner, Dutch Warmblood, and Selle Francais have led to further modernization of the breed.
Three central events led to the official creation of the Oldenburg breed: the first state decreed stallion licensing in 1820, the introduction of a stud book in 1861, and finally the foundation of two horse breeding societies due to a law on breeding horses enacted on April 9, 1897. Later the two societies merged in 1923 to become Verband der Züchter des Oldenburger Pferdes e.V. that exists today. |
Sir Donnerhall - Oldenburg Stallion
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Breed Characteristics
The Oldenburg is known for producing modern riding horses with expressive heads and long legs, fitting the model of a sport horse that is generally built uphill with a reasonably long neck and a long, moderately sloped pelvis. Oldenburgs have expressive, elastic gaits with a great deal of suspension. Even dressage-bred Oldenburgs show jumping talent over fences.
The ideal Oldenburg stands 16 to 17.2 hands. Most Oldenburgs are black, brown, bay, chestnut, or grey, however the Oldenburg has been very liberal about unusually colored warmbloods, with no fewer than 8 tobiano stallions included in the stallion roster.
The ideal Oldenburg stands 16 to 17.2 hands. Most Oldenburgs are black, brown, bay, chestnut, or grey, however the Oldenburg has been very liberal about unusually colored warmbloods, with no fewer than 8 tobiano stallions included in the stallion roster.
Naming Convention
Colts are to be named by the first letter of the sire's name.
Fillies intended for breeding should be named by the first letter of the dam's name.
Fillies bred for performance can be named either by the first letter of the dam's name OR the first letter of the sire's name.
Fillies intended for breeding should be named by the first letter of the dam's name.
Fillies bred for performance can be named either by the first letter of the dam's name OR the first letter of the sire's name.
Breed Uses
The Oldenburg is suitable for show jumping, show hunter, and is especially successful in dressage. They are also suitable for driving and eventing.