The Dutch Warmblood Studbook in North America
P.O. Box 0
Sutherlin, Oregon 97479
www.kwpn-na.org
The Dutch Warmblood is a modern sport horse derived from the selective breeding of German, French, and English horses crossed with native Dutch stock. Over the last two hundred years there have been frequent infusions of “foreign” blood—from France, Hanover, East Prussia, and England—as well as Arabian and Thoroughbred blood. The main Dutch breeds in the last century were the Gelderlander of Central Holland and the Groninger of Northern Holland. The Groninger was the same horse as the early German Oldenburg and similar to the present Danish Oldenburg.
Warmblood breeding in the Netherlands is over a century old, during which time the breeding objective has constantly adapted, with Dutch breeders producing what the market demands. In earlier days, there was a high demand for agricultural horses, but many farmers wanted to own a Sunday horse as well. This was a more noble type of horse that would move proudly and impressively and one that farmers could show off on their way to the market, church, or family visits. This competitive inclination was carefully preserved in Dutch breeding.
Annually about 12,000 foals are born in Holland, compared to about 60,000 in Germany, 5,000 in Sweden, and 14,000 in France, all of which are the major sport horse breeding countries. These horses supply the domestic market as well as being an important export product.
In a relatively short time, countless numbers of successful modernized Dutch sport horses have 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 winners under the flags of many different nations in Olympic Games and other international competitions.
The Dutch Warmblood is a well-proportioned, balanced horse with suppleness. Vey Martini
They consistently rank among the very top sport horse stud books in the world in jumper, dressage, and hunter classes. Some of the greatest, most successful Dutch Warmblood horses in North America are Roemer, Contango, Idocus, Ravel, Authentic, Judgement, and Hickstead.
Registry
The Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands (Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland, or KWPN) is the registry and studbook for the Dutch Warmblood Sport Horse. It has a history dating back to early in the nineteenth century and deals with all matters pertaining to Dutch horses. With the help of one of the greatest horsemen in the world, the late Gert van der Veen, the North American Department was established in 1983 and remains closely related to KWPN. Gert van der Veen, the former head inspector and director of the KWPN, provided a great deal of the focus and guidance for the North America Department.
Evaluations
One of the interesting things about the KWPN is that it has the strictest selection requirements of any of the warmblood studbooks. A rigorous selection system and continuous evaluation of breeding stock, along with high-tech research and use of a statistical records department, bring the latest developments in science and technology to bear on the improvement of Dutch horses. In addition, the long horse breeding history and agricultural heritage of the Dutch bring generations of nearly ingrained expertise to the production of top quality horses.
One of the most predictable and positive traits of the KWPN is that it will shift its breeding focus quickly and drastically if the evidence becomes clear that it is necessary. This gives guidance to breeders and allows them to trust in the breeding goals of the stud book.
The main tools in the ongoing evolution and improvement of the Dutch horse are the keurings, or inspections, which are held in the Netherlands and in North America every year. At these keurings, horses are evaluated and rewarded according to their quality and fulfillment of the breeding goal. This system includes rigorous selection and testing for breeding stallions—one of the most selective and thorough in the world.
“Predicates” are an integral part of the Dutch grading system. They represent an individual horse’s success in sport or in the keuring, which is the selection backbone of the success of the KWPN. Predicates include: ster, keur, preferent, IBOP (Instelling Bruikbaarheids Onderzoek Parrden, or loosely translated from Dutch as the Institution Usability Investigation Horses, i.e. testing performance talent of horses), elite, prestatie, sport, and crown. Each has its own meaning and merit.
Stud Book Requirements
There are two categories of stud book requirements, one for mares and one for stallions, and four distinct breeding categories.
Stallions: In the Dutch system, all stallions, regardless of discipline, are required to compete against other stallions at their level of training, especially in the first few years of their competition history. The finals of these competitions are held during the annual three-day Hengstenkeuring in Den Bosch, the Netherlands, during the first week of February. These competitions are judged by the same jury that originally approved the stallions, so that it can support the stallions continuing in the stud book. Additionally, the jury also must inspect the first foal crop, which includes three-year-olds at their stud book inspection, seven-year-olds in sport, and eleven-year-olds in sport. If a stallion is seen to contribute poorly to the breeding population—that is not producing successful sport horses at the appropriate ages—and/or does not compete well enough himself, he might lose his approval and be removed from the breeding population.
The system consists of three rounds of evaluations and a performance test. It begins with seven hundred to eight hundred stallion candidates that are evaluated on their pedigree, conformation, and free movement and/or free jumping. Out of those, about sixty to seventy coming three-year-olds are allowed to go on to the stallion performance test. At the end of this testing, perhaps only twenty to twenty-eight are eventually approved each year.
All of the stallions that pass the first round of testing must pass radiographic, endoscopic, and semen evaluations before they are allowed to go on to the second round. So when breeding to an approved stallion, not only he, but also all of the stallions in his pedigree have had clean x-rays, clean endoscopies, and good quality semen.
Mares: Mares in the Netherlands and the United States are also evaluated according to their quality and performance. Predicates show their status within the system.
Unlike some warmblood registries, KWPN horses are not branded as foals based on the fact that they are registered. KWPN horses may be branded upon acceptance into the stud book at age three or older. To be accepted into the stud book, they are evaluated on conformation and free movement or free jumping. At this time, a linear score sheet comprising between twenty-eight and thirty-six conformation and movement characteristics is filled out for each horse.
Breed categories: The changes to the breed over the generations have reflected the needs of the times, from carriage horse and warhorse, to farm horse, transportation, and recreation. KWPN horses are split into four distinct breeding types: Dressage, Jumper, Harness (Tuigpaard), and Gelders.
By separating the stud book into types, the fastest and most efficient progress can be made toward the breeding goal. The concept is that, with a specialized selection process, there will be faster positive results in the population.
Riding Types
The riding horses, comprising Dressage and Jumper types, are by far the largest group. Riding horses are bred to excel in the disciplines of dressage and jumping, although they are frequently seen in other disciplines, such as combined driving. In North America, there is also a third type of riding horse: the Hunter. A breeding goal has been formulated for each breeding direction.
The more natural ability produced in the riding types, the greater the eventual results may be in sporting competitions. This is important because the lift inherent in the hind legs of KWPN riding horses is greatly appreciated and is genetically produced in breeding programs.
Breeding goal for Dressage horses: The breeding goal is to produce a Dressage horse that can perform at Grand Prix level and also possesses a healthy constitution, functional conformation, correct movement mechanism, a correct base, and a preferably attractive exterior.
To reach this goal, the Dressage horse should be long lined and have a correct model with balanced proportions. The horse should move correctly and be light footed, balanced, and supple with carrying power, impulsion, and good self-carriage. The Dressage horse should be easy to handle and ride, be intelligent, and have a willing and hard working character.
Breeding goal for Jumper horses: This is the same as for the Dressage horse, except that the Jumper horse has courage, jumps with quick reflexes, is careful, has good technique, and has a great deal of scope. A good Jumper snaps its hind leg under its body and lifts its withers, while naturally and automatically transferring the weight to its hind end and lifting the rider.
Breeding goal for Hunter horses: The breeding goal aims for a Hunter that is the same as the Dressage and Jumper horses, except that it can perform at the highest levels of hunter competition and has charm. The Hunter has a long, flowing stride that smoothly covers ground in a steady rhythm with little knee or hock action. It jumps with a beautiful rounded bascule and has a calm/brave character.
Harness Horse
The KWPN Harness horse, or Tuigpaard, is currently experiencing great popularity. It is uniquely bred to perform in driving competitions and harness classes. The Harness horse is almost a separate breed; its breeding stock is sometimes mixed with the Gelders horse, but generally not with any of the riding types. Some Hackney blood had been added at some point in its history to enhance hardiness and nobility.
In combination with its proud, high carriage, the Harness horse displays flashy, powerful movement with a long moment of suspension in the trot, broad foreleg movement with high knee action, and powerful carrying ability. It is generally harnessed in front of a light show carriage in order to demonstrate its spectacular trot. Ideally, it should bring the hindquarters under, which causes the front to rise and makes the horse appear progressively taller. It should carry most of its weight behind, generating forward and upward power from its hindquarters in order to display its remarkable front action. The horse lifts the foreleg high from the shoulder and then places it well forward. The ideal action combines a long moment of suspension, good balance, rhythm, and fine coordination between fore and hindquarters with the lifted front—an unforgettable sight!
Belgian Warmbloods have attractive heads with long, muscular, high-set necks. Vey Martini
Breeding goal for Harness horses: This is the same as the Dressage horse, except it can perform in the highest levels of harness sport. The Harness horse should have good suspension in the trot with a foreleg that moves out well with high knee action, and a hind leg that steps under powerfully. The horse should also have proud self carriage with a long vertical neck.
Gelders Type
The Gelders horse is an elegant horse originating in the province Gelderland. Gelders bloodlines remain pure, as no foreign blood is allowed, and is therefore the smallest division within the KWPN horse. The Gelders horse has a rich front, plenty of bone and body, and impressive, proud movements displaying great power and action from behind. It is a versatile performer, both in harness and under saddle, and is characterized by its enthusiastic show performance and willing temperament.
Breeding goal for Gelders horses: The breeding goal is to produce a Gelders horse that can be used for multiple purposes. The Gelders horse distinguishes itself both in harness and under saddle with its happy appearance and reliable, willing character. It should be suitable for use under saddle and in harness. It has an elegant build with substance, self carriage, and sufficiently developed legs providing big gaits. It has light knee action in the foreleg, and power and carrying ability from behind.
General Breeding Goal
The general KWPN Breeding Goal is to produce a performance horse that:
• can perform at Grand Prix level
• has a constitution that enables lasting usefulness
• has a character and will to perform, as well as being agreeable and good natured toward people
• has functional conformation and a correct movement mechanism that will enable good performance
• has an attractive exterior that is related to refinement, nobility, and quality
Registry Criteria
The selection of stallions is not only based on pedigree, but also on jumping and dressage talent for riding horses, harness talent for Harness horses, and any of these abilities for Gelders horses. The stallions must also have a good character, good semen quality, and good health and durability.
Stud book, foal book, and Register A mares, geldings, and stallions are eligible for stud book inspection at age three or older. Register A mares and geldings are usually by a sire that is approved with an outside stud book on a par with the KWPN with regard to breeding goals and worldwide performance. They must also complete those requirements not met by the sire (radiographs, endoscopy, and/or performance). Upon successful presentation, mares and stallions are accepted into the stud book, but geldings remain in or move to the foal book, since they are not used for breeding.
After a successful stud book inspection, mares and geldings receive new updated registration papers and may be branded on the left haunch with the traditional Dutch lion brand. Stallions may be branded if they are of star quality or better. Although horses have not been branded in the Netherlands since 2000 due to European regulations, those entering the stud book in North America may still be branded.
Horses that are 100 percent Thoroughbred, Anglo-Arab, Hackney, or American Saddlebred have no KWPN registration possibilities.
Stallion and mare DNA must be available for parentage verification. Names have to coincide with the year of birth. For instance in 2008, all registered names began with the letter “D,” and in 2009 they start with the letter “E.”
Standards
• Conformation: stands in rectangular model; is long lined with a proportional build; has an uphill build; has long legs; has a light head/neck connection; has a long neck that is raised and arched, with muscling in the topline; has a strongly built and strongly muscled back/loin formation; has a correct and hard foundation; and is attractive
• Movement: walk—a pure four-time gait that is active and has suppleness and impulsion; trot—a pure two-time gait that is active and has suppleness and impulsion, balance and self-carriage; canter—a pure three-time gait that is active, light with suppleness, impulsion, balance, and self-carriage; horse can lengthen and shorten easily in the canter movement, without losing rhythm, tact, balance, or self carriage; rises in the front (Dressage); has good posture; is light footed; shows flexion in the joints, engagement of the hindquarters, and freedom from the shoulder with a slight lift of the knee; should be obedient, alert, responsive, and move freely; pace should remain the same throughout the course
• Jumping: canter—light and balanced without making much front; remains more horizontal in the body; collects strongly during the last canter stride before the jump and places the hind leg far forward under the body in order to get a powerful takeoff; leaves the ground quickly with power; jumps with an upward wither with the highest point over the middle of the jump; brings the underarm above the horizontal and folds the cannon under the underarm
• Bascule: brings the neck down during the jump, with the rump following the direction of the neck, and opens the hindquarter
• Athletic ability: is supple and can develop forward motion over the jump, lands lightly, and canters off easily; is careful, efficient, and has much scope
• Hunter jumping: jumps with front legs folded high and evenly; head and neck should stretch out and down to insure a well-balanced jump; body and legs stay straight so the horse stays in the middle of the jump; leaves the ground smoothly; should clear each jump confidently, easily, and in good style; lands lightly and canters off smoothly; has a calm steady rhythm
• Character: willing, hardworking, and honest character; has the will to perform; is easy to handle; reacts quickly to the aids; has courage (Jumping); is intelligent; looks at and evaluates the jump (Jumping); has a calm, brave temperament (Hunter)
Credit: Scot Tolman and the Dutch Warmblood Studbook in North America