French Saddle Horse (Selle Francais)
Origin
France
History
The development of the modern Selle Francais began early in the 19th century in the horse-raising districts of Normandy, where the local and rather common Norman mares were crossed with imported English Thoroughbreds, English half-bred stallions, and some very important Norfolk Roadster lines.
It was the active Anglo-Norman riding horse, influenced by Norfolk Roadster blood almost as much as by that of the Thoroughbred, that was the prototype for the Selle Francais. In fact, the Selle Francais stud book is a continuation of the old Anglo-Norman one.
The great Thoroughbred sires responsible for the present-day Selle Francais were notably Orange Peel, Lord Frey, and Ivanhoe. In the years after the Second World War the stallions Ultimate and Furioso were also important sires.
The Selle Francais remains today an amalgamation of breeds: 33 percent are now sired by Thoroughbreds; 20 percent by Anglo-Arabians; 45 percent by registered Selle Francais stallions, and 2 percent by French Trotters.
Description
- Head:
heavy, although elegant - Conformation:
-powerful build and musculature
-powerful shoulders
-broad quarters
-strong hocks
-straight and not so long shanks - Average height:
15.1 to 17 h.h. - Colours:
usually chestnut or bay and more rarely red roan or grey - Temperament:
of calm disposition with usually a good temper - Today:
the principal area of specialization is show jumping, although a lighter Selle Francais, carrying a lot of Thoroughbred blood, is bred specifically for racing under the old appellation AQPSA. Some of these horses may compete in horse trials through the sport of cross-country racing. Then there are the nonspecialized horses with a variety of uses such as riding schools, and general pleasure.
