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Gelderland

Origin
Holland

History
The Gelderland is a warmblood horse which originated in the sandy, mid-eastern province of the same name in Holland. The breeders began to develop the Gelderlander, using the common native mares as a base, a century ago. They wanted to produce a carriage horse with presence and good action, which could be used for light agricultural work as well as a heavy stamp of riding horse. A wide range of sires were used: Arabians from Egypt; Cleveland Bays, Roadsters, and half-breds from the UK; Oldenburgers; East Prussians from Poland; Anglo-Arabians, Nonius, and Furioso half-breds from Hungary; and a few Orlov and Orlov-Rastopchin Trotters from Russia. The best of the disparate progeny were interbred to obtain a fixed type. Later, more Oldenburgers and East Friesians were brought in, and in 1900 a Hackney was used to add sparkle. Since then there have also been some infusions of Anglo-Norman blood.
Gelderland horses have made a major contribution to the quality and style of the Dutch Warmblood and Dutch Tuigpaard, a showy carriage horse.

Description

  • Head:
    long and somewhat flat with a straight profile, large, expressive eye, and nicely set, mobile ears
  • Conformation:
    -well shaped and muscular neck, usually with an arch
    -full and deep chest
    -sloped and long shoulder
    -usually prominent and broad withers, merging into the line of the back
    -straight and long back
    -short and usually flat croup with a tail set high
    -muscular legs with a long forearm and strong, broad joints
    -broad and strong hooves
  • Average height:
    15.2 to 16 h.h.
  • Colours:
    chestnut (or occasionally grey), often with white markings on the legs and face
  • Temperament:
    it is said to be docile, but not without spirit, and has great stamina
  • Today:
    these horses are very successful in competition driving. They may still be used as weight-carrying riding horses and also possess talent as a show jumper.
2 comments
13/06/2009, 04:38
M.D.I,
Wonderful description of the Gelderland! I learned a lot from this page. Thank you so much for posting it! I enjoyed learning about the Gelderland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thank you!!

( from two different people!)


07/11/2009, 20:46
mathilde,
J'adore cette race et je trouve dommage qu'il n'existe aucun elevage en France. À force d'améliorer sans cesse les races pour les transformer en chevaux de sport on en oublie les races de chevaux originelles, c'est le cas du gelderland qui est beaucoup utilise pour produire le fameux kwpn mais qui n'est pas apprecie  sa juste valeur.
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