Pleven

Geburtsland
Bulgaria

History
Development of this breed began in 1898 in Bulgaria, at the former state stud known as Klementina, near Pleven. They are Anglo-Arab in essence, having evolved as a result of crossing Arabian, or half-bred local mares with Russian Anglo-Arab and half-bred stallions. Later, Gidran Arabian stallions were also used.
The breed was officially recognized in 1951. Around this time, English Thoroughbred blood was introduced to add refinement, quality and size.
The breed is still selectively bred throughout Bulgaria and an effort is being made to increase their size, which would make it more attractive as an international sport horse.

Description

• Head:
  nicely proportioned head with a straight profile.
• Conformation:
  -neck, quite long, muscular with a good topline
  -chest, broad and deep
  -shoulders, well formed, nicely sloping
  -quarters, very muscular
  -croup, slightly sloping with a well-set tail
  -legs, mostly well-conformed, muscular, with good density of bone and well-made, large broad joints
  -feet and hooves, very hard and well-formed
• Average height:
  15.3 to 16 h.h.
• Colour:
  always chestnut
• Temperament:
  tough and enduring with a calm, obedient, and willing character
• Today:
  they make first-class riding and competition horses and have an excellent natural jump. They also have a particularly attractive way of going and very good, free-flowing paces, which makes them eminently suitable for dressage.