| Warmbloods have gained enormous popularity in the | | | | should be." The breed is strong and bold. They excel |
| past few years. More and more of these horses are | | | | at all equestrian sports and disciplines with exceptional |
| being seen in competition, especially in Grand Prix and | | | | talent in show jumping. |
| Olympic quality competition. This type of horse is often | | | | The Trakehner has two histories associated with the |
| referred to under the broad term of "warmblood," but | | | | breed. The breed began in 1732 when the finest |
| there are actually several breeds of Warmbloods and | | | | horses at the stud of Frederich Wilhelm I of Prussia |
| each offer their own bit of edge in competition | | | | were gathered to produce a new breed of cavalry |
| The Hanoverian is one of the most prominent riding | | | | horses. Arabians, Prussian horses and Thoroughbreds |
| horses in the world. The breed was originally the | | | | were bred and by 1940 there were approximately |
| inspiration of King George II of England, whom was | | | | 80,000 Trakehners in existence. The breed has a |
| also the ruler of Hanover at this time. He directed the | | | | string of Olympic gold medals from all over the world |
| Celle Stud of Lower Saxony in 1735 to produce a | | | | associated with it and the breed is one of the premier |
| coach horse that could also be used for agriculture. | | | | breeds for three-day eventing and dressage. |
| And thus, the Hanoverian was born. In the 19th century, | | | | The second part of the breed's history involved the |
| the breed was transformed into a military mount as | | | | Red Army in 1945. East Prussia was invaded and |
| well and was used extensively in World War I. After | | | | many of the horses died. By the end of the war there |
| World War II, the breed was crossed with | | | | were some 800 animals of the foundation stock left. |
| Thoroughbreds to give it an edge in sport horse | | | | The handlers of the breed went to western Germany |
| competitions. The results of these crosses were | | | | on foot. Only 100 of the horses survived the trek |
| powerful, strong, and featured light and springy | | | | across the frozen Baltic Sea. The breed was |
| movements. Today, the breed is commonly used in | | | | scattered throughout other parts of Europe and |
| dressage, show jumping, cross-country and eventing. | | | | through several other evacuation attempts another |
| The Selle Francais is a breed with a lot of trotting | | | | 1000 horses were saved. Over the next ten years, the |
| bloodlines, but is able to outperform most of the | | | | breed was slowly rebuilt. Today, the breed is one of |
| competition in Grand Prix and Olympic level show | | | | the purest of all Warmbloods and stallions undergo |
| jumping. This horse was developed after World War II | | | | rigorous testing and evaluations before being entered |
| in Normandy from the Trotter-Thoroughbred crosses | | | | into the studbook. The breed is one of the toughest in |
| and several light French breeds. The breed was | | | | the world and excels as dressage horses and show |
| officially recognized in 1958 and resembles that of a | | | | jumpers. |
| big-bone Thoroughbred. The breed has excelled at | | | | If you are looking for a horse that will outperform the |
| international level competitions and has become a star | | | | rest then look towards the Warmbloods for the |
| in a number of other disciplines as well. The breed has | | | | athletic animal that you need to beat the competition. |
| been defined as "the epitome of what a sport horse | | | | |