Gelderland - horses for sale

Origin and history of breeding Gelderlands

The breed originated in the Dutch province of Gelderland, an agricultural region in the centre of the Netherlands. The original Gelderland, or Gelderlander, was bred to be a good all-round farm horse that also had an impressive presence when in harness. The foundation mares were local and from early times onward, stallions of the outstanding European breeds of the period such as Andalusians, Neapolitans and Anglo-Normans were used. In the nineteenth century, Thoroughbred, Norfolk Roadster, East Friesian, Oldenburg and Hackney horses were added to the mix, along with Holsteins and, later, Selle Français. The Dutch breeders had an open and practical approach to breeding and this brought great results. The outcome was a very distinctive horse, with a ground-covering, elevated trot, high head-carriage and outstanding presence. In profile, their long heads are straight or convex, often giving them a noble, Roman-nosed look. Breeders selected for horses with white facial markings and white legs, as these add to the overall impression of flashing, lively movement as the Gelderlands trot down the road. They have excellent feet and are usually very healthy, long-lived horses. Another notable feature of the breed is the high withers at the end of their beautifully arched necks. The success of the modern Gelderland is also a testament to the ability of its breeders to adapt, particularly when increasing mechanisation threatened the horses with extinction in the post-WWII period. This was when the first Dutch warmblood sports horses began to make a name in international competition, and a new studbook, the Warmbloed Paarden-stamboek in Nederland, was set up. This gained royal recognition from Queen Beatrix in 1988 and now the general term KWPN is applied to all Dutch warmbloods, including Gelderlands.

Gelderlands in equestrianism

In addition to competitive and pleasure driving, long-striding Gelderlands are successful show jumpers. The Dutch Jumping Champion Gondelier cleared 7'3" (2.20 meters) in 1972. They are also a force in dressage, competing at Grand Prix level. Their individual registry has now been restored within the KWPN studbook, where they are rightly known as the Gelderlander Versatility Horse.