and half-passes). The problem is that a “trot extension” in an uphill balance goes up, not really forward and is different from a “trot lengthening” that covers ground in a horizontal balance, hence the endless theoretical discussions. Nowadays, many horses are moving with nearly the same elevation as Totilas (Bella Rose, Salvino and Free- style, for example), cover less ground in the extensions than in the past and often swing in the tempi changes. The two stallions KWPN Blue Hors Zack and his Dan- ish Warmblood son Glock’s Zonik N.O.P. look like Ibe- rian horses: short bodies, big necks and smaller croups, as do many others. In digging in the Warmblood phe- notypic pool of horses talented in piaffe and passage, Dutch and German breeders have recreated the Iberian horses that were the foundation of all court horses in seventeenth and eighteenth century Europe. The favor- ite mount of Anton Günther, Count of Oldenburg (the horse breeding enthusiast credited as the father of his eponymous breed) was an Andalusian called Kranich. The Oldenburg Verband has recently approved the Lu- sitano Dragao to a limited book and the KWPN stud- book recently invited breeders to present PRE and Lu- sitano mares for approval. The famous Oldenburg breeder
Georg Vorwerk was very interested in including my jumping stallion Novil- heiro in his stallion roster. He had im- ported Inshallah, Furioso II and Zeus from France and promoted them to the breeding success we all know. So while Iberian breeders are trying to make Warmbloods out of Andalu- sians and Lusitanos, the Dutch and Germans are trying to reconstruct the original Iberian horse in a super- charged version. When we observe sales catalogs, we see new horses
One of the author’s favorite horses: Australian Kristy Oatley com- peted her Hanoverian Du Soleil (by De Niro) who placed 12th individually.
“So while Iberian breeders are trying to make Warm- bloods out of Andalusians and Lusitanos, the Dutch and Germans are trying
to reconstruct the original Iberian horse in a super- charged version.”
that follow this standard: square frame, elevated knee action, high-set neck, high energy and the ability to vary the tempo, which is necessary for a high school horse, particularly for piaffe and passage transitions (“the quick hind leg” of the German vernacular). The truth lies in the middle and the horses of the future will be Iberian cross- es or Iberian types. We are going full circle. Kristy Oatley’s Hanoverian Du Soleil was that rare exception (the best dressage potential at WEG for my money), as he is that special combination who has expression in trot exten- sions like an Iberian horse while really covering ground like a powerful Warmblood. He also has excellent poten- tial in piaffe and passage.
Other Observations The most pleasant horses to watch at the WEG were the vaulting horses exercising under saddle near our trade stand. These very large horses had amazing cadence and balance in all gaits, but particularly in their canter, which is a credit to their lungers and the dressage riders who ride them to keep them symmetrical. They were of various breeds, from draft types to Warmbloods, but I did not see one going badly. In spite of their large size, they all appeared very light. The para-riders are extremely dedi-
cated to their riding and put up with more difficulty than any other riders at the games. Their horses deserve a special mention for their patience and respect for riders who have no physical means to control them, should they need it. This is the most perfect demonstration of hors- es’ generosity and tolerance. Welcome to
the new U.S. para-dressage coach Michel Assouline, who previously trained the British team to multiple Olympic and WEG gold medals. Some of the driving horses are also impressive.
Watching Misdee Wrigley-Miller, Chester Weber or Boyd Exell’s teams trotting in perfect unison is a sight to be- hold. Most people can’t manage one horse let alone four, and big moving, energetic horses at that. Years ago, I worked on a team of Lusitanos who went on to win the 1996 World Championship with Felix Brasseur, now the French Driving Team coach. If I ever got into that sport, I think I would try to find some horses smaller than the many large ones I saw in Tryon. The Swiss presented a team of small Freiberger that did very well.
Warmbloods Today 61
Jen Emig/MacMillan Photography
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