Dutch Warmblood

Dutch Warmblood is a horse breed developed in the Netherlands in the twentieth century, formed by crossing traditional Dutch farm and carriage horse breeds, chiefly the Gelderlander and Groninger, with Thoroughbred and other warmblood and Arabian bloodlines to create a horse suited to modern sport riding rather than agricultural work. The Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands, established through a merger of separate registries in the 1960s, oversees breeding and maintains separate lines selected specifically for dressage, show jumping and, to a lesser extent, harness driving. Dutch Warmblood rose rapidly to international prominence in Olympic and top level competitive dressage and show jumping from the late twentieth century onward, and it is now considered one of the leading sport horse breeds worldwide. Breeding selection continues to emphasize athletic performance, movement quality and temperament suited to competitive riding disciplines.