Westphalian
Introduction: This is one of the lesser known German warmbloods. I found the above pictures on Wikipedia. According to the credits there, this horse's name is Avenger. If you have any comments or suggestions, please click here.
Names: Westphalian, Westfale or Westfalen. There is some confusion between this breed and the Rhinelander -- one of my older books I think calls it the Rhineland-Westfalen or something like that -- but at least at the present time, they seem to be two separate breeds.
Origin: The Westphalia region of western Germany. The Westphalian is closely affiliated with the state-owned stud farm of Warendorf. According to one source, this is a strong, fine, German riding horse of the Hanoverian type, but less purebred.
Breeding: The
modern Westphalian is yet another top-quality German horse which has been
refined from and older version of the breed to produce what is today required by
the market - a superb riding and competition horse.
The
Westphalian was first named as a formal breed in 1826 with the formation of
their breed association in Westphalia, Germany. Early stock used in the
formation of the breed was based mainly on indigenous stock mixed with mainly Thoroughbred
blood. Breeding the
Westphalian became more concentrated at the end of World War II. The choice of Thoroughbred
and Arabian
blood for speed, courage,
stamina, quality was made, and also Hanoverian
for common sense
and willingness, which proved excellent with the breeders' existing stock.
Description: Like the Hanoverian, but coarser in build. In appearance, the Westphalian is a well-balanced, quality middle-weight horse of varying type due to the stud book's not being closed to further infusions of desirable outside blood.
Color: Any solid color, with white being allowed on the head and legs.
Ears: Medium length.
Eyes: Showing courage and friendliness.
Head: Intelligent; more workmanlike than beautiful.
Profile: Straight.
Size: 15.2 to 16.2 hh.
Temperament: Courageous, spirited temperament, and yet is very willing and docile.
Features: Closely
related to the Hanoverian
and Rhinelander, this
excellent show jumper and dressage horse is most easily identified by the brand
on its left hip: a crowned shield containing the letter "W" which
Westphalians receive when they are awarded their papers at a foal show.
Strong, refined, light horse of the Hanoverian
type, but not so homogeneous a
breed as the Hanoverian.
Has made progress since the war (WW2) as a result of the production of a
considerable number of eminent show jumpers. More recently, East
Prussian and Thoroughbred
crossed in.
Uses: Coach type horse and average riding horse. Today the breed is used for general riding and harness work, including competitive carriage driving. It is most talented, however, in the fields of show jumping and dressage, and some even have the speed needed for eventing.
Accomplishments: The Westphalian first came to the attention of the competition horse world in the late 1970s, when one of their number, Roman, won the World Show Jumping Championship in 1978. Then in 1982, the Westphalians again won the jumping in the World Championships with Fire, and dressage with Ahlerich.
Curiosities:
Profiles:
Conclusion: