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:  

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Conclusion:  

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