We all have opinions about riding and training horses.  Sifting the wheat from the chaff based on what you know works and what has worked in the past is the challenge. History provides a basis for interpreting the future and understanding the present, and Jan and Peter have been around long enough to know the truth of this statement. So this is their story.

 

Peter and Jan developed a breeding philosophy that they stuck to with only slight modifications over the decades, despite the influence of fashion, fad and high pressure marketing, particularly from the Germans.

 

The existance of “competition dressage” as a driver for change in the breeding industry saw a marked change in the horses bred. This influence has been felt world-wide and has led to the emergence of a purpose bred horse frequently referred to as a “young horse competition” type; a horse bred specifically to look elegant and show himself off, particularly at the trot. One specifically bred for the lower classes where trot work dominates.

 

Some German breeders have argued that only a few riders are capable of riding and training th advanced dressage movements, therefore the “young horse Competition” type is the level most riders aim for. This is where money can be made. They go on to argue that if you breed for the very few dressage competitors capable of riding at the higher level, and produce horses for them, balancing the budget will be difficult because the time needed to prove the worth of an FEI horse is a very long term process with many variables ourside the breeders' control.  This realistic assessment makes a compelling argument for anyone breeding horses that are well suited to Advanced/FEI dressage levels.

 

Signs appear that there has been a swing back to a more classic interpretation of dressage, influenced by the success of the British riders and supported by "purist" riders and trainers, who observe the principles of the trainig scale and were concerned that classical dressage could  be high-jacked, and in danger of becoming a “a dress up and show competition”.

 

For correct training supports the view that dressage is not an end in itself but a process with independent, accurate and fair judging providing the rider's assessment of correct work.

 

Correct progressive training is the way of making a horse more supple, obedient and noble.   The horse will become mentally and physically strong and the work gives strength and longevity.  

 

The founders of the Northern Warmblood Stud devoted a lifetime developing horses with the strength, correct movement and temperament needed to meet the demands of collection, which is the basis of advanced dressage. In order to consistently produce these horses required a stable gene pool in order to create a consistent type. Consistency gives buyers confidence, because of what other horses from the same family have achieved.

 

The Northern Warmblood Stud’s breeding is based on families that originated from foundation mares as far back as forty years ago, who proved themselves by producing offspring who excelled in dressage and to a less extent jumping. These mares were kept and bred from as were their daughters, while others were culled and sold on. Those foundation mares continue today in the DNA of our current horses. Their ancestry was originally from Europe, mainly Germany from old and well established families that are still recognized there, for what they have contributed. The influence of genetics has been a basic driver for the stud. 

Over the past decade much has been made of stallions with an exaggerated trot action. This has resulted in a lot of horses being bred for this characteristic throughout Europe and Australia. An exaggerated trot can certainly influence the judges at the lower levels due to the amount of trotting done, and sometimes the judge’s inexperience. The real test of dressage is collection and the ability of the horse to carry itself in a collected frame, particularly at the canter.

 

This provides an explanation of why Peter and Jan have shied away from the specialized trotting stallions in their breeding program. Their introduction risked sacrificing all the other desirable qualities bred over successive generations just to gain an exaggerated trot. There was also the danger that judges would be better trained in the future in the use of the training scales, and what is now a virtue would be seen as a serious fault with the horse.  

 

Many people talk about the “modern type” of warmblood. What they refer to are horses that show a heavy infusion of Thoroughbred (TB) or Anglo Arab (AA). The introduction of TB into the gene pool obviously will lead the offspring to become more TB in type, but also means they are more likely to be similar to them in other respects as well.  With TBs the riding qualities, trainability and ability to collect are frequently a problem. Using them is a big risk just to get a horse that is more refined looking.  This also applies to Hanoverian etc. that are heavily infused with both Thoroughbred and Anglo Arab over the last hundred or so years.

 

As well as getting the genetics right, Northern Warmblood Stud’s policy is to start the young horse in a correct classical manner in order to avoid damage to the muscular and skeletal structure later. The stud’s philosophy when starting a horse, is to not over-ride the trot while lifting the head and shoulder to exaggerate the front legs, but the opposite; a frame that is down, round with its back up and classically correct, is what we strive for.

 

Buyers frequently ask “are your horse’s up-hill”? The so-called “up-hill” horse, if it’s the result of correct systematic training over many years is praise worthy indeed; but it should not be seen in three or four year olds. Lifting the shoulders and over riding the trot in order to give an uphill appearance similar to a collected horse, can result in serious health issues for the horse later, therefore we don’t do it.

 

Northern Warmblood Stud is proud to present the horses it currently has for sale. Before you look at what we now have available, spend a moment browsing the photo gallery of past generations of horses and as you do, remind yourself that the ones you are about to look at have the potential to be equally successful as the ones pictured, as they share the same DNA.
 

We hope you enjoy what we have achieved.

 

Jan and Peter Powles