GELDERLAND

Europe

Breed Organization Information

KWPN
(Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands)
Postbus 382
3700 AJ, Zeist, Holland
Tel: +31 30 6934600
Fax: +31 30 6931455
[email protected]
http://www.kwpn.nl/

About the Breed

The Gelderland, also known as the Gelderlander, is a warmblood horse which originated in the sandy, mid-eastern province of the same name in the Netherlands. Gelderland horses trace their ancestry to native mares of the Gelderland province who where crossed with Andalusian, Neapolitan, Norman, Norfolk Roadster and Holstein stallions. In the nineteenth century East Friesian, Oldenburg, Hackney and Thoroughbred blood was introduced. Gelderlanders were originally bred as utility horses, to work the land as well as provide transportation. Today, the Gelderland is an elegant carriage horse and also possesses talent as a show jumper. Its action is flowing and the breed has an effective high-stepping trot.

The Gelderland breed has been absorbed into the Dutch Warmblood breed since the late 1960s and has not been officially bred since that time except for a few breeders who still maintain this old breed. Gelderland horses have made a major contribution to the quality and style of the Dutch Warmblood and Dutch Tuigpaard, a showy carriage horse.

For additional information see The Dutch Warmblood section.

Breed Characteristics
The Gelderland is chestnut, bay, black or gray, often with white markings on the face and legs. Occasionally skewbalds are found. The head is long and somewhat flat with a straight profile, large expressive eyes and nicely set, mobile ears. The neck is well shaped and muscular, usually with an arch. Withers are usually prominent and broad, merging into the line of the back; the back is straight and long; the croup is short and usually flat; the tail set high; the chest full and deep; the shoulder sloped and long. The legs are muscular with a long forearm and strong, broad joints; the hooves are broad and strong. The Gelderland stands between 15.2 to 16 hands.