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The modern British Warmblood represents the latest advance in breeding after centuries of experience in producing warmblooded horses. Above all, the British Warmblood, like those of other nations, is a supreme performance and riding horse. Competitive riders can buy a British Warmblood for any equestrian discipline since this type is an all-rounder, capable of performing well in dressage, eventing and show jumping. British Warmbloods are horses which fulfill certain requirements, rather than meeting specific breed standards. Key to the success of this accomplished competition horse is that producers breed selectively in order to sell a British Warmblood with the right temperament.
Since the British Warmblood is defined by desirable criteria, rather than breed standards, there are no height specifications or restricted coat colors. However, as most are bred to be performance horses, their height tends to be a minimum of 15.2 hands (62 inches/152 cm) high, with some reaching 17 hands (68 inches/173 cm) high or more. Also, solid colors have always been preferred for competition horses. When equestrians or trainers sell a British Warmblood, it will mostly be bay, chestnut, black or gray. What distinguishes the type when a rider buys a British Warmblood is that they are middleweight horses. They are strong and powerful, yet clearly different from Draught Horses, Ponies, Cob Horses and light riding horses.
The term warmblood was originally used to describe a cross between a “hot-blooded” horse such as an Arabian and a “coldblooded” horse. The later term was often used to describe a native European pony or a draught horse like a Shire or Percheron. Nations have produced warmblood horses for centuries, from the Dutch Gelderland to the British Cleveland Bay. Many breeds that have been established within the last five hundred years are warmblooded breeds. Britain can, with some justification, claim the leading role in warmblood development with the creation of the Thoroughbred. This is the outcome of crosses of Oriental Stallions and native Mares, predominantly Scottish Galloways and Irish Hobbies. The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were very important periods for the development of warmblooded breeds in Britain. Many of these were bred for a specific purpose, such as Hackneys, Roadsters and Trotters, which were harness horses. Others, like the Cleveland Bay, were versatile harness, farm and saddle horses. Different breeds and types could be crossed to produce new breeds. A cross of Thoroughbred and Cleveland Bay resulted in the Yorkshire Coach Horse, an animal so desirable for private driving that it sold all over the world. A Fell Pony crossed with a Hackney produced the Hackney Pony, a sporty driving pony for road use and a show ring favorite. However, the use of the term warmblood has changed now, as it is more generally applied to medium weight sport horses. It is a very useful shorthand term that is recognised by breeders, trainers and riders globally. It means a horse with a sporty appearance, athleticism, an alert expression and excellent paces. Above all, it is a certain attitude of mind. Today, the needs of the rider usually include building a good partnership with their horse, as well as appreciating its athletic capability.
In 1977, the British Warmblood Society was incorporated, and a studbook was established. This acknowledged Britain’s important historic and contemporary contribution to breeding warmbloods. In a nutshell, a good British Warmblood is made of the “right stuff”, and many different types and breeds of horse will have contributed to its creation.