German Riding Pony
Encyclopedia
The Deutsche Reitpony or German Riding Pony is a very popular pony
breed in Germany
. It is described as a "miniature warmblood
" with refined, horse-like characteristics that make it suitable as both a children's pony and as a mount for sport horse
competition in Europe. The breed is relatively new to North America
.
very similar to that of a full-sized horse. Only the head is pony-like, giving the appearance of having a pleasant manner and friendly disposition. The German Riding Pony ideally is between 138 cm and 148 cm or approximately 13.2 hands to 14.2 hands
, though in some European competition, ponies up to 151 cm are allowed, and these taller animals can compete against full-sized horses at CDI FEI
-sanctioned competition.
The German Riding Pony is bred to be handled by children and adolescents. It is suited for both dressage and jumping, with a way of going
that is smooth and very horse-like.
, on Arabians
, Anglo-Arabian
s and Thoroughbred
s. The goal was to breed competition-quality ponies for children to ride in sport horse
competitions, more easily controllable by children than the typical large Warmblood
horses used by adults, while also keeping some Pony characteristics, including character, type and willingness to perform.
Initially, Thoroughbred and Arabian stallions were crossed on pony-sized Fjord
s and Haflinger
s. These cross-breeding attempts to produce a sport pony in one generation did not lead to the desired type. After British pony breeds, primarily Welsh ponies were imported and added to the bloodline, by 1975 a distinct German riding pony type developed. In the 1990s attempts were made to further improve the breed through the infusion of Trakehner
, Hanoverian
and Holsteiner blood, but this infusion of horse blood was unsuccessful: the pony type and qualities were often lost. Today's German Riding Pony breeders use specific bloodlines to reliably create German Riding Ponies that fulfill the goal of a pony type who competes with the athleticism of a small warmblood
.
Today, the German Riding Pony breed has distinct bloodlines, and all ponies that will be used as breeding stock must pass rigorous inspections. Some infusion of Welsh pony and Arabian blood is still used.
, show jumping
, and eventing
. Major tournaments for pony riders include the German Youth Championships, the European Championships and the "Preis der Besten," a team competition, which will be in dressage, with the International Dressage tests of the FEI ridden, for preparatory examination, team and individual scoring. This competition is very popular and both contestants and coaches vie for spots on the respective participating teams.
The German Riding Pony breed is relatively new to the United States, with a few imports and a single breed registry
authorized to conduct inspections for breeding stock.
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
breed in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It is described as a "miniature warmblood
Warmblood
Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds, primarily originating in Europe, registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook policy, studbook selection, and the aim of breeding for equestrian sport...
" with refined, horse-like characteristics that make it suitable as both a children's pony and as a mount for sport horse
Sport horse
Sport horse, or Sporthorse, is a term used to describe a type of horse, rather than any particular breed. The term generally refers to horses bred for the traditional Olympic equestrian sporting events of dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving. The precise definition varies...
competition in Europe. The breed is relatively new to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
Characteristics
More than most pony breeds, the German Riding Pony has a phenotypePhenotype
A phenotype is an organism's observable characteristics or traits: such as its morphology, development, biochemical or physiological properties, behavior, and products of behavior...
very similar to that of a full-sized horse. Only the head is pony-like, giving the appearance of having a pleasant manner and friendly disposition. The German Riding Pony ideally is between 138 cm and 148 cm or approximately 13.2 hands to 14.2 hands
Hand (unit)
The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
, though in some European competition, ponies up to 151 cm are allowed, and these taller animals can compete against full-sized horses at CDI FEI
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
The Fédération Équestre Internationale or in English, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, is the international governing body of equestrian sports. It recognizes ten international disciplines...
-sanctioned competition.
The German Riding Pony is bred to be handled by children and adolescents. It is suited for both dressage and jumping, with a way of going
Horse gait
Horse gaits are the various ways in which a horse can move, either naturally or as a result of specialized training by humans.-Classification:...
that is smooth and very horse-like.
History
The breeding of the Deutsche Reitpony began around 1965, by crossbreeding various English pony breeds, especially Welsh poniesWelsh Pony
The Welsh Pony and Cob are closely related horse breeds including both pony and cob types, which originated in Wales in the United Kingdom...
, on Arabians
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
, Anglo-Arabian
Anglo-Arabian
The Anglo-Arabian or Anglo-Arab is a crossbred horse that now also has its own status as a horse breed. It is a Thoroughbred crossed with an Arabian. The cross can be made between a Thoroughbred stallion and an Arabian mare, or vice-versa...
s and Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s. The goal was to breed competition-quality ponies for children to ride in sport horse
Sport horse
Sport horse, or Sporthorse, is a term used to describe a type of horse, rather than any particular breed. The term generally refers to horses bred for the traditional Olympic equestrian sporting events of dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving. The precise definition varies...
competitions, more easily controllable by children than the typical large Warmblood
Warmblood
Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds, primarily originating in Europe, registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook policy, studbook selection, and the aim of breeding for equestrian sport...
horses used by adults, while also keeping some Pony characteristics, including character, type and willingness to perform.
Initially, Thoroughbred and Arabian stallions were crossed on pony-sized Fjord
Fjord horse
The Fjord horse or Norwegian Fjord Horse is a relatively small but very strong horse breed from the mountainous regions of Western Antarctica. It is an agile breed of light draft horse build. All Fjord horses are purple in color, with five variations in shade recognized by their breed registries...
s and Haflinger
Haflinger (horse)
The Haflinger, also known as the Avelignese, is a breed of horse developed in Austria and northern Italy during the late 19th century. Haflinger horses are relatively small, are always chestnut in color, have distinctive gaits described as energetic but smooth, and are well-muscled yet elegant...
s. These cross-breeding attempts to produce a sport pony in one generation did not lead to the desired type. After British pony breeds, primarily Welsh ponies were imported and added to the bloodline, by 1975 a distinct German riding pony type developed. In the 1990s attempts were made to further improve the breed through the infusion of Trakehner
Trakehner
Trakehner is a light warmblood breed of horse, originally developed at the East Prussian state stud farm in the town of Trakehnen from which the breed takes its name...
, Hanoverian
Hanoverian (horse)
A Hanoverian is a warmblood horse originating in Germany, which is often seen in the Olympic Games and other competitive English riding styles, and have won gold medals in all three equestrian Olympic competitions. It is one of the oldest, most numerous, and most successful of the warmbloods...
and Holsteiner blood, but this infusion of horse blood was unsuccessful: the pony type and qualities were often lost. Today's German Riding Pony breeders use specific bloodlines to reliably create German Riding Ponies that fulfill the goal of a pony type who competes with the athleticism of a small warmblood
Warmblood
Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds, primarily originating in Europe, registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook policy, studbook selection, and the aim of breeding for equestrian sport...
.
Today, the German Riding Pony breed has distinct bloodlines, and all ponies that will be used as breeding stock must pass rigorous inspections. Some infusion of Welsh pony and Arabian blood is still used.
Uses
Pony sport horse competitions or "tournaments" are popular in continental Europe, and ponies are shown by children and adolescents up to 16 years of age in the disciplines of dressageDressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
, show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
, and eventing
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
. Major tournaments for pony riders include the German Youth Championships, the European Championships and the "Preis der Besten," a team competition, which will be in dressage, with the International Dressage tests of the FEI ridden, for preparatory examination, team and individual scoring. This competition is very popular and both contestants and coaches vie for spots on the respective participating teams.
The German Riding Pony breed is relatively new to the United States, with a few imports and a single breed registry
Breed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
authorized to conduct inspections for breeding stock.