Type the name of the breed you're looking for below

[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!

[fbcomments]

German Riding pony

Country Of Origin	Germany
History and Background	The German Riding Pony, or Deutsche Reitpony, is a very famous breed in West Germany, where they are used by children and adults learning to ride a horse. The breeding of the Deutsche Reitpony began around 1965, by crossbreeding various English pony breeds, especially Welsh ponies, on Arabians, Anglo-Arabians and Thoroughbreds. 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 Fjords and Haflingers. 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.
Use Today	Pleasure pony, Show pony, Competition pony
Height	13.2 to 14.2 hands (54 to 58 inches, 137 to 147 cm) high
Colour	Bay, Black, Brown
Characteristics	This breed has a small body and looks like a miniature stallion. It has a small head with a very muscular body, fit for riding.
Personality and Temperament	The main purpose of the German Riding Pony is to serve as a riding horse. Many of these horses are used in horse competitions, where dressage and show jumping is an event. Designed as horses for children, they are tame and easy to manage, but they are filled with enthusiasm, which is one of the qualities needed in competition.
Other Considerations	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 dressage, 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.