Belgian Warmblood
{{Short description|Belgian breed of horse}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{use list-defined references|date=June 2024}}
{{use British English|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox horse breed
| name = Belgian Warmblood
| image = CHI Genève 2013 - 20131213 - Janika Sprunger et Electra Van't Roosaker.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt = a light bay horse with rider jumping a double fence
| image_caption = {{ill|Electra Van't Roosakker|fr}} ridden by Janika Sprunger, {{ill|Concours hippique international de Genève|fr}}, 13 December 2013
| image2 = File:2013 Longines Global Champions - Lausanne - 14-09-2013 - Edwina Tops-Alexander et Fair Light van't Heike 1.jpg
| image_size2 =
| image_alt2 = a dark bay horse with rider taking off over a fence
| image_caption2 = Edwina Tops-Alexander on {{ill|Fair Light van't Heike|fr}} in Lausanne, 2013
| features =
| altname = {{ubl|BWP|{{lang|nl|Belgisch Warmbloedpaard|italic=no}}|Belgian Saddlebred}}
| country = Belgium
| distribution =
| standard = [https://www.belgian-warmblood.com/en/breeding-goals BWP]
| use = {{ubl|dressage|show-jumping|three-day eventing}}
| colour =
| height = {{convert|162|-|173|cm|hands|0|abbr=on}}
| weight =
| note =
}}
The Belgian Warmblood or {{lang|nl|Belgisch Warmbloedpaard|italic=no}} is a Belgian breed of warmblood sport horse. It is bred principally for show-jumping, but is also suitable for dressage and for three-day eventing.{{r|elise|page=164|hector}} It is one of three Belgian warmblood breeds or stud-books, the others being the Zangersheide and the Belgian Sport Horse – to which last it is quite similar.{{r|ej|p=12}}
History
Breeding of the Belgian Warmblood was begun in 1937, from foundation stock that included Gelderlanders from Holland, Hanoverians from Germany and Norman stock from France.{{r|cabi|p=444}} It was initially bred as an agricultural riding horse, as in the northern or Flemish-speaking part of Belgium the breeding of saddle horses was restricted to protect breeding of the Belgian Draught or Brabant heavy horse.{{r|hector}} After this restriction was lifted in 1954, a breed society, the Fokvereninging van het Landbourijpaard, was formed; a stud-book was opened in 1955.{{r|cabi|p=444}} In 1953 the first stallion show took place, illegally, with three stallions.{{r|hector}}
The stud-book grew rapidly; in 2004 approximately {{val|3500}} mares were covered by approved Belgian Warmblood stallions.{{r|biw}}
In 2010, the BWP was ranked fourth in the FEI/WBFSH International Show Jumping standings, behind the KWPN-Dutch Warmblood, the Holsteiner and the Selle Français stud-books.{{r|wbfsh}}
Characteristics
The horses vary in size and substance; heights are usually in the range {{val|162|-|173|u=cm}} at the withers.{{r|cabi|p=444}}
As with other European warmbloods, stallion registration is subject to rigorous studbook selection. Stallions three or four years old may be entered for the {{lang|nl|Hengstenkeuring}} or stallion test, which lasts for several days and includes a veterinary inspection, a conformation inspection, and tests of jumping ability both with and without a rider.{{r|biw}} To retain status in the stud book, stallions must compete in the {{lang|nl|Klassieke Cyclus}} (classic cycle) of show-jumping contests.{{r|biw}} Optional tests are available for mares, of conformation and free jumping ability.{{r|biw}}
References
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{{Horse breeds of Belgium and Luxembourg|state=collapsed}}
Category:Horse breeds originating in Belgium
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