Post by Michelle on Aug 2, 2008 17:53:11 GMT -5
By Kara
The foundation for the Trakehner breed was established in 1732, at Trakehnen, an East Prussian stud farm. The correct name for the breed is the “East Prussian Warmblood Horse of Trakehner Origin” and is one of the oldest European Warmblood breeds. The first Trakehners were small and stocky, but noble, sound and strong. The breed vision was a multipurpose endurance horse that could be light enough for riding under saddle in times of war, but strong with enough substance to work the farms during peacetime. This vision was propagated by King Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia, who saw the need for a lighter cavalry horse with endurance and speed, yet elegance and pride as an officer’s horse. He chose the best seven of his stud horses and began to selectively breed them at Trakehnen. In the early 1800’s, these horses were crossed with Arabians and English Thoroughbreds to add both size and refinement. The first studbook of Trakehnen was opened in 1877, and the East Prussian studbook began in 1890.
From the late 1800s until the second World War, the Trakehner was one of the most popular breeds. They were used for everything—from the military, to endurance, to light draft work, to Olympic competition. In 1924, Trakehners won both the gold and silver medals in dressage. In 1928, the three-day event bronze medal went to another Trakehner. 1936, “The Year of the Trakehner,” saw this versatile breed winning both gold and silver in dressage as well as gold in three-day eventing. Additionally, a Trakehner on the German jumping team won the Prix de Nations in Madison Square Garden. Between 1921 and 1936, the Great Pardubice Steeplechase, the hardest steeplechase after the Grand National, was won nine times by the East Prussian horses.
However, in 1944, with the Soviets closing in around Germany, orders came to evacuate the Trakehnen horses. 800 of the best horses were sent west, but caught by the Soviets and sent to Russia. Private breeders were not allowed to leave until January of 1945, and the horror that ensued has become known simply as the “Trek.” Another 800 or so horses, mostly mares nearing their end of their pregnancy term, fled into the deepening snow. Horses who could not keep up were left to the Soviets. Mares who went down to foal, lame horses, sick horses, the fleeing caravan could not wait. Feed ran out, and horses were forced to scavenge for survival. Refugees were followed by troops and strafed by Soviet planes for nearly three months. Trapped by the Baltic Sea, they were forced to attempt to cross the ice-covered water. Many, both horse and human, did not make it across. Finally reaching West Germany, only 100 of the original horses, now mere skeletons, had survived.
The next decade was spent attempting to rebuild the Trakehner breed. The Trakehner Verband, or “The West German Association of Breeders and Friends of the Warmblood Horse of Trakehner Origin,” was formed as the new studbook. Of the original 80,000 horses, only a few hundred could be initially located, although over 1,000 had crossed into West Germany.
In the 1950’s the Trakehner was first imported into the North America. The popularity of the breed worldwide has been growing exponentially since Warmbloods first hit the American market.
Today, the Trakehner typically stands between 16 and 17 hands. It has good substance, but has a lot of refinement, particularly in comparison to other Warmblood breeds. The Trakehner is naturally balanced and elegant in movement, a natural in the dressage ring. The shoulder is deep and sloping with moderately long back and pasterns. Powerful hindquarters and strong joints lend themselves well to the show jumping discipline as well. Most notable is the Trakehner temperament, which is very anxious to please but intelligent and stable as well.
To be continued...
The foundation for the Trakehner breed was established in 1732, at Trakehnen, an East Prussian stud farm. The correct name for the breed is the “East Prussian Warmblood Horse of Trakehner Origin” and is one of the oldest European Warmblood breeds. The first Trakehners were small and stocky, but noble, sound and strong. The breed vision was a multipurpose endurance horse that could be light enough for riding under saddle in times of war, but strong with enough substance to work the farms during peacetime. This vision was propagated by King Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia, who saw the need for a lighter cavalry horse with endurance and speed, yet elegance and pride as an officer’s horse. He chose the best seven of his stud horses and began to selectively breed them at Trakehnen. In the early 1800’s, these horses were crossed with Arabians and English Thoroughbreds to add both size and refinement. The first studbook of Trakehnen was opened in 1877, and the East Prussian studbook began in 1890.
From the late 1800s until the second World War, the Trakehner was one of the most popular breeds. They were used for everything—from the military, to endurance, to light draft work, to Olympic competition. In 1924, Trakehners won both the gold and silver medals in dressage. In 1928, the three-day event bronze medal went to another Trakehner. 1936, “The Year of the Trakehner,” saw this versatile breed winning both gold and silver in dressage as well as gold in three-day eventing. Additionally, a Trakehner on the German jumping team won the Prix de Nations in Madison Square Garden. Between 1921 and 1936, the Great Pardubice Steeplechase, the hardest steeplechase after the Grand National, was won nine times by the East Prussian horses.
However, in 1944, with the Soviets closing in around Germany, orders came to evacuate the Trakehnen horses. 800 of the best horses were sent west, but caught by the Soviets and sent to Russia. Private breeders were not allowed to leave until January of 1945, and the horror that ensued has become known simply as the “Trek.” Another 800 or so horses, mostly mares nearing their end of their pregnancy term, fled into the deepening snow. Horses who could not keep up were left to the Soviets. Mares who went down to foal, lame horses, sick horses, the fleeing caravan could not wait. Feed ran out, and horses were forced to scavenge for survival. Refugees were followed by troops and strafed by Soviet planes for nearly three months. Trapped by the Baltic Sea, they were forced to attempt to cross the ice-covered water. Many, both horse and human, did not make it across. Finally reaching West Germany, only 100 of the original horses, now mere skeletons, had survived.
The next decade was spent attempting to rebuild the Trakehner breed. The Trakehner Verband, or “The West German Association of Breeders and Friends of the Warmblood Horse of Trakehner Origin,” was formed as the new studbook. Of the original 80,000 horses, only a few hundred could be initially located, although over 1,000 had crossed into West Germany.
In the 1950’s the Trakehner was first imported into the North America. The popularity of the breed worldwide has been growing exponentially since Warmbloods first hit the American market.
Today, the Trakehner typically stands between 16 and 17 hands. It has good substance, but has a lot of refinement, particularly in comparison to other Warmblood breeds. The Trakehner is naturally balanced and elegant in movement, a natural in the dressage ring. The shoulder is deep and sloping with moderately long back and pasterns. Powerful hindquarters and strong joints lend themselves well to the show jumping discipline as well. Most notable is the Trakehner temperament, which is very anxious to please but intelligent and stable as well.
To be continued...
