89-485: The Selle Français (SF) is a breed of sport horse from France. An athletic horse with good gaits , it is usually bay or chestnut in color. The Selle Français was created in 1958 when several French riding horse breeds were merged into one stud book . The new breed was meant to serve as a unified sport horse during a period when horses were being replaced by mechanization and were transforming into an animal used mainly for sport and leisure. Bred throughout France,
178-990: A breed registry . However, the term is sometimes used in a broader sense to define landrace animals of a common phenotype located within a limited geographic region, or even feral "breeds" that are naturally selected . Depending on definition, hundreds of "breeds" exist today, developed for many different uses. Horse breeds are loosely divided into three categories based on general temperament: spirited "hot bloods" with speed and endurance; "cold bloods," such as draft horses and some ponies , suitable for slow, heavy work; and " warmbloods ," developed from crosses between hot bloods and cold bloods, often focusing on creating breeds for specific riding purposes, particularly in Europe . Horse breeds are groups of horses with distinctive characteristics that are transmitted consistently to their offspring, such as conformation , color, performance ability, or disposition. These inherited traits are usually
267-405: A mare . A related hybrid, the hinny , is a cross between a stallion and a jenny (female donkey). Most other hybrids involve the zebra (see Zebroid ). With rare exceptions, most equine hybrids are sterile and cannot reproduce. A notable exception is hybrid crosses between horses and Equus ferus przewalskii , commonly known as Przewalski's horse . Cleveland Bay The Cleveland Bay
356-720: A British stud book for the Selle Français, and the ANSF-US manages the stud book for the breed in the United States. Brazil, Argentina, and Morocco have agreements with the French stud book to register horses bred in those countries. The Selle Français stud book has long allowed crossbreeding with four other breeds: the Thoroughbred, Arabian , Anglo-Arabian and French Trotter. Today, restrictions exist to harmonize
445-598: A Cleveland Bay stallion named Tregoyd Journeyman was used as a model for a new horse figure by Breyer Animal Creations , and the stallion participated in that year's Breyer model horse festival. In the 1920s, Cleveland Bays replaced black Hanoverian horses in the British royal stables. Of the two types of carriage horses at the Royal Mews , the Windsor Greys pull carriages of senior royal family members, and
534-401: A Yorkshire Coach Horse Stud Book was started, which contained horses that were three-quarters Cleveland Bay and one-quarter Thoroughbred. The stud book was closed in 1936 as extinct. According to Chris Berry of The Yorkshire Post , "The late 18th century was the golden age of carriage driving. Yorkshire coach horses were exported all over the world to provide matched pairs and teams. During
623-453: A breed registry. An early example of people who practiced selective horse breeding were the Bedouin , who had a reputation for careful breeding practices, keeping extensive pedigrees of their Arabian horses and placing great value upon pure bloodlines. Though these pedigrees were originally transmitted by an oral tradition , written pedigrees of Arabian horses can be found that date to
712-433: A registered Thoroughbred be a product of a natural mating, so-called "live cover". A foal born of two Thoroughbred parents, but by means of artificial insemination or embryo transfer , cannot be registered in the Thoroughbred studbook. However, since the advent of DNA testing to verify parentage, most breed registries now allow artificial insemination, embryo transfer, or both. The high value of stallions has helped with
801-447: A relatively tall 16.1 to 16.3 hands (65 to 67 inches, 165 to 170 cm). It is an athletic horse with balanced, harmonious and powerful gaits . Some morphological traits remain the same throughout the breed. The forehead is broad, and the facial profile is straight or convex. The neck is strong and rather long, well connected to the withers , and the back straight. The croup is elongated, muscular and slightly oblique, and
890-431: A rigorously defined standard phenotype, or for breeds that register animals that conform to an ideal via the process of passing a studbook selection process. Most of the warmblood breeds used in sport horse disciplines have open stud books to varying degrees. While pedigree is considered, outside bloodlines are admitted to the registry if the horses meet the set standard for the registry. These registries usually require
979-518: A selection process involving judging of an individual animal's quality, performance, and conformation before registration is finalized. A few "registries," particularly some color breed registries, are very open and will allow membership of all horses that meet limited criteria, such as coat color and species, regardless of pedigree or conformation. Breed registries also differ as to their acceptance or rejection of breeding technology. For example, all Jockey Club Thoroughbred registries require that
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#17327718566071068-483: A separate register for part-bred horses. In the late 20th century, the breed again gained the attention of the United States public, and in 1985, the U.S. association was reactivated, renamed "The Cleveland Bay Society of North America". In the US, The Livestock Conservancy considers their status to be critical, which means there is an estimated global population of less than 500, and fewer than 200 annual registrations in
1157-609: A single founder stallion". According to the Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America (CBHSNA), in 2023, there were only 27 purebred foals born in North America, but this represented an 145% increase from previous breeding seasons from 2013 to 2022. According to the group, there were 758 horses of Cleveland Bay ancestry alive in North America as of June 2024, with 238 (32.4%) being purebreds, and 520 (68.6%) being partbreds. Pennsylvania and Michigan in
1246-568: A well-arched neck and powerful shoulders, making for a flashy carriage horse. Thoroughbred blood is believed to have been added by some scholars, in spite the claims of breeders that the Cleveland Bay was "free from taint of black or blood", meaning either Thoroughbred "blood" or the Old English "Black" and its descendants. The addition of Thoroughbred breeding is thought responsible for Cleveland Bays born with red legs (as opposed to
1335-548: Is a breed of horse that originated in England during the 17th century, named after its colouring and the Cleveland district of Yorkshire . It is a well-muscled horse, with legs that are strong but short in relation to the body. The horses are always bay in colour, although a few light hairs in the mane and tail are characteristic of some breed lines. It is the oldest established horse breed in England. The ancestors of
1424-583: Is a rare breed, and both the United Kingdom–based Rare Breeds Survival Trust and the United States–based Livestock Conservancy consider the population to be at critical limits for extinction. The Cleveland Bay generally stands between 16 and 16.2 hands (64 and 66 inches, 163 and 168 cm), and is always bay in colour. Bright bay horses (bays with a more reddish tint than normal) are
1513-521: Is a technical sport, calling for lively and responsive yet powerful horses. Horses with more Thoroughbred blood in them have also been very competitive in three-day eventing, where speed and stamina are needed to be successful in all three portions (dressage, three-day eventing and show jumping) of the event. Thanks to these qualities, the Selle Français is seen on international show jumping and three-day eventing teams, both in France and elsewhere. In dressage,
1602-413: Is an extinct horse breed or type that was created by crossing the stronger and stockier Cleveland Bay with Thoroughbreds to make a faster carriage horse when the quality of roads improved in England. The horse closely resembled the Cleveland Bay, though was taller, with finer head and bone, and colored bay or brown. In 1905, J. Wortley Axe wrote, "In most of their essential properties, however,
1691-511: Is bred throughout France and abroad, and artificial insemination plays an important role in the dissemination of the breed. The Selle Français has also contributed to several other breeds in Europe, including the Holsteiner , Zangersheide , and Oldenburger warmblood breeds. The ANSF has branches in several countries. The United Kingdom organization, called Equicours, led to the opening of
1780-601: Is now the Cleveland Bay is thought to have been developed from Barb , Iberian , and Andalusian horses crossed with Chapman Horse mares. The Barb blood came mainly from horses imported by wealthy young men on their Grand Tour of Europe , bought off the docks in Marseilles, France , and transported back to England. The Andalusian or Iberian blood came from horses bred at the royal stud in Córdoba, Spain , and gifted to English royals, such as King Henry VIII of England , by
1869-608: Is reputed to be intelligent and quick to learn. The origins of the Selle Français begin with native French horses. In 19th century Normandy , native mares were crossbred with Thoroughbred or Norfolk Trotter stallions imported to France from the United Kingdom . At least one Cleveland Bay mare was also recorded in early Selle Français pedigrees, with French-born Thoroughbred and Cleveland Bay cross mares, or Yorkshire Coach Horses , being used as foundation stock . The most common crosses were between native mares used by
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#17327718566071958-787: The Clydesdale and the Shire developed out of a need to perform demanding farm work and pull heavy wagons. Ponies of all breeds originally developed mainly from the need for a working animal that could fulfill specific local draft and transportation needs while surviving in harsh environments. However, by the 20th century, many pony breeds had Arabian and other blood added to make a more refined pony suitable for riding. Other horse breeds developed specifically for light agricultural work, heavy and light carriage and road work, various equestrian disciplines, or simply as pets. Horses have been selectively bred since their domestication . However,
2047-544: The European Union (EU) are also listed in this category. Pure and crossbred Arabians, saddle breeds not recognized by the EU and some other mares may be listed on an individual basis by performing at a high level in show jumping , three-day eventing or dressage competition. If mares come from countries or territories that do not have access to high-level competitions, they may be granted special listing status. In 2003,
2136-717: The First World War , having seen the horse cavalry feats of mounted Boers during the Second Boer War , Britain increased its cavalry reserves. Smaller Cleveland Bays were used to carry British troopers, and larger ones pulled artillery ; the War Office offered premiums on Cleveland Bay stallions. Although the First World War was not the cavalry war that had been expected, large numbers of horses were used to pull artillery and losses were high. Because
2225-552: The Selle Français in France. In the 19th century, the Cleveland Bay was also crossed with the Clydesdale , Percheron , and Suffolk Punch breeds to create the foundation stock for the Vladimir Heavy Draft , a new draught breed developed by Russia to fill that country's need for a heavy draught breed. The Vladimir Heavy Draft was officially recognized as its own breed in 1946. The Yorkshire Coach Horse
2314-554: The Summer Olympics and World Equestrian Games , including making up the entire gold-medal French teams in show jumping at the 2002 World Equestrian Games and eventing at the 2004 Summer Olympics . Because of the diversity of the breeds that contributed to the Selle Français, there are not set breed standards. It can range from 15.1 to 17.3 hands (61 to 71 inches, 155 to 180 cm), although, because they are used as sport horses, most Selle Français usually stand
2403-739: The demi-sang du Centre (bred around Cluny ) and the Vendéen (bred around La Roche-sur-Yon ). In 1958, "Selle Français" or French Saddle Horse, was created by merging all of the regional half-blood horses in France under one name. The merged types included the Anglo-Norman, the Charolais (from the Charolles region), the Limousin (from the Limousin region), and the Vendéen. The merger
2492-514: The limbers and caissons are frequently Cleveland Bays. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh , used the breed during the 1970s and 1980s in combined driving competitions, borrowing horses from the Royal Mews and returning them for state duties. Developed in the Cleveland area of Yorkshire , England, the Cleveland Bay is said to be the oldest of the established English horse breeds, and the only horse native to Britain that does not belong to
2581-637: The École nationale d'équitation (National Riding School) and the Cadre Noir all use mainly Selle Français. Young horses are selected according to their skills and are trained by students within the schools. Horses representing the Cadre Noir are selected at the age of three and are trained according to their abilities, with some reaching the highest levels of haute ecole dressage. Selle Français are also used for combined driving , equestrian vaulting and competitive trail riding , and have competed at
2670-573: The 14th century. In the same period of the early Renaissance , the Carthusian monks of southern Spain bred horses and kept meticulous pedigrees of the best bloodstock; the lineage survives to this day in the Andalusian horse . One of the earliest formal registries was General Stud Book for Thoroughbreds, which began in 1791 and traced back to the Arabian stallions imported to England from
2759-416: The 1980s. He participated in the 1984 Summer Olympics , where he took 7th individually, and the 1988 Summer Olympics , winning the bronze medal with the French team. The 1980s also saw the rise of Jappeloup (1975–1991). A small black horse with a conformation and gaits that were considered disadvantageous for show jumping, Jappeloup was an unusual cross between a Throughbred mare and a French Trotter sire, and
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2848-476: The 2005 foal crop produced fewer than 50 horses. Paul Bennett, the director of the Coach and Livestock Department for Colonial Williamsburg , estimated the global population of purebred Cleveland Bays to be around 1,000 in 2020, with 220 being in North America, including the United States and Canada. However, infertility in mares was an ongoing issue. A 2020 study revealed inbreeding to be another issue in
2937-482: The 2010s, with Swiss rider Steve Guerdat riding a member of the breed, Nino des Buissonets, to individual gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics . More recently, Totem de Brecey (b. 2007) placed fourth in the 2019 Continental/Regional Championships Luhmühlen and was ridden by French rider Christopher Six at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics . Horse breed A horse breed is a selectively bred population of domesticated horses , often with pedigrees recorded in
3026-453: The 2012 Grand National race, and Quevega . Many Selle Français compete each year in international competitions in many equestrian disciplines. Some have been particularly successful: Almé Z (1966–1991), while not a successful international competitor himself, was a sire of huge importance to the international show jumping world. Among his numerous successful progeny were I Love You (a World Cup winner) and Galoubet A (1972–2005), part of
3115-652: The ANSF was ranked as the 3rd best show jumping stud book in the world, topped only by the Dutch Warmblood and Belgian Warmblood breeds, and a Selle Français horse was ranked first in the world. The stud book was ranked at 6th in the world in eventing, with the top horse placed at 25th. The ANSF was ranked 19th in dressage, beaten by many of the more popular dressage breeds, including Dutch Warmbloods , Hanoverians and Westphalians . The Institut français du cheval et de l'équitation (French Institute of Horse Riding),
3204-549: The Cleveland Bay and the Yorkshire Coach-horse are very closely allied, the two varieties representing the best type of heavy coachers we possess". Called by some the "New Cleveland Bay", foreigners often could not distinguish between the two breeds, and many horses registered as Cleveland Bays in European coach horse studbooks were actually Yorkshire Coach Horses. There has been some debate over whether or not
3293-450: The Cleveland Bay breed, with genetic analysis revealing that approximately 91% of the stallion and 48% of the dam lines no longer existed in the modern breed, partly due to loss of genetic diversity through crossbreeding from 1900 to 2006. The study also found that "only 3 ancestors determine 50% of the genome in the living population, with 70% of maternal lineage being derived from 3 founder females, and all paternal lineages traced back to
3382-956: The Cleveland Bay has greatly fluctuated since it was first imported to the United States in the early nineteenth century. Despite serious declines in the population after the Second World War , the breed has experienced a resurgence in popularity since the 1970s, although only around 550 horses existed worldwide as of 2006. They have been patronized by members of the British Royal Family throughout their history, and they are still used to pull carriages in royal processions today. The breed has also been used to develop and improve several warmblood and draught horse breeds. Today they are used for farm work and driving, as well as under-saddle work. They are particularly popular for fox hunting and show jumping , both pure blooded and when crossed with Thoroughbreds. The Cleveland Bay
3471-588: The Cleveland Bay was waning, due to increased mechanisation, and the Great Depression of the early 1930s reduced exports by almost a third. There was a brief revival of interest in the late 1930s in the United States when Alexander Mackay-Smith imported some as foundation stock for hunters. The decline continued, quickening after the Second World War ; in 1960, the War Office stopped offering premiums on stallions, and many breeders discontinued breeding. By 1962, only four purebred stallions were present in
3560-583: The Cleveland Bays pull dignitaries and do other work. Post is driven daily between Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace with two Bays pulling a Clarence Brougham . Purebred and crossbred Cleveland Bays make up the majority of the bay horses in the Royal Mews, the British royal stables, where they receive intense training to desensitize them before they are put to work drawing royal carriages. The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery predominantly use bay-colored horses of several breeds; those pulling
3649-547: The King of Spain. The stallions were often available for breeding to local horses, and the first infusion of Iberian blood was added to the native Chapman Horses. The Iberian horses also made their way to the outlying estates of English nobility, and were then taken by Oliver Cromwell 's men after the English Civil War . Once in the hands of Cromwell's men, many of the stallions were made available for locals to cross with
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3738-487: The Middle East that became the foundation stallions for the breed. Some breed registries have a closed stud book , where registration is based on pedigree, and no outside animals can gain admittance. For example, a registered Thoroughbred or Arabian must have two registered parents of the same breed. Other breeds have a partially closed stud book, but still allow certain infusions from other breeds. For example,
3827-479: The Selle Français has been exported worldwide, with additional stud books formed in Great Britain and the United States. Horses registered with the stud books must undergo inspections which judge their conformation , gaits and performance. Horses of other breeds who pass the inspections, including those of Thoroughbred , Arabian , Anglo-Arabian and French Trotter bloodlines, may be used for breeding, with
3916-469: The Selle Français has gradually improved, but has faced stiff competition from northern European breeds, which often have more active gaits. In addition, many French breeders guide their horses to the more popular and profitable sport of show jumping, which sometimes deprives the dressage system of good horses. The World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) ranks warmblood stud books based on their success in eventing, show jumping and dressage. In 2013,
4005-513: The UK stud-book. The Australasian society refers to part-breds as Sporthorses; they require at least 25% Cleveland Bay blood. The Cleveland Bay is a versatile horse and is still used today for many tasks, including driving and farmwork. The horses are used as heavy hunters , as they are powerful and able to carry a man weighing 250 pounds (110 kg) for a full day of hunting over large obstacles and through heavy clay. When crossed with Thoroughbreds,
4094-538: The United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II saved the breed by purchasing Mulgrave Supreme, a stallion that was about to be sold to a buyer in the United States. The stallion was bred to pure- and part-bred mares, and within 15 years, there were 36 purebred stallions in the UK. Elizabeth II was a patron of the Society from 1977, and during the Society's centenary year of 1984 she acted as its president. In
4183-700: The United States and Canada were noted as Cleveland Bay breeding hubs. In the late 18th century, the Cleveland Bay was used to create the Yorkshire Coach Horse by crossing with Thoroughbreds. The Cleveland Bay was used in the creation of the Oldenburg breed in Germany, because of its stamina, strength, and jumping ability. The breed was also used to create and improve the Holstein and Hanoverian breeds, as well as other German warmbloods , and
4272-407: The United States, sometime based on state law and sometimes based on antitrust laws. Horses can crossbreed with other equine species to produce hybrids . These hybrid types are not breeds, but they resemble breeds in that crosses between certain horse breeds and other equine species produce characteristic offspring. The most common hybrid is the mule , a cross between a "jack" (male donkey) and
4361-640: The United States. The UK Rare Breeds Survival Trust also considers their status to be critical, with less than 300 breeding females registered worldwide. The Equus Survival Trust also considers the breed population to be at critical levels, meaning there are between 100 and 300 breeding females left in the world. About 135 purebred horses are registered in the United States and Canada. There are also small populations in Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. In 2006, an estimated 550 Cleveland Bay horses existed worldwide, of which about 220 were mares ;
4450-440: The Yorkshire Coach Horse constituted an actual breed or was just a type as its epoch was relatively short-lived, breeders primarily used first and second-generation Thoroughbred and Cleveland Bay crosses, and many found the Yorkshire Coach Horse to be indistinguishable from the Cleveland Bay. In North America, Yorkshire Coach Horses were registered under the Cleveland Bay stud book and usually called Cleveland Bays. In 1886 England,
4539-404: The acceptance of these techniques because they allow a stallion to breed more mares with each "collection" and greatly reduce the risk of injury during mating. Cloning of horses is highly controversial, and at the present time most mainstream breed registries will not accept cloned horses, though several cloned horses and mules have been produced. Such restrictions have led to legal challenges in
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#17327718566074628-500: The age, breed and nationality of the horses. The qualification criteria involve the conformation , gaits , performance and are scored against national indices. Mares can be of several origins and be listed as facteur de selle français . Thoroughbred, AQPS , pure or crossbred Anglo-Arabians and French Trotting horses may also qualify under this designation, as do mares that are the product of two facteur de selle français horses. Mares belonging to other saddle horse breeds recognized by
4717-604: The black normally associated with bay horses), generally the result of a chestnut Thoroughbred sire in the family tree. A 2019 genetic study of the Cleveland Bay breed also revealed genetic similarities to the now-extinct Turkoman horse , the Connemara Pony , and the Irish Draught . A separate 2020 study also found that three of the maternal lines in the modern-day Cleveland Bay likely originated from Iberian or Barb mares. The British Cleveland Bay Horse Society
4806-472: The breed were developed during the Middle Ages for use as pack horses , when they gained their nickname of "Chapman Horses". These pack horses were cross-bred with Andalusian and Barb blood, and later with Arabians and Thoroughbreds , to create the Cleveland Bay of today. Over the years, the breed became lighter in frame as they were employed more as carriage and riding horses. The popularity of
4895-601: The breed. White markings , such as white on the lower legs, are fairly common within the breed, and are again inherited from its Norman ancestors. The temperament of the Selle Français is highly variable from one horse to another. This is due to the selection criteria for breeding stock, which since the beginning of the breed have been based on physical ability. In recent years, however, the ANSF and breeders have been working to create selection criteria that focus on temperament. The vast majority of Selle Français have good temperaments, quiet but energetic, patient and friendly. The breed
4984-437: The chest is broad and deep, the shoulders are muscular and sloping, and the croup slightly sloping. The legs are short in relation to the body, but strong and well muscled. The legs have little or no feather , as the breed was developed partially for working in the heavy clay soils of its native country, where heavy feather led to increased disease prevalence. They are hardy and long-lived horses, and docile in temperament. In
5073-425: The concept of purebred bloodstock and a controlled, written breed registry only became of significant importance in modern times. Today, the standards for defining and registration of different breeds vary. Sometimes, purebred horses are called "Thoroughbreds", which is incorrect; " Thoroughbred " is a specific breed of horse, while a "purebred" is a horse (or any other animal) with a defined pedigree recognized by
5162-413: The earliest registered horses, it is possible that many of the "Cleveland Bays" registered were actually Yorkshire Coach Horses ; however, all were registered as Clevelands, and that is what they are known as today. Over 2,000 horses were registered with the association by 1907. The horses were of interest to Buffalo Bill Cody , who drove four Cleveland Bay stallions in his Wild West Show . Before
5251-489: The early twentieth century, when a breed standard was issued by the British Cleveland Bay Society for use in judging shows, a section was added on the movement of the horses, describing the desired action, especially at the trot . This was included in part because military potential was still considered a factor in evaluating harness horses and a good trot was necessary for an artillery horse. It
5340-473: The existing Chapman Horses, adding a second infusion of Iberian bloodlines. In the late 17th century, a second infusion of Barb blood was added when Cleveland breeders purchased horses directly from soldiers at Tangier , or from the Moors themselves. Between 1685 and 1785, it is believed that this early Chapman Horse/Andalusian/Barb type served as the foundation stock for the Cleveland Bay. During this century
5429-497: The forehead, render the horse inadmissible to the stud book . Horses are expected to have complete black points , including completely black lower legs. Legs that are red below the knees and hocks are considered faulty in colour, although they do not disqualify a horse from registration. The occasional red legs that appear in the breed are thought to come from chestnut Thoroughbred stallions that were crossed into Cleveland Bay and Yorkshire Coach Horse bloodlines at some points in
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#17327718566075518-557: The gold-medal winning French show-jumping team at the World Championships in 1982. Galoubet A, in turn, is known for both his competition career and the success of his offspring. He is the sire of Baloubet du Rouet (b. 1989), who with rider Rodrigo Pessoa won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and was a three-time winner of the World Cup. Flambeau C (b. 1971) became a pillar of the French show jumping team in
5607-492: The heavy horse group. The closest breed in type is the Irish Draught , which shares common ancestors with the Cleveland Bay. The earliest breeding of the ancestors of the Cleveland Bay was done in large part by English churches and monasteries, to meet a need for pack horses to carry trade goods between abbeys and monasteries in northeast England. These medieval horses gained the nickname of "Chapman Horses" because of their use by itinerant dealers known as "chapmen" . What
5696-455: The history of both breeds. The uniformity in colour is encouraged as it makes creating matching driving teams and pairs very easy. When the breed was first developed, the horses almost always had a countershaded dorsal stripe, but these disappeared with the outcrossings of the 18th century. The breed has a large head, slightly convex profile, and a long, well-muscled neck. The withers are well muscled, which often makes them less pronounced,
5785-583: The international level in all three sports. Selle Français are also used for the production of race horses in France. By crossbreeding them with Thoroughbred and Anglo-Arabians, horses are produced which are competitive in steeplechase (racing over obstacles). These horses are generally registered as AQPS (meaning "other than Thoroughbred") in France. The AQPS studbook in France was created in 2005; before this, some successful French racehorses, especially those raced in steeplechase races, were registered as Selle Français. These include Neptune Collonges , winner of
5874-530: The late 1960s and 1970s, interest in the breed increased, and part-bred Cleveland Bays were in demand for use as riding horses, especially for use as hunters and jumpers. In 1964, a Cleveland Bay/Thoroughbred cross competed in show jumping in the Tokyo Olympics . Another half-bred Cleveland Bay competed for the British Olympic team in show jumping at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics , while a third
5963-401: The military, or those bred for pulling carriages, and Thoroughbred stallions. In 1914 these types were recognized as demi-sang or "half-blood" horses. Half-blood horses were found in many French regions, and different types were usually named after the regions in which they were bred. The three main types of French saddle horses by the mid-20th century were the Anglo-Norman (bred around Caen ),
6052-541: The modern Appaloosa must have at least one Appaloosa parent, but may also have a Quarter Horse , Thoroughbred, or Arabian parent, so long as the offspring exhibits appropriate color characteristics. The Quarter Horse normally requires both parents to be registered Quarter Horses, but allows "Appendix" registration of horses with one Thoroughbred parent, and the horse may earn its way to full registration by completing certain performance requirements. Open stud books exist for horse breeds that either have not yet developed
6141-400: The most preferred by breeders, followed by ordinary bay, dark bay and then light bay. This preference for brighter shades of bay was originally stated in the official breed standard, although this stipulation has since been removed. In some bloodlines of the breed, light, grayish hairs in the mane and tail are known as a characteristic of pure blood. White markings , except for a small star on
6230-512: The most widely represented, as the Anglo-Norman had been used for breeding throughout France. Since its creation as a breed, the Selle Français has been selected solely as a sport horse. Because of this, the breed has homogenized and refined, and since its creation has been a successful competitor in international equestrian sport. In July 2003, the Association nationale du selle français (ANSF or National Association of French Saddle Horses)
6319-563: The powerful hindquarters are an asset in show jumping . The chest is deep, and the shoulders long and sloping. The legs are strong and muscular with wide joints and hard hooves. The Selle Français is generally bay or chestnut in color, the latter being a legacy of its origins in the Anglo-Norman and Limousin breeds. Gray is much less common, with its origins in the Thoroughbred and Anglo-Arabian horses that contributed to
6408-415: The progeny able to be registered as Selle Français. Selle Français have proven successful at the international level of competition in many equestrian disciplines. They are most commonly seen in show jumping, eventing and dressage, although they are also seen in combined driving , equestrian vaulting and competitive trail riding competitions. Selle Français and their riders have won numerous medals in
6497-544: The result of a combination of natural crosses and artificial selection methods aimed at producing horses for specific tasks. Certain breeds are known for certain talents. For example, Standardbreds are known for their speed in harness racing . Some breeds have been developed through centuries of crossings with other breeds, while others, such as the Morgan horse , originated from a single sire from which all current breed members descend. More than 300 horse breeds exist in
6586-443: The resulting progeny are lighter and faster, but still strong and heavy of bone. When show jumping was first beginning as a sport during the mid-nineteenth century, Cleveland Bays were among the initial stars. Two mares, Star and Fanny Drape, were two of the top performers. Fanny Drape was known to have cleared a 6-foot (1.8 m) stone wall with a rider on her back, and a 7.5-foot (2.3 m) bar while being jumped in-hand. In 2006,
6675-497: The stud book was divided into two parts: a section for pure Selle Français from two registered parents and a section for horses with one facteur de selle français parent. In 2009, this distinction was abandoned and the two sections were recombined into a single stud book. The Selle Français is a French sport horse , now recognized internationally as a top breed for show jumping and three-day eventing. Selection criteria for breeding stock focuses on their jumping abilities. Show jumping
6764-511: The stud book with directives for other European warmblood breeds. For a Selle Français to be registered, it must be from two registered Selle Français parents or from a cross between a Selle Français and a facteur de selle français (non-Selle Français horse that has passed stud book selection procedures). Stallions must pass through a selection process before their progeny is allowed to be registered as Selle Français. The process involves an approval committee that judges stallions on criteria based on
6853-566: The type grew bigger due to better feeding, and by 1785, had developed through selective breeding into the "agricultural type" Cleveland Bay. This original type was heavier and more draught-like than the breed of today. This was due to a need for strength more than speed on the farms and poor roads of 17th- and 18th-century England. As roads improved, and speed became more important in the late 18th century, Thoroughbred and Arabian blood may have been added. The resulting horses were used extensively as coach horses , and were lighter of frame, with
6942-433: The vast majority (around 77 percent) were very small operations with only one mare. In 2008, there were 7,638 Selle Français foals born, which made up 57 percent of the total saddle horses bred in France. In 2009, over 13,500 Selle Français mares were bred, of which 11,830 were mated to approved stallions to produce Selle Français offspring. In the same year, there were 505 active Selle Français stallions. The Selle Français
7031-443: The war caused a depletion in stock, in 1920 and 1921, the British society opened a special register for previously unregistered mares of Cleveland Bay type, including some already registered as Yorkshire Coach Horses, subject to inspection. Foals of these mares were eligible for registration in the main stud-book, and were also eligible to compete in breed competitions. Some were bred and owned by King George V . However, interest in
7120-477: The world leaders in both show jumping and three-day eventing. Four stallions made up the champion show jumping team at the 2002 World Equestrian Games , while four more Selle Francais made up the winning three-day event team at the 2004 Summer Olympics . In 2003, a Selle Francais became the European champion in vaulting, and another was named the world champion in competitive trail riding. The Selle Français continued to lead international show jumping competitions in
7209-525: The world today. Modern horse breeds developed in response to a need for "form to function", the necessity to develop certain physical characteristics to perform a certain type of work. Thus, powerful but refined breeds such as the Andalusian or the Lusitano developed in the Iberian Peninsula as riding horses that also had a great aptitude for dressage , while heavy draft horses such as
7298-538: Was a reserve mount for the Canadian show jumping team at the 1976 Montreal Olympics . In the late 1960s and '70s, horses continued to be exported to many countries. Japan, the United States, and Australia have continued to import the horses from England; and, in New Zealand, crosses between Cleveland Bay stallions and native mares were in demand on cattle and sheep stations . The Cleveland Bay Horse Society keeps
7387-421: Was also evaluated because breeds with large action at the trot often also have a potential for jumping . The combination of desired characteristics means that the breed is useful for breeding show jumpers , eventers and steeplechasers (the latter especially when crossed with Thoroughbreds). Part-bred horses can be registered under certain conditions. A horse with at least one grandparent may be registered in
7476-534: Was approved as the breed association . The ANSF plays an advocacy role with stakeholders and partners in the equine world and ensures a proper orientation of selection and genetic improvement within the breed. Breeding of Selle Français is centered in Normandy, mainly due to its origins in Norman-related bloodlines. As of 2009, there were 7,722 farms that reported breeding activity of Selle Français, although
7565-459: Was created in Virginia by Colonel Richard Henry Dulany to showcase his imported Cleveland Bay stallion and the offspring of the stallion. The Cleveland Bay Society of America was formed in 1885, and by 1907 over 2,000 horses were registered in the studbook. The stud book began publication in 1889, although horses were registered who had lived as far back as 1860. Judging from the descriptions of
7654-430: Was done to create a sport horse that would meet the needs of a post- World War II mechanized society where horses were used by both the French military and civilians for leisure and sport. The first Selle Français were not homogeneous in type, but offered a wide genetic diversity , due to the wide variety of local horses crossed with Thoroughbreds, Anglo-Arabians, and French Trotters . Norman origins, however, were
7743-498: Was formed in 1883, and the first stud book was published in 1884. The 19th century saw the export of many Cleveland Bays overseas to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, India, Russia, France, Germany, and the European continent. In the early 19th century, Cleveland Bays were first imported to Maryland , Virginia , and Massachusetts in the United States, and in 1884 the Upperville Colt & Horse Show
7832-426: Was on the French bronze medal winning show jumping team at the 1992 Summer Olympics , ridden by Hervé Godignon , and Quito de Baussy (b. 1982) was a European champion, world champion and another member of the French team in 1992, ridden by Éric Navet . Rochet Rouge (1983–2008) was a show jumping European champion in 1999 and an individual bronze medalist at the 1996 Summer Olympics . The 2000s saw Selle Français among
7921-420: Was registered as Selle Français. Despite this, he had an impressive jumping style, and won two French championships in 1982 and 1986, a European championship in 1987, several team medals at the European and World Championships, and a gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics with rider Pierre Durand, Jr. In the 1990s, several Selle Français rose to prominence in international competition. Quidam de Revel (b. 1982),
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