Breeding goals BWP

Option Jumping

Performance:

The goal of BWP is to breed healthy horses that can perform on the highest jumping level. They have a correct and functional constitution and a good tact and rhythm in the gaits.

Conformation:

  • The BWP jumping horse stands in a good rectangular model (proportional build) and has to show rideability. The ideal height is between 1m65 and 1m75.
  • The head is attractive with intelligent eyes.
  • The neck is long, sufficiently raised and well muscled.
  • The shoulder must have a sufficient length and a sloping shoulder.
  • The withers is well-developed.
  • The back has sufficient strength, suppleness and is not too long.
  • The loins are well-shaped and closed.
  • The croupe should be slightly sloping and sufficiently long.
  • The BWP jumping horse has sufficient muscle and mass and must be amply strong in the middle section.
  • The hindquarters of the BWP jumping horse must be well-muscled.

Movement:

  • The walk and trot must be sufficiently covering, correct and supple. Balance, a good tact and impulsion are important.
  • The canter is covering, balanced, active and shows impulsion and self-carriage.
  • The body is supple.

Foundation:

  • The foundation must be sufficiently developed, with good proportions between bones and muscles. The foundation must be hard and correct.
  • The joints and hoofs must be sufficiently developed and in balance with the foundation.

Jumping qualities:

  • The BWP jumping horse has a good attitude and is rideable, intelligent and careful.
  • The horse has good reflexes, scope and technique (front and hind legs) on the jump. He uses his body and has a lot of power.

Option dressage

Performance:

The goal of BWP is to breed top dressage horses who can perform at Grand Prix level. A horse that excels at a young age is not enough. Good young horses who score well at a World Championship for Young Dressage Horses can also be bred for another direction.

Health:

The horse must have a good health and show durability (according to the G-label of BWP).

Conformation:

The conformation of the horse must be functional for dressage. There are general standards for the correct conformation of the dressage horse; such as the stance of the legs, joints and rectangular model, the same standards that are used for other breeding directions.

The following standards are added:

  • Built uphill with a long front leg in combination with a correct hind leg. The rectangular model might therefore optically be less clear.
  • Sufficient size and dimensions.
  • Sufficient appearance and presence.
  • Long-legged frame.
  • Sufficiently strong top line: not too tight, not too weak.

KNOCK-OUT CRITERIA:

  • Built downhill (= short front leg)
  • Weak top line (loins)
  • Position neck should not be too horizontal nor have a too low angle

Movements:

The horse has three good basic gaits: with tact and balance.

  • Walk: clean, sufficiently covering (including front leg), active
  • Trot: tact, carried hind leg, suppleness, impulsion (power). A super use of the front leg is not a necessity, but it is, however, a positive point.
  • Canter: Well jumped and able to lengthen, shorten and change easily. The horse rises in the front so it can easily change to trot and/or walk. It is an advantage when the horse has a good use of his front legs.

KNOCK-OUT CRITERIA:

  • Short ‘clumsy’ walk
  • Non-active hind leg in trot
  • Incorrect in trot (swinging in or out)
  • Not enough impulsion or power in relation to the front leg
  • Not enough jump in canter

New standards for dressage horses:

  • Character and temperament: A dressage horse must be easy to work with. The horse must have a friendly appearance and should not be too frightened. Too bold horses are not desired, they might show a lack of ‘rittigkeit’.
  • Appealing conformation: The conformation of a dressage horse is more important than the conformation of a jumping horse. A dressage rider prefers a good looking horse.
  • Give greater importance to movements: in walk, trot and canter: Good gaits are essential for dressage horses. This is desired for a jumping horse, but not essential.  

Breeding goals BRp

The breeding programm for BRp, the Belgian Riding Pony, aims to improve the breed. BRp wants to breed a modern and rideable pony in two sizes.

  • The smaller size is bred to be a ‘play’ pony: with a great character and the ability to perform well in the rider’s first steps in competition.
  • The bigger size is meant to be a real sport pony.

The pony of the future

The department of BRp is a strongly developed pony breeding branch and chooses to refine the breeding goal of the Belgian Riding Pony. The pony of the future must still meet the breeding goals that were established in 1998, but the pony has to evolve into a real sports-orientated pony.

This can be achieved by using high performance BRp pony stallions, by using foreign pony stallions and/or by using horses in pony breeding. This has already been done in the past. The breeder himself chooses the best formula.

Conformation of the sport pony

The conformation judges will guard the typical image of the sport pony. They will pay attention to the most important characteristics of a good sport pony during the selections. The emphasis will be on a good and willing character, a pony that moves with suppleness and has a sporting model.

Build:

  • The BRp pony has a good rectangular and rideable model (proportional). The ponies are devided in two sections (size):
    • Small size: from 110 cm to 132 cm
    • Big size: from 132 cm to 149 cm - The head is appealing with intelligent eyes.
  • The neck is long, has sufficient carriage and is well muscled.
  • The shoulder must have sufficient length and must be sloping.
  • The withers is well-developed.
  • The back is sufficiently strong, supple and not too long.
  • The loins are well-developed and closed.
  • The croupe is slightly sloping and sufficiently long.
  • The BRp pony is sufficient muscular, has sufficient mass and sufficient strength in the middle section.
  • The hindquarters of the pony must be muscular.

Movement:

  • The walk and trot must be sufficiently covering, correct and supple. Balance, a good tact and impulsion are important.
  • The canter is covering, balanced, active and powerful with a carrying hind leg.
  • The pony moves with suppleness through the body.

Foundation:

  • The foundation must be sufficiently developed with a good relation between bones and muscles. The legs must be hard and the stance correct. -
  • The joints and hoofs must be amply developed and in proportion with the foundation.

Sporting talent:

  • The BRp pony has a good attitude for jumping. The pony is also intelligent and careful.
  • He has good reflexes, impulsion and a good technique (front and hind legs) in the jump. He uses his body well and has a lot of scope.
  • An all-round pony with sufficient cover in his movements which makes him also very suitable for dressage.