Oldenburg Horses
16.2hh - 17.2hh
Predominantly brown, black and bay.
Germany's heaviest warmblood, the Oldenburg was originally bred as a coach horse based on the Friesian horses. They are named for Count Anton Gunther von Oldenburg who developed the breed by crossing stallions from Italy and Spain with native horses. Later, Cleveland Bay, Thoroughbred and Hanoverian blood were added, resulting in a large, upright horse. The infusion of more Thoroughbred blood and Selle Francais after WWII gave way to a lighter, more refined breed.
At least one of the Thoroughbreds introduced to the Oldenburg line could trace its lines back to the unbeaten racehorse Eclipse, descendant of the Darley Arabian and founder of one of the four Thoroughbred lines.
The Oldenburg still tends to be big compared to other warmbloods. They are used for both show jumping and dressage. Their equable nature, elastic gait and powerful jump may be why they are particularly popular in the United States. Perhaps the most famous one in modern history is Olympic Bonfire who, ridden by Anky van Grunsven, won the World Dressage Freestyle to Music Championship.
