While the modern KWPN horse has developed increasingly specifically toward show jumping, dressage, and driving sport, the Gelder horse breeding direction focuses on preserving the elegantly built foundation horse with its original characteristics. The breeding goal is a versatile riding and driving horse with a reliable, cheerful, and willing character.

Ideal for all-round sport

The Gelder horse has a well-developed forehand, ample bone and substance, and impressive gaits with impulsion and power from the hindquarters. This makes it an ideal horse for riders and drivers who want to participate broadly in equestrian sport without limiting themselves to a single discipline.

Inspection standard

In the inspection standard, the functional aspect for sport is central. It evaluates whether a conformation trait supports the Gelder horse in its versatile use, both in harness and under saddle. The Gelder horse is distinguished by a cheerful way of going and a reliable character, and these traits form an important basis for evaluation.

Objective and uniform assessment

The inspection standard contributes to an objective and uniform evaluation of horses. It provides clear guidelines within which judges make their assessments, reduces the influence of personal preferences, and increases the reliability and repeatability of evaluations.

The desired Gelder horse

Conformation:

  • well-proportioned, with substance and a well-developed forehand;
  • built in a rectangular frame;
  • with a slightly uphill body orientation;
  • with a correctly positioned and solid foundation (legs and feet) and plenty of bone;
  • elegantly built and with presence.

Movement (dressage/driving):

  • walks in a correct four-beat rhythm, active with suppleness and impulsion;
  • trots in a correct two-beat rhythm, active with suppleness, impulsion, and knee action, with balance, self-carriage, and power from the hindquarters;
  • canters in a correct three-beat rhythm, with impulsion, balance, and self-carriage;
  • shows presence in movement and produces front.

Jumping:

  • leaves the ground with power;
  • jumps with the withers up, with the highest point over the middle of the jump;
  • lifts the forearm above the horizontal and folds the cannon bone under the forearm;
  • shows bascule: lowers the neck over the jump so the body follows the line of the neck;
  • opens the hindquarters;
  • lands lightly and continues easily in canter;
  • is careful and efficient;
  • shows willingness to jump.

Character:

  • willing, reliable, and honest;
  • easy to handle.