The NA/WPN:
NA/WPN stands for “North American Department, Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands”, now known as “The Dutch Warmblood Studbook in North America”. The Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands (KWPN for Koninklijk Warmblood Paardenstamboek in Nederland) is the registry and studbook for Dutch Warmblood Sporthorses, and it has a history dating back to early in the last century. It deals with breeding goals and rules, inspection and evaluation, promotion, research, and administrative matters for breeders of Dutch horses.
The North American Department was established in 1983 to promote the breeding and enjoyment of the Dutch Warmblood Horse in North America. The NA/WPN has been charged with two major responsibilities. First, to preserve, promote, and develop the Dutch Warmblood horse to the highest possible standard in North America, and second, to serve its subscribers and breeders through a continuing program of services. In 1987, the name of the NA/WPN was ‘Americanized’ to The Dutch Warmblood Studbook in North America in order to be more easily recognized as the North American Department of the KWPN.
The Dutch Warmblood Sporthorse:
The Dutch Warmblood is a “warmblood sporthorse” breed. Warmblood simply distinguishes this type of horse from the “cold bloods” (draft horses) and the “hot bloods” (Thoroughbreds and Arabs). Sporthorse refers to the intended use of the breed – as a competitive and recreational horse for the major international equestrian disciplines of dressage, jumping, 3-day event, and driving.
History:
Most warmblood “breeds” are continuing to evolve. In fact, they are not “breeds” in the sense that Thoroughbreds, Arabs, Morgans, and Saddlebreds are breeds – they do not have “closed studbooks”. “Outside blood” is taken into the gene pool now and then to reap the benefits of hybrid vigor, and to speed and improve the evolutionary process of attaining the “Breeding Goal” of the particular studbook. The Dutch Warmblood is no exception.
The Dutch horse is a modern sport horse derived from the selective breeding of German, French and English horses crossed with the native Dutch stock. The main Dutch breeds in the last century were the Gelderlander of Southern Holland, and the Groninger of Northern Holland. The Groninger was the same horse as the early German Oldenburgs, and similar to the present Danish Oldenbourg. Over the last 200 years there have been frequent infusions of “foreign” blood – from France, Hannover, East Prussia, England, as well as Arab and Thoroughbred blood. The changes over the generations have reflected the needs of the times – carriage horses, war horses, farm horses, transportation, recreation. The “Modern Dutch Horse” is a recreation horse. A recreation horse might have one or several roles – a “specialist” in some competitive equestrian discipline like dressage, jumping, driving, or endurance riding, or a safe, pleasant, and attractive “backyard horse” for trail and ring riding and perhaps driving, vaulting, quadrille, etc.
Annually about 10,000 foals are born in Holland (compared to about 60,000 in Germany, 5,000 in Sweden, and 14,000 in France – the major sporthorse breeding countries). These horses supply the domestic market, but like most Dutch agricultural products, are also an important export product. In a relatively short time the “modernized” Dutch sport horse has rocketed to international competitive importance. Dutch warmblood horses, famous for their character, soundness and athletic ability, are exported to all corners of the globe, and are international winners under the flags of many different nations in international competitions and Olympic Games.
Selection System:
A rigorous selection system and continuous evaluation of breeding stock, as well as a high-tech research, statistical, and records department bring the latest developments in science and technology to bear on the improvement of the Dutch horses. In addition, the long horse-breeding history and agricultural heritage of the Dutch, bring generations of nearly in-born expertise to the production of top quality Dutch horses.
The main tools in the ongoing evolution and improvement of the Dutch horse are the Keurings, or inspections which are held in the Netherlands and in North America every year, at which horses are evaluated and rewarded according to their quality and fulfillment of the Breeding Goal. This system includes a very rigorous selection and testing system for breeding stallions – one of the most selective and rigorous in the world.
Unlike some warmblood registries, Dutch horses are not branded as foals based on the fact that they are “registered”. Instead, in order to be branded, they must be presented for Studbook Inspection at the age of three or older. If they are of sufficient quality they are inscribed in the Studbook, and can be branded. Studbook horses are then eligible for awards or predicates assigned according to the quality of the individual, and the quality and success of the offspring. The special predicates include “star” for horses of especially good quality, “keur” for star mares who perform a good performance test and show a good offspring, “preferent” for mares who have produced particularly good offspring, and “prestatie” for mares who have produced offspring that have been especially successful in sport.
Subscriber Services:
Subscribers to the services of the NA/WPN have access to a number of opportunities. Subscribers:
- receive a bimonthly NA/WPN newsletter
- receive the current Stallion Directory/Handbook
- are eligible to register Dutch horses bred in North America. List of currently verified stallions.
- are eligible to participate in the Keurings, or inspections, in North America · are eligible for Year End Sport Awards in Jumping, Dressage, and Combined Training
- may participate in the educational and recreational activities sponsored by the NA/WPN and the KWPN. These educational activities include the NA/WPN Annual Meeting
- may participate in promotions and advertising, such as the Fast Ads (a monthly publication of horses for sale, updated 5/29/98), and the annual Breeder’s and Farm Directory.
- may participate in the Annual Stallion Auction of stallion service
For more information: NA/WPN P O Box 0 Sutherlin, OR 97497 Phone(541) 459-3232 FAX(541) 459-2967
Information Provided Courtesy of the NA/WPN
