Oldenburger Horses: Versatile Sport and Leisure Partners

Oldenburger: A detailed profile

Breed

German Riding Horse/Oldenburg

Size

Minimum height for 3 years - 1.60 meters

Physique and conformation

Oldenburgers are large-framed warmbloods of the sport horse type:

• Height at withers between 160 and 175 cm
• long, strong-boned legs with clear contours and structures
• high set tail
• broad torso with strong, sloping shoulder

Character

Oldenburgers used to be considered calm, with strong nerves, almost somewhat stoic. In the meantime, the horses with the affable, balanced and uncomplicated characters are clearly more sensitive, temperamental and courageous due to the cross-breeding of the thoroughbred breeds. However, they have not lost their friendliness and affection, which makes them a reliable partner for leisure and sport. In general, they have a well-balanced, good-natured nature and are considered to be "clear-headed", with a good capacity and will to perform.

Movement sequence

The gaits are swinging, ground covering, elastic and energetic with great freedom of shoulder, good back action and active hindquarters.

Coat Colors

All colors are represented, but pinto is rather rare. White markings on the head or legs are allowed. Leisure or sport horse? Of course, it depends on the individual horse, the disposition and what you want to achieve as a rider. In general, the Oldenburg is a very versatile horse for leisure and sport. Due to the focus in breeding on performance, stamina, elastic gaits with a lot of ground cover and drive, and at the same time high rideability, this breed can now be used in all disciplines in major sports. The proportion of highly prized dressage horses of this breed is high, the specially bred show jumpers are internationally represented in the sport. In driving, the Oldenburgers develop their very special talent. But also less ambitious riders feel safe and comfortable on the very sociable Oldenburger and benefit from his strong nerves even in unpredictable situations. This characteristic also makes him the ideal companion for riding beginners or children.

Health

Like all horses, Oldenburgs can suffer from typical equine diseases, especially if ridden and fed incorrectly, but they are generally considered robust. Diseases with genetic origin are not known.

Price

The price is of course always according to the quality and depends on age, pedigree, training and health condition. A good horse of this breed for the upper tournament sport is certainly rather in the upper price category.

History and development of the Oldenburg breeding programm

Oldenburg horse breeding has a rich and interesting history that sets it apart from other German horse breeds. Unlike the Trakehner, the Oldenburg is not a horse breed in its own right, but belongs to the German riding horse breed. It shares this similarity with the Hanoverian and the Westphalian, but this in no way diminishes its quality as an excellent sport horse. The main breeding area of Oldenburg in northern Germany gave the Oldenburg its name.

Historical roots of Oldenburg horse breeding

There has never been a state stud or stallions owned by the association in Oldenburg. Breeding has always taken place in private stud farms, and all stallions are still owned by private stallion owners and breeding stations today. Count Anton Günther von Oldenburg (1603-1667), a great horse connoisseur and promoter of horse breeding, recognized the potential of the then still quite strong draft and working horses, which were bred there at the beginning of the 17th century as "Alt-Oldenburger". Today, this breed is known collectively as the East Friesian/Old Oldenburg.

Refinement and development

The initially heavy, caliber horses developed into strong, expressive and elegant carriage horses, often with a ram's head, through breeding with fine-boned stallions, mainly from Spain or the Orient. The first association was founded in 1820, which introduced licensing and the development of the brand. After separations and mergers, the Verband der Züchter des Oldenburger Pferdes e. V. was founded in 1923.

Influence of important stallions

The successful principle of the breeding process was continued with the use of the thoroughbred Adonis xx (1959). In the 1960s, stallions of French origin were used very successfully. The well-known breeder Georg Vorwerk imported the Anglo-Norman Furioso II (1965-1986) and the French Anglo-Arabian gray stallion Inschallah for Oldenburg breeding, who produced consistently good horses for all disciplines from 1972 to 1990.

Modern breeding principles

The Oldenburg Breeders' Association continues to be very liberal in approving stallions from different breeding lines and the combination of different bloodlines. The breeding goal is primarily to produce a performance-oriented, athletic, reliable, noble and versatile sport horse. This gave rise to veritable "stallion dynasties" or breeding lines, which still account for the quality and reputation of Oldenburg horses today:

• D-Line (Donnerhall plus the offspring)
• R-line (Rubinstein plus the offspring)
• L-line (Landadel plus the offspring)
• S-Line (Sandro Hit plus the offspring)

Outstanding Oldenburg breeding stallions

Donnerhall - The millennium stallion

Donnerhall (* May 30, 1981; † January 14, 2002)
Sire: Donnerwetter
MV: Markus
MMV: Carnot

Donnerhall's breeder was Otto Gärtner, who also relied on the old familiar breeding recipe: good stallions from other lines with thoroughbred influence, paired with an Alt-Oldenburg mare. In the beginning, Donnerhall's popularity was slow, the competitors and the interest in good stallions from Hanover were too great. In addition, the euphoria of the Thoroughbred wave had died down. But already in his performance test, Donnerhall took second place with 130 points. He already showed the good rideability so typical for this breed, the first-class basic gaits and willingness to perform. But at first he was "only" licensed, not marketed. However, this was soon to change. Trained by Herbert and Karin Rehbein, he reached Grand Prix level within a short time with expressive passage, piaffe and the strong trot. Numerous victories at national and international shows, European and World Championships followed. Donnerhall was not only an extremely successful sport horse, he is also one of the most famous sire legends to this day, whose name runs through countless pedigrees and speaks for quality. He was certainly top sire of his time and among his offspring you will find many renowned champion stallions and premium mares as well as numerous successful Grand Prix winners and World Championship participants. No other stallion has produced so many horses spoiled by success.

Sandro Hit - Type-brilliant Oldenburg stallion

Sandro Hit (*1993 † August 2002)
S: Sandro Song (Sandro Song G)
MV: Ramino
MMV: Welt As
Breeder: Gabriele Harder-Brune

The black stallion was discovered at the 1993 Elite Foal Show at the Oldenburg Horse Center in Vechta. He made history not only in sport but also in breeding. But his career got off to a slow start. He appeared more in the background and was considered difficult. It was not until the 1999 World Championships for six-year-old dressage horses under Dr. Ulf Möller that he advanced to stardom and won with clear grace. He went on to win the Bundeschampionat in Warendorf with a dream score of 9.5. Naturally, this also attracted the attention of breeders. Within a short time, the demand became so great that Sandro Hit's show career was abandoned. In 2012 he was already one of the top ten sires of dressage horses in the world (WBFSH SIRE Rankings). Five of his offspring made it to the Olympic Games in Tokyo: There were Olympic gold and silver medals for Germany and the USA with Showtime FRH/Dorothee Schneider and Salvino/Adrienne Lyle/USA. It was already the second gold medal for Showtime FRH, after European Championship team gold and double individual silver. Also competing were Sebastien/Lindsay Kellock/CAN, Scolari/Shingo Hayashi/JPN and Sir Donnerhall II OLD/Morgan Barbançon/FRA. At the 2016 Olympic Games, Santano II/Christopher Burton/AUS also secured team bronze in eventing. In Germany alone, there are over 200 licensed sons, including numerous licensing winners, premium stallions and top-class stallions. Over 500 of his daughters have been awarded state premiums.

Fürst Romanciers - Successful offsprings

Prince Romancier * 2004
S: Fürst Heinrich
MV: Romancier WFA
MMV: Donnerhall 11
Breeder: Schulze, Lothar

A jewel of this breed is certainly the well-known breeding stallion Fürst Romancier, who placed highly in the Bundeschampionat and at the World Championships for five-year-old dressage horses. The offspring of this black and bay stallion, born in 2004, with 25.59% thoroughbred content, set the tone in the large arena. He now has over 30 licensed sons. These include the Oldenburg Champion Stallion and Grand Prix-winning For Romance I OLD. Numerous offspring are very successful in the dressage ring, such as the Burg Pokal winner First Romance with Dorothee Schneider.

Other Oldenburg stallions with dressage emphasis

Fidelity * 2016
S: Fiderdance
MV: Sandro Hit
MMV: Riccione
Breeder: Gestüt Bonhomme GmbH&Co.KG, Werder

Vivadon * 2015
S: ExquisVivaldi
MV: Diamond Hit
MMV: Agentinus2
Breeder: Gestüt Lewitz, Steinfeld

Forever Love * 2018
V: Fair Game
MV: Destano
MMV: Calypos I
Breeder: Konrad Mensch, 88453 Erolzheim

Fair Deal6 * 2018
S: Franklin
MV: Fürstenball
MMV: Totilas 13
Breeder: Gestüt Lewitz, Steinfeld

Breeding programme for Oldenburger Jumpimg Horses

And another small peculiarity in the breeding is worth mentioning: Under the umbrella organization Oldenburger Pferdezuchtverband e. V. 2 stud books are kept: For the breeding of show jumpers, the abbreviation OS is used for the breeding of the Association of Breeders of the Oldenburg Horse, the abbreviation OL. The breeding association Oldenburg-International (OS) was founded in 2001 with the aim to breed show jumpers for the international show jumping sport. While the breeding of the Oldenburger (OL) also uses untested or young stallions and good generalists are welcome, this association concentrates exclusively on breeding show jumpers for top sport. Stallions and mares from the international show jumping sport are the quality standard for the show jumping breeders and also the advantages and design possibilities by means of biotechnology are very welcome here.

Oldenburg show jumpers and breeding stallions

Coeur de Bella Donna * 2018
S: Cornet Obolensky (Windows v.h.Costersv.)
MV: Baldini II
MMV: Calido
Breeder: Qatar Armed Forces, 53909 Zülpich

Meganus PS * 2016
V: Messenger
MV: Carthago Z
MMV: Grannus
Breeder: Gestüt Lewitz

Balou du Reventon (Cornet's Balou) OS * 2006
S: Cornet Obolensky
MV: Continue OLD
MMV: Domino
Breeder: Gestüt Lewitz

What does OLD stand for?

Similar to the Hanoverians, the Oldenburgers also have a sports support program. It is called OLD and is intended to support top Oldenburg horses and top riders: Hale Bob OLD with Ingrid Klimke in eventing or Ellen Schulten-Baumer, two-time winner of the Piaff Sponsorship Prize Gina Royal OLD in dressage. Other Oldenburgers in the sports support program include Sir Donnerhall II OLD, San Fancisco OLD, Sisters Act MT OLD or Sir Diamond OLD.

Marketing of Oldenburger Horses

Vechta is home to the Oldenburg Horse Center with the association headquarters and the action center. Auctions are held six times a year, at which riding horses, young stallions, foals and broodmares as well as Weser-Ems riding ponies and riding pony foals are auctioned off. The ClipMyHorse.TV marketplace also offers a good opportunity to buy and sell Oldenburg sport horses.

Well-known Oldenburg horses in the international equestrian sport:

SAP Hale Bob OLD, an exceptional horse in the eventing sport

Pedigree * 04/25/2004
V: Helikon xx
MV: Noble Champion
MMV: Goldlöwe
Breeder: Rolf Lück

Hale Bob was together with his rider and owner Ingrid Klimke a "safe bet" in eventing for a long time. Unfortunately, he was injured on the cross-country course at the test event for the World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, in 2022 and was then retired from the sport. He won four European Championships with four gold and one silver medal and almost won the World Championship title. He won bronze at the 2018 World Championships and silver for the German team at the Olympic Games in Rio. Hale Bob is a prime example of the success of the aforementioned early refinement with thoroughbred lines and the "courage for blood". On his father's side we find the thoroughbred stallion Dschingis Khan (*1961) in his pedigree, who won 11 national and international races on grass and was placed in 11 more. He was particularly successful over the mile (1 English mile = approx. 1609 m) and the 1000 m distance. His preferences were heavy ground and he loved cool weather. Incidentally, it was through his sire Tamerlane xx that the proven and until then very rare Nearco bloodline came to Germany. Hale Bob therefore certainly had the rational and economical canter in his blood, combined with a certain will to win. However, he also had enormous jumping ability, which made him an exceptional eventing horse. In terms of character, he has the traits that you always find in Oldenburg horses: people-oriented and affectionate and content with himself and the world.

Oldenburgers in international dressage:

Bonfire *March 21, 1983 - † June 28, 2013
Successes: Four Olympic medals(including a gold medal in the individual classification)
Rider: Anky van Grunsven

Donnerhall * May 30, 1981 - † January 14, 2002
Successes: two-time team world champion. Successful stallion
Rider: Karin Rehbein

Fabiola *1995
Successes: 3× German Champion and 3× World Championship Silver at the Paralympic Games
Rider: Hannelore Brenner

Relevant *1991 - †2017
Successes: 2002 World Championship team silver, 2003 European Championship individual silver,
2004 dressage team bronze at the Olympic Games in Athens
Rider: Lisa Wilcox

Renoir-Unicef *1991
Successes: First and second places in Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special,
Grand Prix Freestyle and Nations Cup Aachen
Rider: Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff

Weihegold OLD *2005
Successes: First and second places in Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special,
Grand Prix Freestyle and Nations Cup Aachen
Rider: Isabell Werth

Oldenburger in international show jumping:

Sandro Boy *5.March 1993
Successes: World Cup Final Winner 2006,successful stallion
Rider: Marcus Ehning

Weihaiwej *1984 - † 2019
Successes: Individual and team world champion
Riding: Franke Sloothaak

FAQ - Oldenburger

1. How does the Oldenburg differ from the Trakehner?

The Oldenburg belongs to the German riding horse breed and is not a separate breed like the Trakehner.

2 Who was Count Anton Günther von Oldenburg?

Count Anton Günther von Oldenburg was an important horse connoisseur and promoter of horse breeding in the 17th century.

3. Which French stallions shaped Oldenburg breeding in the 1960s?

The stallions Furioso II and Inschallah had a great influence on the quality of the Oldenburg horses.

4. What role did the thoroughbred Adonis xx play in breeding?

Adonis xx continued the successful principle of the refinement process in Oldenburg breeding.

5. Where can you buy Oldenburg horses?

In addition to the auctions at the Oldenburg Horse Center in Vechta, you can also find reputable breeders and sellers of Oldenburg horses on the website. You can also find your future sport partner on ClipMyHorse.TV . Oldenburg horses have a long tradition and an excellent reputation in horse breeding. They are known for their versatility, willingness to perform and their elegant conformation. The breeders attach great importance to a careful selection of bloodlines and to sustainable breeding practices that bring out the best in the horses. On ClipMyHorse.TV you will find a large number of these high-quality horses for sale, from foals to trained sport partners.