World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses
Encyclopedia
The World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) connects sport horse
breeding organizations with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports
(FEI). The FEI is the International Olympic Committee
-recognized federation for Olympic equestrian
sports. The WBFSH publishes official rankings of horses competing in international sport and also ranks the breeding organizations. Since 1992, the WBFSH has held the World Breeding Championships for Sport Horses, an international-level competition between the most promising young horses in the sports of dressage
, show jumping
, and eventing
.
. The Department Development is concerned with stimulating international-scale sport horse breeding
. The Department Cooperation stimulates and coordinates cooperative actions between members, and between the WBFSH and related organizations. The Department Breeding, under the management of the National Studfarms of France, promotes several of the federation's goals for increased transparency in sport horse breeding. The Department Promotion cooperates with outside organizations to promote breeding generally, but also promotes the integration of sport and breeding activities, the organization of the World Championships for Young Horses, and advocacy of the member studbooks and breeders.
Annual meetings focus on methods of breeding sport horses, particularly regarding effective selection
. Selection methods are of paramount importance, and the WBFSH and the Royal Dutch Warmblood
Studbook (KWPN) in particular have encouraged a great deal of scientific research on that front.
standard as a method of protecting the interests of mare
owners. This has become increasingly important as artificial insemination
has become more widespread.
and dams
were impacting international sport.
championships, held in Verden
, Germany
, consist of tests for five- and six-year old dressage horses. The jumping championships are held in Lanaken
, Belgium
with Zangersheide and consist of finals for five-, six-, and seven-year old show jumping
aspirants. Eventing
championships take place in Le Lion-d'Angers
, France
, consisting of tests for six- and seven-year old eventers.
horses, or which do not meet the requirements for membership but wish to participate. Current members include studbooks of traditional warmblood
s, but also less traditional studbooks such as both American Warmblood
studbooks, the sport- or saddle-horse studbooks of Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, as well as Portuguese, Dutch, and French Anglo-Arabs
, Lusitano
s and Andalusians
.
Sport horse
Sport horse, or Sporthorse, is a term used to describe a type of horse, rather than any particular breed. The term generally refers to horses bred for the traditional Olympic equestrian sporting events of dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving. The precise definition varies...
breeding organizations with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
The Fédération Équestre Internationale or in English, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, is the international governing body of equestrian sports. It recognizes ten international disciplines...
(FEI). The FEI is the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
-recognized federation for Olympic equestrian
Equestrian at the Summer Olympics
Equestrianism made its Summer Olympics debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It disappeared until 1912, but has appeared at every Summer Olympic Games since. The current Olympic equestrian disciplines are Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping...
sports. The WBFSH publishes official rankings of horses competing in international sport and also ranks the breeding organizations. Since 1992, the WBFSH has held the World Breeding Championships for Sport Horses, an international-level competition between the most promising young horses in the sports of dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
, show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
, and eventing
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
.
Purpose and Structure
The World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses has several aims overseen by departments, which are managed by individual member studbooksBreed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
. The Department Development is concerned with stimulating international-scale sport horse breeding
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
. The Department Cooperation stimulates and coordinates cooperative actions between members, and between the WBFSH and related organizations. The Department Breeding, under the management of the National Studfarms of France, promotes several of the federation's goals for increased transparency in sport horse breeding. The Department Promotion cooperates with outside organizations to promote breeding generally, but also promotes the integration of sport and breeding activities, the organization of the World Championships for Young Horses, and advocacy of the member studbooks and breeders.
Annual meetings focus on methods of breeding sport horses, particularly regarding effective selection
Selective breeding
Selective breeding is the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits. Typically, strains that are selectively bred are domesticated, and the breeding is sometimes done by a professional breeder. Bred animals are known as breeds, while bred plants are known as varieties,...
. Selection methods are of paramount importance, and the WBFSH and the Royal Dutch Warmblood
Dutch Warmblood
A Dutch Warmblood is a warmblood type of horse registered with the Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland A Dutch Warmblood is a warmblood type of horse registered with the Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland A Dutch Warmblood is a warmblood type of horse registered with the...
Studbook (KWPN) in particular have encouraged a great deal of scientific research on that front.
Activities
As the link between international sport and sport horse breeders, the WBFSH advocates and mediates on both ends.Semen standard
The WBFSH promotes the use of a semenSemen
Semen is an organic fluid, also known as seminal fluid, that may contain spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals and can fertilize female ova...
standard as a method of protecting the interests of mare
Mare (horse)
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old; in harness racing a mare is a...
owners. This has become increasingly important as artificial insemination
Artificial insemination
Artificial insemination, or AI, is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a female for the purpose of impregnating the female by using means other than sexual intercourse or natural insemination...
has become more widespread.
Unique Equine Life Number
The Unique Equine Life Number (UELN) project is also promoted by the WBFSH. Their aim is to improve data exchange between studbooks and countries. Such an improvement would result in more accurate information on which studbooks, breeders, and even siresStallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
and dams
Mare (horse)
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old; in harness racing a mare is a...
were impacting international sport.
Interstallion
The aim of Interstallion, which is run by the WBFSH, is to improve transparency and efficiency in methods of breeding sport horses. This entails, in particular, the ways in which warmblood studbooks select their breeding stock and how they calculate breeding values.World Championships for Young Horses
The WBFSH oversees the World Championships for Young Horses, which are FEI events for rising international talent. The dressageDressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
championships, held in Verden
Verden
Verden can refer to:* Verden an der Aller, a town in Lower Saxony, Germany* Verden, Oklahoma, a small town in the USA* Verden , a district in Lower Saxony, Germany...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, consist of tests for five- and six-year old dressage horses. The jumping championships are held in Lanaken
Lanaken
Lanaken is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On January 1, 2007 Lanaken had a total population of 24,724. The total area is 59.00 km² which gives a population density of 415 inhabitants per km²....
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
with Zangersheide and consist of finals for five-, six-, and seven-year old show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
aspirants. Eventing
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
championships take place in Le Lion-d'Angers
Le Lion-d'Angers
Le Lion-d'Angers is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France.-Geography:The Oudon River forms part of the commune’s southern border before joining the Mayenne River, which forms part of the commune’s eastern border.-References:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, consisting of tests for six- and seven-year old eventers.
Members
Membership in the WBFSH is open to studbooks which have the stated objective to produce sport horses in at least one Olympic discipline. Associate status is available to studbooks that produce purebredPurebred
Purebreds, also called purebreeds, are cultivated varieties or cultivars of an animal species, achieved through the process of selective breeding...
horses, or which do not meet the requirements for membership but wish to participate. Current members include studbooks of traditional warmblood
Warmblood
Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds, primarily originating in Europe, registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook policy, studbook selection, and the aim of breeding for equestrian sport...
s, but also less traditional studbooks such as both American Warmblood
American Warmblood
The American Warmblood is a horse of warmblood type, intended primarily for the traditional sport horse disciplines of and combined driving.- Characteristics :...
studbooks, the sport- or saddle-horse studbooks of Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, as well as Portuguese, Dutch, and French Anglo-Arabs
Anglo-Arabian
The Anglo-Arabian or Anglo-Arab is a crossbred horse that now also has its own status as a horse breed. It is a Thoroughbred crossed with an Arabian. The cross can be made between a Thoroughbred stallion and an Arabian mare, or vice-versa...
, Lusitano
Lusitano
The Lusitano is a Portuguese horse breed, closely related to the Spanish Andalusian horse. Both are sometimes called Iberian horses, as the breeds both developed on the Iberian peninsula, and until the 1960s they were considered one breed, under the Andalusian name...
s and Andalusians
Andalusian horse
The Andalusian, also known as the Pure Spanish Horse or PRE , is a horse breed developed in the Iberian Peninsula. Its ancestors have been present on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years. The Andalusian has been recognized as an individual breed since the 15th century, and its conformation...
.