WSS Understands That The Future Of The Warlander Lies In Our Hands. For It To Prosper... The Correct Conformation And Type Of Today’s Horses Will Pave The Way For The Future
Our Story
The Warlander ‘as a distinct type’ and race was born in 1990 in Australia when Karen-Maree' Kaye of the Classical Sporthorse Stud developed the first standards, penned the name 'Warlander' and bred the first.
At that time, there were no other people in the world breeding this hybrid cross of the purebred Friesian and Iberian.
Ten years later in 2000, the Warlander began as an emerging breed with the development of the mother studbook - International Warlander Society & Registry (IWSR) in the USA. The IWSR was managed by Constance Davenport from 2000 to 2012.
In 2010, Alexandra Green of Warlander-Franken in Germany achieved full paperwork for the Warlander horse according to European Standards with Bayerischer Zuchtverband fuer Kleinpferde und Spezialrassen using the official Warlander Breed Standard and the first EU testing of Warlander took place – and is ongoing today.
In 2012, the IWSR came to live in Australia, it was renamed Warlander Studbook Society (WSS). Karen took over its management and set about cementing the Warlander horse’s future globally. Karen with the help of Alexandra set about developing a mechanism and platform based on EU standards for all aspects of the Studbook. This work has been ongoing and it started with a clear and precise Breed Standard, a revision of the Warlander Registration Appendix with the addition of an Auxiliary Book and the introduction of mandatory DNA Parental Verification testing plus testing for genetic defects.
At that time, there were no other people in the world breeding this hybrid cross of the purebred Friesian and Iberian.
Ten years later in 2000, the Warlander began as an emerging breed with the development of the mother studbook - International Warlander Society & Registry (IWSR) in the USA. The IWSR was managed by Constance Davenport from 2000 to 2012.
In 2010, Alexandra Green of Warlander-Franken in Germany achieved full paperwork for the Warlander horse according to European Standards with Bayerischer Zuchtverband fuer Kleinpferde und Spezialrassen using the official Warlander Breed Standard and the first EU testing of Warlander took place – and is ongoing today.
In 2012, the IWSR came to live in Australia, it was renamed Warlander Studbook Society (WSS). Karen took over its management and set about cementing the Warlander horse’s future globally. Karen with the help of Alexandra set about developing a mechanism and platform based on EU standards for all aspects of the Studbook. This work has been ongoing and it started with a clear and precise Breed Standard, a revision of the Warlander Registration Appendix with the addition of an Auxiliary Book and the introduction of mandatory DNA Parental Verification testing plus testing for genetic defects.
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With the DNA Parental Verification came the opportunity to compile all Warlander Genetic Markers into one database. The goal is to eventually develop a genetic marker specific to the Warlander.
Alexandra developed the Warlander online genealogy and manages it to this day.
From 2012 to 2024 there have been four revisions of the Warlander Appendixes (Main and Auxiliary Studbooks) all aimed at achieving higher standards in Warlander breeding. In 2019, WSS developed the open Studbook Warlander Sport Horse - Breed Standard, Registration Requirements and purpose. In that year, WSS also began the process of issuing EU/FEI Warlander Passports globally through the Australian Continental Equestrian Group - a member of World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH).
Alexandra developed the Warlander online genealogy and manages it to this day.
From 2012 to 2024 there have been four revisions of the Warlander Appendixes (Main and Auxiliary Studbooks) all aimed at achieving higher standards in Warlander breeding. In 2019, WSS developed the open Studbook Warlander Sport Horse - Breed Standard, Registration Requirements and purpose. In that year, WSS also began the process of issuing EU/FEI Warlander Passports globally through the Australian Continental Equestrian Group - a member of World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH).
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This began the process of a bi-lateral breeding agreement (affiliate body) with Sweden and our Passports are accepted in Sweden, France with the adoption of an association and now Lithuania.
In 2022, a Foal Book was added to both the Main and Auxiliary Studbooks for both Warlander and Warlander Sport Horse and a digital Internal Assessment System was introduced for horses of three years of age to all countries in order to elevate horses from foal to the adult book and award those who meet the standards. This was accompanied by external testing which was already available to WSS horses in North America, Australia and Europe.
Lisa Harders in the USA formed the Warlander Horse Association of North America, another affiliate of WSS whose aim is to obtain recognition for Warlander horse with the USEF and USDF for competition and Warlander show classes. Also in 2022, an international Members Council of seven was formed so each country could be better represented within the Studbook. Now in 2024, the 24 year old Warlander Mother Studbook has members and registered horses in 23 countries, and the Warlander name ‘has’ become internationally recognised. The final revision for the studbook appendixes took place early 2024 with only two appendixes for each register – Foal and Adult and mandatory DNA Parental Verification for the Auxiliary past the first generation. WSS does not discriminate nor do we turn away eligible registration. We are a non-political group whose main purpose is the betterment and future quality of the Warlander horse.
Lisa Harders in the USA formed the Warlander Horse Association of North America, another affiliate of WSS whose aim is to obtain recognition for Warlander horse with the USEF and USDF for competition and Warlander show classes. Also in 2022, an international Members Council of seven was formed so each country could be better represented within the Studbook. Now in 2024, the 24 year old Warlander Mother Studbook has members and registered horses in 23 countries, and the Warlander name ‘has’ become internationally recognised. The final revision for the studbook appendixes took place early 2024 with only two appendixes for each register – Foal and Adult and mandatory DNA Parental Verification for the Auxiliary past the first generation. WSS does not discriminate nor do we turn away eligible registration. We are a non-political group whose main purpose is the betterment and future quality of the Warlander horse.
For your protection, always insist a horse is WSS papered prior to purchase so it is in the Warlander Mother Studbook and obtains all of the benefits associated with that including Assessment to the Breed Standard
wSS Members Council
Karen-Maree' Kaye
Global Registrar & Studbook Manager
In 1990, Karen-Maree' founded the Warlander as a specific race and has been breeding Friesian, PRE/Andalusian and Warlander since then. Her horses have reached World Cup level representing and placing Australia in international competition, have been the mounts of the lead actors in movies and television series and successful in show. Karen is an awarded Publisher and enjoys studying law, Classical Equitation and assisting with humanitarian work
Lisa Harders
Manager - American Warlander Association
With 40 years of training and 50 years of riding all variety of horses, Lisa understands that trends will come and go but a well built, well tempered horse will always be in demand. After breeding and starting several Warlander; to Lisa this is the ultimate horse. Lisa boards, trains and breed's horses and has developed a national specialist horse feed. Her aim is to make the North American Warlander Association a body members can be proud of and is working to gaining recognition for the Warlander with national governing bodies in North America.
Lisa Oberman
WSS Members Council
Since 2016, Lisa has been part of the Warlander story and is instrumental in establishing its future in North America. Lisa fell in love with the Andalusian and Friesian horses in 1992 when she and her husband became owners. They turned their love of these breeds into an international business called El Sueno Espanol providing custom tack for baroque horses. Lisa loves the Warlander stating if bred properly creates a magnificient horse with the best of both breeds and this is why the Warlander Studbook Society is very important - to ensure proper breeding for quality horses.
Marnie Hoffman
WSS Members Council
Marnie has been a long-time supporter of the Warlander and she will always be remembered for her time spent training and loving the Warlander stallion Hummer. Marnie has decades of experience training horses and other animal species to work on film, TV, commercials, music videos, and photo shoots. She has spent the majority of her life training Iberians and Friesians for dressage, breed competitions and high school (Alta Escuela).Guided from a young age by highly respected and knowledgeable horsemen and horsewomen including Dianne Olds Rossi, Marnie spent many years doing exhibitions which were specially choreographed to music - which is now an Olympic sport. Marnie has a deep passion for animals, and an instinctive understanding of them and the studbook is proud to have her on board.
Alexandra Green
Chief Executive Officer &
Online Genealogy
Alexandra started breeding F1 and F2 Warlander in 2008 producing the world's first officially EU keured stallion who went on to sire many predicate foals. Due to Alexandra, the Warlander became a recognised breed with the German BZVKS and she has worked with WSS since its inception to ensure the European guidelines and standards are incorporated into the studbook. During the day Alexandra is an engineering drafter and runs her own Warlander breeding establishment
Lisa Leitch
Executive Officer
Lisa's husband Phil (World Jousting Champion) always wanted a Friesian to train for jousting and Lisa wanted a purebred Iberian. They met in the middle and Lisa has been breeding Warlander horses since 2010. They are both passionate about the baroque breeds and believe the Warlander is truly the 'best of both worlds'. Lisa, Phil and their daughter Mieka live at the toursim award winning 'Kryal Castle' in Victoria where Lisa runs her horse stud and is a 'Jill of all trades' around the castle.
Deidre Nyburg
Executive Officer & NA/SA Registrations Manager
Hailing from a family steeped rich in horse heritage and an early background in Western sports it wasn’t until later in life Deidre met a Friesian. This was to have a profound effect and after a break to raise a family, she starting researching sport horse breeds. The desire to have the most capable, hardy, healthy and absolutely stunning horses led her to our Warlander.Now one of USA's largest Warlander breeders, Deidre does all her own equine reproduction work and strives for the quality we require in our breed. Her horses will be Assessed at age. Deidre is passionate about sharing information and helping other breeders in the US register their horses.
Our Philosophy
To continue to be the global leaders - setting the highest standards of professionalism and breed standard/type for the Warlander and Warlander Sport Horse
Our Vision
Our vision is the future... Setting up a strong foundation now for the Warlander and Warlander Sport Horse so they will prosper into the future
Sucess Key
Our people are our success. The Members Council and our Members are all' united by the common goal of the betterment of the Warlander horse