History, Resources & Media
History of the Warlander
The Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) a revolt of the Seventeen Provinces of what are today the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg against Philip II of Spain, the sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands is the first documented account of Spanish stallions breeding with native mares (Friesian).
In the book titled “Het Friese Paard” by G. J. A. Bouma, 1979, and printed by Friese Pers Boekerij, b. v., in Drachten and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands the author says, "The Friesian horse descends from the Equus robustus. During the 16th and 17th centuries, but probably also earlier, Arabian blood was introduced, especially through Andalusian horses from Spain. This has given the Friesian the high knee-action, small head, and the craning neck".
So whilst some theorise that the pure Friesian x pure Iberian horse could have been bred before this it has been difficult to find such evidence and until the development of the Warlander in 1990, there was no regulated breeding program of this hybrid.
1990, saw the first purpose-bred pure Andalusian/Friesian breeding with Karen-Maree’ Kaye from the Classical Sporthorse Stud in Western Australia, who, with the help of geneticists in the country (as Friesian dwarfism came to light), developed the first standards and guidelines to ensure a clear plan for future generations. At that time, there were no other known breeding’s of this hybrid in the world.
In the book titled “Het Friese Paard” by G. J. A. Bouma, 1979, and printed by Friese Pers Boekerij, b. v., in Drachten and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands the author says, "The Friesian horse descends from the Equus robustus. During the 16th and 17th centuries, but probably also earlier, Arabian blood was introduced, especially through Andalusian horses from Spain. This has given the Friesian the high knee-action, small head, and the craning neck".
So whilst some theorise that the pure Friesian x pure Iberian horse could have been bred before this it has been difficult to find such evidence and until the development of the Warlander in 1990, there was no regulated breeding program of this hybrid.
1990, saw the first purpose-bred pure Andalusian/Friesian breeding with Karen-Maree’ Kaye from the Classical Sporthorse Stud in Western Australia, who, with the help of geneticists in the country (as Friesian dwarfism came to light), developed the first standards and guidelines to ensure a clear plan for future generations. At that time, there were no other known breeding’s of this hybrid in the world.
The name Warlander came from "Warwick" who was Karen's veterinarian at the time and 'not' the base breed's history in battle as some have claimed.
What led to the birth of the Warlander was Karen's passion for Classical Equitation and baroque horses. Having both Friesian and Spanish purebreds in her stable, and knowing their strengths and weaknesses she looked to 'selectively' amalgamate both breeds to create a luxurious, talented and rideable horse for her 'own' high school pursuits. Her goal was to blend the best characteristics of both breeds – the Friesian horse’s nature, bone and impressive front end with the Spanish horse’s strong back, bravery, rideability and natural collection.
The first Warlander born was a beautiful bay boy Karen named Dominador CS. Since 1990, both the Friesian and Andalusian (PRE) have moved from the more traditional and working types to sport horses and the KFPS introduced necessary genetic testing to mitigate defects due to inbreeding.
This has seen the Warlander evolve, however, the original breed standard requiring a baroque type of horse that is round with bone remains the same.
This has seen the Warlander evolve, however, the original breed standard requiring a baroque type of horse that is round with bone remains the same.
Unsurprisingly, Warlander horses have appealed to a wide market and in 2024 was reported to be registered (WSS) in 23 countries.
Two ladies instrumental in the breed’s early development are Nia Ridley of Miraval Andalusians in the USA who contacted Karen in 2000 with the goal of establishing a mother studbook. The International Warlander Society and Registry was born and managed by Constance Davenport of Immortal Farms until 2012 and the studbook came to live in Australia and became Warlander Studbook Society (WSS).
Constance took the Warlander past the first generation proving that selective Warlander to Warlander (F2) breeding 'did' produce the same type and quality as the first generation (F1). 2006 marked a milestone for her when she bred the first Warlander to Warlander cross from I.F Andromeda and her stallion I.F. Xenophon. Constance bred many quality Warlander horses past the first generation and these set the cornerstone for Warlander breeding in the USA.
In Europe, Alexandra Green of Green-Horn Ranch (Warlander-Franken) in Bavaria put a huge effort into achieving full paperwork for the Warlander according to European standards. This was attained in 2010 with the Bayerischer Zuchtverband fuer Kleinpferde und Spezialrassen.
Alexandra also saw the importance of breeding the Warlander past F1 and worked tirelessly to produce successful Warlander to Warlander breeding; again proving that the F2 horses did not lose any size, vigour or phenotype of the first generation.
Two ladies instrumental in the breed’s early development are Nia Ridley of Miraval Andalusians in the USA who contacted Karen in 2000 with the goal of establishing a mother studbook. The International Warlander Society and Registry was born and managed by Constance Davenport of Immortal Farms until 2012 and the studbook came to live in Australia and became Warlander Studbook Society (WSS).
Constance took the Warlander past the first generation proving that selective Warlander to Warlander (F2) breeding 'did' produce the same type and quality as the first generation (F1). 2006 marked a milestone for her when she bred the first Warlander to Warlander cross from I.F Andromeda and her stallion I.F. Xenophon. Constance bred many quality Warlander horses past the first generation and these set the cornerstone for Warlander breeding in the USA.
In Europe, Alexandra Green of Green-Horn Ranch (Warlander-Franken) in Bavaria put a huge effort into achieving full paperwork for the Warlander according to European standards. This was attained in 2010 with the Bayerischer Zuchtverband fuer Kleinpferde und Spezialrassen.
Alexandra also saw the importance of breeding the Warlander past F1 and worked tirelessly to produce successful Warlander to Warlander breeding; again proving that the F2 horses did not lose any size, vigour or phenotype of the first generation.
Alexandra’s young stallion Anubis von Greenhorn was the first Warlander stallion in the world to achieve EU breeding approval status in 2012.
Meanwhile in the USA, the grey Warlander stallion Hummer set the standard for Warlander horses worldwide as he became the IFSHA World Grand Champion Stallion. Used extensively for commercial work including the face for Guerlian’s men's fragrance ‘Habit Rouge’ he also appeared in the Lord of the Rings, a Chevy commercial, music video and print works.In 2015,
Ray Ariss (USA) bred the Warlander mare 'Sabrina' and rode to her five World Championship wins at her first show.
F2 Warlander gelding IF Michaelangelo bred by Constance Davenport at his first national USA show, won multiple half Iberian titles in various disciplines such as Reining, Western Pleasure and Open English Show Hack as well as the High Point All Round National Title and two gold medals for Movement.
Holly Zech from Abacus Farms in the USA had been breeding Warlander since 1998 is another instrumental in the breeds development in North America.
Holly exported exported a home bred stallion Abacus Impuesto to South Africa to the Mostert family in 2008 (now owned by Daneli Prinsloo) and produced many quality Warlander horses that are spread across North America.
The controversial Genevieve de Montremare, who was huge in the USA Friesian world and famous for her lavish Friesian horse events - and whilst she will always be known as the woman who pretended to be of French nobility and faked her own death, the Warlander has much to thank her for as she bred her KFPS ster mares to the Lusitano stallions Saphiro and Ultimo resulting in the first Palomino Warlander in 2006. The horses she bred are highly prized and include the WSS Approved stallion Storm Shadow owned by Cassandra Adams.
Kathi Stewart's beautiful Warlander gelding 'The Spanish Knight' became the face of the Warlander for Wikipedia.
In 2018, WSS recognised the FPZV USA judging results for Warlander horses and the F2 Warlander stallion Taboo JRB owned and bred by Regine Brockway became the first 'first premium graded' Approved breeding stallion in USA.
By the end of 2019, USA had five Warlander stallions all approved for breeding including the incomparable Hummer and his F2 son Inqueito RAM both bred by Ramiro Meija of Vaquero Ranch. Inqueito RAM is now owned by Morgan Moore who has done much to promote the Warlander horse internationally. Since its inception in 2012, WSS introduced DNA Parental Verification and testing for genetic defects internationally to the breed. To date (2024), there have been no reported incidences of genetic defects affecting the Warlander horse in the Studbook.
By the end of 2019, USA had five Warlander stallions all approved for breeding including the incomparable Hummer and his F2 son Inqueito RAM both bred by Ramiro Meija of Vaquero Ranch. Inqueito RAM is now owned by Morgan Moore who has done much to promote the Warlander horse internationally. Since its inception in 2012, WSS introduced DNA Parental Verification and testing for genetic defects internationally to the breed. To date (2024), there have been no reported incidences of genetic defects affecting the Warlander horse in the Studbook.
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In 2019, the Australian Continental Equestrian Group - a member of World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) agreed to test Warlander horses in Australia to the Warlander breed standard and then began the process of producing Warlander EU/FEI passports for the international market.
In 2019, the WSS created an open studbook called Warlander Sport Horse to recognise and encourage sport horse breeding.
In 2022, Deidre Nyburg of Soul Wind Horses in the USA embarked on a high quality F1 to F3 Warlander breeding program and she is the first in the world to produce F3 Warlander horses.
In 2019, the WSS created an open studbook called Warlander Sport Horse to recognise and encourage sport horse breeding.
In 2022, Deidre Nyburg of Soul Wind Horses in the USA embarked on a high quality F1 to F3 Warlander breeding program and she is the first in the world to produce F3 Warlander horses.
Resources and media
The Studbook
Breeding Information
Articles on care, health and training
Warlander & Warlander Sport Horse Assessment
