HORSE BREED
The making of a star
Y
ou have to wonder what lies behind the longevity of a breed that’s been around since, give
or take, the 13th century. Over hundreds of years, the Holsteiner has been transformed from its origins as a native horse of relatively little significance, to having a reputation as a dominant force in the contemporary Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage and eventing, as well as in carriage driving. Impressive credentials to be sure – which also makes you wonder what happened over
Originating in Germany, the Holsteiner is believed to be one of the oldest existing Warmblood breeds. AMANDA MAC investigates their remarkable story.
those 700-plus years for the breed to be propelled to such stellar heights.
Into battle The Holsteiner story starts on the fertile marshes of Germany’s Schleswig-
