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The French Saddle Horse: le Cheval de Selle Français
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An example of another European country’s response to a need for a lighter, faster sport horse.
lthough le Cheval de Selle Français (the “French Saddle Horse,” in English) didn’t officially become a breed until 1958, it began developing as a warmbloodtype at French government stud farms in the 1800s. After World War II was over, there was much less need for farm and military horses, so attention turned to breeding saddle horses. When the horses coming from many different districts started to resemble each other, the French government stepped in and brought them all together under the name le Cheval de Selle Français. The name is generally shortened to Selle Français, and in case you don’t speak French, it’s pronounced, “SELL fron SAY.” This breed is actually the result of hundreds of years of testing and fine-tuning the perfect national racehorse by the French. Even the method of grading horses for breeding Selle Français has less to do with breed type and blood lines than is typical of most other breeds. To earn registration in the breed
by Nancy Norton, Executive Editor
Selle Français show jumpers. They are also used for dressage and eventing. Then there is another side to this breed that relies on their good temperament and intelligence: the French Garde in Paris includes a prestigious mounted division of the French police, and the Garde all ride Selle Français. These horses are generally big, averaging 16 hands high. While all colThe French Republican Guard Cavalry. ors are accepted, the Photo: David Monniaux most common colors studbook, a Selle Français must be are chestnut and bay. They are inspected in three categories. To quite athletic and muscular, with pass inspection, a horse must get deep chests and broad hindquara grade of at least a 75% overall. ters. They have attractive and The main goal is to determine if refined heads with long and the way a horse is built will likely elegant necks. allow it to remain in good shape The size and strength of the through a lifetime of competition. Selle Français, along with their The graded categories are: gentle and affectionate natures, • Jumping ability (counts as 30% have made them very popular in of grade) the United States. If you are look• Conformation (counts as 40% of ing for a horse, maybe you should grade) consider this import from France: • Movement (counts as 30% of plenty of power, lots of speed, easy grade) to handle and great lines. These horses are bred for sport, Take one home, today — s’il and there have been many famous vous plaît! n SEPTEMBER 2012
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