GERMAN RIDING PONY

If you're in search of a smaller mount with dressage talent and more, look no further.

- SAMANTHA JOHNSON

If you've been around horses for a while, you probably know all about popular breeds like Thoroughbreds and Arabians, and maybe even some lesser-known breeds, like Akhal-Tekes and American Cream Drafts. But have you heard of the Deutsches Reitpony?

Actually, you probably have-the Deutsches Reitpony is the name of the breed in Germany, but here in America, it's known as the German Riding Pony.

FILLING A NEED

Back in the mid-20th century, riders in Germany saw the need for a new breed that would possess the athleticism and versatility of warmbloods, but in a smaller size to suit youth riders. Essentially, they wanted to replicate what everyone loved about warmbloods, but in a pony-sized package.

Sounds easy, right? Just choose an assortment of foundation horses and ponies until you get the desired type and size. But it wasn't quite that easy.

Achieving the desired quality and height meant that horse and pony breeds had to be carefully selected, and the best results didn't happen overnight. Breeders experimented with many different breeds, but ultimately found that British native ponies, like Welsh and New Forest, were helpful in development of the desired German Riding Pony characteristics.