About the Knabstrupper:
Knabstruppers are, in simple terms, a distinct breed of spotted warmblood horse, originating from Denmark. There are around 2,000 in the world, the majority of which live in Denmark.
A rare breed:
Knabstruppers derive their name from the Knabstrup Estate, where, in the late 1700s and early 1800s, the estate's owner took an interest in horse breeding. They are still categorised as endangered.
There are a few hundred in the UK and the USA, fewer than 100 in Canada and Australia, with some dedicated breeders introducing the breed to other countries, including South Africa.
They are recognisable by their colour with the breed registry, the KNN, ensuring the colour is kept alive in the reduced lines available. Although solid horses do exist and can be graded, a solid foal out of a solid mare cannot be graded back into the studbook.
Britains Tigre Lily, KNN Graded British Spotted Pony, and foal, Willowfarm Otto, are Graded Knabstrupper Ponies, one of 4 designated Types.
Not just colour:
Many mistake Knabstruppers for Appaloosas. This is incorrect. Although they can look similar, Knabstruppers are a specific type of warmblood that exhibit spots.
They are part of a closed mother studbook that relies on committed breeders working within the KNN to continue to strengthen the breed. However, because a focus is placed on improving stock in such a tiny breed, there are a range of approved outcrosses that can be made. Appaloosa’s, for example, are not an approved outcross.
There are 4 specific types of Knabstrupper (with 4 associated Purebred distinctions respectively) that are recognised in the studbook, and each has approved outcrosses shown below. Purebred criteria is 7/8 blood purity in the 3rd generation, or 12/16 blood purity for in the 4th generation. More information is available here.
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“Over 148 cm at the withers. The Knabstrupper Horse has the potential to compete at high level in the disciplines dressage, showjumping, eventing, hunting and driving. The Knabstrupper Horse is a durable, kind and manageable horse, which can also be handled and ridden/driven by amateur riders/drivers.”
Approved Outcrosses:
Frederiksborg, Oldenburg, Trakehner, Arab, Danish Warmblood, Holsteiner and Thoroughbred.
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“Between 148cm and 167cm at the wither, although undersize is permitted. The ideal Knabstrupper of Classic Type is an elegant, harmoniously built and well-carried horse, which should appear quadratic of build. A muscular build with good depth and width is desirable.“
Approved Outcrosses:
Frederiksborg, Lusitano and Andalusian.
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“Measures into 3 groups, the smallest being 104.1cm at the wither and the largest reaching 148cm at the wither. The Knabstrupper Pony has the potential to compete at high level in the disciplines dressage, showjumping, eventing, and driving. The Knabstrupper Pony is a durable, kind and manageable pony, which can also be handled and ridden/driven by children and amateur riders/drivers.“
Approved Outcrosses:
Trakehner, Arab, Thoroughbred, New Forest, Welsh (sec. A & B and part-bred), Connemara, Danish Sports Pony and Dartmoor.
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“Up to 104 cm at the withers. The Knabstrupper Miniature Pony has the potential to compete at high level in the discipline Sports driving and is a good riding pony for children. The Knabstrupper Miniature Pony is a durable, kind and manageable pony, which can also be handled and ridden by children and driven amateur drivers.”
Approved Outcrosses:
Welsh (sec. A & B and part-bred), Dartmoor, Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse.
Xhamperlain Middelsom, the grandsire of our foundation mare, JJay’s Phoenix, competed in show jumping up to 140 cm.
[Photo credit to stallion owner]
We breed Knabstrupper Horses:
Previously of “Sport-Type”, through the pre-2017 definition.
The “Knabstrupper Horse” type is a warmblood sporthorse, because the KNN notes that this type “must have the potential to compete at a high level in the disciplines dressage, showjumping, eventing, hunting and driving”.
And they do.
Notable Knabstruppers around the world, in the Classic and Horse types, compete at high levels of affiliated competition, including Dressage, Showjumping and Eventing. You can see more about some of them lower down on this page.
We aim to continue to strengthen the functional ability in the Horse type of Knabstrupper through our future breeding program, whilst adding some Scottish hardiness through our unpredictable climate and high, exposed position on the hill.
Zanko and Anne Lubbe winning 1 of their 2 Gold Medals in the 2014 Paralympics. [Photo credit: unknown]
Willowfarm Tiny Dancer, a Knabstrupper Pony, one of the 4 types.
Notable Knabstruppers:
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Zanko
The graded Knabstrupper stallion Zanko won two gold medals in dressage at the 2004 Athens Paralympics. He by Xanthos (KNN 112), a great great grandfather of both Connie and Velia here at Spottesbarr. Zanko, ridden by Anne Lubbe, “was the only one to break the 70% barrier” at the 2014 Paralympics.
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Tresaison Ricochet
Tresaison Ricochet is a KNN graded and performance tested 16.1hh stallion by Rubin Star n by Rubinstein. (Oldenburg approved outcross). This stallion standing at stud in the UK and has competed in affiliated showjumping up to 1.35 where he won frequently, most notably twice at Hickstead.
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Toftegaardens Codex
Codex is by Coco's Cognac and is based in Ontario, Canada, with Tiara Equine and competes at Intermediate Level in affiliated FEI competition in the US and Canada. He has some exceptional progeny who are quickly following in his footsteps and continue to be a great foundation sire in North America.
