Vlaamperd
Encyclopedia
The Vlaamperd, SA Vlamperd or Vlamperd is a very rare horse breed
developed in the Western Cape
region of South Africa
. It was a cross between the Friesian
, Thoroughbred
, Hackney
, Cape Harness horse, and assorted heavy warmblood
breeds on smaller Cape horses. In the Afrikaans
language, "Vlaamperd" literally translates as "Flemish horse," in reference to its roots in the Friesian breeding of Belgium and the Netherlands. The stallion
s are always black
, though mare
s may be dark brown. They are used for both riding and work in harness
.
imported several Arabian
and Thoroughbred
stallions to South Africa. These stallions were crossed with local mares
. The result was a riding horse originally called the Hantam horse or Cape Horse. In the early 1900s, Friesian stallions were imported to South Africa and crossed on the Hantam mares. In addition, a few East Friesian, Hackney, Oldenburg
and Cleveland Bay
stallions were also used. In the process, the Hantam horse became extinct as a breed, replaced by a more powerful riding horse which also was capable of harness work. Bloodlines of the Cape Harness horse were also part of the cross
A major foundation sire
was a stallion named Kemp, who was of East Friesan and Oldenburg breeding. Later, the stallion Scheepers, foaled in 1930, had a significant influence on the development of the Vlaamperd.
While the breed was in development, the Dutch banned the export of Friesian horses to try to control the breeding of their horses. To evade the law, South Africans began to import Friesians from Antwerp in Belgium and referred to Friesians as "Vlaamse perde" or "Flemish horses." From this term came the name Vlaamperd.
The Vlaamperd Breeders Society was founded in 1983 in Bloemfontein
to further preserve and protect the Vlaamperd. Today the breed is small in number but is seen in the tourism and various festivals in South Africa. Some classify it as nearly extinct. It is recognized in South Africa as an independent, established breed.
ability, making the breed popular as a harness horse, both in tourism and festivals, driven singly or in teams of up to eight horses. They are also popular as riding horses in dressage
, particularly classical dressage
performances.
From Friesian breeding, the Vlaamperd is a very dark color. All stallions are black, while mare
s are preferably black but also can be dark bay or "pale black" which is, essentially, dark bay or seal brown
. Lighter colors are, however, strictly prohibited and may not be used in breeding, since this is considered a proof of undesired crossbreeding.
Horse breed
Horse breed is a broad term with no clear consensus as to definition, but most commonly refers to selectively bred populations of domesticated horses, often with pedigrees recorded in a breed registry. However, the term is sometimes used in a very broad sense to define landrace animals, or...
developed in the Western Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
region of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It was a cross between the Friesian
Friesian horse
The Friesian is a horse breed originating in Friesland, Netherlands. Although the breed's conformation resembles that of a light draft horse, Friesians are graceful and nimble for their size. During the Middle Ages, it is believed that the ancestors of Friesian horses were in great demand as war...
, Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
, Hackney
Hackney (horse)
The Hackney Horse is a recognized breed of horse that was developed in Great Britain. In recent decades, the breeding of the Hackney has been directed toward producing horses that are ideal for carriage driving. They are an elegant high stepping breed of carriage horse that is popular for showing...
, Cape Harness horse, and assorted heavy warmblood
Heavy warmblood
The Heavy Warmbloods are a group of horse breeds primarily from continental Europe. The title includes the Ostfriesen and Alt-Oldenburger , Groningen, and similar horses from Silesia, Saxony-Thuringia, and Bavaria...
breeds on smaller Cape horses. In the Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
language, "Vlaamperd" literally translates as "Flemish horse," in reference to its roots in the Friesian breeding of Belgium and the Netherlands. The stallion
Stallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
s are always black
Black (horse)
Black is a hair coat color of horses in which the entire hair coat is black. Black is a relatively uncommon coat color, and novices frequently mistake dark chestnuts or bays for black. However, some breeds of horses, such as the Friesian horse, Murgese and Ariegeois are almost exclusively black...
, though mare
Mare
Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
s may be dark brown. They are used for both riding and work in harness
Driving (horse)
Driving, when applied to horses, ponies, mules, or donkeys, is a broad term for hitching equines to a wagon, carriage, cart, sleigh, or other horse-drawn vehicle by means of a harness and working them in this way...
.
History
In 1820, Lord Charles SomersetLord Charles Somerset
General Lord Charles Henry Somerset PC was a British soldier, politician and colonial administrator. He was governor of the Cape Colony, South Africa, from 1814 to 1826.-Background:...
imported several Arabian
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
and Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
stallions to South Africa. These stallions were crossed with local mares
Boer Pony
The Boer Pony is a calm, tough pony originating from South Africa. It is often referred to as the Boerperd. Two varieties exist, the Boerperd, a general breed, and the more refined Cape Boerperd.- Characteristics :...
. The result was a riding horse originally called the Hantam horse or Cape Horse. In the early 1900s, Friesian stallions were imported to South Africa and crossed on the Hantam mares. In addition, a few East Friesian, Hackney, Oldenburg
Oldenburg (horse)
The Oldenburg is a warmblood horse from the north-western corner of Lower Saxony, what was formerly the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. The breed was built on a mare base of all-purpose farm and carriage horses, today called the Alt-Oldenburger...
and Cleveland Bay
Cleveland Bay
The Cleveland Bay is a breed of horse that originated in England during the 17th century, named after its colouring and the Cleveland district of Yorkshire. It is a well-muscled horse, with legs that are strong but short in relation to the body. The horses are always bay in colour, although a...
stallions were also used. In the process, the Hantam horse became extinct as a breed, replaced by a more powerful riding horse which also was capable of harness work. Bloodlines of the Cape Harness horse were also part of the cross
A major foundation sire
Foundation bloodstock
Foundation bloodstock or foundation stock are horses that are the progenitor, or foundation, of a new horse breed or a given bloodline within a breed. The term is also used in a similar manner when discussing purebred dogs...
was a stallion named Kemp, who was of East Friesan and Oldenburg breeding. Later, the stallion Scheepers, foaled in 1930, had a significant influence on the development of the Vlaamperd.
While the breed was in development, the Dutch banned the export of Friesian horses to try to control the breeding of their horses. To evade the law, South Africans began to import Friesians from Antwerp in Belgium and referred to Friesians as "Vlaamse perde" or "Flemish horses." From this term came the name Vlaamperd.
The Vlaamperd Breeders Society was founded in 1983 in Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
to further preserve and protect the Vlaamperd. Today the breed is small in number but is seen in the tourism and various festivals in South Africa. Some classify it as nearly extinct. It is recognized in South Africa as an independent, established breed.
Characteristics and uses
The Vlaamperd averages between and with an elegant, long-legged build. It is known for its fine, high motion, good disposition, and excellent drivingDriving (horse)
Driving, when applied to horses, ponies, mules, or donkeys, is a broad term for hitching equines to a wagon, carriage, cart, sleigh, or other horse-drawn vehicle by means of a harness and working them in this way...
ability, making the breed popular as a harness horse, both in tourism and festivals, driven singly or in teams of up to eight horses. They are also popular as riding horses in dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
, particularly classical dressage
Classical dressage
Classical dressage evolved from cavalry movements and training for the battlefield, and has since developed into the competitive dressage seen today...
performances.
From Friesian breeding, the Vlaamperd is a very dark color. All stallions are black, while mare
Mare
Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
s are preferably black but also can be dark bay or "pale black" which is, essentially, dark bay or seal brown
Seal brown
Seal brown is a rich dark brown color, resembling the color of the dyed fur from the fur seal.-Usage:The specifications for the U.S. Army Air Corps Type A-2 jacket , adopted in 1931 and the most familiar among all leather flight jackets, stated that it should be made of horsehide tanned to seal brown...
. Lighter colors are, however, strictly prohibited and may not be used in breeding, since this is considered a proof of undesired crossbreeding.