Georgian Grande horses are crossbreeds bwteen Friesian and
Saddlebred horses. The aim of the breeding is to create a Saddlebred-like horse
that adds the best qualities of heavier breeds. They are intelligent, alert,
proud but always calm and quiet. They are also aasy to train and very willing
to work.
The first attempts to create a new, heavier Saddlebred-type
breed were made in the 1970s by George Wagner Jr, in Piketon, Ohio. His
ambition was to recreate the stockier, sturdier look of the Saddlebred of older
times, such as the animals used as cavalry mounts during the American Civil
War. He considered this the original type of the Saddlebred horse instead of
the prevailing modern, lighter type. Wagner's breeding succeeded in creating
horses of the desired type, and the breed was named after him as "George's
great horse". The breed association International Georgian Grande Horse
Registry was founded in 1994, and was later accepted as a member under the
United States Dressage Federation All Breeds Council and the American Horse
Council.
The height of the Georgian Grande Horse ranges from 15.2 to
17 hands (62 to 68 inches, 157 to 173 cm) or higher at withers, and the weight
from 1,000 to 1,400 pounds (450 to 640 kg). All colors of coat and eyes are
accepted. The desired overall impression is a horse that is tall, strong-boned
and of striking appearance. The desired character of a Georgian Grande Horse is
alert and intelligent but calm. The horse should be easy to train and very
cooperative. A Georgian Grande Horse is not considered mature until the age of
six years.
Their forehead is broad and their eyes large and set wide
apart. Their profile should be straight or slightly concave, with a delicate
muzzle and large nostrils. Their ears should have a good shape and express the
desired alert character of the horse. Their neck is long, arched and
well-muscled, flowing into well-defined withers, and a back that is level and
relatively short. Their shoulders are deep and sloping to allow for good
movement. Their croup should be slightly sloping rather than level. Their hips
should be wide and round. Their legs are properly angled and well-set, and
their conformation should allow them to be good at jumping. Their joints should
be large, flat, and clean. Their legs are desired to be thick with good bone;
the circumference of the cannon of a mature horse, measured just below the
knee, should be 9 inches (23 cm) at the minimum, and a larger circumference is
desirable. The hooves should be large and in proportion to the size of the
horse.
About Georgian Grande Horses
