The Brazilian Sport Horse or is a modern Brazilian breed of warmblood horse. It was bred as a sport riding horse for competitive equestrian sports, particularly show jumping, dressage and three-day eventing.
History
Breeding of the Brazilian Sport Horse began in the 1970s. Local Crioulo mares were put to stallions from a wide variety of sporting breeds, among them Andalusian, Anglo-Argentine, Belgian Warmblood, Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Irish Hunter, Oldenburger, Selle Français, Thoroughbred, Trakehner and Westphalian stock. A breed society, the , was established in 1977 and was recognised by the , the Brazilian ministry of agriculture, in the same year. In the 22 years from 1977 to 1998, the principal stallions used (whether by natural service or by artificial insemination) were, in descending order: 20.9% Thoroughbred, 16.1% Hanoverian, 10.5% Westphalian, 9.6% Holsteiner, 8.7% Brazilian Sport Horse and 8.2% Trakehner. The brood-mares covered in the same period were approximately 43% Brazilian stock of unknown descent, 36% Brazilian Sport Horse and 11% Thoroughbred.
Characteristics
The Brazilian Sport Horse usually stands at least at the withers; average heights are approximately for mares and for stallions and geldings, with average body weights of and respectively. The coat is most often bay, dark bay or chestnut.
Uses
Like other sport horse breeds, the Brazilian Sport Horse was bred and selected specifically for equestrian competition, particularly in show jumping, dressage and three-day eventing.
References