Warmbloods & Sporthorses of Australia

About Us

Our aim is to provide a central register of Warmbloods & Sporthorses in Australia, to promote them as serious competition horses in all disciplines and help owners, breeders and enthusiasts connect with each other! So what constitutes a Warmblood and a Sporthorse? "Warmbloods" are generally categorised as a middleweight horse developed predominately in Europe. Their individual 'breeds' within the 'Warmblood" title are largely dependant on their area of origin. Warmblood societies/associations worldwide hold a 'studbook' in which the lineage and breeding of the horses entered in that studbook is verified for generations in most cases. Some popular Warmblood breeds are: Oldenburg, Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Trakhener, Dutch Warmblood, Cleveland Bay - the list goes on! "Warmblood Sporthorses" are not an actual 'breed' but are a crossbred of a recognised Warmblood horse with another breed. As a general, yet unspoken, 'rule' - most of these cross matings are with Thoroughbreds, Arabians or other athletic breeds/types of horse to create an athletic, trainable horse suitable for a variety of disciplines. Warmblood registries often have a 'partbred registry' - which are also called Sporthorses dependant on the registries wording. The minimum Warmblood 'blood' allowed into Warmblood Sporthorse Registries varies around the world - however the Warmbloods & Sporthorses of Australia Association is allowing down to 12.5% verified Warmblood 'blood' into the registry. Any less than that - and the horse will still have its breeding listed - however will enter the Sporthorse Registry. Cleveland Bays who are partbreds - are called Cleveland Bay Sporthorses, while the Oldenburgs, Hanoverians, Holsteiners etc are usually just labeled Warmblood Sporthorses. The Fresians and Irish Drafts when crossed with other breeds (usually Thoroughbreds but not limited to) are called Fresian Warmbloods or Irish Sporthorses. It can be a little confusing at times for the uninitiated! "Sporthorse" (again, not a breed as such) is a more commonly used term for horses of crossbred breeding, to produce an athletic and useful horse for all disciplines with competition in one way or another the general purpose of the mating. Sporthorses are found in all breeds these days - you cross a Clydesdale with a Thoroughbred or another lighter breed and you end up with a relatively athletic horse in most cases, or Welsh Cob with a Thoroughbred and you end up with a nice sporty little horse suitable for all disciplines! The purpose of a Sporthorse register is to allow horses to be kept track of for their performance ability - and if they are then bred with down the track - there is a piece of paper and registration of their bloodlines, breeders etc.