Warmbloods have been bred throughout central Europe for centuries, with most major breeding districts establishing Royal studfarms in the early 1700's. The breeding directive was to cross relatively small native mares (in the case of the East Prussian/Trakehner) as well as heavier coach, artillery and farm stock with stallions high in blood, to produce marketable general purpose riding horses and military remounts that retained the bone and strength needed for light farm work. Today the German Warmblood breeds still draw heavily on Thoroughbred blood, and to a lesser extent Arabian, to retain lightness, elegance and athleticism, but the days of first generation draft horse crosses have passed. Stallions and broodmares are selected for conformation, rideability and temperament, and those that do not meet the breed standards are removed from breeding. This strict selection and culling has resulted in the Warmbloods' near total domination of dressage and show jumping arenas throughout the World. This category contains links to breeders who specialize in one of the lesser known Warmblood registries and for breeders who offer stud service and stock from two or more registries.
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