by Exec. Team member Aaron Fisher
The KWPN is a modern association with a rich history. It was founded at a time when the horse was valued exclusively for its pulling power. The goals have now changed and spread out so that the KWPN-NA now has four different breeding directions: dressage, jumping, gelders, and harness horses. The harness horse is also known as the Dutch Harness or Tuigpaard.
Their breeding goals are the following:
The KWPN harness horse must be able to sustain competition at the highest levels of sport.
The harness horse moves correctly in balance with suppleness, carrying power, and impulsion.
The harness horse is easy to handle, easy to drive, intelligent, with a willing and hard working character.
The harness horse has proud self-carriage combined with specific trot characteristics: good suspension, a foreleg that moves out well with high knee action and a hindleg that comes under the body with power .
The KWPN harness horse is now being enjoyed by the North American people and there are quite a few being trained and presented by Young KWPN-NA members.
Watch this video to see harness horses being presented at the 2017 KWPN Stallion Show! Look for the characteristics listed above.
This is a slideshow of one of the DHH keurings held right here in North America.