The Netherlands, known for its windmills, wooden shoes, and tulips, is also home to the little-known Dutch Harness Horse, the Tuigpaard. A high-quality performer in harness classes and driving competitions, this breed is traceable to the original harness horses (Gelderlanders) as well as the Hackney and more recently, the American Saddlebred. Harmonie, a Tuigpaard stallion, was the first of his breed to be exported from the Netherlands by Clarke and Karen Vesty of LaGrange, Kentucky who felt the Tuigpaard would be a beneficial addition to the breeding programs of American show horse breeders.
One of only 29 breeding stallions registered with the Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands (KWPN), Harmonie underwent 100 days of testing, known as a ‘keuring,’ in 1992 in order to be accepted. Known as the Central Stallion Test, this rigorous evaluation assesses everything from health to temperament and performance. Harmonie finished at the top of his group and has remained on the approved stallion list every year since then. In 1997, one of his colts became the first Dutch Harness Horse to earn the overall KWPN National Foal Championship, receiving a perfect score of ten from every judge. And, fifty percent of his daughters have been honored with the ‘star’ title, the highest accolade a mare can receive. Truly an exceptional breeding stallion, Harmonie is an accomplished horse that serves as a great ambassador for the Tuigpaard breed.
Article courtesy of Breyer horses
