Breed Characteristics
Although not a well-known breed worldwide, it is used as a sport horse because of its temperament, comfortable gaits, and hardiness. Their athleticism allows for use in show jumping and eventing. They are also suitable for dressage.
The breed is bred along two lines. One is lighter, for competitive riding. The other is heavier, and used in harness and as a riding horse.
The Wielkopolski has a fine, small head with a straight profile and lively eyes. This is set into a strong, long neck. The horse has sloping shoulders and a deep and wide chest. It is muscular, compact, and deep in the body, with powerful hindquarters. Their legs are well muscled with long cannons and good, clearly defined joints and tendons. They can be any solid color, and usually stand between 15.2 and 16.2 hands (62 and 66 inches, 157 and 168 cm)
There is also another Polish warmblood breed, the Małopolski, bred in the region of Małopolska ("Little Poland") in the south of the country (around Kraków). These horses are smaller and slightly less suited to showjumping than the Wielkopolski.
Read more about this topic: Wielkopolski
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