The farm horse of the Canadian countryside is the base stock
for the Canadian Sport Horse. After the First World War, Thoroughbred stallions
from England were made available to cross with the countryside stock, producing
a more refined horse. In 1926, the Canadian Hunter, Saddle and Light Horse
Improvement Society was organized. In 1933, a second organization, The Canadian
Hunter Society was incorporated and a Stud Book was maintained. The two
societies merged in 1970 and renamed the society to include the term
"Sport Horse," a name which appropriately distinguishes this highly athletic
breed.
During the First World War, and as the direct result of
Canada's reputation for breeding quality horses, a large percentage of Canada's
horse population was shipped overseas for military use. These horses never made
it back to their native land, resulting in a thin breeding stock for future
Canadian horses. It wasn't until the Canadian government brought Thoroughbreds
over from England that a foundation bloodline was established to create a
healthy horse population again.
Standing up to 16 hands high, the Canadian Sport Horse shows
similar conformation to the hunters produced by the English and Irish. Over the
years they have been highly refined for dressage competition, although some are
still used for hunting.
About Canadian Sport Horses
