About the Oberlander Horse

Well known in the South German state of Bavaria, the Oberlander Horse is relatively new to North America. However, it is one that will capture public interest given its size, appearance, versatility, colour and disposition.

The ancestors of the Oberlander horses trace back to the Roman Empire, when Roman warhorses were taken to the Roman province NORICUM, a part of today’s Austria. Hence this breed is also called Noriker or Pinzgauer in Austria.
Oberlanders, long found in Bavaria, were few in number by 1497. The first stud farm was founded in 1769. Here the better horses of native Bavaria were crossed with stallions purchased in Holstein, Mecklenburg, Hungary and England. The foundation stock from which the Oberlander breed developed, came from this cross.

Only inspected stallions that were certified as Oberlander breeding stock could stand for public service since 1881. At this time, the Edelweiss was chosen as the brand. The Edelweiss is branded on the right neck of each certified stallion and on the left lower hip of all purebred Oberlanders. During these formative years of the breed, the blood of the Belgian, Clydesdale, Norfolk, Cleveland Bay, Friesian, Norman and Oldenburger breeds was drawn upon. However, this came to an end in 1900. Neither of these breeds was able to have any genetic impact in the Oberlander breed.

Then the traits that identify the modern Oberlander were fixed after the turn of the century by careful and modern breeding strategy, based on the dominating “Weissfuss” and “Vulkan” bloodlines. In 1957, Dr. Gentner reported 49 bloodlines, which declined between 1959 and 1970. These bloodlines resemble the foundation breeding stock of the present day modern Oberlander Horse.

About 4000 horses of the Oberlander breed are currently found in Bavaria.
Eighty are certified stallions owned by the Bavarian government and private breeders. These stallions are representative of the five families or bloodlines found in the breed.

Before an inspected stallion or mare is certified for breeding, it must pass a number of demanding and rigorous breeding performance tests. The ultimate goal is to produce a versatile horse that can perform a variety of tasks.

In 1993, Hans and Patricia Plechinger from Cherry Creek Ranch in Cranbrook imported 4 Oberlander mares and 1 stallion from Bavaria to British Columbia, Canada.

There are five breeders of Oberlander horses in North America. In 2005, exactly 59 head of purebred Oberlander horses can be found on this continent.

The first Production Sale held at Cherry Creek Ranch in July 1999 sold 23 Oberlander. Seven horses were sold to Anheuser and Busch (Budweiser) in St. Louis, MO. The Oberlander are used at Grants Farm Manor as breeding stock, personal horses of Mr. Andrew Busch as well as for pulling sightseeing visitors around the farm in wagons.

The Oberlander Horse Association, established in 1999, is registered in British Columbia, Canada. It is guiding the breeding activities in North America by applying similar breeding standards as practiced in Bavaria.

Breeding target of the Oberlander Horse Association:

Oberlander Horses are 15 to 16 HH, canon bone size of 9 – 10 inch, weigh 1500 to 1600 lb., have a strong, large frame, well muscled and deeply set with a long, broad, and divided croup, correctly positioned limbs with hard hooves and wide movements. The noble and beautiful cold-blood head, clean-cut legs and great movements in trot have their origin partly in cross breeding with the above-mentioned breeds. Oberlanders can be sorrel with a white or red mane and tail or bay with black points. One or more white stockings, plus white on the face is common. On occasion an Oberlander will be leopard spotted.

It is clear, that the modern stock of the Oberlander Horse has roots coming from the Noriker, Pinzgauer and Sueddeutsches Kaltblut breeds.

Its excellent performance is undisputed and has been proved for decades.

Also, the uncomplicated temperament as well as the sociability were, and are particularly today, properties characterising this breed that are of particular significance in modern time. In view of the present lack of workers in agriculture and the frequent lack of experience in dealing with horses, the calm and agreeable temperament of the Oberlander is very important.

Oberlanders are eager to work, with lots of stamina; you can expect an outstanding work performance from them, compared to any other breed of horse. They are a very elegant carriage horse and instant crowd-pleasers wherever they appear. They can be driven in all kinds of hitch configurations with no problems mixing stallions, geldings and mares. You will find the Oberlander employed at a number of tasks: driving events, showing at horse events, wagon and sleigh rides, drawing winter feed, hunting and packing, even for dressage, jumping, pleasure riding, working cattle, vaulting and in dude horse strings, Quadrille saddle, Coach Horse and many more applications.

Turned out in authentic harness used on festive occasions in Bavaria, the
Cherry Creek Oberlander hitch has appeared in numerous parades. Shown at the “Idaho State International Draft Horse Show” and in “Breed of the World Show” at the “International Master Tournament at Spruce Meadows” in Calgary, Canada over several years. They have also delivered NHL star Scott Niedermayer’s wedding party along with many others at historic Fort Steele near Cranbrook, B.C.