As a favorite of the French Olympic show jumping team, the Selle Francais has earned its place among the top show jumpers in the world. The Selle Francais Horse is the product of a carefully planned breeding program that resulted in a horse of good bone that is both fast moving and easily trained. One known for being both strong and supple.

The stud book of this horse contains a wide variety of types, but the common traits are broad quarters and strong hocks that are suited for jumping, straight shanks, powerful shoulders, and a proportionate body. They can be any color, but chestnut and bay are the most common.

The breed began to develop as early as the start of the nineteenth century in the racing districts of Normandy, but it wasn’t until 1958 that the Selle Francais was named a breed and the first stud book was published in 1965. Normans, another breed of horse, were crossed with Thoroughbreds - a large and powerful English racing horse, and Norfolk Roadsters – a famous trotting horse. The goal of the breeders was to create a quality riding horse that combined speed with a strong jumping ability.

Until the 1980s, the breed was split into five types divided by function and weight. Today, the breed is divided into a lighter racing type and the more popular show jumper.

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Selle Francais - Horses for Sale