Oldenburg horse breeding gained recognition all over Europe under the Count of Oldenburg, Anton Günther (1603-1667), who was well-known as a most knowledgeable horseman and promoter of horse breeding. The stage that followed was marked by three important events: the first stallion licensing regulated by the state in 1820, the introduction of a studbook in 1861 and the foundation of two horse breeding societies governed by the law of April 9, 1897 on horse breeding. These two societies merged in 1923, becoming today's "Verband der Züchter des Oldenburger Pferdes e.V".
The first measures to refine the breed were undertaken with the Thoroughbred stallion, Lupus xx, in 1935 and again in 1950 with the Anglo-Norman stallion, Condor.

The Refinement Process

in 1959, another Thoroughbred stallion, Adonis xx, was introduced who was quickly followed by others and the breed was switched to the direction of a modern riding horse in the 60's. 
After the good experience breeders had made with Condor, Oldenburg stallion owners again turned to French stallions at the end of the 60's. Practically no other breeding area has been as successful as Oldenburg with stallions of French origin. 
Furioso II was the first Anglo-Norman in modern day breeding. To this day, horse breeders the world over still have the greatest respect for this sire. French Anglo-Arabians such as Inschallah AA were also used with great success in Oldenburg, albeit in careful doses. 

Successful Sport Horse Breeding

By combining the most various bloodlines on top of Oldenburg mare lines, our breeders were able, within a comparatively short period of time, to breed a horse that is meanwhile considered one of the very best in modern day sport horse breeding. Illustrious names give significant testimony such as the Oldenburg sire Donnerhall, team World Champion twice under Karin Rehbein. This stallion represents the successful synthesis of breeding and sport like no other. Or the auction mare, Weihaiwej, who won the individual and team World Championships in jumping in 1984 with  Franke Sloothaak, or Bonfire, who started for the Netherlands with  Anky van Grunsven and won four Olympic medals in dressage, including individual gold in Sydney in 2000. At present, °Sandro Boy and Anka with Marcus Ehning, °Couleur Rubin with Ludger Beerbaum, Arko III with Nick Skelton (GBR) and °Sterntaler-Unicef and Renoir-Unicef with Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff, °Escapado with Carl Hestr (GBR) and °Aramis with Hubertus Schmidt as well as many other Oldenburgs are highly successful in international sport.

In the Limelight

Year after year, four-legged Oldenburg athletes impressively prove at all of the important national and international championships as well as championships for young horses that Oldenburg is one of the world's leading sport horse breeds. The secret of the horses with the crowned O brand lies in a combination of willingness and ability to perform, rideability and pronounced modern type as well as the Verband's liberal breeding policy.