The Danish Knabstrupper Association

In 1970 it was decided at the general meeting that the future Knabstrupper should be spotted.  The size caIn vary and it should be a riding type of horse.  

No requirements in terms of pedigree were presented at this time. 

I have been unable to find any particular reason why the pedigree issue was ignored, why registration of all sizes was allowed or why they partially bred after a different type and made the breed national.  However, the significant decrease in the number of horses due to mechanization and a lack of active members in the association in Holbæk may be an explanation.  It seemed obvious that drastic measured were needed in order to arrive at a proper size in population.

The association was made national, a number of events were held, where quite a few horses were certified for breeding purposes.  In 1971, the Danish Knabstrupper Association held their first general meeting.

Ever since , the association has been certifying horses, maintaining stud books at the national registry “Landskontoret for Heste” and quite early on, the association entered the umbrella organization “Landsudvalget for Heste”. 

Continuous improvements have been made in terms of breeding, for example, in the mid 1970s, the association started requiring material samples from stallions to ensure the qualities.