History of the Selle Français July 13, 2009 The Selle Français in New Zealand Almé Z The Selle Français horse is an all-round athlete and this versatility has allowed riders of different nationalities to defend their country's colours at the highest level of competition across the world. In the show jumping arena especially, these horses have stamped their mark. In addition Selle Français horses are used by the French Garde Republicaine in Paris and the Sri Lankan Mounted Police. Thanks to a good temperament they are safe in the city as well as during parades and presidential escorts. Correctly known as "Le Cheval de Selle Français" which translates as the French Saddle Horse, (not to be confused with the gaited types of Saddle Horse from North America), the term Selle Français (CSF) was adopted to describe the breed in 1958, and the first stud book was published in 1965. As long ago as 1665, France established its first National Stud (Haras Nationaux) which is formed by a network of 23 state-run stud farms dedicated to improving the quality of performance horse breeding. The most influential breed was the Anglo-Norman, developed in Normandy in the 19th century by crossing Norfolk Trotter, Thoroughbred, and Arabian stallions to refine the local mares (which themselves traced back to the medieval Norman warhorse). About 90 per cent of today's Selle Français trace back to this breed. Thoroughbred stallions that influenced the breed are Orange Peel, Ibrahim, Furioso, Rantzau and Ulitmate and the names of these sires can be found in virtually every successful modern Selle Français horse. This blood is also available in New Zealand. Continued