The breed is renowned for its incredible speed and agility It is renowned for its speed and agility. Italian Trotter is now an outstanding figure in the realm of horse sports. Considered one of the preeminent trotter breeds in the world It has established its own niche in the field race trotting.
The extraordinary speed of this breed is not only a source of pride for the nation, but also an indicator of the quality of horse and consistently surpassing prestigious counterparts such as the Standardbreds. Some of its most notable members have not only won races but also have created world speed records and have demonstrated an unbeatable speed.
Beyond the track Italian Trotters’ genetic heritage extends to numerous crossbreeds, all of which embody the breed’s long-lasting characteristics of endurance and speed and thereby proving its crucial contribution in the development of the equestrian sport.
History:
The Italian Trotter’s lineage which is a tapestry of horse strands from around the world, is a symbol of the breed’s global history and flexibility. The genetic blueprint of the breed is affected by its ancestors, the French Trotter, the robust Russian Orlov Trotter, as well as the agile American Standardbred, each contributing to the distinctive traits of this breed.
The trend of shorter distance races has also highlighted the importance of traits that are inherited through American breeders, American lineage.
The journey of this breed’s history began in the beginning of the nineteenth century. The very first racing trotting in Italy took place in 1808 on the Prato della Valle in Padova.
At the time, Padova was under the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy and these races were held just two years after the debut of official trotting race in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. This was the start of Italy’s entry into the world of trotting races.
The breeding and selection process of the Italian Trotter was initiated in the most serious way in the latter part in the late 19th century. The time was marked by a crossbreeding programme, in which horses that were naturally inclined to trot were selected to be bred with English Thoroughbred stallions.
This was a plan to increase the ability of trotting and the physical traits of the offspring. The most important event in this breeding venture came with that of Vandalo in Ferrara in the year 1862 and he became a renowned name in the Italian trotting world.
1896 marked an important moment in history with the creation of a genealogical stud book specifically for Italian Trotters. Italian Trotter. This stud book, distinguished by its strictness and its strict rules, permits only horses with legally registered parents in the book, thus ensuring the purity of the breed as well as lineage continuity.
The stud-book can show flexibility by accepting trotters with exceptional performance from other registries, recognizing the breed’s growing and welcoming nature.
The most awe-inspiring for the breed of Italian trotters is Varenne the breed’s first birthed in 1995. His impressive career, which included races in seven countries and scoring the 61 wins out from 73 race is an example of the ability of the breed.
Varenne’s earnings over EUR6 million did not just set an impressive record, but also exhibited the culmination of years of devoted breeding and a profound love for the sport. It also solidified the Italian trotting horse’s place in the history books of trotting’s the past.
Characteristics:
Beautiful and sturdy Elegant yet robust: The Italian Trotter displays a harmonious combination of grace and strength. Its design is distinguished by its robust construction and yet, it retains the appearance of elegance and grace, which is a testimony to its sophisticated breeding.
Height: Typically, they stand between 15 and 16 hands (60 to 64 inches) The breed is an impressive silhouette, not too large nor too small and is ideal for trotting.
Muscular Neck and Shoulders: The breed is distinguished by a muscle neck, which flows into strong shoulders. This muscle is vital to generate the energy required in racing.
Compact Body: The torso of the Italian Trotter is slim and well-proportioned. This contributes to its speed and agility. The body’s structure allows for the body’s efficient movement and endurance.
Refined Head: The head of the Italian Trotter is one of its most distinct features which exudes intelligence and calmness. It is exquisite and proportioned well to the body, and has an attractive face.
Bright, alert eyes: The eyes are big and bright, indicating the breed’s high attention and intelligence, which are essential characteristics for a racehorse that is competitive.
Lustrous Coat: Its coat is lustrous and elegant. Italian Trotter is typically elegant and lustrous which is a sign of a healthy and well-groomed. It adds elegance to the breed’s appearance.
Variable Color Palette: Although bay black, chestnut, and bay are the most popular colors but this breed can be seen in many hues, each contributing to the visual appeal of the breed.
Strong, well-formed hooves: The hooves are sturdy and well-formed giving a solid base for the horse’s demanding actions. Proper care of the hoof is vital to maintain the performance of your horse.
Distinctive Trotting Gait: Italian Trotter is known for its distinct trotting gait that is fluid and rhythmic. The trotting gait is an essential element of its performance in racing, allowing horses to move quickly and at high speed.
Influence and Legacy
The impact on Trotting Races Trotting Races: Italian Trotter has left an important mark in the European trotting world. This breed is the source of numerous champions, and has won in important international races.
Preservation and breeding: it is evident that there are efforts to safeguard the pureness of the breed as well as to increase its virtues, while ensuring that the Italian Trotter continues to be an emblem of the equestrian excellence in Italy.