In November, I became the breed ambassador for Knabstruppers after a year of hard work on the breed. It's my pleasure to present the Apollon Society, founded in December 2018.

The name Apollon comes from one of the first and highest honored Knabstrupper stallions in the modern era of the breed. In his time, he was the only Knabstrupper to be awarded the ZfDP Approval for Warmblood Breeding. He sired at least 12 graded stallions and several state-premium mares. He was a champion in dressage, showjumping, and eventing. And in 2002, Apollon sired the first Knabstruppers in North America.

ABOUT THE BREED
History: Knabstruppers are one of the oldest breed registries in Europe. It is believed that they originated from pre-history spotted horses in Spain (the same horses that established the Appaloosa). The breed as we know it today started in 1812 with a chestnut blanket mare from the Spanish calvary. She was purchased by a Danish butcher named Flaeb and became known as Flaebhoppen, which literally means "Flaeb's mare." From there, she was sold to a Major Villars Lunn, who owned an estate called "Knabstrupgaard" in Denmark. Flaebhoppen was bred to a Fredricksborg stallion and produced a loudly colored colt. Both mare and colt were bred multiple times to produce the Knabstrupper breed, which became the most desired horse in Europe.

Unfortunately, the quality of the breed declined around 1870, when inbreeding and a devastating stable fire took it's toll. The breed was saved in 1971 when fresh Appaloosa blood was reintroduced. By that time, Knabstruppers had become quite rare.

Knabstruppers were not brought to North America until 2002, when a Texan couple set out to find Appaloosa and warmblood mares that would be acceptable to the RPSI as foundation mares for Knabstruppers in America. The mares they found were inspected, accepted, and bred to Apollon, the premier Knabstrupper stallion of the time. The first Knabstrupper foal in North America was born on April 1, 2002 and was called American Beauty.

Coloring: At first glance, the most striking thing about the Knabstrupper is it's coloring: most likely large, stark spots scattered across a white coat. Knabstruppers carry the leopard gene, most commonly seen in Appaloosas. In fact, the breed displays the same color patterns as the Appaloosa horse. Leopard Knabstruppers can have black, bay, or chestnut spots. However, the breed is not limited to the leopard pattern; Knabstruppers can also display patterns such as blanket, snowflake, snowcap, and few spot. The range of colors and patterns displayed by Knabstruppers is so wide that registries have only a few color-based restrictions: the greying gene is not allowed, and there must be skin colored spots around the mouth and nostrils.

Conformation:  Another unique characteristic of the breed is the fact that there are three distinct types of Knabstruppers with their own build.
Sport horse Knabstruppers have a slim, athletic build. This type was created by crossing the original Knab breed with the Danish Warmblood and the Trakehner. Sport Horse Knabs excell in dressage, eventing, and show jumping. 
Baroque Knabstruppers are the classic Knabstruppers. These Knabs have a broad build, with thicker necks, shorter legs, and larger hooves. They work well pulling carriages and are popular as performance horses in circuses.
Pony type Knabstruppers are just as their type suggests: Knabstrupper ponies. These are short Knabstruppers, under 14 hands, and are popular with children.

INCENTIVES
If you breed Knabstruppers or decide to start breeding Knabstruppers, check out these "prizes" and deals you can redeem from me. 

NOTE: In order to claim an incentive, your foal(s) and the parents must be registered with the registry! See the "Join" post for more info on the registry!

ALL KNAB BREEDERS are welcome to use THIS IMAGE for their Knabstruppers!

FOR EVERY STORE PAIR or 50K FOAL BORN:
- A free mare leasing or stud booking from any of my public lines (all lines but Lost Boys and Badman) - FREE
- A free backup foal from any of my public lines - FREE
- A mare leasing or stud booking from my private Lost Boys line (currently Gen 3)- 3MIL HPD
- A discounted backup foal from my private Lost Boys line - 5MIL HPD

FOR A 100K FOAL BORN:
- Eligibility to buy the backup from my Badman pair (limit one backup per generation - first come, first serve) - 30MIL HPD
- A custom graphic from Mero or Famous Shamus - FREE

I just started them I am excited

Welcome Shadow! Thanks for adopting a society pair, and good luck with your lines! I'm always available if you have any questions or want to adopt more! :P

I'm excited to be trying this breed out! I've always admired your lines, so wish me luck!