HARRISBURG, Pa. – Bruce Rappoport, associate dean for the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center in Chester County, took to the equine arena during the Farm Show for a pleasure driving demonstration.
What was most interesting about the demonstration was the use of two rare Kladruby geldings donated to the university.
The breed. The 10-year-old geldings, Amor and Ricardo, measure 16.3 hands and 17.1 hands, respectively.
In addition to driving, the two are also trained under saddle, and like to hunt and jump.
The Kladruby gets its name from a royal stud in Bohemia established by Emperor Maximillian II in the 16th century.
The breed is found in two colors, black and white.
The Kladruby is currently used for sport driving and has a four hundred year old selection history.
Rare worldwide. With only 90 remaining mares, it is one of the rarer breeds in the world.
Rappoport demonstrated how to harness the geldings and prepare them to drive. The geldings pulled an old-fashioned sporting brake carriage, which was ideal for traveling through the woods to picnic or to the hunt.
Mark Allam, who was dean of the college when the New Bolton Center was established, originally founded the driving program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
Currently, Rappoport heads the program and promotes it by competing at prestigious shows like Devon and by giving demonstrations at the regional level.
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