The Friesian Horse

A rare and noble breed of elegance and beauty

The Friesian horse known as "BLACK PEARLS" from the land of a thousand lakes are native to the province of Friesland in the north of the Netherlands. This beautiful breed has faced extinction time after time, though they are one of the oldest breeds ever to be recorded, they are the most elegant and magical of all breeds.

Friesh Paarden-Stamboek

The Friesh Paarden-Stamboek (FPS Studbook) Friesian registry is traced as far back as 1879. In 1879 there was only one remaining purebred stallion and all purebreds today can be traced back to him thanks to the security and strict selection rules of the FPS.

The FPS has maintained the highest of standards thus ensuring that the quality of today's Friesian horses is of a higher plane and keeps our Friesian beauties pure. There are at this time about 40,000 Friesian horses registered. The FPS attends to the studbook administration for the entire world, guarding the interest and outstanding quality of the breed .

The tide has turned since these exceptional beauties were faced with extinction. These beautiful medieval chargers are now prized in dressage and carriage driving arenas for their elegant appearance and brilliant action, due to their outstanding muscular physique, the purebred friesian's status as a student and dressage horse is peerless.

The Friesian Horse, a light footed dressage champion performing in the High School of Dressage where they are recognized more and more.

Registration

The Friesian Horse is the product of a carefully monitored breeding system which evaluates and grades ALL registered horses.

The Friesian Horse Association of Great Britain and Ireland (FHAGBI) is affiliated with the original Dutch Registry and provides services and co-ordinates between Friesian Horse owners and the FPS Registry in the Netherlands.

The FPS is one of the most rigidly controlled Studbooks in the world. Cross breeding is not allowed. Only the off-spring of Approved Stallions can be entered into the main studbook registry.

Stallions

Must be approved for breeding in order for their off-spring to be eligible for registration with the FPS. The selection process evaluates the superiority of pedigree as well as the Stallion's movement and conformation. Weeks of further evaluation test his quality of gaits, abilities under saddle and in harness, temperament and trainability.

A stallion's breeding approval is always conditional. His off-spring must possess sufficient quality and sport aptitude to prove that the stallion makes sufficient impact on the breed. If not, his breeding approval is permanently revoked.

Standards are extremely high and only a handful of stallions become Approved Stallions each year.

Mares and Geldings

Friesian foals are evaluated for a premium ranking, implanted with a microchip for permanent identification and entered into the Foalbook Register (Veulenboek).

When mares and geldings reach the age of 3 they can be presented for entry into the Studbook (Stamboek). They must demonstrate the characteristics of the Friesian Horse, must be black with no white markings on the legs or body, although a very small star may be permitted.

Superior horses are awarded a premium. The best may be awarded Star (Ster) status based on movement and conformation.

The very best of the Star mares may be designated as Model. Preferential and Performance Mothers receive their designations due to the superior quality or outstanding athletic achievement of their off-spring.

Although mares are subject to careful inspection by the judges, they do not require breeding approval like stallions

Glossary of Grading Definitions for the Registration of Friesians

Inbreeding Co-Efficient: All Friesian horses are allowed to have an Inbreeding Co-efficient of no more than 12%, although less is better. It is desirable to have less than 5%.
Keuring: Strict judging process held annually. Horses judged on conformation - 40%, movement - 60%. Keurings are where horses can be awarded premie's, star status etc.
Model: Awarded to top 1%. Have to be at least 7 years of age. Based on conformation, movement and performance. Takes 2 years to achieve.
Motherline: Grading of horse's Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother
Preferent: Awarded to a mare who has 4 or more offspring who have received Ster status or to a Stallion who has a high percentage of Ster/Model daughters or Approved Stallion sons.
Premie: Best quality horses are awarded premies (premium). A 1st Premie is the highest awarded to the top 5% of horses presented. A 2nd Premie follows to the top 15% and a 3rd Premie to the top 25%.
PRST: Mare - Performance Champion
Stam: Lineage of a horse on the Mother's side
Stb: Studbook (Stamboek) Friesian Horse 3 years or older
Ster: (Star) Aged 3 years or above. Awarded for an exemplary example
Vb: Veulenboek (Foalbook)

For more information, please see the article on The History of the Friesian Horse.

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