The Friesian horse is an ancient breed and is the oldest remaining native
breed in The Netherlands, originating from the northern province of Friesland.
The oldest studbook of The Netherlands, est. 1879, governs them and is represented
by its affiliate the Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA)
est. 1984.
There are scriptures dating back to around 150 BC talking about the Frisian
army and their horses. There are references from around 1000 AD describing
and depicting actual Friesian horses, with the first use of the term “Friesian
horse” in reports from 1544. There is the very famous etching dating
from 1568 of Phryso, the stallion owned by Don Juan of Austria in Naples.
Although never proven, it is highly plausible that with the crusades and
the eighty-year war with Spain in the 16th century some Arab and Andalusian
blood entered the Friesian on occasion, as was the case with other European
breeds. In the 17th century Friesians were found along with Spanish breeds
in the various riding schools but in the 18th and 19th centuries the use
was mostly limited to the province of Friesland, probably due to the decline
in nobility after the French Revolution.
| From the nineteenth century to present, the Friesian
in Friesland was mostly owned by wealthy landowners to take them to church
on Sundays and for entertainment in popular trotting races. It is thought
Friesians were used for breeding Orlov Trotters and American trotters. At
the end of the 19th century the Friesian could not compete with the heavy
breeds for agricultural work. “The country gentleman’s horse with a talent
for dancing” as it was described was of little use and many farmers switched
to heavier breeds or crossbred their Friesians. On May 1, 1879 the KFPS studbook was born thanks to a group of people who recognized the importance of saving a national treasure, however, the Friesian’s popularity was still low and there were few stallions in the early 20th century. That’s when the selection and breeding of stallions became organized and regulated. The horse had to compete with the heavier breeds and it became heavier and shorter to compete with the market. Luckily its nobility and luxurious lines remain deeply anchored and we have now returned to those lines. |
Training Level Limited Division 1st place
winners
Rebecca McKeever (driver), Kathleen Bowen
(groom) with Brando. Photo by Stephanie Roberts.
|
First there was one more crisis to weather. In 1965 the numbers sank to
an all-time low when horses were no longer needed and practical. Devoted
Friesian lovers and an improving post WWII economy saved the day. The Friesian’s
character, intelligence, disposition, and qualities have made it a perfect
mount for our times. Meanwhile it has been bred back to nobility, long lines,
and power with its ever present pleasant nature and flash, making the Friesian
perfect for the dressage ring, leisure rides, driving, circus acts, and movie
roles.
As with all growing groups and growth in popularity some people split off,
starting in the 1990s, to do things differently, which is the reason there
are now various Friesian groups and crossbreeding organizations. As the original
and worldwide studbook, KFPS and its regional affiliate
FHANA treasure and honor the purebred Dutch Friesian and its long heritage
with proven, ever adapting and increasing research projects, over 125 years
of studbook experience, statistics, tests, stallion selection, and strict
guidelines, ensuring our horses have valuable papers and guiding the Friesian
breed into the future.
SOUTH CENTRAL FRIESIAN HORSE ASSOCIATION (SCFHA) is a chapter of the FHANA
for the southern states, with the main focus on Texas, promoting the purebred
Dutch KFPS/FHANA Friesian and its studbook.
Douwe and Maaike Plantinga with their
Friesian
2-in-hand at a North Texas Whip playday. Photographer: Tim Branam. |
It can be difficult to enter a new breed arena and
we know the Friesian world has become confusing. Our mission is, therefore,
to inform those who have questions as we can shed light on it all. At the Equine Expo of Texas (www.EquineExpoOfTexas.com) on Saturday May 6 and Sunday May 7 SCFHA will have ten Friesian horses demonstrating and educating about “Beginning Dressage, various types of Driving, and Jousting as a Sport”. You will learn about the history of the sports, the organizations that govern it, the various ways you can get involved, groups to join, how to get started, where to learn, what levels there are, and how competitions work. |
For more information please visit www.southcentralfriesianhorseassociation.com
or e-mail anneke@anneke@annefriesians.com or visit www.annekeskesfriesians.com.
We look forward to meeting you at the Equine Expo of Texas.
