Friesian Sporthorse
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| Friesian Sporthorse | ||
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| Distinguishing features: | Friesian crossbreds, minimum 25% Friesian. Can be nearly all colors and sizes, but maintaining a sport horse type. Light feathering is common, as well as thick manes and tails. | |
| Country of origin: | developed initially in Europe (primarily Germany and the Netherlands) but revitalization and development as a unique breed has been primarily in the US, Canada, and Germany since the late 1900's | |
| Breed standards | ||
| Friesian Sporthorse Association: | [[1] Stds] | |
| Friesian Blood Horse Registry: | [[2] Stds] | |
| Friesian Sport Horse Registry: | [[3] Stds] | |
The Friesian Sporthorse is a Friesian crossbred of sport horse type. The ideal Friesian Sporthorse is specifically bred to excel in FEI-recognized sport horse disciplines. Thus, "sport horse" refers to both the phenotype and intended use of these horses. While the Friesian Sporthorse is considered a breed, with specific breeding guidelines[1], others use the term "Friesian Sport Horse" as a generic all-inclusive term to describe any Friesian crossbred (see Friesian cross.)
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[edit] Bloodlines
Friesian Sporthorses are generally Friesians crossed with warmbloods and Thoroughbreds, although percentages of American Saddlebred, draft, Arabian, Morgan, and Paint (with an acceptable percentage of Thoroughbred) breeding are also acceptable.[1] These crosses are used to produce animals suitable for the sport disciplines of dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving. Friesian Sporthorses also must be at least 25% Friesian.[1]
Crossbreeding of Friesians with other breeds is also popular, although the resulting offspring are not always considered Friesian Sporthorses (see Friesian cross.)
[edit] Characteristics
Friesian Sporthorses can come in a variety of colors and sizes. They tend to have the gentle temperament and striking appearance of the Friesian, but with an increased athleticism, stamina, and hybrid vigor, when responsibly crossbred. They are most commonly used for dressage and carriage driving, but have also been successful as jumpers and eventing horses, as well as for all-around riding. They are also valued as pleasure and trail horses.
[edit] History
People have been crossbreeding Friesians for more than a century. In 1879 the Friesian registry created two books for registration, one book for purebred Friesians, and another book for crossbreds. Crossbreeding had become so common by 1907 that the rules were again changed, combining the two books into one book again. This changed again in 1915, with concerns over the potential extinction of the purebred Friesian, and two books were again created. Eventually two separate Friesian registries were created, Dutch and German. Today the Dutch Friesian registry (FPS, Friese Paarden Stamboek) and its American counterpart (FHANA, Friesian Horse Association North America) do not allow crossbreeding. However, the German Friesian registry (FPZV, Friesenpferde Zuchtverband e. V.) and its American counterpart (FPZV USA) do allow crossbreeding. In the last decade, the popularity of the Friesian crossbreds has increased drastically, and new independent registries have been formed specifically to register and recognize the Friesian crossbred horses and Friesian Sporthorses as their own unique breeds. [2][3][4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Friesian Sporthorse registration guidelines
- ^ FHANA
- ^ Friesian horse society
- ^ NEFHC History page, accessed Nov 4, 2007
[edit] External links
- Friesian Sporthorse Association Friesian Sporthorse Association
- See also: Friesian cross
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