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Friesian Sporthorse
The Friesian Sporthorse is a Friesian crossbred,
developed specifically for its sport horse ability and potential to
excel in the traditional equestrian sporting events, especially dressage
and combined driving.
The Friesian Sporthorse is sometimes confused with the term Friesian
Sport Horse, which is a term sometimes used to describe any Friesian
crossbred, whereas the Friesian Sporthorse is a specific breed, with
strict guidelines regarding registration and breeding approval.
The ideal Friesian Sporthorse combines the beauty, temperament, and
expressive gaits of the Friesian, with the increased athleticism,
elasticity, endurance, and versatility of breeds such as the Warmblood
and Thoroughbred, with the added benefit of the hybrid vigor which comes
from crossbreeding.
Friesian Sporthorses most often are Friesians crossed with Warmbloods
and Thoroughbreds, maintaining a minimum 25% Friesian blood.
Registration is divided into Main Book, Auxiliary Book, and Foundation
Book. To be eligible for Main Book registration, a horse’s bloodlines
must consist of Friesian combined with Thoroughbred, Warmblood, Georgian
Grande, Andalusian/Lusitano, or Arabian (Gharib or Hamid line only.)
The Auxiliary Book allows percentages of draft, Morgan, Paint, and
Arabian (other than Gharib or Hamid lines.) The Foundation Book was
established to recognize and record purebred Friesian stallions and
mares, as their contribution to the Friesian Sporthorse is vital.
Because there is a strong emphasis on performance, there are also three
levels of Performance Books, also known as the Elite Books, for
registered Friesian Sporthorses: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Criteria
for each of the Performance Books can be met thru a variety of different
sports and different levels within those sports.
In terms of appearance (phenotype), the Friesian Sporthorse is similar
in type to a typical sport horse or Warmblood, although sometimes a bit
heavier and more “Baroque“ in appearance, with a higher set and
more
arched neck, and often with the thicker mane, tail, and feathers of the
Friesian. The mane and feather may be left long, as is traditional for
a Friesian, or the mane may be pulled and the feathers trimmed, for a
more traditional sport horse appearance. A Friesian Sporthorse may be
any color, and there is no limitation on markings.
more
arched neck, and often with the thicker mane, tail, and feathers of the
Friesian. The mane and feather may be left long, as is traditional for
a Friesian, or the mane may be pulled and the feathers trimmed, for a
more traditional sport horse appearance. A Friesian Sporthorse may be
any color, and there is no limitation on markings.
In addition to their sport horse qualities, Friesian Sporthorses are
known for their wonderful temperaments. The kind, gentle temperament of
the Friesian tends to carry over to the Friesian Sporthorse, making it a
popular choice not just for competition, but also as a pet, companion,
or trail horse.
The Friesian Sporthorse is a relatively new breed. As the crossbreeding
of Friesians began to gain popularity in the 1990’s, some breeders began
to set out to intentionally crossbreed the Friesian to create a horse
more suitable for sport, but maintaining characteristics of the
Friesian. From this careful selective breeding, the Friesian Sporthorse
was born. Although Friesians have been crossed with a variety of
breeds, for a variety of purposes, the Friesian Sporthorse stands alone
and continues to increase in popularity, especially for their
suitability for the sporting disciplines of dressage and combined
driving.
Perhaps the two best known and most recognizable Friesian Sporthorses in
the United States are two stallions, *Nico and Lexington. *Nico, a
black and white pinto, is most memorable for his striking appearance and
movement. Lexington is a stunning black Friesian Sporthorse, and is one
of the only Friesian Sporthorse stallions approved for breeding in the
United States. Other noteworthy Friesian Sporthorses include the
gelding Ducati CH, who finished sixth for USDF Horse of the Year for
Intermediate II in 2007 with his owner/rider Brooke Cramton, and the
gelding Beau, who won the USEF’s 2003 National Combined Driving Singles
Championship.
Photo:
Lexington, an Approved for Breeding, Elite Book Friesian Sporthorse stallion
Lexington, an Approved for Breeding, Elite Book Friesian Sporthorse stallion
About the Author:
Gigha Steinman is the current Executive Director of the Friesian Sporthorse Association, and runs River Oaks Farm, a small farm in Florida specializing in dressage training and the breeding of Friesian Sporthorses and Warmbloods. Visit her website at River Oaks Farm
Gigha Steinman is the current Executive Director of the Friesian Sporthorse Association, and runs River Oaks Farm, a small farm in Florida specializing in dressage training and the breeding of Friesian Sporthorses and Warmbloods. Visit her website at River Oaks Farm
Links of Interest:
Friesian Sporthorse Association www.FriesianSporthorseAssociation.com
Friesian Sporthorse Association www.FriesianSporthorseAssociation.com