Friesian Sporthorse

Infobox Horse
name= Friesian Sporthorse

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Caption=Friesian Sporthorse Stallion
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=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
group1=Friesian Sporthorse Association
std1= [http://www.friesiansporthorseassociation.com]
note= |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, "sporthorse" refers to both the phenotype, breeding, and intended use of these horses. [ [http://www.friesiansporthorseassociation.com/FriesianSporthorseBreedStandard.html Breed Standard] ] While the Friesian Sporthorse is considered a breed, with specific guidelines for registration and breeding approval [http://www.friesiansporthorseassociation.com/FriesianSporthorseRegistrationGuidelines.html/ Friesian Sporthorse registration guidelines] ] , others use the term "Friesian Sport Horse" as a generic all-inclusive term to describe any Friesian crossbred.

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. [http://www.friesiansporthorseassociation.com/FriesianSporthorseRegistrationGuidelines.html/ Friesian Sporthorse registration guidelines] ] 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. [http://www.friesiansporthorseassociation.com/FriesianSporthorseRegistrationGuidelines.html/ Friesian Sporthorse registration guidelines] ]

Crossbreeding of Friesians with other breeds is also popular, although the resulting offspring are not always considered Friesian Sporthorses (see Friesian cross.)

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.

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. [ [http://www.fhana.com FHANA] ] [ [http://www.friesianhorsesociety.com Friesian horse society] ] [ [http://www.nefhc.com/history.html NEFHC History page] , accessed Nov 4, 2007] [ [http://www.friesiansporthorseassociation.com/FriesianSporthorseHistory.html Friesian Sporthorse History] ]

ee also

*Friesian horse
*Friesian cross

References

External links