Photos by H2 Photography and Elpita Photography
The history of the Friesian is chequered, he Friesian has appeared at many stages throughout history. In 1066 at the Battle of Hastings, William with the breed narrowly avoiding extinction the Conqueror rode a horse that resembled the on a few occasions. It has been a long Friesian. Many knights and noblemen of the time usedT Friesians as their trusty steeds in battle. The breed was struggle to save this majestic horse and mentioned in an announcement of the German Elector, Johann ensure its rightful place among the equine Frederik of Saxony, in 1544. The famous 1568 etching of the stallion Phryso belonging to Don Juan of Austrian Naples also species. By Altie Clark and Kate Baynes shows the extent of the horse’s history.
The 17th century saw the Friesian, along with many Spanish breeds, at various riding schools where the High School Art of Riding was taught. Around this time it was also seen as a “fancy” driving horse.
Issue 8 SPORTING HORSE 117 In the wake of the French Revolution, the 18th and 19th centuries saw the dismantling of European nobility. The Friesian 1 2 became more limited to the province of Friesland in Holland. In the late 19th century it became the horse of the wealthier, independent peasantry. As a status symbol the wealthy would drive sjees (traditional carriages) to church on Sundays. 1) Famous etching from 1568 of the 3 4 Early in the 20th century, Friesians were needed to work in the stallion Phryso belonging to Don fields. Sadly, with stiff competition from other heavier breeds Juan of Austria more capable of farmwork, the Friesian was slowly being Naple’s 2) Tetman replaced, almost wiping out the breed. 3) Age 4) Reitse The first registry of the Friesian horse, Friesch Paarden- Stamboek, was founded in 1879. Today it is known as the KFPS, the mother Studbook in Holland. The Friesian Horse Association of Southern Africa (FPSSA) is proud to be associated with the KFPS.
But back to 1913 when, with only three older stallions (Age, ADEL Ritske and Tetmanthe), the future of the breed was in dire straits. It was with the registry that a group of Friesian lovers and owners got together to save the breed – their aim was to buy carefully and to breed wisely with colts. This saved the Friesian from extinction.
With new enthusiasm for the Friesian, the Studbook sought to promote the strength of the breed, leading to a smaller, heavier type of horse, luckily keeping its integral characteristics of nobility and luxury. This “old Friesian” is not what we are looking for today. Today we want a more luxurious horse that is fine with long lines on the back and height. The KFPS and FPSSA are continually looking to make the Friesian a modern horse to suite all types of equine activities. The KFPS’s breeding committee meets regularly to ensure that the Friesian remains relevant to today’s needs. RITSE 322 RITSE Sadly, the Friesian was to hit another crisis in the 1960’s when mechanisation meant that work horses were no longer needed. Cheaper and quicker tools left the breed on the brink of extinction once again. In 1965 there were only 500 mares registered with the Studbook. A sad time for all Friesian breeders!
Fortunately for the Friesian horse, their exceptional kindness, intelligence and honest character led to them being rediscovered as a fabulous pleasure horse. Today the Friesian is a growing breed with more than 60 000 horses registered worldwide.
Friesians in South Africa
The history of Friesian breeding in South Africa dates back to 1906 when the first stallions were imported. The breed in South Africa only became part of the international Friesian community many years later with the formation of the FPSSA TJALF 443 TJALF in 1989.
At the FPSSA’s inaugural meeting in May 1989, Dr Bennie Smit became the first chairman, a position he held for many years.
118 SPORTING HORSE Issue 8 FRISO FAN S FRISO FAN
He is currently still a board member of the society. The FPSSA is affiliated to the mother Studbook (KFPS) in The Netherlands as well as the World Friesian Horse Association (WFHO). Becoming part of the internationally recognised Friesian community has elevated South Africa to the ranks of a small selection of countries with internationally recognised Friesian horses. Other countries include The Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Germany, Sweden, Finland, France, Switzerland, Austria, Great Britain, USA, Australia and New Zealand. South Africa is one of the top 10 breeders of Friesians and has approximately 1 000 horses registered internationally with the KFPS.
Long before the formation of the FPSSA, there were a number ’TERWIN VAN REIDFJILD of dedicated breeders in South Africa. They understood the value of Friesians as beautiful black horses with exceptional movement, suitable for improving local breeding stock. Only many years later would people get to know the breed the way we do today. The first big importers were the Smit family in Piketberg, Western Cape. They imported well-known stallions Beake, Wessel, Doede and later Adel, Brun and Jildert.
There have since been many big studs that have continued the good work to enlarge the Friesian gene pool in South Africa. The Studbook stallion Ritse 322 was imported in 2007 by Doorndraai Friesian Stud, who also imported Tjalf 443 “Sport” in 2009. There are also 12 imported stallions from the Foalbook, owned by various breeders around the country. REINOUD FAN ‘E HOMAR REINOUD FAN Members of the FPSSA have over the years imported many
Issue 8 SPORTING HORSE 119 good horses. Over the past five years, South Africa has seen more than 40 mares imported from Holland. Along with the stallions, these mares are providing the South African market with horses that meet the strict criteria and modern breeding principles set out by the KFPS. This dedication to breeding excellence has ensured the continued support by the KFPS, which sends internationally recognised judges from The Netherlands every year to judge the national shows and inspections held by the FPSSA.
The FPSSA Studbook and Foalbook stallions
The Friesian Studbook registry has been carefully compiled to ensure that the Friesian horse is bred correctly, and that all Friesian horses entered into the Studbook adhere to the strict breeding criteria set out by the KFPS. All Friesian horses that are registered in the KFPS Studbook have to be sired by FPS Stallions approved for breeding and produced by mares in the studbook.
Studbook Stallions
Studbooks stallions have been approved for breeding worldwide. They must have completed a series of tests and judgings that cover aspects such as performance, lineage, EIBERT semen tests and X-rays. Having completed these tests, the KFPS Studbook stallion committee selects four to five young stallions to join the registry. There are only about 70 Studbook stallions worldwide at any one time. These stallions will only be approved on their progeny once their oldest offspring turns three. A percentage of these foals are judged to see if the stallion’s progeny have made a positive impact on the breed, giving the Studbook stallion full breeding privileges. In South Africa we are fortunate to have two Studbook stallions, Ritse 322 and Tjalf 443 “Sport”.
Foalbook Stallions
Due to the huge cost of Studbook stallions, it is not viable for many owners to import these horses. It was decided by the KFPS to approve another category of stallions to breed in TSJERK countries where it is difficult to get Studbook stallions. South Africa is one of them, along with Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Spain, to name but a few. South Africa has 12 Foalbook stallions; they are divided into two categories – A and B status. A-status stallions have permission for 40 covers a year, while B-status stallions can do 20 covers per year.
A-status stallions Friso fan S Erwin van ’t Reidfjild Reinoud fan ‘e Homar Tsjerk Eibert GLENN “SPORT” GLENN “SPORT”
120 SPORTING HORSE Issue 8 B-status stallions Dana Yvette Glenn “Sport” Eelke vd Wiske Hoeve Arjen Tsjitse 387 Marco fan ‘T Fjildhus Jildert
All the Foalbook stallions in South Africa are imported and are inspected annually by KPFS judges to renew their breeding permission. Like the Studbook stallions, all Foalbook stallions are tested for semen, X-rays, lineage and performance. Each breeding season, foals of each Foalbook stallion need to be judged to ensure these stallions are contributing to the improvement of the breed in South Africa. EELKE VD WISKE HOEVE
It is very important to remember that only the above-mentioned Studbook and Foalbook stallions are approved by the KFPS for breeding in South Africa. Should any other stallion be used for breeding, the foal will have been bred down and this is something the FPSSA is trying to avoid.
The Friesians we see at shows and performances today have changed vastly since the first stallions were imported more than 100 years ago. It remains one of the most versatile and well-tempered breeds to work with. The Friesian is “a young nobleman with a talent for dancing”.
Look out for our next instalment where we will look more closely at the characteristics and the accolades the Friesians receive and how these assist with ‘T FJILDHUS MARCO FAN breeding and selection. TSJITSE 387 TSJITSE ARJEN “ADELPRAG ARJEN SPORT” ARJEN “ADELPRAG
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