History

History and Development of the Friesian Sporthorse

For more than a century, people have been crossbreeding Friesians. Concerns over the potential extinction of the purebred Friesian have caused the Dutch Friesian registry (FPS/FHANA) to forbid crossbreeding, although the German Friesian registry (FPZV) allows crossbreeding. As the numbers of Friesians continues to grow, there are less concerns about their potential extinction, and crossbreeding of purebred Friesian stallions has especially become more widely accepted.

The interest in crossbreeding Friesians in the United States has

increased dramatically in the last decade. Some people chose

the Friesian for crossbreeding primarily for their kind

temperaments, crossbreeding primarily for pets, trail horses, etc.

Others chose to take the qualities of the Friesian, and

crossbreed specifically for a Friesian crossbred more suited for

sport, leading to the development of Friesian Sporthorses and

the Friesian Sporthorse Association.

Well-bred Friesian Sporthorses are lovely horses, combining

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. This focus is what sets the Friesian Sporthorse

apart from other Friesian crossbreds. Friesian Sporthorses are

especially popular for dressage and combined driving, having

competed successfully at the highest levels of both sports.

Careful, selective, responsible breeding will continue to refine

the Friesian Sporthorse. The Friesian Sporthorse Association

seeks to promote and encourage this careful, selective breeding,

by being the first registry dedicated exclusively to recognizing

and promoting the true Friesian Sporthorse.

The popularity of the Friesian crossbred has led to rampant growth. Unfortunately, sometimes an unchecked popularity explosion like this doesn‘t always lead to the best breeding choices, and not much exists to educate, guide, encourage, or support breeders or owners, particularly those with a specific interest in breeding/owning Friesian Sporthorses. The Friesian Sporthorse Association aims to fill this void, providing breeding guidelines, record keeping, support, encouragement, and a “home” for those who are specifically breeders and owners of Friesian Sporthorses. As a breed, the Friesian Sporthorse has a great deal of potential. The goal of the Friesian Sporthorse Association is to encourage, document, and maximize that potential. The FSA has grown into an international registry, welcoming members from around the world.