Category Archives: Encyclopedia

Studbook

003_1A[for the stallion studbook, see ‘Approval’]

The mare and gelding studbook is the primary book for adult mares and geldings, older than three years old. Certain horses may qualify for status/predicates within the studbook if they are shown to be of a higher quality in movement, conformation or produce superior offspring. These predicates are: star, crownmodelpreferent, or performance mother.

Also, see ‘Inspections’ for more on Studbook qualifications.

Star

024_22Star or ‘Ster’ is an FPS rating given to mares and geldings in the Studbook and unapproved stallions in the Foal Book, who are found to meet a higher standard in movement and/or conformation.

Eligibility for Star Mare or Gelding requires that they previously be entered as a Studbook mare or gelding and be at least 1.56 meters for mares (~15.1 hands) and 1.58 meters for geldings (~15.2 1/4 hands) at the withers. Criteria for designation to Star status requires that the horse demonstrate:

 

  • conformation meeting the breeding objective of the FPS
  • totally correct movement
  • the walk must be straight, powerful and flexible with good reach from the shoulder while the hind quarters swing forward with power
  • The trot should be a reaching and forward movement with power from the hind quarters and flexion in the hock; it should be elevated and light-footed with a moment of suspension; there should be no winging, paddling or interfering

Mares and geldings are automatically evaluated for Star status when they are first entered into the Studbook. If they do not achieve the rating at that time,they may be re-evaluated at later inspections. Older horses with star status may be branded with an ‘S’ to accompany the studbook ‘F’ upon their neck (FS). This is the highest rating possible for geldings and Foal Book (unapproved) stallions.

[See also: ‘Inspections’ for more on Star qualifications.]

Stam

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAStam or stam lines refers to the recorded lines of significant breeding mares in the breed. It is essentially the motherline, that is, the bottom-most line of names on a pedigree (Dam, Grand-dam, Great-grand-dam..etc). While many are familiar with the more common practice of tracing lineage via the sire, the dam plays an equal role in the production of quality offspring, and there are certain lines of mares which are noted for their history of producing approved stallions.
For a good listing of the Stam Lines, see Signature Friesians’ page on Mother-lines, or check out the Facebook page KFPS Stamline Offspring.

 

If you can find it, the best resource which documents the stam lines, their founders their unique characteristics is “Friese Merriestammen” (also known as the Mare Books), initially published in 1989 by R. Geurts in two volumes, and last updated in 1997. The books can be hard to come by, and aren’t cheap, but offer a great resource to interested breeders, and each book contains the full text in three languages: Dutch, English and German.

Sport

The sport predicate is awarded to mares, geldings and stallions within the registry which have shown an aptitude for competitive sport. The competitions must be recognized by the FPS and the scores must be of a satisfactorily high level in order to give eligibility for the predicate.The minimum requirements to achieve the sport predicate include accomplishing at least one of the following:

  • Dressage Z1+5 (Z1 is the equivalent of a US Third level test, +5 is the number of winning points required.)
  • Show Driving: cat/ I & II honor class and cat. III open class in one season six placements as prize winner in the “green season” (April 15 until October 1).
  • Driving (Dressage) Z+10
  • Driving (Combined): class 3+10. It has to be announced ahead of time to both KFPS and KNHS with which Friesian horse(s) one will participate. The horse has to have obtained at least 10 gain points in class 3 at the time the horse is entered with KFPS and KNHS to this end.

Currently the requirements for eligibility listed above are only specific to show standards in the Netherlands. For sport predicate applicants in other countries, comparable scores from their own country’s rating system are needed and will be reviewed by the KFPS judging team at the Inspection.

(For more information on the difference between US and NL dressage levels, see Legacy Friesian’s explanation here.)

Preferent

The Preferential status applies to both stallions and mares, and is determined by the quality of their offspring. This designation may be awarded to living mares and stallions or posthumously, though the qualifications for Preferential Mare and Preferential Stallion differ.To become preferent, the mare must be in the Studbook or Auxiliary Studbook and must have produced at least four quality offspring. These offspring must have been either, a star or model mare, a star gelding, a studbook stallion with approved breeding privileges, or a stallion that has reached the second level of a recognized stallion inspection. (This would mean the stallion has been qualified for consideration in the Central Stallion Proving, or if in the Netherlands, been judged on the Saturday of the annual Stallion judging. For more see: Approval)

Preferential status is awarded to Studbook Stallions who have shown consistency and quality in passing on their genetic qualities to their offspring. In order to become Preferent, the stallion’s oldest offspring must be at least ten years old and there must be sufficient numbers to judge sport performance and growth of older offspring. The stallion should have one or more of his sons approved on offspring. The stallion’s percentage of Star, Model, Approved Stallion, Preferential and not approved offspring will be compared against the overall averages of all the other stallions during the general time period. His offspring will be considered for their performance, as shown in various sport associations, IBOP, ABFP, performance tests of stallions and national and regional competitions. His fertility must be a 50% average over the entire breeding period. Hereditary defects and growth of his offspring that may not have come into effect until after his full Approval to the Studbook shall be considered. Also the color and markings of his offspring will be considered in regard to the average, as well as the average sizes, taking into consideration the size of the dams; and offspring character.

Premiums

007_5Premiums, or premies, are essentially a rating or classification. Premiums are awarded at Friesian inspections and classify a particular horse into categories of excellence. Each horse is judged individually against the Friesian standard, not against each other, and premies are awarded to those who show exceptional qualities. A Friesian normally receives two premium ratings in their lives, one when they are foals, at their first inspection, and and another when they are presented for Studbook at age three or older. There are three premium classes. The third, awarded with a white ribbon, indicates a good Friesian horse of average quality and is the most commonly awarded, at 50%. The second premie, awarded with a red ribbon, is a very good quality Friesian and makes up about 35% of the population. First premium horses are awarded with an orange ribbon (update: now awarded with a blue ribbon in the USA), are of exceptional quality, and only the top 5% of the Friesian population will receive this rating. When inspected as adults, horses that receive a first or second premie may also be evaluated for and receive the exceptional ‘Star’ rating.

Friesians may also be accepted into the Foalbook with no premie if the horse qualifies based on lineage but displays illegal white markings, unsoundness or general poor physical condition. About 10% of inspected Friesians fall into this category.

[See also: B-Book IB-Book IIFoal BookInspections, and Star.]

References:

FHANA Rules & Regulations: Section 5.5

Performance Mother

The Performance Mother or “Prestatie” is a mare from the Studbook or Auxiliary Studbook who has three or more of her offspring who have achieved high levels of performance under saddle or driving. Performance must be demonstrated in competition at very high levels, such as qualification for international level driving events, successful competition at fourth level dressage or over jumps of up to four feet. Unlike other FPS designations, a Performance Mother does not have to undergo evaluation herself, and her offspring are judged upon their accomplishments, and not particularly to the breed standard.

Naming

As well as registration numbers, Friesians can be identified to some extent by their names. Each year the FPS designates specific letters from the alphabet to be used in naming foals born in that calendar year. For example, foals born in 2000 were named with first letters of A, B, or C. This allows a horse’s year of birth to be identified simply by their name. Names are encouraged to be relatively simple, and consisting of a single word. If two filly foals are registered under the same name, then a letter is assigned after the name, usually using the first letter of the last name of the breeder. Initials or farm names are not permitted to precede a name, but may follow it if approved by the FPS.
When stallions are selected for approval, they are re-named and assigned a number. The owners are given a list of Friesian names that have never been used by an Approved Stallion in the past, to choose from. The stallion is also assigned the next consecutive number in the Stallion Studbook, which follows his name. A stallion’s registration number and studbook number are not the same. The new name and number become that stallion’s official and permanent identification, even if he is later disqualified on offspring.
Other than in the case of Approved Stallions, a Friesian’s registered name, once it has been processed, may not be changed.

Letters by year:

2011 – JKL

2012 – MNO

2013 – PQRS

2014 – TUV

2015 – WXYZ

2016 – ABC

2017 – DEF

2018 – GHI

Model

Model is an FPS rating given to Star mares of exceptional quality. The Model Mare is much like the Studbook Stallion, having to meet many criteria and undergo evaluations before the title may be applied. To become a model mare, the horse must first be eligible for Provisional Model. Provisional Model requires that the horse be a Star Mare, at least 1.58 meters (15.2 1/4 hands), and be proven fertile by having borne and nursed a foal. The mare must demonstrate to judges that she is among the very best of Star Mares, having the ideal conformation and movements for a Friesian horse. A mare may be evaluated for Provisional Model at any of the annual FPS inspections. Once a mare has been designated Provisional Model, she must pass an IBOP performance test within the next calendar year, receiving at least a B designation of 77 or more points, or an equivalent test if determined by the FPS; shown either under saddle or driving. The Model mare is among the best of her breed and very few receive this prestigious rating.

Microchips

microchipEvery Friesian horse entered into the FPS Foal Book since 1997 has received an electronic identification code, or microchip. This chip is injected into the upper left neck, approximately mid way between the withers and the poll, usually when the horse is a foal, and has just been inspected and accepted into the Foal Book. (This has recently changed in the US, so that Foals are microchipped by a private vet before the Inspection.) This electronic ID code is recorded on the horse’s registration certificate. The implanted chip can be read by certain microchip readers,available through most veterinarians and the FHANA office, though a different reader is needed for European and North American microchips. These chips ensure the correct identity of each horse, especially useful in a breed which display very similar coloration and other physical characteristics.