Friesch Paarden-Stamboek (KFPS)*
The Koninklijke Vereniging “Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek” (KFPS) was established in 1879 and is the oldest and largest registry of Friesian horses. Today more than 60,000 horses are registered worldwide, and the studbook counts 15,000 official members. Outside the Netherlands these members are organised into their own national associations, which maintain close ties with the KFPS.
*Most Friesian horse registries base their breed standards and judging procedures on those established by the KFPS. You can learn more about these Rules & Regulations in our Friesian Encyclopedia.KFPS Affiliates
Official affiliates of the KFPS operate as ‘daughter’ organizations of the parent registry, and serve as the liaison between members of their designated region and the KFPS.
Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA)
FHANA Chapters
East Coast
Ontario Friesian Horse Association
Northeast Friesian Horse Club
West Michigan Friesian Horse Club
Ohio Valley Friesian Horse Association
Mid-Atlantic Friesian Horse Association
Friesian Horse Association of the Mid-East
Friesian Horse Association of the SoutheastMidwest
Great Lakes Friesian Horse Association
South Central Friesian Horse Association
Colorado Friesian Horse ClubWest Coast
Alberta Friesian Horse Association
Central California Friesian Horse Club
Coastal California Friesian Club
Friesian Horse Club of Southern California
Association Française du Cheval Frison (France)
Associazione Italiana del Cavallo Frisone (Italy)
Australia & New Zealand Friesian Horse Society
Belgisch Stamboek Van Het Friese Paard (Belgium)
Cheval Frison Luxemborgeois (Luxemborg)
Czech & Slovak Friesian Horse Association
Dansk Frieser Forbund (Denmark)
Deutsche Friesenpferde-Zuchter (Germany)
Friesenfreunde Österreichs (Austrian)
The Friesian Horse Association of Great Britain & Ireland
Friesian Horse Association of Southern Africa
Friesenpferdeverein Fürstentum Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein)
Friesenpferde-Verband (Switzerland)
Fríz Lótenyésztók Magyarországi Egyesülete (Hungary)
Norsk Frieser Forbund (Norway)
Suomen Friisiläishevosyhdistys ry (Finland)
Svenska Frieserhästföreningen (Sweden)
Российская Фризская Ассоциация (Russia)
Zwiazek Hodowców Koni Fryzyjskich w Polsce (Poland)
American Friesian Association (AFA)
The AFA is an American-based purebred and partbred Friesian registry founded in 2004. It’s mission is “to preserve and promote the purebred Friesian horse in America, to promote the Friesian Warmblood (Partbred) horse in America, and to serve the needs of the owners and breeders of these horses.”
Friesian Blood Horse Registry (FBHR)
Registry of purebred Friesians and Friesian crossbreds established in the United States in 2004. Offers yearly inspections in conjunction with the Friesian Sport Horse Registry.
Friesian Heritage Horse and Sporthorse International (FHHSI)
Founded in 2006, the FHHSI is based in the United States and registers horses of at least 25% Friesian heritage.
The Friesian Horse Society (FHS)
Established in 1992 as a North American affiliate organization, the FHS now offers international registration for all purebred Friesians as well as Part-Bred and Arabo-Friesians.
Friesenpferde Zuchtverband (FPZV)
The FPZV is a state-approved breeding association of the “Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung” (FN) founded in Germany in 1979. A daughter registry of the FPZV exists in the United States in the form of FPZV-USA.
Friesian Sport Horse Registry (FSHR)
A registry of part-bred Friesians in North America established “to encourage and recognize quality Friesian crossbreds bred especially as sporthorses, based on established sporthorse and Warmblood breeding practices and registration guidelines.”
Namibian Friesian & Vlaamse Horse Association (NFVHA)
A Friesian registry based in Namibia, established in 2011. The registry is independent from the KFPS and recognizes both purebreds and crossbreds.
Other Organizations
International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFHSA)
IFSHA is a non-profit show circuit organization dedicated to the promotion, showing and exhibition of the Friesian bred horse and their exhibitors. It is the sole United States Equestrian Federation recognized representative of the Friesian horse in competition. IFHSA’s goal is “to provide a Rated Show Circuit with rules and regulations to protect the Horses while providing a fair and enjoyable playing field.”
The Fenway Foundation for Friesian Horses
The Fenway Foundation is a non-profit corporation created to “preserve and enhance the longevity and quality of life of Friesian horses by accruing pertinent equine, more specifically Friesian, information to educate the public and offering assistance regarding Friesian horses and their owners throughout North America.” The Foundation focuses on research and education into Friesian health care, genetic study and the development of rescue facilities for the rehabilitation of Friesian horses in need of assistance.
Friese Dravers
De Friese Dravers, or “The Friesian Trotters” is a group of individuals based in the Netherlands who compete in regular trotting races based on the historical Friesian trotting races popular in the 1800’s. Races are performed at the Wolverhampton racetrack, in two types, either in harness to a ‘Friesian sulky’ or ‘On the Man’ ie: ridden in traditional costume, with a blinkered driving bridle, bareback on an orange blanket. Trotting races may also be performed in winter with sleights on the ice.
KFPS Kampioenschap Dressuur
The group organizing dressage championships for KFPS Friesians.
The Friesian Harness Horse Association
Established in 1955, the Friesian Harness Horse Association is based in Friesland and promotes the showing of Friesian horses in harness before the traditional gig or ‘sjees’, the concours car, and participation in the traditional ‘ring stekken’.