Friesian Crazy - star | Friesian Crazy

Star 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.]

Premiums, 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 I, B-Book II, Foal Book, Inspections, and Star.]

References:

FHANA Rules & Regulations: Section 5.5