[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, crown, model, preferent, or performance mother.
Also, see ‘Inspections’ for more on Studbook qualifications.
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.
The Auxiliary Studbook, or Hulpstamboek was used by the FPS to help establish the Studbook. It included mares who were of untraceable lineage but who were branded with a F or FS and demonstrated the physical characteristics of a Friesian. The Auxiliary Studbook is now essentially closed since the introduction of tattooing in the 1970′s, and now microchipping which allows the horses’ lineage to be traced.
Refers to the process of judging and testing of a stallion candidate for entry into the Studbook, and thus the right to breeding privileges. There are three rounds of testing a young stallion must go through before being granted a temporary breeding license.
The first round usually takes place at one of the annual Inspections that take place in the separate regions across the continent (N. America). Here the stallion is judged on conformation and movement, and is either passed on to the second round, being up to the standards of the FPS or denied, usually along with notes as to why and ways to improve upon him. The stallion may re-enter the next year. A stallion that has passed the first round will be qualified for consideration in the Central Stallion Proving.
In the second round, a video of the stallion will be reviewed by the FPS in the Netherlands. If they decide the candidate has met their standards so far, the stallion is passed on to the third round, invited to the Central Stallion Proving after passing a number of pre-evaluations. The stallion must have x-rays performed on the knee joints and pronounced sound; they must have a semen analysis performed and meet the minimum motility standard; and blood typing, to ensure the correct lineage must be performed upon the candidate and his dam.
The third round is the Central Stallion Proving. Stallions in this round will be tested and rated upon the walk, trot, canter, performance under saddle, performance as a driving horse (to demonstrate obedience), performance pulling a sledge, performance as a carriage show horse(to demonstrate action), character and temperament, stable manners and training manners.
If the stallion passes this round they are given a new name and number as well as temporary breeding approval, until their offspring have been tested. A stallion’s offspring are tested when they reach three years of age, then five years of age.
If, after the first offspring judging, the stallion has not shown to positively impact the breed, his breeding privileges will be removed. Breeding privileges may be re-granted if the offspring, as adults prove exceptional in equestrian sports. Those stallions with a pulled breeding license will remain in the Stallion Studbook, but will not be a recognized sire to any foals born after the license was removed.
Stallions who passed both Offspring judgings must be judged annually to retain their breeding privileges. If after a time it is found the offspring of an approved stallion to consistently have faults, his license may (again) be withdrawn.
[See also: Inspections]
