The Friesian horse is distinctly recognizable due to its elegant head carriage, black coloring, and long mane, tail, and feathers. Their regal head carriage and expressive trot make them ideal for riding and driving.
The Dutch Friesian horses are crossbred with warmbloods, Arabians, Thoroughbreds, and many other horse types to create the Friesian Sport Horse. The Friesian Sport Horse combines the soft temperament of the Friesian with the athletic ability of sport horses.
Photo: Friesian Crossbreeds FB
The early history of purebred Friesians
The Friesian breed is mentioned in texts dating to the 4th century, and centuries later, there are drawings of Friesian-type horses. Developed as a war horse and agricultural horse, they also excelled as racing horses in the 1800's. To be a successful trotting racehorse, the Friesian was bred to be faster and smaller than the typical, which began a movement toward returning the Friesian breed back to a heavier standard.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the formation of the Paardenstamboek stud book included Friesians and other heavy warmbloods known as Bovenlanders. During this time, cross-breeding of Friesians to Bovenlandes diluted the pure Friesian horse almost to the port of extinction. Because of this, the studbook's two breed categories merged into one, the Friesch Paarden Stamboek (FPS).
But, a society of horse lovers, the Het Friesch Paardof, encouraged the FPS to divide into two groups to protect the Friesians. In 1943, the non-Friesisan horses left the FPS and formed the Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboid Nederland (KWPN).
Friesian crosses: How the Friesian Sport Horse was created
Horse lovers have cross-breed Friesian horses for centuries. The thoughtful breeding of Friesian horses increased in the early 1990s. Sometimes, breeders sought to develop horses with the kindness of the Friesian, focusing on temperament. Other breeders looked to create a Friesian cross with versatile athletic abilities. There was much unchecked and undocumented breeding with no guidance or registry.
As these modern cross-bred horses became more popular, the Friesian Sporthorse Association (FSA) was formed in 2007 in the United States to promote this new breed and maintain the studbook. Soon after, a branch of the FSA was formed in Australia. Now, the FSA is an international studbook. The FSA does allow horses of unknown breeding to be registered if one parent is registered and part Friesian. DNA testing can confirm the Friesian heritage, of which 25% is required to be registered.
Characteristics of the Friesian Sport Horse
Friesian Sporthorses are uniquely suited to English disciplines and resemble the Friesian's body style. Their bodies lean toward a Baroque style and typically ahve a lovely arching neck, powerful hindquarters, and ample hair and feathers. They are usually 15-17 HH, although their generous muscling and thicker, higher necks give them the appearance of being much more significant.
The colouring of these sport horses is often black, although all colors are seen, including pintos. Unusual colors can be achieved, but often through breeding with non-sport breeds. This practice is discouraged by the FSA.
Their movement is similar to that of a Friesian, and often, their animated trot makes them stand out. Paired with their generous and docile temperaments, they are excellent riding partners for amateurs and adults alike.
