Te Appeal of the Friesian Sporthorse
By the FSA staff
attracted to Friesian Sporthorses for a variety of reasons. Most find their appearance, gaits and temperaments appealing. Some come from a background of other breeds but were looking for something a little different in their next horse. Te horses themselves are the breed’s best advertising. Melanie Cain-Stage of Florida describes herself as a “long
M
time Appaloosa fan” and admits she has a fondness for colored horses. Itching to get back into dressage, she knew she would be competing primarily against Warmbloods. Her wish list included a horse that would be competitive but also colored. Given that she is 58 and has rheumatoid arthritis, she also wanted something calm and sensible. Melanie found a pinto Friesian Sporthorse mare at a Friesian
Sporthorse breeding farm, and remarks it was love at first sight. “Her gaits were fantastic and she was stunning,” says Melanie. “I’m looking forward to a wonderful dressage career. My advice to people who think they are too old to ride—I say don’t give up on your dreams. Find the right horse like I did and just go for it!”
Te Best of Both Worlds Many Friesian Sporthorse enthusiasts are people who came from
a background of either Warmbloods or purebred Friesians but decided they preferred the blend of the two breeds over either breed individually. Tashlin Hall of Kendhall Park Friesians in Australia has
both Warmbloods and Friesian Sporthorses, and she stands a purebred Friesian stallion. After buying her first Friesian Sporthorse filly she found that “working and training with this filly was just so easy and pleasurable.” She states that although she still adores her Warmbloods, she finds the Friesian
Photo courtesy of Saucony Creek Sporthorses
any people have never even heard of a Friesian Sporthorse. Yet those who own and ride them often become fiercely loyal to the breed. People are
Sporthorses “just a little bit more dependable and stable-minded, especially in their formative years.” Judy DeBoer of Saucony Creek Sporthorses in Pennsylvania
started with a purebred Friesian mare. “I had always intended to eventually breed her,” she recalls, “but after realizing some of the shortcomings of the pure Friesian breed for sport use, I chose to cross her to Warmblood stallions instead of producing purebred offspring.” “Friesians do have much to offer—most have outstanding tem-
peraments, great feet, and stunning beauty,” Judy is quick to add, “but I wanted to produce horses which were healthy and well suited to sport, and I felt Friesian Sporthorses were a perfect choice.” Carrie Simmons of Cornerstone Sporthorses in Florida
came from a Warmblood background, at one time even standing a German Warmblood stallion. “I like the temperaments, the hybrid vigor, and the slightly heavier bone structure of the Friesian Sporthorses. I’ve found that the infusion of Friesian blood results in horses which are very similar to Warmbloods, but with a little something extra,” Carrie explains. In 2011 Carrie took her Friesian Sporthorse six-month-old
filly Lily ROF to a USDF/DSHB show. “I wanted to prove a Friesian Sporthorse could hold her own against traditional Warmbloods,” she says. Lily ROF did more than hold her own. Te filly went on to become the 2011 Southeast Regional Champion and was the first Friesian Sporthorse known to win this honor.
LEFT TO RIGHT : ➊ Romulus SCS, Elite Book Friesian Sporthorse gelding competing at the prestigious Fair Hill breed show, is owned by Judy DeBoer / Saucony Creek Sporthorses. ➋ Lily ROF was USDF/DSHB Southeast Regional Champion 2011 with handler Dean Graham. Lily is owned by Carrie Simmons / Cornerstone Sporthorses. ➌ Kendhall Park Romance is a Friesian Sporthorse mare, earning Elite Book status via inspection in Australia and is owned by Kendhall Park Friesians / Tashlin Hall.
Photo courtesy of Carrie Simmons Photo courtesy Tashlin Hall
48 July/August 2012
Friesian Sporthorse Association
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