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[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!Friesian Sporthorse
Country Of Origin | Netherlands |
History and Background | The Friesian Sporthorse is a Friesian crossbred of sport horse type. The ideal Friesian Sporthorse is specifically bred to excel in FEI-recognized sport horse disciplines. Thus, "sporthorse" refers to the phenotype, breeding, and intended use of these horses. While some consider the Friesian Sporthorse as a breed and others consider the Friesian Sporthorse as a type, others sometimes use the term "Friesian Sport Horse" as a generic all-inclusive term to describe any Friesian crossbred. |
Use Today | Pleasure horses, Sport horses, Eventing horses |
Height | Varies |
Colour | Varies |
Characteristics | Friesian Sporthorses can come in a variety of colours and sizes, with no limitations on acceptable colours or markings. Their body type can range from a sport horse build to a heavier more Baroque build. A higher-set and more arched neck is also common among Friesian Sporthorses. They are most commonly used for dressage and carriage driving, but have also been successful as jumpers and eventing horses, as well as for all-around riding. They are also valued as pleasure and trail horses. |
Personality and Temperament | They tend to have the gentle temperament and striking appearance of the Friesian, but with an increased athleticism, stamina, and hybrid vigor, when responsibly crossbred. |
Other Considerations | Bloodlines; Different registries have different standards that define what is considered to be a Friesian Sporthorse. One registry regards Friesian Sporthorses as a breed, with strict breeding requirements in addition to performance recognition. In this case, Friesians are crossbred primarily with warmbloods and Thoroughbreds, although limited percentages of American Saddlebred, draft and Arabian breeding are also acceptable into lower books of the studbook. Other registries contend that "sporthorse" is a type, and rather than breed-specific requirements, they require that horses meet certain performance requirements before the registry will deem them a Friesian Sporthorse. Either way, the goal is to produce animals suitable for the sport disciplines of dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving. Most registries agree that Friesian Sporthorses also must be a minimum of 25% Friesian. Although the crossbreeding of Friesians with many different types and breeds is popular, it is worth noting that the resulting offspring are not always considered Friesian Sporthorses. |