Intro

When it comes to the selection of stallions and broodmares, the Friesian Studbook is very specific. The breeders keep in their memory the major collapse that the breed sustained at the turn of the XIX and XX and in the mid XX centuries, which resulted from an attempt to interbreed the ancient Friesian horse with lighter roadster breeds and a later mistake made when setting the goals for the selection. Conclusions were thus drawn, and in recent decades the mares would not be entered into the Studbook unless they are inspected by the Dutch judges. The way for a stallion to become a sire is much more complicated: it includes various tests and trials, and, at its climax – the January Stallion Show in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. Further to a regular Studbook inspection, a stallion (or a gelding) can get the highest score – the title of Ster.

The inspection is very similar to a normal Kerung that the sport horses undergo. Runners demonstrate the Friesians as they stand still, walk over a triangle and trot all around the arena. The judges have 10 points to evaluate the horse: for its type, conformation and movement at walk and trot.

During Studbook inspections, the mares and geldings three years of age and older might be awarded titles and prizes, or, contingent on their results, they can be promoted from the Foalbook to the Studbook. Studbook entrance requires the mean of no less than 6 points, while the title of Ster calls for no less than 7 points. With at least one result of 4 or less points, the horse will be refused entrance into Studbook. Whereas with at least one result of 5 or less, the title of Ster will be refused to the horse, no matter what its other qualifications are.

For the stallions three years of age and older being presented at the foalbook inspection, there are two possible outcomes: the stallion will remain in the foalbook (Fb) or he will be declared star (Fb star).

The under-three-year-olds are taken before the judges in the very same manner, though they get no points.



Inspection in Russia

That being said, in the end of May a group of the Friesian Studbook experts came over to Russia, including KFPS representative Annet Wouda and judges Wilhelmus Theodorus Thijssen and Bauke de Boer. They came to inspect two stud farms, Svechinsky and Kartsevo. The Russian party responsible for the event was the Russian Friesian Association. Jelmer Chardon and Anita Riemersma, professional runners, also came from the Netherlands to help with the horses. Most of the horse owners are well acquainted with Jelmer: the RFA had him invited in April 2010 to host a two-days master class on preparation of the horses and riders for the inspection.

The guests first visited Svechinskiy farm, which is a new business setup that breeds Friesians and other sport horses, mostly show-jumpers. The farm promotes driving; the guests had a chance to assess the new track, which is being built to host the Russian Driving Championship in August 2010. This event is a part of the celebration of the millennium anniversary of Yaroslavl city. The Dutch guests enjoyed a ride on this new track in a van driven by two Friesian horses.

Otte van Thea F and Jolly Moeskaer, Fb Ster Photo: Elena Schetneva

On the 28^th of May the judges saw 13 horses at Svechinskiy. Inspection was a real success, with the title of Ster won by the stallion Djurre van Erve Bruggert (owned by Anastasia Morozova), and also the stallion Jolly Moeskaer and two mares Arenske and Noah fan 't Surcher-Oord, which belong to Olga Berentsveyg. After the inspection the Dutch experts left for Kartsevo.

Otte van Thea F and Jolly Moeskaer, Fb Ster Photo: Elena Schetneva	Djurre van Erve Bruggert (2001) Photo: Elena Schetneva

The RFA is deeply indebted to Olga Berentsveyg, the owner of Svechinsky Stud Farm, for setting the inspection on its premises, and also for the reception and accommodation provided to the experts from the Netherlands.

The 29^th of May in Kartsevo began with a presentation concerning the judgement system and breeding goal. Mr. Thijssen and his translator Lineya went into a great detail explaining the particulars concerning the conformation and movements of Friesian horses, so that the owners would have the clue why their horses receive these or those points. Measurements and identification were carried out in parallel. Opening of the inspection was held in Kartsevo arena at 11 sharp. Officiating of 23 horses grouped into 10 rings took more than five hours. Results showed that 5 stallions confirmed their titles, 2 stallions were awarded a title of Ster, 1 gelding got the 1st, while another gelding got the 2nd prize, and 4 mares picked up the 3rd prize. The Champion of the Inspection title for mares was awarded to Teffy fan Kartsevo (owned by Yury Nikitin), whereas the one for geldings went to Jelko Z. (owned by Varvara Sonina). The Champion among stallions, Ster title winner and the Absolute Inspection Champion was Thomas van de Vogelenzang (born 2006), which is owned by Irina Mikhailova and Alexey Grebnev. The judges were particularly fond of the winner's perfect conformation, and expressed their attitude by giving the owners some useful advice on the further work the horse wants. The winners received traditional champion ribbons of the colors of the Russian flag and made a lap of honor loudly cheered by the spectators.

Thomas van de Vogelenzang (2006) Photo: Irina Mikhailova	Jarich fan e Simmerdyk (2003) Photo: Annet Wouda	Teffy fan Kartsevo (2006)

The judges also inspected the sire Jerke van Coudenburgh licensed for use in Russia, and three of his offsprings. He also confirmed his title of Ster. The judges marked his young ones very high and intend to re-inspect them at the age of 3.

Hike van de Stroeve Hoeve (2002)	Jelco Z. (2003)	Sytse van de Serylhoeve (2005)

In the end the riders from Kartsevo put a little show greatly appreciated by the guests. The experts deemed it possible to include the Kartsevo riders' show into the program of the Central Inspection for RFA presentation in the Netherlands.

Photo: Natalya Matukhina and Valery Matukhin

Annet Wouda and the members of the jury expressed their greatest appreciation of the efforts of the RFA and its president Galina Chernyavskaya made to prepare and carry out this inspection, and thanked the two farms for their participation. They extended their special thanks to Varvara Sonina for the premises and for the perfect organization of the inspection in Kartsevo. The owners also heard a lot of words of praise for their efforts in breeding, preparing and showing their horses. RFA in its turn presented certificates of gratitude and pictures on behalf of all the participants and organizers to all the guests.

On the following day the Dutch experts visited Novy Vek and Otrada Equestrian Clubs, where Friesians consistently take part and win in dressage events. Finally, the guests went on a guided sightseeing tour around Moscow courtesy RFA.

The Nonprofit Partnership of Friesian Horses Breeders and Lovers (RFA) thanks heartily to all who took part in the first KFPS inspection in Russia. We also thank to our translators, Lineya Yalmarsdotter, Galina Platonova and Denis Vlasov. The event we had been anticipating for more than 2 years, came to its end crowned with success. Unfortunately to all of us, this time the breeders and owners from South Russia and Siberia could not make it for the inspection: the reason is the distance and the time of the inspection, which coincided with the peak of foaling at stud farms. In 2011 or 2012 the Dutch Studbook judges will come to Russia once again, and we hope that at this second inspection they would be able to see the horses that live outside the Golden Ring of Russia.