Antsje the STAR!!

Always a memorable day for me was the fantastic UK Inspections in 2006 where Antsje strutted her stuff to 'STER' status!! This grade is judged on movement and conformation and is awarded to approx 20% of friesian horses, so it is a good indicator of a superb example of the friesian breed. :-D

I was so confident that Antsje would get the Star Grading but had a fit of the eeeby jeebies the night before and hoped that I wasnt being a typical 'doting mother' and not being objective enough!! Still I neednt have worried as Antsje was set to prove to the world that she was an absoloute star in no uncertain terms lol! This is so typical of her character and she is a born show off! So it was no suprise to me when she shook off her runner in irritation and then proceeded to take herself around the arena snorting and passaging until she got the applause she so rightly deserved **rolls eyes**

I knew she had performed to the best of her ability and it was just down to the judges. But luckily they also agreed and she was awarded Ster 2nd premie :-)

Just a few bits of video of her moment lol!
Super Trot!

Lap of Honour

Going it alone!

All friesians who are bred by an approved breeding stallion and a studbook mare are entered into the foalbook (veulenboek) at birth and can be given a 'premie' of 1, 2 or 3 if they are very good examples of the breed. At age 3 or over the friesian can then be graded to be entered into the studbook (stamboek). Again, if good enough the horse can be awarded a premie of 1, 2 or 3. If the horse is of a high standard of conformation and movement they can be awarded the STER status. Only horses in the studbook are eligble to breed foals that can be registered with the FPS (friesian Society) and ony foals of a good quality will make it into the studbook themselves. Friesian breeding is quite a complicated subject but for most people, buying a studbook horse gives you a certain level of confidence of the quality and movement expected by the FPS.