What is a "keuring"?
In short, it's the Dutch (Western Frisian) word for "inspection" and, currently, it's only open to KFPS registered horses in the Main Book or B-Book I. There are other inspections carried out within other organizations, but for the sake of this breeding program, we are only referring to the ones conducted by the KFPS/FHANA.
A couple times during the year, Dutch judges are flown over to the USA from the Netherlands to inspect the horses. The judges have spent many hours upon many years learning and studying what to look for when viewing each individual. Upon being graded, you will receive a linear score sheet of different elements in movement and conformation and how your horse rated in each of those areas.
Class entry will vary based on the horse's age, sex, and if they are performing under saddle or in harness for their IBOPS or AFBP. You can read more about those >>HERE<<.
In short, it's the Dutch (Western Frisian) word for "inspection" and, currently, it's only open to KFPS registered horses in the Main Book or B-Book I. There are other inspections carried out within other organizations, but for the sake of this breeding program, we are only referring to the ones conducted by the KFPS/FHANA.
A couple times during the year, Dutch judges are flown over to the USA from the Netherlands to inspect the horses. The judges have spent many hours upon many years learning and studying what to look for when viewing each individual. Upon being graded, you will receive a linear score sheet of different elements in movement and conformation and how your horse rated in each of those areas.
Class entry will vary based on the horse's age, sex, and if they are performing under saddle or in harness for their IBOPS or AFBP. You can read more about those >>HERE<<.
The Dutch language is not similar to English in a way that we like to make it. For instance, a horse cannot be "keured" (commonly mistaken for "inspected") and "keurings" is not correct when referring to more than one inspection. The word "keur" can be used as the word for "judge" and "keuren" as "approve" whilst the term "keuringen" is appropriate when referring to multiple inspections.
Correct Example: "Multiple keuringen are to be held in the USA this year."
Incorrect Example: "Multiple keurings are to be held in the USA this year."
Correct Example: "Multiple keuringen are to be held in the USA this year."
Incorrect Example: "Multiple keurings are to be held in the USA this year."
Do you have to take your horse to one of these inspections?
No, this is certainly not required. However, if you plan on breeding your horse, the inspections are an excellent resource to help determine your horse's conformational and movement strengths and weaknesses. You can then compare this information with other inspected horses to find the best potential match.
No, this is certainly not required. However, if you plan on breeding your horse, the inspections are an excellent resource to help determine your horse's conformational and movement strengths and weaknesses. You can then compare this information with other inspected horses to find the best potential match.
What is a predicate?
The horses are differentiated in quality within the registry by means of predicates. The predicates are based on the horse’s own merit or based on the quality of offspring. In addition, predicates can be based on exterior, sport aptitude, sport performances or a combination thereof.
The horses are differentiated in quality within the registry by means of predicates. The predicates are based on the horse’s own merit or based on the quality of offspring. In addition, predicates can be based on exterior, sport aptitude, sport performances or a combination thereof.
Predicate: Ster ("Star")
Predicate: Kroon ("Crown")
Predicate: Model
Predicate: Sport & Sport Elite
Predicate: Preferent
Predicate: Prestatiemoeder ("Performance-dam")
Approved
- Which horses can earn?
- Stallions, mares, and geldings at least 3 years old.
- Requirements:
- Must meet minimum requirements for exterior, in-hand movement, and height at the withers at a minimum of 1.56m (approx. 15.1 hh) for mares and 1.58m (approx. 15.2 hh) for stallions & geldings.
- Additional:
- Ster may be awarded to mares in the Studbook register, geldings in the Gelding Book, and Foal-Book stallions. The awarding of Ster for mares and geldings can take place at the same time as Studbook entry. Foal-Book stallions with the Ster predicate that are gelded keep their Ster status. Foal-Book stallions can become Ster at the first viewing of the stallion inspection in the year they are two and half years of age.
Predicate: Kroon ("Crown")
- Which horses can earn?
- Mares only
- Requirements:
- Minimum age is 3 years old. Exterior and sport-aptitude requirements apply. Minimum height at the withers of 1.58m (15.2 hands). Must complete an IBOP or ABFP test with a minimum score of 77.0 points and an average of 7 for walk and trot.
- Additional:
- Selection for "preliminary" Kroon takes place during the Central Mare Show/Centrale Keuring, from the mares that - during the breeding days and studbook inspections in that same year - were awarded a first premium. Selection for preliminary Kroon can also take place at the respective inspections in countries outside the Netherlands.
- If the Sport predicate is earned, it will also convert the "preliminary" Kroon status into permanent Kroon status.
Predicate: Model
- Which horses can earn?
- Mares only
- Requirements:
- Minimum age is 7 years old, minimum height at the withers 1.60m (15.3 hh), mare must have produced a foal or have a foal on her
- For permanent Model status, the mare must complete an IBOP or ABFP test before the end of the calendar year following the year in which she made "preliminary" Model with a minimum score of 77.0 points and an average of 7 for walk and trot.
- Additional:
- If the Sport predicate is earned within that time frame that will also convert the preliminary-Model status into permanent Model status.
Predicate: Sport & Sport Elite
- Which horses can earn?
- Mares, stallions, and geldings.
- Requirements:
- Sport can only be earned based on results achieved and scores registered at shows registered with the United States Equestrian Federation [USEF], United States Dressage Federation [USDF], Equestrian Canada [EC], American Driving Society [ADS], Spotlight Horse Shows [SHS] or Koninklijke Nederlands Hippische Sportfederatie/Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS).
- Additional:
- The minimum requirements for being awarded the Sport “Elite” is 5 scores of at least 60% in Prix St. George or higher level of dressage or Combined Driving. You can also obtain this predicate by obtaining the Sport Predicate in 3 disciplines, Dressage, Driving & Show Driving.
Predicate: Preferent
- Which horses can earn?
- Mares and stallions
- Requirements:
- Mares registered in the Foal Book and the Studbook may become Preferent on offspring. The Preferent predicate needs to be requested with KFPS. Preferent status may be requested both by the owner of a mare or by the owner of (one of) the offspring. Preferent status may also be requested posthumously. Preferent status for mares is granted when the mare in question has produced at least four quality horses. Quality horses are considered:, Ster or Model mares, Ster geldings, Foal Book Ster stallions, Studbook stallions, Stallions that made the second viewing of the stallion inspection.
- This predicate can be awarded to Stallions that have a lasting, special influence on the breed. For consideration for Preferent the quality of the offspring will be tested for the breeding-goal characteristics. The lasting value of a stallion is evaluated based on the offspring produced that have determining roles in the breeding of Friesian horses such as Preferent mares, stallion dams and (based on offspring) approved sons.
Predicate: Prestatiemoeder ("Performance-dam")
- Which horses can earn?
- Mares
- Requirements: Prestatiemoeder is awarded to mares that have produced three direct offspring that were awarded the Sport predicate.
Approved
- Which horses can earn?
- Stallions
- Requirements:
- Please click the green text to be redirected to the FHANA's website on the Stallion Approval Process.
To learn more, you can visit the FHANA website by clicking the image below: