Any eventing Friesians?

[Merle]

I'm looking at a couple Friesians this weekend and I'm primarily looking for a dressage partner but my parents keep pestering me asking me if they can jump. ;) I've seen a thread or two of someone showing pictures of theirs jumping and it certainly looks like they can! My parents keep saying that "right now you think you want to do dressage but in a little bit you might want to event again!" So, I thought I'd ask, any experience eventing these guys? And I have no delusions of thinking of going to the upper levels with a full blooded Friesian! :D

[Thomas_1]

They can jump..... but then all horses CAN jump.

I'm actually a huge fan of them but they wouldn't be my first choice for eventing.

I do have a friesian cross though that's pretty good.

[joiedevie99]

I knew a pony clubber who had one a while back. He was fine BN and made it around at novice when she followed her conditioning plan. He had trouble in the heat and didn't have much stamina. He schooled the occasional training fence at a clinic, but he couldn't have gone training.

[Thomas_1]

well it wasn't actually your name that threw me.

It was the title of the thread

The fact it's on the eventing forum

and.....

my parents keep pestering me asking me if they can jump
My parents keep saying that "right now you think you want to do dressage but in a little bit you might want to event again!" So, I thought I'd ask, any experience eventing these guys?

[retreadeventer]

Funny you should ask that!
I have a Fr. X. gelding I broke and started for his beginner owner that has been nothing but a joy to deal with. He jumps a little and he's the sort if you wanted to go out and do a starter horse trial tomorrow, he's game. He loves new things and gets bored with the same old stuff, and horses like that usually make good event horses.

I also have a lovely 5yo Fr. purebred gelding just now coming in training that is going to be spectacular - has a beautiful trot with upper level dressage potential - and he has run around the paddock jumping jumps for fun, on his own, according to the owners! So check back with me after a couple weeks and I'll let you know about his jumping ability as soon as he gets going a little bit! I can't wait.

[Divine Comedy]

I have a friend who has a gorgeous half Friesian, half TB mare who she has shown at a T3D and also done a Prelim. The only reason they aren't going Prelim right now is b/c my friend had surgery on her leg and is just now starting to show again.

I don't know any full blooded Friesians who have evented, but I do know a full blooded draft who can make it around BN....maybe Novice after a ton of conditioning but she still probably wouldn't make the time.

[caevent]

I know quite a few Friesians - they are all game to try jumping, but they are all also limited in their natural talent for it. Just not something that they've been bred for. If you want an event horse, or even a horse that's suitable for many disciplines, a Friesian would not be high on my list. If you want a good dressage partner, then I would consider a Friesian as long as it was able to move under itself with its hocks and had a good quality canter. BTW, you do know you will be spending many hours at the washrack with all that hair, don't you?;)

[RnR]

My good friend owns a Friesian stallion that has dabbled very lightly in eventing. He primarily does dressage, but he is happy to jump. The biggest problems she has is when she brings him XC he gets exhausted very quickly (he has NO stamina), and then he gets overheated fast. She has to be careful to keep him in the shade as much as possible because his black coat gets him too hot.

He also gets pretty heavy on the front end with her, but is absolutely the most willing animal. Especially for being a stallion, he is very well natured, and a complete lap dog.

Forgot to add, he doesn't do any XC jumps over BN, but at home she has jumped him around a 3 foot jumper course. But like everyone else said, he takes a LOT of conditioning just to be able to do that well.

[Shrapnel]

I'm going to be rather blunt here.

Terrible Idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friesians are supposed to be driving horses. Period.

Sure, they're pretty to look at but that's about it, IMO.

As for eventing them - HA! They don't even make proper dressage horses, let alone an eventer. I would stay away from them if I were you, even for dressage. Again, Just my opinion.

Oh, btw - I've ridden a friesian before and have a friend who has them, so I kind of know what I'm talking about! ;)

[Merle]

:D I've never ridden one before so I guess I'll see what they are like. I'm not completely convinced on the idea of a Friesian though I do think the personality of one particular horse may be an excellent match for me, which is what I am most looking for. And don't worry - I wouldn't buy one for the purpose of eventing with! ;)

There are 4 more horses, 3 more states, and 1 more country that I am traveling to in the next week to look at horses. To be fair ... the other country is closer than all the states. :winkgrin:

[Ritazza]

I'm going to be rather blunt here.

Terrible Idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friesians are supposed to be driving horses. Period.

Sure, they're pretty to look at but that's about it, IMO.

As for eventing them - HA! They don't even make proper dressage horses, let alone an eventer. I would stay away from them if I were you, even for dressage. Again, Just my opinion.

Oh, btw - I've ridden a friesian before and have a friend who has them, so I kind of know what I'm talking about! ;)


Amen. :lol:
Sorry, loved the things until I had to actually work with about 40 of them for a summer.. then I hated them! There must be nice Friesians SOMEWHERE but... I've met 40 awful, evil, sickly ones!

I do know of one Friesian that events, I competed against them actually last summer at BN. The thing was first after dressage by a large margin, then overheard the rider bragging loudly in the XC warmup about how nobody thinks Friesians can jump, but they CAN, and hers is SO BRAVE and SO FAB.... and then they got eliminated at the first fence. So I felt vindicated!

[saitou_amaya]

I'm going to be rather blunt here.

Terrible Idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friesians are supposed to be driving horses. Period.

Sure, they're pretty to look at but that's about it, IMO.

As for eventing them - HA! They don't even make proper dressage horses, let alone an eventer. I would stay away from them if I were you, even for dressage. Again, Just my opinion.

Oh, btw - I've ridden a friesian before and have a friend who has them, so I kind of know what I'm talking about! ;)

Okay, as the owner and rider of the most kick ass friesian ever I am going to politley disagree. YOUR WRONG!! There are two different varieties of friesians, both pure-bred and registered, but different build. There are the Buroque friesians that are more common, usually driving horses and such and the modern friesian, coming more into fashion. Still the same breed, but built lighter.

I AM from hunter/jumper land and show my friesian in hunter/jumper, but I have dabbled in eventing, my friesian has done BN. You must not know much about friesians, because in fact, they DOMINATE at dressage. Numerous Friesians have exelled at Grand Prix level. Jasper, Goffert, and Anne just to name a few.
The thing about Friesians that is great for XC is they are BOLD and BRAVE. I love that about my friesian.

Now, granted, I have ever only seen a friesian jump as high as 4'. If that's the level you are planning to max out at with eventing, then friesians are great. If you are planning to ride dressage, even greater. If you want a breed with a dazzling personality who will willingly save your ass on a regular basis, they are perfect. But, if you want to go far in eventing, a friesian won't get you there. It all depends on what you want.
Friesians going XC:
http://www.proudmeadows.com/images_large/jump-057.jpg
http://www.fpzvusa.com/images/stallions/dante-spt-sm.jpg
http://image.equinenow.com/142278t_5/stallion_fps.jpg

My friesian showing in hunter class:
http://www.photostockplus.com/home.php?user_id=11982&tmpl=31&event=261751&action=viewphoto&photo_id=15574513&album_id=262132&pcount=45

good luck!!

[Sabovee]

Just about any horse should be able to plunk around at BN - but I wouldn't jump them AT ALL. They have enough bone/joint problems without overloading them like that....

Now I do have Canadian Horses that looooook kinda like a Friesian, but can actually jump!
[edit]

And pics of some other Canadians eventing can be found here
http://www.canadianhorselink.com/dressage.htm

They're actually super nice, bold eventers (with that same look) maybe a good alternative?

[Ray]

what I would worry about is soundness. I have seen too many draft horses (and draft crosses that were very drafty) that could not stand up to jumping, much to the heart-break of the owners.

Conformation also plays a big role in jumping ability and longevity in the sport.

[Merle]

I took my 1/2 Belgian 1/2 QH around Prelim. :D I think it all depends on the horse, soundness wise - at least that's my experience!

Saitou -- lovely horse!!

Sabovee -- She is very cute and she does look a bit like a Friesian. I had a Canadian on my list but he was sold.

[Daatje]

I'm looking at a couple Friesians this weekend and I'm primarily looking for a dressage partner but my parents keep pestering me asking me if they can jump. ;) I've seen a thread or two of someone showing pictures of theirs jumping and it certainly looks like they can! My parents keep saying that "right now you think you want to do dressage but in a little bit you might want to event again!" So, I thought I'd ask, any experience eventing these guys? And I have no delusions of thinking of going to the upper levels with a full blooded Friesian! :D


Ok, here I go.

I am probably the most qualified person to reply to this thread because I have worked with numerous Friesians, I own a fabulous 8 year old mare, and I love to event.

Here's the deal. My girl can JUMP and in decent form for a 16 hand 1400lb carriage horse. Here's a shot of her over 3'3".
http://www.freewebs.com/daatje2008/easycare%20daatje%20jump.jpg
http://www.freewebs.com/daatje2008/easycare%20daatje%20jump%203.jpg

My girl foxhunts and can keep up with a moderatly quick 2nd field.

However, much of what has been said here is true about the Friesian breed:

1) They are CARRIAGE HORSES. Not draft horses, not draft at all. That being said, they LOVE to trot. The canter is not easy for them and it takes a long time for them to acheive it, if they are going to at all. Their trot is huge! They expend so much energy on their movement. The canter rhythm is lofty with lots of hang time on the first beat, "one - two, three" not the "one, two - three" rhythm of a horse with a good ground covering stride.

2) They are HEAT INTOLERANT. If it's 80° F outside, forget doing anything strenuous, you'll overheat your horse.

3) They have chronic skin conditions on their pasterns which require much maintenance to keep in check. (Think chorioptic mange)

4) They are, as a breed, quite stubborn, and have a strong mind of their own. If you find one that doesn't want to do what you want to do, there is NO convincing that horse to participate in your ideas.

5) They are extremely difficult to get fit, and they do not have a 2nd wind. When they're spent, that's it. They have nothing more to give.

Now, on the positive side of things, they are extremely intelligent, have a high sense of self preservation, are loving and sweet. Big black pocket ponies. Mine is like a big black labrador.

Can I jump mine? Absolutely. Can I event mine? We're still working on her bravery and obedience in the woods alone, but someday, yes, but only BN because of her stamina limitations. Would I buy one as an eventer? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Even now, I dream of that lanky TB, with the heart of a lion and the fire of the devil under his hooves. One that can gallop, true and fast and long.

If you want an eventer......get a TB or TB cross. Just my first hand experienced opinion. :D

[Gwendolyn]

Yes, they can jump, yes they can event, yes, they will kick ass at dressage.

As Saitou said, there are Baroque Friesians and sport bred Friesians. Baroques are very compact, lots of knee action, pretty much just made for driving. Sport bred Friesians are FAR different. They have less knee action, and usually a long stride, with a better quality canter (remember they are bred to TROT).

I finished one for a client a few years ago. She was a little spooky when she was green, but never spooky to the fences once we started her o/f. She was the bravest horse I've ever sat on (Well, maybe tied with the Belgian/TB cross. Notice a pattern? ;) ). She will never be competitive over 3', as she wasn't BRED to jump. Not always (ok, hardly ever :lol:) the best form o/f, but as long as you stayed small (I never jumped her over 2'6), not at all dangerous. Better form XC where she knew the fences were solid. She was an absolute BLAST to ride, and I loved her! Never took a lame step.

My point is, that as long as you plan to stay small, and tailor your jumping to the individual, you should not have a problem. If you plan on mostly competing dressage and dabbling in lower level eventing, you should be fine.

Maurya competing in 18" in hunters (another girl riding her in the hunters) and 18"-2' "Cross Country Hunter" (basically a class over xc fences but un-timed and judged similar to a hunter class). I rode her XC. This was her FIRST time XC (hadn't even schooled - hence some funny spots :winkgrin: ). She is sport bred.

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/ThumbPage.aspx?e=3200063&g=0K4H000Q0Z


ETA: I agree 110% with Daatje's post. Again, if you want to do dressage and dabble in eventing, great. If you really want to EVENT, probably not the breed for you.

[eventer_mi]

I'm going to be rather blunt here.

Terrible Idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friesians are supposed to be driving horses. Period.

Sure, they're pretty to look at but that's about it, IMO.



I'm going to agree with Shrapnel, but be a bit more diplomatic about it :winkgrin:
I'm coming from my former Novice/Training horse, who was a gorgeous dapple grey Perch/Morgan cross (he was a freak for his breeding), and I had a HECK of a time doing two things: 1) getting him to come properly under himself and carry himself at both the trot and canter, and 2) make the time at BEGINNER NOVICE!

These crosses that are primarily bred for pulling tend to have narrower hips than shoulders, which makes sense as they're bred to pull, rather than push from behind. It makes collection a b*tch. It was very difficult to get him to properly have a springy, three beat canter - left to his own devices, he would rather four-beat along. Their canters also tend to go up and down (as well as their trot) and it doesn't help to cover ground, which makes you feel that there is a lot happening underneath you, but you're rapidly going nowhere - hence, the difficulty in making time xc.

The money you will most likely spend on a full blooded Friesian can also buy you a nice Warmblood for your dressage, and then you can easily "cross over" and event if and when you choose. Friesians tend to get very good scores at the lower levels of dressage and eventing, but when collection and lengthening start to factor in, they sort of fall flat (no pun intended). My draft cross would consistently be in the top three after dressage, but we had to hustle to make time xc and stadium, and it was a bear to keep him fit enough to make the time at Novice. A cross might work for you, as long as the lighter side was showing through.

[mjrtango93]

Perhaps don't go full friesian if your wanting to cross over. We had a fabulous ammy horse at our barn last year the was 1/2 TB 1/2 Friesian. He didn't have feather (and we would have shaved it off anyways), kept his mane pulled, so basically just looked like a black dutch WB. He was a fabulous jumper, and always top 3 dressage. Had a true w/t/c, and although stamina wasn't great, wasn't terribly difficult to get fit. He competed through training level and had just done his first prelims, but schooled all the prelim and intermediate questions. He was easy going, a bit stupid, but would try his ass off! But being 1/2 TB very modern looking, I would say he weighed in at around 1200# and was 16.2. Great horse, miss him since he was sold when the girl that owned him sold him to go to school abroad. We sold him to another event barn in our area and they love him to pieces as well. I think the only thing that would have stopped him from being a top horse was he just wasn't that fast. He could cruise and make training time, had to put the gas pedal down a bit for prelim, but doubt he'd have the speed for intermediate or advanced. Part of that though was he would rather stop and smell the flowers then go for a run, he was all about energy conservation!

[Merle]

I thought I'd update ... ;) I tried out a Friesian cross and nope ... I don't think a Friesian would cut it for me!

I ended up with a lovely 3 year old Irish Sport Horse gelding. :D He comes home tomorrow. I'm so excited!

[yellowbritches]

I ended up with a lovely 3 year old Irish Sport Horse gelding. :D He comes home tomorrow. I'm so excited!
Can't beat an Irish horse, and they are such great characters! And when and if you decide to event, he'll probably be all about it!

[Shrapnel]

Congrats Born2Event!

I LOVE Irish sport horses! Very nice choice :)