How Frysk Andaluz Breeds and Trains Its Horses
Updated
Frysk Andaluz is a Dutch stud farm in the Hoeksche Waard, just below Rotterdam, that breeds and trains Friesian horses and also sells Pura Raza Española (PRE) horses. Its approach combines KFPS-registered breeding mares, a named dam line (Zomerstaete), and a stated emphasis on character and rideability alongside movement and conformation. If you are evaluating whether the farm's breeding and training claims are credible, the most concrete evidence on its site is the individual horses it presents, their predicates and bloodlines, and the way it describes its team and working method.
What the farm says about its breeding
The site describes the Friesian as a breed valued for "his magnificent character and temperament coupled with beauty and elegance," and states that its horses are "the top in trustworthiness and are perfectly suitable as riding horse." That framing matters: the farm positions temperament and suitability under saddle as selection criteria, not just show-ring looks.
Two structural signals support the breeding side:
- KFPS breeding mares. The site's navigation includes a dedicated "KFPS breeding mares" section alongside "Zomerstaete KFPS Breedingmares," indicating that registered studbook mares are a core part of the programme rather than an incidental sideline.
- A recurring dam line. The mare Zilverschoon van Zomerstaete is described as "our favourite mare," and the stallion Zilvester is her son. Reusing a proven dam family across generations is a conventional way to keep temperament and movement predictable.
Reading the predicates
The horses in the spotlight carry KFPS studbook predicates in their names, which are the most checkable quality markers on the page:
| Horse | Breeding line shown | Predicates / notes on site |
|---|---|---|
| Zilvester | Gosse 526 Sport AAA x Hessel 480 Sport AA | Ster stallion; formerly selected for the pre-selection days; described as large, sturdy, sweet-natured and talented |
| Willemien | Herre 524 AAA x Alwin 469 Sport+Pref AAA | 3rd premium studbook mare with top movements; in foal by Ulco 554 AAA; 1st premium as a foal |
| Zeb | Bartele 472 Sport AAA x Beart 411 Sport+Preferent | Luxury Ster stallion with three excellent gaits and strong hind-leg action |
| Yerre | Markus 491 AAA x Jasper 366 Sport+Elite+Pref | Presented for looks and presence rather than performance results |
For a buyer, the practical takeaway is that the farm publishes sire-and-dam lines with sport and predicate annotations, so claims can be checked against KFPS records rather than taken on trust. Note that "Ster," "3rd premium" and similar labels are breeding-direction judgements; they indicate studbook recognition, not a guarantee of a horse's future performance or soundness.
How training and competition preparation are presented
The site states that the team "breed[s] and train[s] the beautiful Friesian horse," and its description of competition horses notes that such horses are "selectively bred, trained, and carefully maintained" and capable of performing across equestrian disciplines at high levels. That is a general statement of method rather than a published training syllabus, so treat it as a description of intent.
What the page does show concretely:
- Ridden suitability as a stated outcome. Friesians are marketed as riding horses first, with temperament named as the reason.
- Movement as a trainable, assessable trait. Descriptions focus on gaits and hind-leg action (Zeb's "three excellent gaits," Willemien's "remarkably good movement"), which are the qualities a training programme can develop and a vet or trainer can verify.
- A visible team and working method. Navigation includes "Our team," "Work method," "Accomodation," "Testimonials" and "Videos," so you can review how the yard operates and see horses moving before enquiring.
A practical example of how to use this
Suppose you are considering a Friesian as a first serious dressage prospect and want a calm temperament. You could shortlist a horse like Zilvester — a Ster stallion explicitly described as sweet-natured and down-to-earth, out of a favoured dam — then ask the farm for video of him under saddle and for the KFPS record behind his predicates. That turns marketing language into two checkable items: footage of the horse working, and studbook documentation.
What to verify before you commit
The site gives you names, lines and predicates, but not prices, trial arrangements or veterinary terms. Before deciding:
- Confirm the predicate record for any horse you like directly with the KFPS, using the full registered name.
- Ask for current video of the horse in work, not only presentation footage.
- Request the veterinary and export paperwork relevant to your country, since the farm sells internationally and transport is listed as a service.
- Ask about the "work method" and team in a direct conversation — the site names both but does not detail daily routine, trainer qualifications or how competition horses are campaigned.
The farm's own framing — passion for the horses, a team-based yard, and selection for character as well as movement — is a reasonable basis for an enquiry. The decision itself should rest on the individual horse's records, a pre-purchase examination, and a trial or viewing that lets you assess temperament yourself.