Getting Involved

Are you a new Friesian owner or someone who dreams of owning a Friesian?
Do you want to learn more about this amazing breed of horses?

Do you want to get involved?

The Friesian Horse Association of North America depends on its membership in a variety of ways. Volunteers staff our committees, our Board of Directors, our booth at events, and much, much more. We are always looking for members who want to be more involved with the association. Even if you are new to Friesians, or don’t own a Friesian yet, or if you think you don’t have the experience to help out – don’t let that stand in your way. The time dedicated by our members makes FHANA the association it is.

There are a variety of ways for FHANA members to get involved. Some of them are:

Local Chapters: Get involved with your local chapter of FHANA. This will help introduce you to people in your area who have Friesians. Chapters have a multitude of different events, from clinics to attending expos to holding annual inspections. They are an excellent place for both new and experienced Friesian owners and enthusiasts to get involved and help out. You can find information about FHANA Chapters here: CHAPTERS

Committees: FHANA has a variety of committees, and finding people willing to serve on them is often a struggle. Committees are generally set each year in February at the AGM, however, any member who is interested in joining a committee is encouraged to fill out THIS FORM to let their interest be known at any time of year.

Each committee requires a different time commitment and skillset. Some committees meet on a monthly basis for about an hour each time, while others meet less often, and some more frequently, depending on the need. The typical schedule for each committee can be found in the Committee Responsibilities section. You can also find a description of the duties of each committee there. Committees handle everything from the financials of FHANA to producing The Friesian magazine, from organizing educational events to creating awards to help recognize the achievements of our membership. Regardless of your skillset or experience level, there may be a committee that would be a good fit for you. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact the FHANA office.

Volunteer at Events: Whether through an official chapter or run by a few dedicated individuals, FHANA is represented at many events each year. These events require volunteers to be a success and run smoothly. Equine expos such as Equine Affaire, the Mane Event, and others are one of the key places that new people are introduced to the Friesian breed. The groups that organize these events are always in need of people to help staff the FHANA booth, help with presentations, and more. If there is an event in your area that you would like to help out with, or that does not currently have FHANA representation and you’d like to change that, please reach out to the FHANA office for details on how to help.

One major event that happens annually is the FHANA Inspection Circuit. All across North America, people bring their Friesians together to be inspected by the KFPS judges that travel from the Netherlands to grade them. These events are a huge undertaking, and as the saying goes, many hands make light work. The local chapters or groups that host these events are always in need of volunteers to help, both organizing beforehand and as extra hands on the day of the inspection. If you would like to help out at a FHANA inspection, please contact the Site Host for the location you can help at. Inspection locations and site host information can be found here: https://fhana.com/inspections/inspection-info/

Contribute to The Friesian Magazine: Do you have an idea for an educational article you’d like to see in The Friesian magazine? Do you know of a FHANA member whose story might interest or inspire other members? Do you have a Friesian-related story or experience you’d like to share? Writing an article for The Friesian magazine is a great way to share your love for the Friesian breed with other people. Perhaps you don’t want to write an article, but you have an idea for one – please share it with the Editorial Committee.

Even if you’re not a writer and don’t have an article idea, consider contributing to the “What the Friesian Horse Means to Me” feature, a place where members share their heartfelt or sometimes funny personal experiences with the Friesian horse. Submissions can be any length, and the committee can assist you with effectively communicating what you want to say.

The magazine is also often looking for good, high quality Friesian pictures to use for a variety of existing articles, or as general interest pictures to use throughout the magazine.

If you have ideas, articles or pictures you would like to submit for the magazine, please contact the FHANA office or the Editorial Committee Chair.

Sponsorships: Another way to get involved with FHANA is to sponsor things. Many of FHANA’s events and awards are funded through membership and community sponsors. Not only is this a great way to advertise if you have a business – whether it is Friesian related or not – but it is also a great way to get new initiatives off the ground. Is there an award you would like to see FHANA offer, or an event you’d like to see FHANA representation at? A sponsorship can go a long way to help these things happen without having to wait for a new year’s budget to be able to fund them. Sponsorships do not have to be monetary. In the past, members have donated items like halters and blankets for prizes, skills such as photography and videography, custom artwork like paintings and sculptures, and many other things. If you would like to offer a sponsorship of any kind to FHANA, please contact the FHANA Office to discuss it.

Future FHANA: Youth are the future, and Future FHANA is the place for youth who are interested in becoming involved with Friesians. With two age categories, various member benefits such as a subscription to The Friesian, access to Future FHANA mentors to guide them, and planned annual events such as Future FHANA meetings and clinics, Future FHANA is a great way for youth to get involved. For details on joining the Future FHANA program, contact the FHANA office or see the FHANA Membership Levels here: https: MEMBERSHIP

FHANA Mentor Program: In 2021, FHANA launched a Mentorship program in order to offer more support to new Friesian owners. Any FHANA member can request a mentor through the program, and their mentor will help them by answering questions, offering guidance, or finding the resources to help in areas that are not the mentor’s expertise. Mentors are screened by the Membership Committee and at the FHANA Board level before being added to the program, so members can feel confident that their mentor is knowledgeable, experienced and impartial. If you are interested in becoming part of the FHANA Mentor Program, either as a mentor or to have a mentor assigned to you, please contact the FHANA Office or the Membership Committee Chair.

Getting involved with FHANA is a rewarding means of gaining new connections to the Friesian community and helping FHANA grow at the same time. Whether you are a brand new Friends of FHANA member who does not yet own a Friesian, or a first time Friesian owner, or someone who has been a part of the Friesian world for many years, if you have the time and willingness to volunteer, you are needed! Our volunteers are the lifeblood of this organization, so no matter how or where you help out, know that your time is appreciated and valued.

We hope that you will choose to be an active part of FHANA’s bright future!