2019 FHANA Horse of the Year

Congratulations to the 2019 FHANA Horse of the Year: Liza van de Meikade, Model owned by Claudia Rayner-Gregory

Liza was bred by Willem Lokhorst and imported in 2014 by Claudia Gregory-Rayner.  Liza began her career in 2015 with many Regional and World titles.   At the inspection that year, she was awarded Provisional Kroon, Champion of Mares, and Day Champion by the KFPS jury. Jury member Wil Thijssen remarked when discussing his Champion of the day decision, that Liza had  a “perfect trot”. In 2016, Liza was declared USEF Horse of the Year for Friesian in Hand.  She was also World Champion Overall Friesian in Hand,and  World Champion Friesian Mare in Hand ( IFSHA ).  Liza was undefeated in Region 1 Friesian Mare in Hand, and furthermore, she was the People’s Choice Saddle Horse Report National Champion!  At the 2016 KFPS inspection, Liza was again named Mare Champion and Day Champion.  Her Riding IBOP performance earned a score of 82.5, making her the Ridden IBOP Champion at her keuring and Definitive Kroon!  After all the Ridden IBOP scores from North America were reported, Liza’s score was the best of 54 horses, making her the winner of the Iron Spring Farm North American Dressage IBOP Cup.  Shortly thereafter, Liza became Grand Champion of the first ever FHANA Central Mare Show as a 5 year old, competing with some of North America’s finest mares.  In 2017 she was bred to Hessel , and in 2018, she delivered a Second Premie Filly who became Reserve Champion at the ISF inspection with 10 in the category.

In 2019, Liza was presented to KFPS judges Corrie Terpstra and Louise Hompe, who awarded her the prestigious Model Predicate.  She was again Champion Mare and Day Champion at the Sommers, CT inspection.  In an article for PHYSO,  Jury member Louise Hompe stated, “ Liza’s movement is absolutely phenomenal.  Every stride is right, really very special to see.”  Adding to her success in 2019, Liza was again presented at the FHANA Central Mare show East, where she won the Model Mare and Senior Mare categories.  This culminated in Liza’s being crowned the Overall Champion of the FHANA Central Mare Show East for the second time in 3 years!

Not only is Liza talented and well known internationally, she has the typical golden Friesian character that is valued worldwide!  With all that she has accomplished, and continues to accomplish moving forward, Liza is a true ambassador for our breed, and a horse of a lifetime