Drivers Udo de Haan and Age Okkema, each with two horses, performed for the members of the jury, the inspection team, the superior Council of Sports and the Studbook. This demonstration was for the IBOP driving exam and prepared with canter added to the exam. Herman Smit: 'All participants were without exception very enthusiastic. We have adapted the IBOP driving exam with a number of details. There is a logical structure in the trial and the horses have no problem with the chosen pieces. Friesian horses are very versatile and can be used for driving as well. On the other hand, the character of the Friesian horse is just so easy to work with.’ Udo de Haan has brought two horses with him that are still in training, both capable and ready to do the IBOP driving exam, but not yet performed it in front of a jury.
The horses executed all of the requested exercises perfectly.
Age Okkema had brought along two horses that clearly did not have a lot of experience in front of the chariot.
For the viewers, it was interesting to see how these young horses in full canter would react. The horses needed more aid to get into canter, but after some persistence the transition went quite smoothly. Although not immediately executed on the short side, Age tried to get into canter a few times as this is allowed within the IBOP driving exam.
It is the gait itself that should be evaluated. The drivers had to work hard, to make their horses get into canter and not drop back into trot. There were no signs of escape and or stress behaviour in the horse, which clearly emphasizes the great character of the Friesian horses. Age Okkema stated that it was not the canter that was the most difficult to do, rather the stretching of the neck was the hardest part. He is also very pleased with the results of the trial. ‘Everyone should be able to use their Friesian horses in canter and that means also in front of the chariot.’
As printed on the KFPS newsletter
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