The one event takes place in The Hague and the other in Drachten, but in both happenings horses take centre stage’, KFPS Chairman Bert Wassenaar says in the introduction to his column of the October Phryso. ‘Each and every year I get under the spell of this special parade escorting the King to the ‘Binnenhof’ (Centre Court of Parliament, ed.). A parade with one hundred and ninety horses divided over several honorary escorts of the Cavalry, Military Police and Police, and four carriages including the eight-in-hand of the Golden Coach. The line-up of the Parade, the honorary cordon along the route, the magnificent uniforms and splendidly tacked-out horses reveal 200 years of Royalty. Parliament’s message expressed in the King’s speech states that our economy is on the road to recovery. Prospects are healthy and growth rates create room for alleviations in taxpayers’ burdens from which hopefully, many of you will feel the benefit. The general feeling at the Studbook office is certainly one of positivity. The turnout and quality at the Central Inspection at the pleasant Fries Congrescentrum in Drachten was cause for enjoyment. Two lovely days where sports and breeding came together. I have enjoyed the Championships of the Pavo Fryso Cups for Driving, Show Driving and Dressage Aptitude, culminating in the finals with the assessments of two top guest riders. All prizes were zealously contested by the participants! Top attraction of course was the Champion Inspection where Model mare Wealtsje A. owned by Hans de Vries and bred by Daan Pootjes made off with the orange sash. A great achievement, especially so considering that she gave birth to a foal this last spring. The Reserve Title was for the very fine 3-year-old Maud van Bourboom, owned by Sander Frenken and bred by W. Elgersma. All the details can be found elsewhere in this Newsletter. I would like to congratulate all owners, breeders, riders and drivers and I am thankful to all assistants and volunteers for the superb organisation. For the next few weeks the KFPS calendar is crammed with activities. There are several breeding days abroad, Studbook inspections, re-judgings and a ‘special’ inspection for Studbook approval, transferring of selected Central Examination stallions to Ermelo, an IBOP, etc. Additionally, the first-ever inspection in China is planned for the end of October. All in all these are positive developments and activities that will further enhance the position of the Studbook.’
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