Education, Stallion Viewing, IBOPS. Inspections and Mare Shows

We are pleased to announce the upcoming combined Level I and Level II Judges Course that will be conducted during the week of the Fall Inspections in Sacramento, CA and Edinburgh, IN.  The course will be taught by none other than the very well known Wil Thijssen, one of our official KFPS Judges, at each location.

For the Sacramento, CA, fall inspection (November 6-12, 2023) FHANA is hosting the Judges Course (Combined Level I and Level II) November 6, 7 and 8 (three day course).  Also, we’re hosting two separate performance clinics at the Sacramento venue.  Both clinics start on November 8, and conclude on November 9.  There will be a two day dressage clinic presented by Jenny Veenstra and a driving clinic presented by Clay Meier.  Following the clinics, we will proceed into the FHANA Fall Inspection schedule that will include:  IBOP inspections (Both riding and driving), an inspection and the Western North America Mare Show.  There will be a Spanish speaking interpreter for the Judges Course at this location.

There will also be a stallion viewing by the KFPS stallion Jury in Sacramento on November 14.  The Stallion Committee is working on the details for participating and will be forthcoming.  The stallion viewing is for stallions 2-5 years old and they must have attended their local inspection first.  Please register your stallions via the FHANA portal.  If you have questions, feel free to contact the office.

For the Eastern US, and held at the Hoosier Horse Park in Indianapolis, IN, between 12-18 November.  FHANA is hosting the Judges Course (Combined Level I and Level II) November 12, 13 and 14 (three day course).  Both performance clinics start on November 14, and conclude on November 15.  There will be a two day dressage clinic presented by Jenny Veenstra and a driving clinic presented by Clay Meier.  Following the clinics, we will proceed into the FHANA Fall Inspection schedule that will include:  IBOP inspections (Both riding and driving), an inspection and the Western North America Mare Show.   Following the clinics, we will proceed into the FHANA Fall Inspection schedule that will include:  IBOP inspections (Both riding and driving), an inspection and the Eastern North America Mare Show.

There will also be a stallion viewing by the KFPS stallion Jury in Edinburgh on November 17-18.  The Stallion Committee is working on the details for participating and will be forthcoming.  The stallion viewing is for stallions 2-5 years old and they must have attended their local inspection first.  Please register your stallions via the FHANA portal.  If you have questions, feel free to contact the office.

Please continue to check the FHANA website for additional information.  You can register for the Judges Courses now.

The Judges Course is based on the instructional material from the KFPS Judging Book, and will highlight  the separate elements of assessment in eight modules.  Mr. Wil Thijssen will explain and clarify the aptitude tests IBOP and ABFP. The Judging Book will be provided as part of the class.  The book is available in four languages: Dutch, English, German and Spanish. The book can also be ordered online via this link. Mr. Thijssen will go thru the Judging Book highlighting an introduction into breeding goals and breeding types, confirmation, legwork, movement, scoring for premiums and predicates, assessment of foals, linear scoring and aptitude tests for the IBOP inspections.  You’ll learn how the judges perform their inspections of the Friesian breed and you’ll get an opportunity to judge several horses during the class.

Taking this course will provide the student with an understanding of how to look at the Friesian Horse and assist with the student’s breeding program(s) on how to match stallion(s) to mares and an overall understanding of these fundamental elements of judging.

Fees to participate:

Education Classes (both East/West) $450.  If you have the book $400

Performance Clinics

Jenny Veenstra (stabling fees apply) Both East/West $200.  Auditing $100

Clay Maier (Auditing Only) $100

Stallion Viewing 

2-5 year olds ($150 for inspection $300 for “Official Viewing”)

Mare Show-Please see this link

Hotel Information to come:

 

Performance Dressage Instructor-Jenny Veenstra

Jenny is a Belgium based, Dutch born rider with over 25 years of experience in Dressage and training horses for elite riders.  Her training principles are based on lightness and understanding, combining classical methods with new insights and natural horsemanship principles.

From starting young horses to training horses for Grand Prix, Jenny has had many successes including working with Three Time Olympian Tineke Bartels.  Jenny has also trained under Classical Master Arthur Kottas, former Head of the Spanish Riding School.

Jenny has traveled all over the world helping lower level riders achieve their dreams of riding Grand Prix.

 

Performance Driving Instructor-Clay Maier

Clay was raised at the famed Riata Ranch in Exeter, California, where he started driving horses and wagons at a very young age. The Riata Ranch was started in 1956 by Clay’s father, Tom, as a riding school for children and developed into The Riata Cowboy Girls trick and stunt riding. Growing up at the ranch Clay developed into a consummate horseman and went on to train horses for Frank Leyendekker Friesians in Viasalia, California, spending many years at Leyendekkers. During this time FHANA was organized in Pomona, California and Clay was one of the early Board of Directors.
After many years in California Clay moved to Sisters, Oregon, training Friesians for Judy Knapp. During his time in Sisters Clay developed his well know long lining program called Rein Dance as well as the magnificent Friesians Spectacular show which he took all over North America.
Eventually Clay moved to Lexington, Kentucky where he worked for the Kentucky Horse Park as an in-house trainer, consultant, and performer with a Friesian act for Park visitors.  Later, Clay made his way back to California and joined Sargent Equestrian in Lodi, California as an in-house driving trainer. He has competed in Combined Driving Events for many years and has helped train many people and horses to successfully compete and excel at competitive carriage driving.
Clay is now partially retired and spends time teaching driving clinics, and enjoys living in Mexico the rest of the time.

Clay Maier Syllabus