The Friesian: 25th Anniversary: ALBERTA FRIESIAN HORSE ASSOCIATION

By Enny Van Aken
Photography courtesy of AFHA

This year the AFHA has the privilege to be able to celebrate their 25th anniversary. The following words and pictures will tell you their story, which even began before the formal recognition of the breed in Alberta.

WHICH COMPONENTS RESULTED IN THE BIRTH OF THE AFHA?

When Miles and Jan Heseldin (Calgary) imported the first 2 Friesian mares to Alberta, Canada in 1983, they didn’t know where this would lead up to. In 1987, Klaas and Annelies Wiersma followed in their footsteps; importing three pregnant mares to their “Bonnie View Farm” in Southern Alberta. In 1991, Kees Peters bought the gelding “Menno” from Feike De Boer in California, USA, and in 1996 he purchased three other Friesians from Maxima West, originally also from the Netherlands. Hidzer and Fay Sietzema bought their broodmare “Feikje” and imported three fillies and a colt in 1998. Another name is Henk Zwiers (De Winton), who started a breeding program at Honey Meadows with the mare “Tsjitske” from Bonnie View. In 1997 Gerard en Caio Paagman entered the arena of the Friesian horse world in Canada.

All these people loved the Friesian horses…..

They all wanted to preserve this Dutch inheritance and keep its characteristics….

They all wanted to breed their mares to the best “fitting” stallion….

They all were ready to show them to the public but THEY NEEDED TO BE REGISTERED with the Alberta Agricultural department. So they took the bull by the horns:

THE DAY THE AFHA WAS BORN

The AFHA board has this document on file: (published with permission)…..and that’s how the AFHA became official.

JUDGES AND THE “KEURING”

The breeders in Alberta wanted to stay close to the FPS, (today the KFPS), therefore the judges followed the Dutch guidelines; Only the best foals and horses got the “star” award or a first premium.

The first “keuring” in Alberta took place at a local arena in Calgary; Judges Piet Glastra van Loon and Harm Mulder came to judge the two mares from Miles and Jan Heseldin. The next “keuring” was held at Bonnie View Farm (3 mares and foals) in 1988 (same judges) and starting in 1991 this became a yearly event.

Over time, the entree numbers increased from 2 horses in 1984 to around 25 over the last 10 years.

THE BREEDING AND ITS CHALLENGES

Before the frozen semen was successfully introduced it was difficult to fly in fresh semen and have it with your horse at the right time.

Today frozen semen allows the breeders access to the approved stallions world wide. As a result the breed overall improved and that also shows amongst the AFHA members: They count 1 model mare, 2 kroon mares, many star mares, broodmares and registered foals and fillies to be judged this year in August, which guarantees a good selection of horses for the AFHA members in the future.

A much discussed topic these days is the “inbreed-ghost”: How do we keep the kinship-percentage <16.9? Do we need to crossbreed our Friesians?

Dr. Klaas Wiersma, breeder and veterinarian in Picture Butte, Alberta, is optimistic: “The Friesian horse population has never been so large. Over the years the Friesian horse changed from a carriage horse to a farm / draft horse and today to a show horse again. We have to make sure that the KFPS approves stallions who are able to give the breeders strong horses without hereditary shortcomings. Then the AFHA members will always have healthy and beautiful horses to work with.”

WHAT KIND OF A HORSE IS THIS?

This is a question the Friesian horse owners often hear. And one way to familiarize the public with them was to show them; and here are some ways they accomplished this:  Miles Heseldin hired professional dressage rider Timothy Sorfleet to train and show his horses. Klaas and Annelies Wiersma joined the Chinook Dressage Club in Lethbridge. Kees Peters joined the High Country driving Club.  The first AFHA members showed their horses in dressage and driving shows at Spruce Meadows and the Calgary stampede. In the year 2000 Wim and Nita Floryn joined, later followed by many others.

WERE THEY SUCCESSFUL?

Yes! In regards to both quantity and quality they were successful. Quantity: Remember that they started out with a few members, each working with a few horses? The membership list today counts over 35 names and within the AFHA there are ….registered horses! Quality: In the eighties Timothy Sorfleet rode the mare “Afke” to become Alberta champion in the M-dressage. That was quite the accomplishment in those days. Today the AFHA has 2 members, Colleen Beres with Apollo who have showed their Friesians at the Prix St. George level.

AFHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: WHAT DO THEY DO?

There is a very short answer to that question: a lot! When Jan Heselin and Kees Peters took on the very first positions as first and second director, they, with the help of the other members, gave it their absolute best. They showed their horses where possible and motivated others to follow their example. When Klaas Wiersma took the hammer as the board chair he did exactly the same; Showing at Spruce Meadows, the Calgary stampede), the Whoop Up days in Lethbridge….it was never too much. Wim Floryn took the job in 2007 with his wife Nita by his side. Kees and Annie Muilwijk joined the board and the AFHA found an excellent administrator in Annie.

Together this organization has been very active! Here are some examples:

• The first impressive show they brought together was the musical ride: a group of 8 to 10 riders performing a dressage pattern to music, choreographed and coached by Colleen Organ.
• They organize clinics for riders and drivers.
• They invite members to participate in parades.
• They encourage people to sign up for dressage shows and driving events.
• During the winter months they organize monthly indoor derbies at Kees and Annie Muilwijk’s arena.
• They organize the yearly “keuring”.
• There are various trail rides and a yearly “ring-steek” event.
• The first kids derby was organized this winter.
• They call meetings and keep their members up to date.
• And most recently they were very successful with the start of the Friesian Quadrille: 8 “sjezen” and 16 horses performing a pattern to music, choreographed and coached by Janneke Poot and Loekie Van Dobben.

AND WHY IS THE AFHA SO SUCCESSFUL?

That’s a good question! The first board members wanted their organization to be “a group of people who would do things together.” Today’s board members still follow that lead. Members are invited to participate in events, not as individuals but as a group. Of course everyone competes at the individual events to their best ability, but no matter what, they always help each other out when needed. And I quote; “AFHA members are willing to share their horses, supplies, time, knowledge and enthusiasm. Add the social aspect to the equation and the picture is complete. Today the AFHA chapter is unique because of their members’ solidarity!” And everything is based on the love, compassion and drive to enjoy their Friesian horses in every possible way. Now it is time to thank a few people who have been strong promoters of the Friesian breed from the start: Miles (March 24, 1934-September 20, 1994) and Jan Heselin, Kees and Emma Peters, Henk Zwiers, Hidzer and Fay Sietzema and Klaas and Annelies Wiersma. It is also appropriate to thank a few people who took over the baton in the later years: Wim and Nita Floryn, Gerard and Caio Paagman, Kees and Annie Muilwijk and Jaap and Wilma Dominicus.

HOW DO THEY CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF DEDICATION?

It is not easy to formulate an answer that covers all the details and people involved, but let’s give it a try: In the fall of 2021 (at the AGM meeting) the board called for a group of people to organize a “memorable” event to celebrate this milestone. It was still in the days when the stages of the pandemic could put a hold on everything. Nevertheless, the organizing committee “went to work.” They took their job seriously…. All members got a chance to be involved…. Many horses are showing in one or more disciplines…. The evening will be filled with exciting and beautiful moments through narration, music, riders and drivers of all ages and volunteers…. It will be an evening centered around the breed we all love: THE FRIESIAN HORSE! The AFHA welcomes you to their 25th anniversary show “FROM WAR HORSE TO MOVIE STAR” at the  Calnash Center in Ponoka on October 19, 2022, starting at 6.30 pm.

AND FOR THE FUTURE?

We asked our board chair Jaap Dominicus to summarize his hope for the future. His words, “That the next generation will take over and have access to lots of good, healthy horses with a fine character.” In closure the words of one of the AFHA founders and previous board chair, Klaas Wiersma, “Let us work hard to keep the Friesian Horse authentic, pure and magnificent!”