With a history as deep and rich as its coal-black coat, today’s Friesian is greatly reminiscent of the Friesians of yore that nobly carried their knighted mounts to battle. A breed over 2,000 years in the making, Friesians have gone from serving as a knight’s mount in the 13th century, to a carriage horse for nobility in the 17th century, to a prized dressage horse in the 21st century. Goffert 369, a 16.3H breeding stallion foaled in 1994, is a stunning representation of a modern-day Friesian that with just the right lilt of his noble head, reflects the romantic charm of the breed’s historic past. A natural showman, Goffert excels in the dressage ring and some say, has been creating a bit of Friesian history himself!
Originally from Friesland, a province of the Netherlands, the Friesian’s cultivation was monitored along the way by Friesian monks and even the Friesian government. Over the centuries, the Friesian developed a refined head and neck and a high knee action from the introduction of Arabian blood, by way of the Spanish Andalusian, but strict monitoring kept the breed free of Thoroughbred blood.
Due to its grace and agility, this strong, average-sized breed found use as a school horse during the 15th and 16th centuries. It was its use as a carriage horse that brought the Friesian renewed popularity, and in 1625, the Friesian was brought to the New World where it is said to have influenced such breeds as the Narragansett Pacer and the Morgan.
In January 2002, Goffert was imported to Iron Spring Farm in Coatesville, PA, and has been shown successfully at Grand Prix since then, often scoring over 68%. In 2004, Goffert placed 4th in the Grand Prix Freestyle at Devon and shortly thereafter, was invited back to his homeland of The Netherlands by the prestigious Friese Paardenstamboek to perform at their 125th Anniversary Celebration, an honor befitting this beloved steed!
Article courtesy of Breyer horses
