International Friesian Show Horse Association - Changes to Affiliate Policies

Changes to IFSHA Affiliate Recognition Applications and Horse Identification for Competition

November 18, 2005

The IFSHA board of directors was requested by the USEF to set standards by which IFSHA could provide the USEF with credible breed registry organizations to record and validate the heritage of Friesian Bred Horses in competition. Our situation has been very different than most other USEF recognized breeds as IFSHA is not a breed registry, therefore we could not monitor proof of Friesian heritage, nor do we have the expertise or desire to do so.

In setting the standards for Friesian bred horse organizations (breed registries specifically) IFSHA provided the applicants with requirements which were much lower than what is normally required by the USEF for recognition. This was done in order to make it feasible for more American based organization members to participate in and support the show circuit.

IFSHA also believed that since the USEF is the all encompassing and revered entity for all recognized competition in the United States, that the USEF standards were the best to follow for recognition of an organization as the USEF has oversight over the ADS, USDF, as well as many other organizations to name, and is the United States Representative for World recognized competition.

USEF Requirement for Recognition	IFSHA Requirement Recognition
Incorporated for 3 years	Incorporated for 1 year
500 Members	100 Members

IFSHA also required that the competing horse be able to prove its' Friesian Heritage, just like the other breed organizations recognized by the USEF, since IFSHA was formed to promote and protect the Friesian bred horse in recognized competition. We reviewed the standards of the breed registries known at that time including the FPZV/FHS, FPS/FHANA, FSHR, FOA, IFCA, and FBHR. All but one required DNA material on its horse population, and the maintenance of those records for its membership to the best of our knowledge. Since all but one had the same requirement for horse DNA and permanent horse member identification, IFSHA believed that practice to be the normal standard of the majority, thus IFSHA recommended the same requirements based on the majority of practice by most Friesian horse organizations.

In concluding the 2004-2005 competition year, IFSHA identified a few major issues that needed resolution as follows;

Many United States based Friesian bred horse registries for various reasons, even with the nurturing of IFSHA have not been able to make it possible for their members to compete in the USEF circuit. In 2004 and 2005 IFSHA did allow any competitor to compete from those Registries that were in application process, as long as those who competed were in compliance with USEF FR 101.

Another problem was that the show managers are required to validate the identification of the competitor/horse prior to competing. There are many Friesian registries, and will most likely be more Friesian registries coming and going. It is quite difficult for the show secretaries to be trained to know which documents are acceptable and which ones would not be acceptable.

Also the USEF only updates their rules once a year, so as registries are formed or dissipate, it will be impossible to keep the USEF rules up to date reflecting the names of appropriate registry certificates for horse proof of Friesian heritage and identification at the shows.

Solution for Identification of Competitors at USEF shows:

IFSHA recommend to the USEF Friesian Committee, that USEF FR101 be amended so that all Friesian bred horses in USEF recognized competition be members of IFSHA. Then all the show managers would have to do, as well as the USEF, is look at the IFSHA website or take a copy of the IFSHA membership for purpose of identification. Applications taken at the show to be forwarded to IFSHA, if the applicant is not in compliance, the awards and points earned at that show would be forfeit.

Compliance for Proof of Friesian Heritage and Horse Identification

IFSHA would require members to sign a sworn affidavit upon joining IFSHA that would state the following; That they have permanent horse ID provided to and on file with IFSHA and that their registry whoever it may be has proof of Friesian heritage and DNA on file.

The following motions passed by Majority on 11-6-05 and were forwarded to the USEF on 11-8-05:

That effective 12-01-05, all Friesian bred horses and their owners must be members of IFSHA in good standing, in order to compete in USEF recognized Friesian class, division competition and IFSHA shows.
That effective 12-01-05 that all USEF HOTY and IFSHA HOTY competitors must be members of IFSHA in good standing in order to qualify for the programs.
That effective 12-01-05, IFSHA accept all Friesian bred horses regardless of their registry provided that the competitor sign and swear under penalty of perjury that the horse has permanent identification provided to and on file with IFSHA, that proof of Friesian Heritage inclusive of DNA on file with their breed registry of choice, and can be accessed upon request at any time with just cause, that the information provided to IFSHA and their registry of choice be true and correct to the best of their knowledge.
That IFSHA no longer offer affiliate/recognized status to any breed registry and/or organization, as the program is no longer necessary.

IFSHA is currently waiting for an appointment with the United States Equestrian Federation with regard to the content of this communication. IFSHA will prepare a public release once those meetings have been concluded.

The IFSHA Board of Directors