06/13/2026
Dear Fellow FHANA Members,
I hope you are all doing well. Following my recent trip to the Netherlands to visit the KFPS, I would like to share an update regarding my discussions with their leadership. I spent an informative week in Leeuwarden meeting with judges, board members, and breeders, and I had the pleasure of attending both a harness event and an โat homeโ inspection.
Regarding the KFPS board structure and finances, the current board is largely interim, with the exception of Wim Back. They are focused on resolving recent organizational instability and have several plans in place to return the organization to financial health.
On the topic of foreign policy and registry management, we addressed new EU governmental directives. By July 1, 2026, only five registries in the Netherlands will be Authorized Institution (GI) approved. To ensure compliance, the KFPS has partnered with the KWPN for registry management support until summer 2027. Additionally, we discussed updating microchipping processes to align with RVO guidelines, which would involve sending microchips directly to chippers; further guidance from the KFPS is expected.
In terms of inspections, the KFPS is currently operating with four fewer judges. Despite this, they are managing schedules to meet requirements and will provide two stallion judges for North American stallion viewings. The Inspection Committee is also coordinating with KFPS judges on logistics for the upcoming 2026 inspections. We are further exploring the possibility of sponsoring judgesโ courses in both the East and West during the 5th Circuit inspections, potentially led by Wil Thijssen.
While I was in the NL, I learned that a comment was made regarding โtoo many Ster mares are being awardedโ. This comment was addressed with the KFPS leadership and challenged. I advocated for this to be reconsidered, noting that FHANA breeders have invested significantly in quality and training over the last two decades. I expressed that arbitrarily limiting these awards could compromise the integrity of KFPS standards and the expertise of the judges as well as undermine the North American Breeders.
Regarding breeding and health research, the KFPS published on their website that they were appointing a group to investigate and revise the breeding and selection policy plan that was proposed in 2025. The group committed to providing a response by the proposed date of October 2026. The F&S / study is on track for completion in October 2026. Wim Back and the breeding selection committee are also investigating inbreeding and health issues, and we discussed opportunities for FHANA and the KFPS to collaborate on this vital research.
Operationally, the KFPS provided the following updates:
โ Restructuring: Efforts continue to streamline project management, budgets, and operations.
โ Customer Satisfaction: Current positive ratings are at 70%, and the KFPS is working to improve this.
โ Software Transition: The KFPS and FHANA will transition from EQUIS to a new software called โStreamlined,โ with training to be provided.
โ Marketing: The KFPS is interested in sharing marketing resources, and it was suggested that FHANA develop a marketing plan to share with them.
โ ABFP Testing: The KFPS recognizes the challenges in North America regarding required numbers and will look into revising this policy.
Finally, the Health Committee is working with Wim Back to share resources, following a productive first meeting last week. We also look forward to potentially hosting the KFPS at the 2026 Mare Show in Ohio this November. Additionally, the KFPS is currently developing guidelines regarding cloned horses.
It was a productive visit, and I look forward to returning in October 2026. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Respectfully,
Marquis L. Laude
President, FHANA
