1.) Short explanation of the Freiberger

The Freiberger is a calm and versatile horse, an ideal horse for the hobby rider. This horse has a natural stride and a well balanced character. It is the ideal horse for riders who enjoy riding through rocky terrain. One can either ride western or English and is easily ridden for fun or used to pull wagons or even elegant wedding carriages. In the last years the Freiberger has been crossed with the Swiss half blood (Schweizer Halbblut). This making the Freiberger lighter and more elegant. With their spirited stride they have also done well in dressage and have begun to be used in show jumping. The Freiberger is also appreciated in "Hippotherapie”. The origins of the Freiberger can be found in the Jura mountains in Switzerland. These mountains are called the Freiberger. Their forefathers were Nordic, crossed with French, English, Belgian and even Arab breeds.

2.) Horse Fairs

In the last few years Freiberger from throughout Switzerland compete in different horse fairs. In September the best compete in the final which takes place in Avenches in the canton of Fribourg/Freiburg. The various events on the program include: weight pulling, skilful pulling, driving, jumping, dressage, western riding and Gymkhana.

Other special events, such as country horse races take place throughout the year in various places. In the canton of Fribourg/Freiburg there is one in September in Estavannens and in January in Plaffeien which takes place on snow. .

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3.1) Goals of field testing

When a Freiberger is 3 years old it is subjected to a field test (health, type, body structure, stride) and careful attention is paid to its driving and riding capacity as well as to its behavior and character. The results are used in selecting breeding mares, classification of the mother and father as well as the promotion and marketing of young horses..

3.2) Evaluation, point giving

Each characteristic is given a grade according to the following scale:
9= excellent / 8= very good / 7 = good / 6= OK / 5= satisfactory / 4= unsatisfactory / 3= bad / 2= very bad / 1=failure

3.3)Driving test

All horses must accomplish a dressage program, which is set in advance. The following points are evaluated:
- Behavior while being hitched up
- Start off
- General behavior while driving
- Steering, obedience, will/desire to pull
- Permability
- Stride and trot

3.4) Riding test

Within a fenced in closure the horse is evaluated in groups of 2-4.
- Behavior while mounting and demounting
- Riding suitability without considering the horses former training
- Stride, trot gallop

3.5) Behavior test

Testing of behavioral traits is in all 3 sub tests integrated. Example: linear evaluation such as ear movement, raising of all four legs and pounding of hoofs.
Riding: riding close to a large ball or opened umbrella
Driving: over a blue plastic tarp or under rustling plastic strips

3.6) Evaluation of the results

The horse has passed the field test when it has received an average grade in both driving and riding of at least 5 and no grades under 3. After field testing and later sport and breeding achievements the mares are divided into 4 categories. The top category is "Studbook A”, following "Studbook B”, "Studbook C” and finally the mention registered.
There also exists a basic category for full blooded mares. These mares do not have more than 2% foreign blood.

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