Iron Spring Farm lost a treasured member of the family when Meinse 439 passed away last year. Meinse 439 was an Approved KFPS Friesian stallion and champion dressage horse. He was a two-time GAIG/USDF Regional Champion, USDF All Breeds Champion, Reserve Champion USDF Horse of the Year and frequent high point champion against all breeds. He sired an Approved Stallion and winning FEI dressage horses.
“Meinse was a very special stallion,” said Mary Alice Malone, Meinse’s owner and rider. “We had a wonderful time together at the shows. He loved his treats and he loved to show off. He was one of a kind.
Before he was imported to the United States, Meinse 439 was a two-time winner in the Pavo/KFPS/KNHS Stallion Competitions in the Netherlands. His early foal crops in Europe produced the Approved stallion Erryt 488, Sport, as well as top mares like Elke K, Model, who won at the KFPS Central Mare Keuring.
Meinse continued his winning ways in the United States. He won 21 classes in 2009 and 2010 with scores as high as 79%. A few highlights:
- Dover Medal winner and Second Level Champion, 2011
- GAIG/USDF Region 1 Second Level Adult Amateur Champion, 67.738%, 2010
- USDF All Breeds (FHANA) Second Level Adult Amateur Champion, 2010
- USDF Horse of the Year, Second Level Adult Amateur, Reserve Champion, 70.17%, 2010
- USDF Horse of the Year, Second Level, 8th place, 70.17%, 2010
- GAIG/USDF Region 1 First Level Adult Amateur Reserve Champion, 71.32%, 2009
- GAIG/USDF Region 1 Training Level Adult Amateur Champion, 72%, 2009

Meinse is an important Friesian sire in North America. His daughter Zafira MWF (Meinse 439 x Wanda of Black Pearl, by Wander 352) is winning at Prix St. Georges with scores near 70%. Zafira MWF won the FHANA Five-Year-Old Talent Cup and FHANA Born in the USA Breeder’s Cup, along with two GAIG/USDF Region 1 Championships in 2020.
Isabella W.V.F. (Meinse 439 x Hedde L., by Wicher 334) was Reserve Champion First Level JR/YR at the 2021 US Dressage Finals with a 71.157%. She also was the GAIG/USDF Region 1 First Level JR/YR Champion with a 70.556%. She’s now showing Third Level.
Zango ISF (Meinse 439 x Winsome ISF, Star, by Winand 405) is winning at Third Level. His career began with a win in the IBOP (riding test) at the 2019 FHANA Keuring. Since then he’s been collecting blue ribbons in the show ring, with scores as high as 74%.
Meinse 439 also sired numerous IFSHA World Champions, FHANA Keuring Champions and 1st Premies.
Meinse 439 was sired by ISF’s beloved Friesian stallions Heinse 354, Sport/Preferent and out of Femke van Nes, Star, by Dirk 298, Sport. He was bred by J. van der Wal.