This message is from: "Pat Holland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I will first admit that I have had criticisms of the NFHR Evaluation system. BUT recently I was reminded of something that's made me think and is vital to this conversation.
Prior to 1990 there was NO formal definition of the Fjord breed type. The Norwegians said "it is something that we know in our minds, but not on paper". Through the work of the original NFHR Evaluation Committee it was established that the Fjord in the United States needed a breed standard. Over 15 years of allot of work by many extremely qualified and dedicated people - we now have a much better picture of what the Fjord Horse truly is. The original people credit Jon Hagdal and Bob Von Bon for their leadership in the Fjord Horse industry and their shared knowledge and experience. But it was here in the United States with Wayne Hipsley, Karen Cabic, Jim Havelhurst, Joe Hempel, Lindsey Sweeney, Anne Appleby, Nancy Hotovy and Tom Hans - the tools were put in place where we had a method to evaluate horses, resulting with mathematical scores and written commentary bringing the breeders in North America closer to their European counterparts. I would say..."one hell of allot of work and progress in a very short period of time".............and, yes - still there will be the need of improvement - especially when the horses keep getting better - but when you look at the whole picture........we've sure come a long way. And in that light - I would like to be the first to congratulate the membership as a whole on its 25 years of working together, growing together and progressing together....Happy 25th Anniversary!...you all...... The whole picture is a GOOD one! Pat Holland & glad to be a part of it all.
