This message is from: "Ursula & Brian Jensen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Greetings from Brian Jensen; kindve long
It is refreshing to read some thoughtful and forward
thinking comments from list contributors. Actually Mark ----Ursula does her
best thinking in the barn mucking out stalls !!!. To Marsha L. my apology
for the typo- error. I offer my prospectives as my own point of view based
on our time in the Fjord business which started in 1983 .
I believe there has been tremendous growth and education throughout
the Fjord community and the NFHR If one goes back about 15 years in N.A. to
look at the Fjord Breed --its membership --NFHR---Stability &
Continuity ----------it has never been better than today.
Presently I see five cornerstones in N. A. for Fjord Advocacy, and
Stewardship of the Breed.
1-The NFHR--Directors, Committees, and Record Functions
maintained by Mike May--Exec Director.
2-The Evaluation Program, and its Committee members
The Record Book and on line Evaluation results.
3-The Fjord Herald---Publisher--Sally Webber.
4-The Committed Fjord Owners & Breeders of N. A.
5- NFHR membership in FHI
When Ursula and I started in Fjords there were no Evaluations---no
Clinicians---no Leaders in the disciplines of Riding/Driving/Draft. Today we
have Evaluations--Trained capable Clinicians-Mentoring leaders in all the
Disciplines. As I travel around N.A. to Fjord Clinics and Evaluations I see
a huge change in the quality of the Fjord presented for inspection. I also
see a standard of understanding and communication across the country in all
groups and their memberships. It is very gratifying to do a spring PNWFPG
Pre-Evaluation Clinic in Spokane, and take the same material to present to a
Pre-Evaluation Clinic in Virginia----and have everyone on the same page!!
Last fall at the Ohio Evaluation I asked Wayne Hipsley-Senior
Evaluator-- if he knew of any other breed in N.A. who had wrote and are
conducting their own Evaluation Program. He was not aware of any other breed
doing this in N. A.!!!!
We have all came a long way in 15 years and are to be commended for
it!!! It has not been easy or smooth. There has actually over the years been
tremendous differences of opinions and downright standoffs!!! I have kept a
15 year old letter from a notable Fjord owner and breeder---which today
would be considered hate mail. This letter comments on our wanting to drive
carriage style, carry a whip, and wanting to standardize Fjords with
something called Evaluations. The wording was much more colourful and
prolific than my statement---but that is censored!!! Thankfully the hate
mail has stopped. From these circumstances mentioned I believe we have moved
forward.
That being said, and not wanting to rest on platitudes we have now
been challenging every Fjord owner at every clinic we give to think outside
of the box, and take another look at their Fjords and their abilities. It is
my belief that right now the biggest single point holding back the Fjords
true place in Equine North America is some of the owners and breeders who
simply do not recognize really what these animals are capable of doing.
All owners and breeders in N.A. have freedom of choice in what to do
or what not to do with their Fjords. I cannot berate others for not doing
what we do. I can only suggest---show---educate---mentor--and train others
to Drive successfully and safely.
Considering the cross-section of new Fjord owners, and their
abilities---I believe we have came a fair distance. For me the 20/20
hindsight gives a positive prospective of where we are at--where we came
from---and where we are going. There will always be work to do for growth to
occur. We are really just beginning---- Sincerely Brian Jensen
& Brian Jensen
Trinity Fjords
Box 1032
Lumby BC, V0E 2G0
Canada 250-547-6303
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://okjunc.junction.net/~ujensen/
