This message is from: "Arthur Rivoire" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello Everybody from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia --
I was DELIGHTED to read Brian Jensen's post re "Raising the Standards" - That's something I've been advocating for a lot of years. I'd like to see the standards raised in several of areas surrounding the Fjord breed, and breed shows are an excellent place to begin. Unfortunately, in the past there's been a lot of resistance to requiring Fjord people to meet AHSA or ADS standards at shows. For instance, about twenty years ago, competitors at the early Vermont Woodstock Show had a fit when they were told they could NO LONGER ride their dressage tests - bareback - in an Australian saddle - in bibtop overalls and work boots. --- "Why not?", they asked. "We've done it that way in the past, and it's the way we want to do things. --- It's who we are." Competitors at Libby complained about wearing driving aprons, gloves, and carrying a whip. There's been a lot of disscusion, argument, and hard feelings about these issues. All a big waste of time in my opinion, and also detrimental to the breed's reputation. -- In my opinion, if in fact, the breed does suffer low estime in the show world, then it could be attributed to the "free spirits" who insisted on jeans, workboots, and plaid shirts in the driving classes. -- These "show duds" no doubt complemented the dirty harness, scratched muddy cart, and the dull brass the poor Fjordhorse was forced to carry around in public. Not to mention the horse himself who was probably unkempt, unclipped, and untrained. Looked at in this light, it sure as hell isn't the Fjordhorse that's lacking quality and class --- It's the people who insist on showing this way. --- However, during all these years, there have been Fjord people who have done it right --- done it "by the book". Afterall, folks --- There is a tradition in showing horses. Why not show our horses in the best light - Clean, trimmed, mannerly, and trained. Fjords shown this way can compete with the best of them. Just recently customers of ours competing at the Woodstock Show with immaculate, well-trained, well-equiped horses were teased for being "so clean". Hey folks! That's the way it's done in the real horse world. Yes, I'm well aware that there's lots going on in the big world of horses. Lots of things we don't want to emulate. However as much as that's true, there are things we should copy in order to uphold the traditions of good horsemanship, AND to do justice to our beautiful breed. THINGS OTHER THAN HORSE SHOWS I'D LIKE TO SEE UPGRADED --- * More truly experienced horsemen/women on the Board of Directors - People who understand how a breed organization should be run in order to Protect, Promote & Improve the breed * Some sort of program or organization that would recognize breeders who do things right - Breeders who do it "By the Book". -- These people need to be recognized for running a quality operation. They need to be distinguished from those who don't. -- There are breeders who run a class act, and those who don't -- And this has very little to do with money --- There are breeders who keep good records, and those who don't ---- There are breeders who train their young stock, and those who don't ---- There are breeders who worm six times a year, and those who don't --- Breeders who give all necessary vaccinations, and those who don't --- In my opinion, THOSE WHO DO SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED - * Breed promotion by the NFHR - A program that highlights performance Fjords. All of us who are selling Fjords (and that includes most everybody at one time or another) deserve much more than we're getting from our Registry. We need BREED PROMOTION in order to PROTECT and IMPROVE the breed. -- What I'm saying is that if the NFHR doesn't come in soon with a significant breed promotion program, there are going to be a lot of quality breeders who will get tired of doing it all themselves. Afterall, as I remember it, The Mandate of the NFHR is to Promote and Protect & Improve the breed. -- Let's all remind them (the NFHR) that the time is now to Promote & Protect, because from all we hear, the Fjord breed is in dire need of promotion == Promotion of it's abilities and qualities, and Protection from an undeserved bad press. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If I sat here long enough, I'm sure I could come up with a longer list of ways to Raise our Standards. -- However, really tightening up the breed shows is an excellent start. Kind Regards, Carol Rivoire Subject: Advocacy & Raising The Standard > > This message is from: "Ursula & Brian Jensen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > . > It has been our show experience to note or hear that > Fjords were there ahead of us; and sometimes left a very negative impression > of the breed to fellow competitors and the viewing public.When we or other > Fjord owners do a reasonable Performance folks at times are amazed that this > breed can actually perform to such a standard. This is one of the reasons I > have been trying to raise the standard in Fjord shows across North America. > If we use FEI-AHSA-ADS Rules at all Fjord shows owners and breeders > will become more confident and skilled with their Fjords lending a state > of readiness for open breed shows where the real story is told.
