This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Arthur Rivoire)
Hello All, from Carol at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - Lori asked if "The Challenge" was open to all Fjords, not just those born and bred here. The answer is "Yes!" I think it should be open to all Fjords, North American bred and imports. It would be interesting to keep records of times, although that would be strictly voluntary. I mean, how fast is fast for Fjords doing the kilometre at the trot? We don't know, and might be surprised. And when it gets down to the nitty gritty, people actually "going for it," it may give us valuable information regarding our breeding. We must remember that Fjords are driving horses, and a driving horse has to be able to get from point A to point B in a timely manner. There's more to Fjords than the "cuddle factor", important as that is. The two fastest Fjord stallions I know of are Gjest and Myrstein, both Norwegian born and bred, but purchased by Holland. There was once a race between Gjest and Myrstein. Just the two stallions. They both had a reputation for speed, and the race was to prove once and for all, which was the fastest. I have the newspaper account somewhere in my archives. Gjest won the race, but Myrstein was a close second. The newspaper had a full page color photo of Gjest with a couronne of flowers around his neck. Don't remember if they were roses. But this was a big thing in Europe. A real match race. People got excited about it, and it provided a lot of publlicity, interest, and fun. I saw Myrstein when I was in Holland this summer. He looked fabulous. I was struck by how much he looked like Gjest in body. Both of them rather long-bodied, and extrmely supple. Like Gjest, he didn't show his age, and seemed to have as much verve and agility as a much younger horse. We imported two Myrstein fillies last year. Lori Albrough has one, and I understand Rjellgrin, her Myrstein daughter, is quite athletic. We kept one of the Myrsteins, and she's super athletic, and a lovely driving horse. Seems to flot over the ground. Maybe one of these fillies will be the one. --- Oh, gosh darn it, I forgot! Arthur and I can't do it. Drat!!! Well, I suppose we could do it "hors concours." Julie mentioned the stallion, Pluto, having a fast time. I wonder how fast? Maybe Julie could get these timed records during the trip to Norway. I know that they're published in the Norwegian Stud Books. I have four of those, including the one that Gjest is in, and of course, his time of 2.12 is included. Regards, Carol Carol and Arthur Rivoire Beaver Dam Farm Fjords II R.R. 7 Pomquet Antigonish County Nova Scotia B2G 2L4 902 386 2304 http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/beaverdf
