This message is from: Arthur and Carol Rivoire <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
This message is from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - Regarding comments to my message of today in which I suggested that our Registry, the NFHR, could be doing more for its memebers in the areas of EDUCATION & PROMOTION. Mike May commented that I was confused in thinking that the NFHR ran the shows. -- Yes, that's possible. However, I feel that whether or not the registry is actually running the BREED SHOWS across the country, it should, as the governing body of the Norwegian Fjord breed, have a positive influence. . . A GUIDING INFLUENCE . . . on the standards of the show. For example - All horses should be pure-bred Fjords and registered with an approved registry. - All horses must be properly presented (manes cut, clean, groomed) - No abusive handling of horses - No unsafe equipment allowed - Horses and handlers tacked and dressed appropriately. Those are just my preliminary thoughts that could be used as guidlines from the NFHR to the BREED SHOW organizers. -- This comes under the heading of EDUCATION. -- Also, I understood at the Libby Annual Meeting that all the shows, except Libby, were NFHR sanctioned. HORSES AND HANDLERS TACKED & DRESSED APPROPRIATELY. - Steve mentioned that some Fjord owners were protesting having to wear gloves and "skirts" (driving aprons) to drive their horses. Now this shouldn't be a problem. It all hinges on the word "Appropriate." --- People driving Fjords put to a farm wagon, and in draft harness would look ridiculous with a driving apron, gloves, hat, tie, etc. --- Just as ridiculous as they would look driving a presentation vehicle in jeans and farm boots. --- We need to require Fjord owners who choose to show their horses at one of our BREED SHOWS to present themselves and their horses appropriately. If we don't, we will look ridiculous to spectators who know horses and showing. --- When I've been in Holland to the big Fjord shows, I've enjoyed a class called - "Concours d'Elegance." It's always a well attended class, and terribly interesting because you see everything from elegant four-in-hands put to elegant vehicles such as a vis a vis to wonderful farm turnouts; such as a brightly painted manure spreader pulled by a lovely Fjord in draft harness. The driver will be in appropriate overalls, and his whip might be a branch with a frond of leaves at the tip. --- Each of those drivers is APPROPRIATELY DRESSED, and their horses APPROPRIATELY HARNESSED . . . and that's the name of the game. So, how could the NFHR help its members show appropriately? Well, it could publish EDUCATIONAL pamphlets informing newcomers to the breed, and to showing, just what is expected at open shows and at breed shows. That would be just one of the EDUCATIONAL pamphlets the breed could publish. Another could be on proper GROOMING. Another on proper FEEDING. On basic HEALTH CARE - FOOT CARE - WORMING - VACCINATIONS - Lists could be made available of books and videos and magazines helpful to Fjordowners.These suggestions would be so simple to implement, and not very costly. And before the directors start decrying cost ----- LET'S NOT FORGET OUR REGISTRY HAS A VERY HEALTHY BALANCE IN THE BANK! And for the life of me, I can't see why it's just sitting there and not being used to PROMOTE the breed, and EDUCATE the members. The gist of my message was to suggest that the NFHR hire Wayne Hipsley (or someone equally qualified . . . if such a person could be found) to act as a CONSULTANT. Wayne's qualifications include 30 or more years involvement with various breed registries. HE HAS SEEN WHAT HAS WORKED FOR OTHER REGISTRIES . . . AND WHAT HASN'T WORKED! His UNIQUE qualifications also include FIVE TRIPS TO NORWAY to study just WHAT IS A FJORDHORSE. --- Why not hire someone like Wayne to direct our efforts at education and promotion of the Fjord? The man is an EXPERT, and whatever it cost the NFHR would be worth it in increased memberships, an expanded Fjord market, higher quality horses, and more educated owners. I have one more thing to say today - Steve mentioned that it was too bad all the DIRECTORS OF THE NFHR are not on the List. Well, I guess! BUT, WHY AREN'T THEY? This is the information age, afterall, and what better way is there for the Directors to know what owners and breeders are thinking than for them to tune into the exchange of information and ideas this List generates? It should be REQUIRED READING for NFHR directors! I very much look forward to reading your comments. Regards from Carol Rivoire in Nova Scotia where the grass is emerald green and long from a month of "Irish Mist" type rain.
